Article inspection device

Abstract

To provide an article inspection device capable of obtaining reproducibility of measurement for an article to be inspected.SOLUTION: An article inspection device includes: a conveyance part which suctionally holds and conveys a tablet W to an inspection position; an inspection part which irradiates the tablet W with an electromagnetic wave, measures an amount of change in the electromagnetic wave, and inspects the tablet W on the basis of the measurement result, in the inspection position; a guide part which is provided along a conveyance path for the tablet W and guides the tablet W conveyed to the inspection position; an adjustment mechanism which can adjust the position of the guide part; and an imaging part which images the tablet W passing through the conveyance path between the guide part and the inspection part from the side of the conveyance path. The guide part is configured so as to adjust the position of the guide part by the adjustment mechanism on the basis of an image 121 captured by the imaging part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an article inspection device. [Background technology]

[0002] As an example of an article inspection device that irradiates electromagnetic waves such as light onto a molded product to be inspected, measures the amount of change in the electromagnetic waves such as light, and inspects the molded product based on the measurement results, there is known an article inspection device that includes a conveying section that sucks and holds the tablet to be inspected and conveys it, an inspection section that irradiates light onto the tablet to inspect it, and a guide section that is provided along the conveying section and slides against the tablet being conveyed to the conveying section to correct the position of the tablet and adjust its posture relative to the inspection section (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-056863 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In an article inspection device that irradiates electromagnetic waves such as light onto a molded product to be inspected and measures the amount of change in that light, the more fixed and consistent the position at which the electromagnetic waves such as light are irradiated, the position of the molded product, and the position of the measuring device that measures the amount of change in the electromagnetic waves such as light are, the more reproducible the measurement results will be.

[0005] However, when measuring a tablet to be inspected while transporting it, as in the product inspection device described in Patent Document 1, the position and posture of the tablet may not be fixed due to variations in transportation, and as a result, there is a risk that the measurement may not be reproducible.

[0006] Furthermore, even if a guide unit that adjusts the tablet's posture is provided, as in the product inspection device described in Patent Document 1, if, for example, the type of tablet to be inspected is changed or the position of the guide unit is shifted, the position and posture of the tablet may still not be determined, and as a result, there is a risk that measurements may not be reproducible.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an article inspection apparatus that can obtain repeatable measurements for an article to be inspected. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The item inspection device of the present invention comprises a conveying unit that sucks and holds an item to be inspected and conveys it to an inspection position; an inspection unit that irradiates electromagnetic waves onto the item at the inspection position, measures the amount of change in the electromagnetic waves, and inspects the item based on the measurement results; a guide unit that is arranged along the conveying path of the item and guides the item being conveyed to the inspection position; a guide adjustment unit that can adjust the position of the guide unit; and an imaging unit that images the item passing through the conveying path between the guide unit and the inspection unit from the side of the conveying path, and the position of the guide unit is configured so that the guide adjustment unit can adjust the position of the guide unit based on the image captured by the imaging unit.

[0009] With this configuration, the article inspection device according to the present invention includes a guide adjustment unit that can adjust the position of a guide unit that guides an article transported to an inspection position, and an imaging unit that images an article passing through a transport path between the guide unit and the inspection unit from the side of the transport path, and is configured so that the position of the guide unit can be adjusted by the guide adjustment unit based on the image captured by the imaging unit. Therefore, if the posture and position of the article transported to the inspection position deviates from a predetermined posture and position, the position of the guide unit can be adjusted based on the image captured by the imaging unit, thereby correcting the article transported to the inspection position to the predetermined posture and position. This allows for repeatability of measurements of the article to be inspected.

[0010] Preferably, the article inspection device according to the present invention further comprises a display unit that displays an image captured by the imaging unit, and an operation unit that accepts an adjustment operation for adjusting the position of the guide unit.

[0011] With this configuration, the item inspection device of the present invention further includes a display unit that displays the image captured by the imaging unit, and an operation unit that accepts adjustment operations to adjust the position of the guide unit, so that the user can easily perform adjustment operations while viewing the image displayed on the display unit.

[0012] In the article inspection device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the image displayed by the display unit also displays an auxiliary image that assists in adjusting the position of the guide unit.

[0013] With this configuration, the item inspection device of the present invention displays an auxiliary image that assists in adjusting the position of the guide section along with the image displayed by the display section, so that the user can easily adjust the position of the guide section to the optimal position while looking at the auxiliary image.

[0014] In the item inspection device of the present invention, it is preferable that the device further includes a control unit that controls the guide adjustment unit, and that the control unit controls the guide adjustment unit based on the image captured by the imaging unit to adjust the position of the guide unit.

[0015] With this configuration, the object inspection device of the present invention has a control unit that controls the guide adjustment unit based on the image captured by the imaging unit to adjust the position of the guide unit, so that objects transported to the inspection position can be automatically corrected to a predetermined posture and position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an article inspection apparatus that can obtain repeatability of measurements for an article to be inspected. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of an article inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a conveying unit and a guide unit of an article inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the transport unit and guide unit of the article inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention, which are linearly developed. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of an article inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation display unit of an article inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an image after the guide portion is adjusted. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a modified example of an auxiliary image displayed on the operation display unit of an article inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, an article inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] In this embodiment, as an example of an item inspection device that irradiates electromagnetic waves onto an item to be inspected, measures the amount of change in the electromagnetic waves, and inspects the item based on the measurement results, we will explain an item inspection device 1 that aligns the items to be inspected and transports them individually while irradiating them with light at a predetermined inspection position, and inspects the quality of the item based on the spectral characteristics of the light that passes through the item as this light is irradiated.

[0020] The item inspection device of this embodiment may be, for example, an item inspection device that irradiates light onto an item to be inspected and performs an appearance inspection of the item based on the light reflected from the item, or an item inspection device that irradiates visible light, infrared light, etc. onto an item to be inspected and measures the transmitted light that passes through the item and inspects the item based on the measurement results, or an item inspection device that irradiates X-rays, etc. onto an item to be inspected and measures the X-rays, etc. that pass through the item and inspects the item based on the measurement results.

[0021] The items to be inspected are items that are relatively close in size to the area irradiated with light, and include items with an outer diameter φ of several mm to several tens of mm that can be transported individually without packaging, bite-sized items, as well as items and molded products of a predetermined shape manufactured using existing manufacturing equipment or manufacturing equipment without inspection functions, and especially items that do not change shape during transportation.

[0022] Examples of such articles include pharmaceutical preparations such as tablets, capsules, lozenges, and drops, as well as candy and chocolate. The following description will be given taking as an example an article to be inspected a tablet W that is circular in plan view and has a height (thickness) smaller than its diameter and is approximately cylindrical in side view. The tablet W in this embodiment constitutes an article. Note that the article to be inspected is not limited to a circular shape in plan view, and articles of various shapes such as an oval shape or a polygonal shape can also be used.

[0023] 1, the article inspection device 1 includes a supply unit (not shown), a conveying unit 3, an inspection unit 4, a guide unit 5, a sorting unit (not shown), and an imaging unit 7. The supply unit is configured, for example, by a non-vibration rotary parts feeder.

[0024] (Transportation section) As shown in Fig. 1, the transport unit 3 includes a circular transport disk 30 that is rotatably and horizontally supported on a main body frame (not shown). The transport disk 30 is driven to rotate by a drive motor 30M (see Fig. 4). The transport disk 30 sucks and holds tablets W supplied from the supply unit to a suction position P1, and transports them to an inspection position P2. A plurality of suction holes 32 (see Fig. 2) are formed at predetermined intervals around the entire periphery of the outer periphery 30a.

[0025] A suction device such as a vacuum pump is connected to the suction holes 32 of the conveying disc 30, and the tablets W are adsorbed by the negative pressure generated by the suction device. This allows the conveying disc 30 to rotate and convey the tablets W while adsorbing them to the suction holes 32.

[0026] At the suction position P1, the tablet W is suction-held by the conveying disk 30 in a position where its thickness direction is perpendicular to the horizontal plane, i.e., where its cylindrical axis is parallel to the vertical direction, and is conveyed circumferentially toward the inspection position P2 as the conveying disk 30 rotates while maintaining that position.

[0027] Here, the conveying direction in the conveying unit 3 means the direction in which the tablet W adsorbed at the adsorption position P1 moves, i.e., the direction in which the tablet W adsorbed on the conveying disc 30 rotates. Therefore, the downstream side in the conveying direction means the downstream side in the direction in which the tablet W adsorbed on the conveying disc 30 moves, and the upstream side in the conveying direction means the upstream side in the direction in which the tablet W adsorbed on the conveying disc 30 moves.

[0028] In this embodiment, the path along which the tablet W adsorbed at the adsorption position P1 travels is referred to as the conveying path. Note that the conveying unit 3 is not limited to a mechanism that conveys the tablet W using a circular conveying disk 30, and may be a mechanism that conveys the tablet W linearly, for example, a linear conveyor that adsorbs the tablet W laterally.

[0029] Around the conveying disk 30, along the conveying path of the tablets W, there are arranged, in this order from the upstream side in the conveying direction, a suction position P1, an inspection position P2, and a sorting position P3.

[0030] The conveying disk 30 conveys the tablet W to be inspected from the suction position P1 through the inspection position P2 to the sorting position P3, and discharges it at the sorting position P3 to a discharge destination according to the inspection result of the inspection unit 4. The discharge destinations include, for example, an NG drop chute for discharging NG products, a full discharge drop chute, a fail-safe drop chute, and an OK collection chute for discharging OK products.

[0031] (Inspection Department) The inspection unit 4 is attached at an inspection position P2 to a main body frame that supports the conveying disk 30. The inspection unit 4 inspects the tablets W at the inspection position P2 by irradiating the tablets W with light L (see FIG. 3), and more specifically, judges whether the quality of the tablets W is good or bad.

[0032] A tablet detection sensor (not shown) is arranged upstream in the conveying direction of the inspection unit 4. When a tablet W is detected by the tablet detection sensor, the inspection unit 4 irradiates light L (see FIG. 3) onto the tablet W at the timing when the detected tablet W reaches the inspection position P2. The timing when the tablet W reaches the inspection position P2 can be measured based on the rotation angle of the conveying disc 30 and the detection timing of the tablet detection sensor.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 3, the inspection unit 4 is configured to be able to measure the spectral characteristics of the tablets W transported by the transport disk 30 in a non-contact manner using an optical sensor made up of a light irradiation unit 42 and a light detection unit 43. The inspection unit 4 is configured to judge the quality of the tablets W, whether they are within a standard range, and whether they are good or bad (OK product or NG product), based on the measured spectral characteristics. In this embodiment, tablets W within the standard range are good products and are referred to as "OK product," and tablets W outside the standard range are defective products and are referred to as "NG product."

[0034] (Guide part) The guide section 5 is provided between the suction position P1 and the inspection position P2 along the conveyance path of the tablets W, and guides the tablets W conveyed to the inspection position P2.

[0035] 2 and 3, the guide unit 5 is configured to include a first guide 11, a second guide 12, and a third guide 13. The first guide 11, the second guide 12, and the third guide 13 are supported non-rotatably by a main body frame (not shown).

[0036] The first guide 11 is composed of a first upper guide piece 51 that contacts the tablet W from above, and a first lower guide piece 52 that is arranged opposite the first upper guide piece 51 across the conveying path of the tablet W.

[0037] The first guide 11 has a guide surface inclined so that the distance between the guide surface of the first upper guide piece 51 and the guide surface of the first lower guide piece 52, which are opposite each other across the conveying path of the tablet W, narrows from the upstream side in the conveying direction of the tablet W toward the downstream side in the conveying direction.

[0038] The second guide 12 is composed of a second lower guide piece 53 that contacts the tablet W from below, and a second upper guide piece 54 that is arranged opposite the second lower guide piece 53 across the conveying path of the tablet W.

[0039] Like the first guide 11, the second guide 12 has its guide surfaces inclined so that the distance between the guide surface of the second lower guide piece 53 and the guide surface of the second upper guide piece 54, which are opposite each other across the conveying path of the tablet W, narrows from the upstream side in the conveying direction of the tablet W toward the downstream side in the conveying direction.

[0040] The third guide 13 is composed of a guide piece that is disposed on the inspection position P2 side of the first guide 11 and the second guide 12 and below the conveying path of the tablets W.

[0041] A guide surface is formed on the conveying path side of the third guide 13, which contacts the tablets W from below on the upstream side in the conveying direction of the tablets W. The guide surface is inclined so as to gradually move away from the tablets W as it moves toward the downstream side in the conveying direction of the tablets W.

[0042] In this embodiment, the first upper guide piece 51 and the second upper guide piece 54 are integrally formed, and the first lower guide piece 52, the second lower guide piece 53, and the third guide 13 are integrally formed. However, these may all be formed separately.

[0043] The integrally formed first upper guide piece 51 and second upper guide piece 54, and the integrally formed first lower guide piece 52 and second lower guide piece 53 and third guide 13 are configured so that their respective mounting positions, i.e., their relative positions to the conveying path, can be adjusted by an adjustment mechanism 50 (see Figure 4) serving as a guide adjustment section.

[0044] In this embodiment, the above-mentioned integrally formed first upper guide piece 51 and second upper guide piece 54 are referred to as the "upper guide unit 5A," and the above-mentioned integrally formed first lower guide piece 52, second lower guide piece 53, and third guide 13 are referred to as the "lower guide unit 5B."

[0045] The adjustment mechanism 50 is configured, for example, with a linear motion mechanism such as an ELECYLINDER (registered trademark), a rack-and-pinion mechanism, or a ball screw, driven by a motor or the like. The adjustment mechanism 50 can adjust the upper guide unit 5A and the lower guide unit 5B simultaneously by interlocking these units. Specifically, the adjustment mechanism 50 can move the upper guide unit 5A and the lower guide unit 5B in a direction to bring them closer to each other or in a direction to move them apart. This makes it possible to change the distance between the upper guide unit 5A and the lower guide unit 5B, i.e., the upper and lower regions through which the tablet W passes through the guide section 5.

[0046] The adjustment mechanism 50 may have a function to simultaneously move the upper guide unit 5A and the lower guide unit 5B up and down. In this case, this function may be realized by a mechanism separate from the adjustment mechanism 50. Furthermore, the upper guide unit 5A and the lower guide unit 5B may be configured to be adjustable separately. In this case, two adjustment mechanisms 50 are provided, one for the upper guide unit 5A and one for the lower guide unit 5B. Furthermore, the mounting positions of the upper guide unit 5A and the lower guide unit 5B may be manually adjustable.

[0047] (imaging unit) As shown in Figure 1, the imaging unit 7 is positioned to the side of the conveying path between the guide unit 5 and the inspection unit 4, in this embodiment radially outside the conveying disk 30, facing the outer peripheral edge 30a of the conveying disk 30 across the conveying path.

[0048] The imaging unit 7 is configured to capture images of the tablets W passing through the conveying path between the guide unit 5 and the inspection unit 4 from the side of the conveying path. The imaging unit 7 is formed of, for example, an area camera.

[0049] The imaging unit 7 is connected to the control unit 100 described later, and is configured to output to the control unit 100 an image or video that allows the transport state of the tablet W passing through the transport path between the guide unit 5 and the inspection unit 4, i.e., the posture and position of the tablet W, to be confirmed.

[0050] If the imaging unit 7 is configured to capture, for example, a still image, a sensor for detecting the tablet W may be placed upstream of the imaging unit 7 in the conveying direction, and an image may be captured when the tablet W enters the imaging range of the imaging unit 7 based on the detection timing of the sensor and the rotation angle of the conveying disk 30.

[0051] Furthermore, when the conveying speed of the tablets W is high, the exposure time of the imaging unit 7 becomes short, so an auxiliary light source may be provided as necessary to enable imaging with a short exposure time.

[0052] (Electrical configuration) Next, the electrical configuration of the article inspection device 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 4, the article inspection device 1 according to this embodiment includes a control unit 100 that performs overall control of the article inspection device 1.

[0054] The control unit 100 is configured by a computer unit that includes at least a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), an input port, and an output port.

[0055] The control unit 100 is connected with various devices such as the inspection unit 4, drive motor 30M, adjustment mechanism 50, operation display unit 120, etc., in addition to various sensors 8 such as the tablet detection sensor described above.

[0056] The control unit 100 has a memory unit 101 that stores the pass / fail judgment results of the inspection unit 4 as measurement data for each tablet W. The control unit 100 assigns identification information that can individually identify the tablets W, for example, a management number, to each of the above-mentioned measurement data in a consecutive manner, and then stores each measurement data in the memory unit 101. When this measurement data is stored, management of each tablet W begins.

[0057] In this embodiment, the control unit 100 manages each tablet W as described above by storing in the memory unit 101, in addition to the judgment results of the inspection unit 4, information such as the discharge results indicating where the tablet W was discharged, linked to each measurement data.

[0058] Furthermore, each measurement data stored in the storage unit 101 is configured to be readable in response to an operation on the operation display unit 120. This makes it possible to track the measurement data of each tablet W by its management number.

[0059] The operation display unit 120 is configured by, for example, a touch panel display. The operation display unit 120 has a function as a display unit that displays various information and images captured by the imaging unit 7 in addition to a viewer display screen related to the management of each tablet W, and also has a function as an operation unit that accepts various operations such as adjustment operations from the user. Examples of user operations include various setting operations, driving operations, selection operations, and adjustment operations of the guide unit 5.

[0060] The control unit 100 controls the adjustment mechanism 50 to change, i.e., adjust, the positions of the upper guide unit 5A and the lower guide unit 5B (see Figure 3) in accordance with adjustment operations from the user received by the operation display unit 120.

[0061] (Regarding guide adjustment) Next, adjustment of the guide portion 5 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0062] In the article inspection device 1 of this embodiment, the imaging unit 7 captures an image of the tablet W passing through the conveying path between the guide unit 5 and the inspection unit 4 from the side of the conveying path.

[0063] Fig. 5 is an example of an image captured by the imaging unit 7 of a tablet W passing through the conveying path between the guide unit 5 and the inspection unit 4. The arrow shown in Fig. 5 indicates the conveying direction of the tablet W.

[0064] 5, an image 121 captured by the imaging unit 7 is displayed on a display screen 120a of the operation display unit 120. At this time, a guide adjustment button icon 122 for accepting an adjustment operation from the user is displayed on the display screen 120a together with the image 121. The operation display unit 120 may also have a function for displaying actual dimensions within the image 121 on the display screen 120a.

[0065] While checking image 121, the user can change the positions of the upper guide unit 5A and the lower guide unit 5B, i.e., the distance between the upper guide unit 5A and the lower guide unit 5B, by pressing the ``+'' button or ``-'' button on the guide adjustment button icon 122.

[0066] For example, when the "+" button is pressed, the upper guide unit 5A and the lower guide unit 5B move so that the distance between them increases, and when the "-" button is pressed, the upper guide unit 5A and the lower guide unit 5B move so that the distance between them decreases.

[0067] The display of the guide adjustment button icon 122 is not limited to a "+" button or a "-" button, and may be a button display in other forms. Furthermore, if the upper guide unit 5A and the lower guide unit 5B are configured to be adjustable separately, a selection button for selecting which guide unit to operate may be displayed in addition to the guide adjustment button icon 122, or an adjustment button for each guide unit may be displayed.

[0068] Furthermore, it is preferable that the image 121 displays tolerance lines 124 as auxiliary images above and below the image of the tablet W, which serve as a guide for correcting the posture and position of the tablet W. The auxiliary images shown in this embodiment are merely an example and are not limited to this.

[0069] In the example shown in FIG. 5, in the image 121, the tablet W is tilted so as to protrude above and below the two upper and lower tolerance lines 124. In other words, it can be seen in the image 121 that the tablet W does not fit between the two upper and lower tolerance lines 124. This allows the user to easily confirm that the tablet W is not in the correct posture or position. Also, for example, in the image 121, if the tablet W is horizontal but protrudes above or below beyond either of the two upper and lower tolerance lines 124, it can be easily confirmed that the position of the tablet W is incorrect (misaligned).

[0070] In this case, the user presses the "+" button or the "-" button of the guide adjustment button icon 122 to adjust the positions of the upper guide unit 5A and the lower guide unit 5B, i.e., the distance between the upper guide unit 5A and the lower guide unit 5B.

[0071] Then, the user operates the "+" button or the "-" button of the guide adjustment button icon 122 until the tablet W fits between the two upper and lower tolerance lines 124 in the image 121, as shown in FIG.

[0072] 6, it can be confirmed that the tablet W is in the correct position and posture, falling between the two upper and lower tolerance lines 124. In this embodiment, if it is confirmed in the image 121 captured by the imaging unit 7 that the tablet W does not fall between the two upper and lower tolerance lines 124, the distance between the upper guide unit 5A and the lower guide unit 5B is adjusted, so that all of the tablets W transported to the inspection unit 4 are unified into the correct position and posture. As a result, the inspection unit 4 measures the spectroscopic characteristics of all of the tablets W at the unified correct position and posture.

[0073] Here, the correct position of the tablet W refers to a position where the center of the tablet W in the vertical direction coincides with the center line O (see FIG. 3) connecting the centers of the suction holes 32 of the conveying disk 30, or where the center of the tablet W in the vertical direction is within an area having a predetermined width above and below the center line O. Furthermore, the correct posture of the tablet W refers to an inclination of the tablet W relative to the horizontal plane that is within an allowable range. The allowable range includes the tablet W being horizontal, and refers to a range in which the inclination of the tablet W falls within the range between two upper and lower allowable lines 124.

[0074] (Action and effect) As described above, the article inspection device according to this embodiment includes the adjustment mechanism 50 that can adjust the position of the guide unit 5 that guides the tablet W transported to the inspection position P2, and the imaging unit 7 that images the tablet W passing through the transport path between the guide unit 5 and the inspection unit 4 from the side of the transport path, and is configured so that the position of the guide unit 5 can be adjusted by the adjustment mechanism 50 based on the image captured by the imaging unit 7. Therefore, if the posture and position of the tablet W transported to the inspection position P2 deviates from a predetermined posture and position, the position of the guide unit 5 can be adjusted based on the image captured by the imaging unit 7, and the tablet W transported to the inspection position P2 can be corrected to the predetermined posture and position. This makes it possible to obtain repeatability in measurements of the tablet W to be inspected.

[0075] Furthermore, even in cases where it is difficult to visually check the posture and position of tablets W being transported at high speed, making it difficult to determine whether or not the guide section needs to be adjusted, it is possible to easily determine whether or not the guide section needs to be adjusted simply by checking the image captured by the imaging unit 7.

[0076] In addition, the item inspection device of this embodiment further includes an operation display unit 120 that functions as a display unit that displays the image captured by the imaging unit 7 and as an operation unit that accepts adjustment operations to adjust the position of the guide unit 5, so that the user can easily perform adjustment operations while looking at the image displayed on the operation display unit 120.

[0077] In addition, in the item inspection device of this embodiment, the image displayed by the operation display unit 120 also displays two upper and lower tolerance lines 124 that assist in adjusting the position of the guide unit 5, so the user can easily adjust the position of the guide unit 5 to the optimal position while looking at the two upper and lower tolerance lines 124.

[0078] (Variation) In this embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the user adjusts the positions of the upper guide unit 5A and the lower guide unit 5B by operating the guide adjustment button icon 122, but this is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 100 may automatically control the adjustment mechanism 50 based on an image captured by the imaging unit 7 to adjust the positions of the upper guide unit 5A and the lower guide unit 5B.

[0079] In this case, the control unit 100 analyzes the image captured by the imaging unit 7, for example, performs edge detection on the tablet W in the image, detects how much the detected edge is inclined relative to the horizontal plane (inclination angle), and automatically drives the adjustment mechanism 50 according to the inclination angle.

[0080] For example, the inclination angle of the edge and the movement amount of the upper guide unit 5A and the lower guide unit 5B, i.e., the drive amount of the adjustment mechanism 50, are experimentally associated in advance and stored in the ROM of the control unit 100. As a result, when the tablet W is inclined, the control unit 100 can adjust the positions of the upper guide unit 5A and the lower guide unit 5B to optimal positions according to the inclination angle of the edge of the tablet W.

[0081] Furthermore, the control unit 100 detects how much the detected edge is shifted upward or downward (amount of deviation) relative to a reference (e.g., the center line O mentioned above) that indicates the correct position of the tablet W, and automatically drives the adjustment mechanism 50 according to the amount of deviation.

[0082] For example, the amount of deviation and the amount of movement of the upper guide unit 5A and the lower guide unit 5B, i.e., the amount of drive of the adjustment mechanism 50, are experimentally associated in advance and stored in the ROM of the control unit 100. As a result, when the tablet W is misaligned, the control unit 100 can adjust the positions of the upper guide unit 5A and the lower guide unit 5B to optimal positions according to the amount of deviation of the edge of the tablet W.

[0083] In this way, the control unit 100 controls the adjustment mechanism 50 based on the image captured by the imaging unit 7 to adjust the position of the guide unit 5, so that the tablet W being transported to the inspection position P2 can be automatically corrected to a predetermined posture and position.

[0084] In addition, in this embodiment, an example has been described in which an allowable line 124 is displayed as an auxiliary image, as shown in Figure 5, but this is not limited to this, and two allowable areas 125, one above the other, may be displayed as auxiliary images, as shown in Figure 7, for example.

[0085] The example shown in Fig. 7 is useful when measuring a tablet W with curved upper and lower surfaces. In the case of a tablet W with curved upper and lower surfaces, even if the tablet W is tilted relative to the horizontal plane, it may fall between the two upper and lower tolerance lines 124 shown in Fig. 5. In such a case, it may not be possible to correct the posture or position of the tablet W.

[0086] In contrast, in the example shown in Figure 7, by determining whether the cylindrical portion (rectangular portion in side view) in the image of tablet W, which has curved upper and lower surfaces, is within the two upper and lower allowable areas 125, it is possible to easily determine whether the posture or position of tablet W needs to be corrected.

[0087] While an embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention, and it is intended that all such modifications and equivalents be included in the following claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1. Item inspection equipment 3. Conveyor 4. Inspection Department 5 Guide section 5A Upper guide unit 5B Lower guide unit 7. Imaging unit 30 Transfer disc 30M drive motor 50 Adjustment mechanism (guide adjustment part) 100 control section 120 Operation display section (display section, operation section) 120a display screen 121 images 122 icons 124 Tolerance Line (auxiliary image) 125 Acceptable Area (Auxiliary Image) P1 Adsorption position P2 inspection position P3 Sorting position W Tablet (item)

Claims

1. a conveying unit (3) that suction-holds an object (W) to be inspected and conveys it to an inspection position (P2); an inspection unit (4) that irradiates the item with an electromagnetic wave at the inspection position, measures the amount of change in the electromagnetic wave, and inspects the item based on the measurement result; a guide unit (5) provided along the transport path of the article and configured to guide the article being transported to the inspection position; a guide adjustment unit (50) capable of adjusting the position of the guide unit; an imaging unit (7) that captures an image of the article passing through the conveying path between the guide unit and the inspection unit from a side of the conveying path, An article inspection device, wherein the guide section is configured so that the position of the guide section can be adjusted by the guide adjustment section based on the image captured by the imaging section.

2. a display unit (120) that displays an image captured by the imaging unit; The article inspection device according to claim 1 , further comprising: an operation unit (120) that accepts an adjustment operation for adjusting the position of the guide unit.

3. The object inspection device according to claim 2 , wherein the image displayed by the display unit is accompanied by an auxiliary image that assists in adjusting the position of the guide unit.

4. Further provided is a control unit (100) that controls the guide adjustment unit, The object inspection device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls the guide adjustment unit to adjust the position of the guide unit based on the image captured by the imaging unit.

Images