Separator and metal detection system

Abstract

To provide a separator and a metal detection system capable of suppressing the mixing of foreign matter into a passage for feeding an inspection object in which the mixing of metal is not detected.SOLUTION: A separator for use with a metal detector includes a housing and a guide disposed in an interior space of the housing. The housing has a supply opening, a first discharge opening, and a second discharge opening. The guide portion includes a fixed cylinder fixed to the housing and a pivot cylinder that is displaced between a first position and a second position. The fixed cylinder has a fixed closed curved surface located on one side of the pivot shaft in the orthogonal direction and extending in a cylindrical surface centered on the pivot shaft, and the pivot cylinder has a pivot closed curved surface located on one side of the pivot shaft in the orthogonal direction and extending in a cylindrical surface centered on the pivot shaft. At least a part of the fixed closed curved surface and at least a part of the pivoting closed curved surface face each other when the pivoting cylinder is located at any position within a pivoting range of the pivoting cylinder between the first position and the second position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a separator and a metal detection system. [Background technology]

[0002] Metal detection systems are used to detect metal contamination in test objects and separate test objects detected as containing metal from other test objects. Such metal detection systems include a metal detector that detects the presence or absence of metal, and a separator that is located downstream of the metal detector on the test object transport path and sorts test objects detected as containing metal by the metal detector into a path different from the other test objects.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a metal detecting device that includes a cylindrical member that is rotated from a first state to a second state when it is determined that a foreign object has been mixed in. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-237278 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a metal detection system such as the metal detection device disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is desirable to minimize the possibility of foreign matter entering a passageway through which an object to be inspected, for which no metal contamination has been detected, is transported.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to provide a separator and a metal detection system that can prevent foreign matter from entering a passageway through which inspected objects for which no metal contamination has been detected are sent. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, A separator for use with a metal detector, comprising: The housing and a guide portion provided in the internal space of the housing, The housing includes: a supply port for supplying the object to be inspected that has passed through the metal detector into the internal space; a first discharge port that overlaps with the supply port when viewed in the vertical direction and is provided below the supply port in the vertical direction; a second outlet provided at a position different from the first outlet in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, The guide unit is a fixed cylinder fixed to the housing, the fixed cylinder defining a first passage communicating with the supply port; a pivotal cylinder located below the fixed cylinder and defining a second passage communicating with the first passage, the pivotal cylinder pivoting about a pivot axis extending in an axial direction intersecting both the vertical direction and the orthogonal direction to be displaced between a first position and a second position; When the pivot cylinder is in the first position, the test object supplied from the supply port to the internal space is discharged from the first discharge port through the first passage and the second passage, When the pivot cylinder is in the second position, the test object supplied from the supply port to the internal space is discharged from the second discharge port through the first passage and the second passage, The first discharge port is provided on one side in the orthogonal direction, the second outlet is provided on the other side in the orthogonal direction, the fixed cylinder has a fixed closed curved surface located on the one side of the pivot shaft in the orthogonal direction and extending within a cylindrical surface centered on the pivot shaft, the pivot cylinder has a pivot closed curved surface located on the one side of the pivot shaft in the orthogonal direction and extending within a cylindrical surface centered on the pivot shaft, A separator is provided in which at least a portion of the fixed closing curved surface faces at least a portion of the pivoting closing curved surface regardless of the position of the pivoting cylinder within its pivot range between the first position and the second position.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, A separator for use with a metal detector, comprising: The housing and a guide portion provided in the internal space of the housing; a pivot mechanism; The housing includes: a supply port for supplying the object to be inspected that has passed through the metal detector into the internal space; a first discharge port that overlaps with the supply port when viewed in the vertical direction and is provided below the supply port in the vertical direction; a second outlet provided at a position different from the first outlet in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, The guide unit is a fixed cylinder fixed to the housing, the fixed cylinder defining a first passage communicating with the supply port; a pivotal cylinder located below the fixed cylinder and defining a second passage communicating with the first passage, the pivotal cylinder having a first opening at one end and a second opening at the other end, and pivoting about a pivot axis extending in an axial direction perpendicular to both the vertical direction and the perpendicular direction to be displaced between a first position and a second position; The pivoting cylinder is a guide plate that is a rectangular flat plate; a sub-guide plate which is a rectangular flat plate facing the guide plate; a pair of wall portions connecting the guide plate and the sub-guide plate at both ends in the axial direction, When the guide plate is in either the first position or the second position, the first opening is located above the second opening, the pivot shaft is located at a position spaced apart from the guide plate and the auxiliary guide plate, and a length of a perpendicular line extending from the pivot shaft to the guide plate and a length of a perpendicular line extending from the pivot shaft to the auxiliary guide plate are equal to each other; the position of the center of the supply port in the orthogonal direction and the position of the pivot shaft in the orthogonal direction are equal to each other, The first discharge port is provided on one side in the orthogonal direction, the second outlet is provided on the other side in the orthogonal direction, The fixed barrel is a fixed closed curved surface located on the one side of the pivot shaft in the orthogonal direction and extending on a cylindrical surface centered on the pivot shaft; a secondary fixed closed curved surface located on the other side of the pivot shaft in the orthogonal direction and extending on a cylindrical surface centered on the pivot shaft; a first fixed closed plane located on one side of the first passage in the axial direction; a second fixed closed plane located on the other side of the first passage in the axial direction, The pivoting cylinder is a pivoting closed curved surface located on the one side of the pivot shaft in the orthogonal direction and extending on a cylindrical surface centered on the pivot shaft; a secondary pivot closed curved surface located on the other side of the pivot shaft in the orthogonal direction and extending on a cylindrical surface centered on the pivot shaft; a first pivot closure plane located on one side of the second passage in the axial direction; a second pivot closing plane located on the other side of the second passage in the axial direction; When the pivot barrel is at any position within a pivot range of the pivot barrel between the first position and the second position, at least a part of the fixed closing curved surface faces at least a part of the pivoting closing curved surface, at least a part of the secondary fixed closing curved surface faces at least a part of the secondary pivoting closing curved surface, at least a part of the first fixed closing plane faces at least a part of the first pivoting closing plane, and at least a part of the second fixed closing plane faces at least a part of the second pivoting closing plane, Only metal is disposed in the internal space, The pivot mechanism is an air cylinder having a cylinder tube and a piston rod, wherein the orientations of the central axes of the cylinder tube and the piston rod are aligned with the orthogonal direction; A separator is provided having a link arm connecting the piston rod and the pivot barrel.

[0009] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, Metal detectors and A separator according to the first or second aspect; a controller; A metal detection system is provided in which the controller pivots the pivot tube of the separator based on the detection result of the metal detector. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present disclosure, a separator and a metal detection system are provided that can prevent foreign matter from entering a passageway through which inspected objects for which no metal contamination has been detected are sent. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a metal detection system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a separator. [Figure 3] Figure 3(a) is a view of the separator in Figure 2 as seen from the right, Figure 3(b) is a view of the separator in Figure 2 as seen from the rear with the cover removed, and Figure 3(c) is a view of the separator in Figure 2 as seen from the left. [Figure 4] 4 is an exploded perspective view of the housing of the separator of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the pivotal movement of the guide unit provided in the separator of Figure 2. Figure 5(a) shows the guide unit in an upright position, and Figure 5(b) shows the guide unit in an inclined position. [Figure 6] Fig. 6(a) is an exploded perspective view of a guide unit provided in the separator of Fig. 2. Fig. 6(b) is a side view of the guide unit provided in the separator of Fig. 2. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the tilt angle of the guide plate and the rebound direction of the test object. Figure 7(a) shows how the test object rebounds when the tilt angle of the guide plate is less than 45°. Figure 7(b) shows how the test object rebounds when the tilt angle of the guide plate is 50°. [Figure 8]Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the shape of the guide section and the rebound direction of the test object. Figure 8(a) shows the rebound of the test object in a configuration in which the distance between the guide plate and the sub-guide plate of the guide section increases as the test object moves vertically downward. Figure 8(b) shows the rebound of the test object in a configuration in which the distance between the guide plate and the sub-guide plate of the guide section is constant. Figure 8(c) shows the rebound of the test object in a configuration in which the distance between the guide plate and the sub-guide plate of the guide section decreases as the test object moves vertically downward. [Figure 9] 9A and 9B are explanatory diagrams showing the pivoting state of the pivoting cylinder provided in the separator of the embodiment, in which Fig. 9A shows the pivoting cylinder in an upright position, and Fig. 9B shows the pivoting cylinder in an inclined position. [Figure 10] Fig. 10(a) is a perspective view of the fixed barrel, and Fig. 10(b) is a cross-sectional view of the fixed barrel of Fig. 10(a) taken along a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction and including the central axis. [Figure 11] Fig. 11(a) is a perspective view of the pivotal cylinder, and Fig. 11(b) is a cross-sectional view of the pivotal cylinder of Fig. 11(a) taken along a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction and including the central axis. [Figure 12] Fig. 12(a) is a perspective view of the pivot cover, and Fig. 12(b) is a cross-sectional view of the pivot cover of Fig. 12(a) taken along a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction and positioned at the center in the front-rear direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] <Reference form> A metal detection system 1000 according to a reference embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0013] (Metal Detection System 1000) 1, the metal detection system 1000 mainly includes a metal detector 100, a separator 200, and a controller 300. The metal detection system 1000 is a free-fall system in which an object to be inspected moves by gravity.

[0014] (Metal Detector 100) The metal detector 100 is a device that detects metals mixed in an object to be inspected.

[0015] The metal detector 100 is provided around the inspection pipeline P1. The inspection pipeline P1 is, for example, a circular pipe made of resin, and extends vertically.

[0016] The metal detector 100 has a search coil CL that surrounds the inspection pipeline P1. The metal detector 100 detects metal inside the inspection pipeline P1 based on the fact that the magnetic field generated by the search coil CL changes depending on the metal passing through the inspection pipeline P1. Note that metal detectors based on any other principle may also be used as the metal detector 100.

[0017] (Separator 200) The separator 200 is a device that separates the test objects into those that are free of metal contamination and those that contain metal, based on the detection results of the metal detector 100. Note that test objects that contain metal include both cases where metal is contaminated within the test object itself and cases where a metal separate from the test object is mixed into a collection of test objects. Hereinafter, test objects that are free of metal contamination will be referred to as "non-contaminated objects," and test objects that contain metal will be referred to as "contaminated objects."

[0018] As shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the separator 200 mainly includes a housing 10, a partition 20 (Figure 4), a guide portion 30 (Figure 4), a pivot mechanism 40 (Figure 3(b)), and a cover 50 (Figure 2).

[0019] In the following explanation, for the sake of convenience, the front-to-rear direction, left-to-right direction, and up-to-down direction of the separator 200 will be as shown in Figure 2. The front-to-rear direction is the direction in which the housing 10 and the cover 50 are aligned, with the side where the housing 10 is located being the front and the side where the cover 50 is located being the rear. The left-to-right direction is the direction of the long side of the housing 10 when viewed in the front-to-rear direction. The up-to-down direction is the direction of the short side of the housing 10 when viewed in the front-to-rear direction. The front-to-rear direction is an example of the "axial direction." The left-to-right direction is an example of the "orthogonal direction." The up-to-down direction is an example of the "vertical direction."

[0020] The housing 10 is a box-like body that defines a passage therein through which the test object supplied from the testing pipeline P1 passes. The housing 10 is entirely made of metal. For example, the metal may be stainless steel.

[0021] The housing 10 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped and includes a top plate 10a, a bottom plate 10b, a front plate 10c, a rear plate 10d, a left plate 10e, a right plate 10f, and a pivot support plate 10s (FIG. 4). The front plate 10c has a pivot axis AX extending vertically along the left side of the front plate 10c. 10c The hinged door is pivotable between an open position and a closed position (described in more detail below).

[0022] The top plate 10a is a rectangular flat plate with its long sides extending left-right and its short sides extending front-to-rear. The top plate 10a extends in a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction. A supply port SP is provided in the center of the top plate 10a in the front-to-rear direction and to the right of the center in the left-to-right direction. The supply port SP is a through-hole that passes through the top plate 10a in the up-down direction. The shape of the supply port SP when viewed in the up-down direction is circular. As shown in FIG. 1, the downstream end (lower end) of the inspection pipe P1 is connected to the supply port SP.

[0023] The bottom plate 10b is a rectangular flat plate with its long sides extending left-right and its short sides extending front-to-rear. The bottom plate 10b extends in a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction. A discharge port DP (FIG. 4) is provided in the center of the bottom plate 10b. The discharge port DP is a through-hole that passes through the bottom plate 10b in the up-down direction. The shape of the discharge port DP when viewed in the up-down direction is rectangular.

[0024] The front panel 10c is a rectangular flat panel. In the closed state, the long sides of the front panel 10c are aligned with the left-right direction and the short sides are aligned with the up-down direction, and the front panel 10c extends in a plane perpendicular to the front-to-back direction. In the open state, the long sides of the front panel 10c are aligned with the front-to-back direction and the short sides are aligned with the up-down direction, and the front panel 10c extends in a plane perpendicular to the left-to-right direction.

[0025] A protruding piece PR1 (FIG. 2) is provided at an end of the front panel 10c (the end located on the right side in the closed state). A female coupler FC1 is provided to pass through the protruding piece PR1.

[0026] The rear panel 10d is a rectangular flat panel with its long sides extending in the left-right direction and its short sides extending in the up-down direction. The rear panel 10d extends in a plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction. A through-hole THd (FIG. 4) is provided on the rear panel 10d to the right of the center in the left-to-right direction and above the center in the up-to-down direction, penetrating the rear panel 10d in the front-to-rear direction.

[0027] Each of the left plate 10e and the right plate 10f is a rectangular flat plate with a long side extending in the up-down direction and a short side extending in the front-rear direction. Each of the left plate 10e and the right plate 10f extends in a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction.

[0028] The pivot plate 10s is a rectangular flat plate with its long sides extending in the left-right direction and its short sides extending up-down. The pivot plate 10s extends in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. A through-hole THs is provided on the right side of the center of the pivot plate 10s in the left-right direction, penetrating the pivot plate 10s in the front-rear direction.

[0029] 4, the rear edge of the left plate 10e is connected to the left edge of the rear plate 10d, and the rear edge of the right plate 10f is connected to the right edge of the rear plate 10d. The left edge of the pivotal support plate 10s is connected to a region near the upper end of the front edge of the left plate 10e, and the right edge of the pivotal support plate 10s is connected to a region near the upper end of the front edge of the right plate 10f. The through-hole THs of the pivotal support plate 10s and the through-hole THd of the rear plate 10d overlap each other when viewed in the front-to-rear direction.

[0030] The left side of the front plate 10c is connected to the front side of the left plate 10e by a pivot axis AX 10c When the front plate 10c is in the closed position, the front plate 10c is located in front of and parallel to the pivot plate 10s.

[0031] A top plate 10a and a bottom plate 10b are connected to the upper and lower sides of the front plate 10c, the rear plate 10d, the left plate 10e, and the right plate 10f, respectively. The left-right dimensions of the top plate 10a and the bottom plate 10b are larger than the left-right dimensions of the front plate 10c and the rear plate 10d, and the front-to-rear dimensions of the top plate 10a and the bottom plate 10b are larger than the front-to-rear dimensions of the left plate 10e and the right plate 10f. Therefore, in the housing 10, the top plate 10a and the bottom plate 10b have flange-like portions that protrude in the front-to-rear and left-to-right directions from a cylindrical portion formed by the front plate 10c, the rear plate 10d, the left plate 10e, and the right plate 10f (FIG. 2).

[0032] The left-right dimension of the discharge port DP of the bottom plate 10b is equal to the left-right distance between the right surface of the left plate 10e and the left surface of the right plate 10f. The front-rear dimension of the discharge port DP of the bottom plate 10b is equal to the front-rear distance between the rear surface of the front plate 10c in the closed position and the front surface of the rear plate 10d.

[0033] The housing 10 includes an internal space IS surrounded by a top plate 10a, a front plate 10c in a closed position, a rear plate 10d, a left plate 10e, and a right plate 10f. 10 is defined. The internal space IS 10 The internal space IS communicates with the outside of the housing 10 through the supply port SP of the top plate 10a. 10 opens toward the outside of the housing 10 through the outlet DP of the bottom plate 10b.

[0034] Partition 20 is the internal space IS 10 The partition 20 is a member that separates the opening at the bottom end of the container into two openings aligned in the left-right direction. The partition 20 has a shape in which a first flat plate 21 and a second flat plate 22, each of which is a long rectangular flat plate made of metal, are connected so that their shape when viewed in the longitudinal direction is approximately L-shaped. The metal may be stainless steel, for example.

[0035] The partition 20 separates the internal space IS of the housing 10. 10 The partition 20 is provided at the lower end of the compartment 10. The partition 20 is provided slightly to the right of the center in the left-right direction.

[0036] One longitudinal end of the partition 20 is fixed to the front surface of the rear panel 10d. The longitudinal direction of the partition 20 coincides with the front-to-rear direction. The short side of the first flat panel 21 shifts leftward as it extends downward. The short side of the second flat panel 22 shifts rightward as it extends downward.

[0037] In the following description, as shown in FIG. 5, the internal space IS 10 Of the discharge outlets DP that communicate with the partition 20, the area located to the left of the partition 20 is called the left discharge outlet DPe (an example of a "second discharge outlet"), and the area located to the right of the partition 20 is called the right discharge outlet DPf (an example of a "first discharge outlet").

[0038] As shown in FIG. 5, the internal space IS of the housing 10 10 5(a)) from the supply port SP to the right discharge port DPf, and a curved path CHB (FIG. 5(b)) from the supply port SP to the left discharge port DPe are defined in the passage.

[0039] In this embodiment, the supply port SP and the right discharge port DPf overlap in the vertical direction, and the contour of the supply port SP is located inside the contour of the right discharge port DPf. In other words, the entire area of ​​the supply port SP projected in the vertical direction is located inside the area of ​​the right discharge port DPf projected in the vertical direction. However, this is not necessarily limited to this embodiment.

[0040] The guide portion 30 is a member that pivots based on the detection result of the metal detector 100, thereby guiding non-contaminant objects and contaminant objects to different discharge ports.

[0041] 6(a), the guide unit 30 includes a main guide member 31, an auxiliary guide member 32, a front shaft member 33c, and a rear shaft member 33d. The main guide member 31, the auxiliary guide member 32, the front shaft member 33c, and the rear shaft member 33d are all made of metal. For example, the metal may be stainless steel.

[0042] The main guide member 31 has a main guide plate GP1 (an example of a "guide plate") which is a rectangular flat plate, a front wall Wc1 standing upright from the front long side of the main guide plate GP1, and a rear wall Wd1 standing upright from the rear long side of the main guide plate GP1. The front wall Wc1 and the rear wall Wd1 have the same shape in a plan view (trapezoidal in this embodiment).

[0043] The auxiliary guide member 32 has an auxiliary guide plate GP2 which is a rectangular flat plate, a front wall Wc2 standing upright from the front long side of the auxiliary guide plate GP2, and a rear wall Wd2 standing upright from the rear long side of the auxiliary guide plate GP2. The front wall Wc2 and the rear wall Wd2 have the same shape in a plan view (trapezoidal in this embodiment).

[0044] The front shaft member 33c has a flat plate portion PLc and a rotation axis RSc extending from the plate portion PLc in a direction perpendicular to the plate portion PLc. The rear shaft member 33d has a flat plate portion PLd and a rotation axis RSd extending from the plate portion PLd in a direction perpendicular to the plate portion PLd.

[0045] 6(b), the main guide member 31 and the sub-guide member 32 are connected together with the main guide plate GP1 and the sub-guide plate GP2 facing each other to form the guide cylinder GT. In this embodiment, the main guide member 31 and the sub-guide member 32 are connected by welding.

[0046] In the guide barrel GT, the front wall Wc1 of the main guide member 31 and the front wall Wc2 of the auxiliary guide member 32 form the front wall Wc, and the rear wall Wd1 of the main guide member 31 and the rear wall Wd2 of the auxiliary guide member 32 form the rear wall Wd.

[0047] The front shaft member 33c is fixed to a front wall Wc of the guide barrel GT, and the rear shaft member 33d is fixed to a rear wall Wd of the guide barrel GT. In this embodiment, the front shaft member 33c and the rear shaft member 33d are fixed to the guide barrel GT by welding.

[0048] When the front shaft member 33c is fixed to the guide barrel GT, the rotation axis RSc extends forward perpendicular to the front wall Wc. When the rear shaft member 33d is fixed to the guide barrel GT, the rotation axis RSd extends rearward coaxially with the rotation axis RSc and perpendicular to the rear wall Wd.

[0049] In this embodiment, the angle of inclination α of the sub-guide plate GP2 relative to the main guide plate GP1 is 12° when viewed in the direction of extension of the rotation axes RSc and RSd. Meanwhile, the front wall Wc and the rear wall Wd are parallel to each other. Therefore, the area of ​​the opening OPb on one axial side of the guide tube GT is smaller than the area of ​​the opening OPa on the other axial side.

[0050] The guide portion 30 is located in the internal space IS of the housing 10. 10 Specifically, the rotation shaft RSc is rotatably inserted into the through hole THs of the pivot support plate 10s, and the rotation shaft RSd is rotatably inserted into the through hole THd of the rear plate 10d. Therefore, the guide portion 30 is rotatably arranged around the pivot shaft AX extending in the front-rear direction. 30 (Figure 5) and pivots around it.

[0051] The guide portion 30 is pivotable between an upright position shown in FIG. 5(a) and an inclined position shown in FIG. 5(b).

[0052] When the guide unit 30 is in the upright position (an example of the "first position"), the main guide plate GP1 of the guide cylinder GT is disposed in a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction. That is, the angle θ of inclination of the main guide plate GP1 with respect to the horizontal plane is 90°. The upper end of the main guide plate GP1 and the supply port SP are spaced apart in the vertical direction, and the upper end of the sub-guide plate GP2 and the supply port SP are spaced apart in the vertical direction. The upper end of the sub-guide plate GP2 is located lower than the upper end of the main guide plate GP1.

[0053] When the guide part 30 is in the upright position, the opening OPa of the guide cylinder GT faces upward, and the opening OPb of the guide cylinder GT faces downward. When viewed in the vertical direction, the contour of the supply port SP is contained within the contour of the opening OPa. When viewed in the vertical direction, the contour of the opening OPb is contained within the contour of the right discharge port DPf. In other words, the entire area of ​​the supply port SP projected in the vertical direction is located within the area of ​​the opening OPa projected in the vertical direction, and the entire area of ​​the opening OPb projected in the vertical direction is located within the area of ​​the right discharge port DPf projected in the vertical direction.

[0054] A gap G1 exists between the main guide plate GP1 of the guide cylinder GT and the right plate 10f of the housing 10.

[0055] When the guide part 30 is in the upright position, the guide cylinder GT is connected to the internal space IS through the supply port SP. 10 When the guide unit 30 is in the upright position, the test objects supplied to the inner space IS are guided to the right discharge port DPf. 10 The test object supplied to the test chamber passes through the straight passage CHS and is discharged from the right discharge port DPf. The test object discharged from the right discharge port DPf is sent downstream through the non-contaminant pipe P2 (Figure 1) connected to the right discharge port DPf. The non-contaminant pipe P2 extends vertically.

[0056] When the guide unit 30 is in the inclined position (an example of the "second position"), the main guide plate GP1 of the guide tube GT is inclined so that the surface facing the sub-guide plate GP2 faces upward and left. In this reference embodiment, the angle θ of the main guide plate GP1 in the inclined position relative to the horizontal plane is 50°. The upper end of the main guide plate GP1 and the supply port SP are spaced apart in the vertical direction, and the upper end of the sub-guide plate GP2 and the supply port SP are spaced apart in the vertical direction. The upper end of the sub-guide plate GP2 is located higher than the upper end of the main guide plate GP1.

[0057] When the guide part 30 is in the tilted position, the opening OPa of the guide tube GT faces upward and to the right, and the opening OPb of the guide tube GT faces downward and to the left. When viewed in the vertical direction, the outline of the supply port SP is contained within the outline of the opening OPa. When viewed in the vertical direction, the outline of the opening OPb is contained within the outline of the left discharge port DPe. In other words, the entire area of ​​the supply port SP projected in the vertical direction is located within the area of ​​the opening OPa projected in the vertical direction, and the entire area of ​​the opening OPb projected in the vertical direction is located within the area of ​​the left discharge port DPe projected in the vertical direction.

[0058] As shown in Figure 5(b), if the intersection of a perpendicular line extending downward from the right end of the supply port SP and the main guide plate GP1 is taken as intersection X, the length from the upper end to the lower end of the main guide plate GP1 is taken as length L, and the length from the upper end of the main guide plate GP1 to intersection X is taken as length M, then length M may be 0.1 times or more, 0.2 times or more, or 0.3 times or more of length L.

[0059] When the guide portion 30 is in the inclined position, a gap G2 exists between the upper end of the main guide plate GP1 of the guide cylinder GT and the right plate 10f of the housing 10 when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0060] When the guide part 30 is in the inclined position, the guide cylinder GT is connected to the internal space IS through the supply port SP. 10 That is, when the guide unit 30 is in the inclined position, the test objects supplied to the inner space IS are guided to the left discharge port DPe. 10 The test object supplied to the left passes through the curved passage CHB and is discharged from the left discharge port DPe. The test object discharged from the left discharge port DPe is sent downstream through the contaminant pipe P3 (Fig. 1) connected to the left discharge port DPe. The contaminant pipe P3 extends vertically.

[0061] In this embodiment, the pivot axis AX of the guide portion 30 30is located at a position spaced apart from the main guide plate GP1 in the normal direction of the main guide plate GP1 (i.e., the direction perpendicular to the flat main guide plate GP1), and is located at a position spaced apart from the sub-guide plate GP2 in the normal direction of the sub-guide plate GP2 (i.e., the direction perpendicular to the flat sub-guide plate GP2). 30 The distance between the pivot axis AX when viewed in the front-to-back direction 30 The length of the perpendicular line from the main guide plate GP1 to the sub-guide plate GP2 in the normal direction of the sub-guide plate GP2 and the pivot axis AX 30 The distance between the pivot axis AX when viewed in the front-to-back direction 30 The lengths of the perpendicular lines from the guide tube GT to the sub-guide plate GP2 are equal to each other. 30 The average value of the separation distance between the guide tube GT and the guide tube GT is reduced, and the torque required for pivoting the guide tube GT is reduced.

[0062] In this embodiment, the position of the center of the supply port SP in the left-right direction and the position of the pivot axis AX in the left-right direction are 30 This suppresses changes in the positional relationship between the supply port SP and the opening OPa of the guide cylinder GT (that is, changes in the positional relationship when viewed in the vertical direction) caused by pivoting of the guide cylinder GT.

[0063] The pivot mechanism 40 pivots the guide portion 30 to move the inner space IS of the housing 10. 10 This mechanism switches the path of the moving test object between the straight path CHS and the curved path CHB.

[0064] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the pivot mechanism 40 mainly includes a switch 41, an air cylinder 42, a link arm 43, and a position detection system 44.

[0065] The switch 41 is a mechanism that selectively sends the air supplied to the switch 41 via the supply port sp to any one of a plurality of exhaust ports. The switch 41 is attached to the left plate 10e of the housing 10.

[0066] The switch 41 has a housing 411 and a switching mechanism 412 housed inside the housing 411 .

[0067] The housing 411 has a supply port sp, a first exhaust port dp1, and a second exhaust port dp2. One end of a supply air hose SAH is connected to the supply port sp. The other end of the supply air hose SAH is connected to an external air supply source (not shown). One end of a first exhaust air hose DAH1 is connected to the first exhaust port dp1. One end of a second exhaust air hose DAH2 is connected to the second exhaust port dp2.

[0068] The switching mechanism 412 has flow paths connected to the supply port sp, the first exhaust port dp1, and the second exhaust port dp2, valve bodies arranged in the flow paths, etc. (all not shown). Based on instructions from the controller 300, the switching mechanism 412 selectively sends the air sent from the supply port sp to either the first exhaust port dp1 or the second exhaust port dp2.

[0069] The air cylinder 42 is an actuator that generates power to pivot the guide portion 30 .

[0070] The air cylinder 42 has a cylinder tube 421 and a piston rod 422 protruding from the cylinder tube 421. The air cylinder 42 has a central axis AX 42 The cylinder tube 421 and the piston rod 422 are fixed to the rear plate 10d of the housing 10 with their left and right axes aligned. 42 By aligning the left and right sides, the vertical dimensions of the housing 10, and therefore the separator 200, can be reduced.

[0071] The other end of the first exhaust air hose DAH1 is connected to the vicinity of the end on the head side (i.e., the side opposite to the side where the piston rod 422 is located) of the cylinder tube 421. The other end of the second exhaust air hose DAH2 is connected to the vicinity of the end on the rod side (i.e., the side where the piston rod 422 is located) of the cylinder tube 421.

[0072] The link arm 43 is a power transmission member that transmits the power generated by the air cylinder 42 to the guide portion 30 to pivot the guide portion 30 .

[0073] The link arm 43 has a first arm 431 and a second arm 432 .

[0074] One end of the first arm 431 is fixed to the tip of the piston rod 422 of the air cylinder 42. The extending direction of the first arm 431 coincides with the axial direction of the piston rod 422.

[0075] One end of the second arm 432 is connected to a pin p 43 The second arm 432 is connected to the other end of the first arm 431 via a pin p 43 The second arm 432 is pivotable relative to the first arm 431. The other end of the second arm 432 is fixed to a rotation axis RSd of the guide part 30 that protrudes rearward through a through-hole THd in the rear panel 10d.

[0076] The position detection system 44 includes a position sensor 441 that detects that the guide barrel GT of the guide unit 30 is in the upright position, and a position sensor 442 that detects that the guide barrel GT of the guide unit 30 is in the tilted position. As shown in FIG. 5, the position sensor 441 is disposed on the rear plate 10d of the housing 10 so as to face the guide barrel GT in the upright position. The position sensor 442 is disposed on the rear plate 10d of the housing 10 so as to face the guide barrel GT in the tilted position. The position sensors 441 and 442 are proximity sensors in this embodiment. The position sensors 441 and 442 detect the position of the internal space IS. 10 The inner portion is made of metal.

[0077] The cover 50 is a protective member for preventing contact between a user of the separator 200 and the pivot mechanism 40 of the separator 200 (particularly the air cylinder 42 and the link arm 43).

[0078] The cover 50 (FIG. 2) is a bathtub-shaped box that is open to the front, and has a top plate 50a, a bottom plate 50b, a rear plate 50d, a left plate 50e, and a right plate 50f.

[0079] The top plate 50a and the bottom plate 50b are each a rectangular flat plate with its long side extending left-right and its short side extending front-to-rear. The top plate 50a and the bottom plate 50b each extend in a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction. The rear plate 50d is a rectangular flat plate with its long side extending left-right and its short side extending up-to-down. The rear plate 50d extends in a plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction.

[0080] The left plate 50e is a rectangular flat plate with its long sides extending vertically and its short sides extending longitudinally. As shown in Fig. 3(c), a through-hole THe1 is provided near the lower front corner of the left plate 50e. Above the through-hole THe1, through-holes THe2 and THe3 are provided.

[0081] The right plate 50f is a rectangular flat plate with its long sides extending up and down and its short sides extending forward and backward. A notch NTf extending rearward from the front edge of the right plate 50f is provided near a lower front corner of the right plate 50f. A protrusion PR2 protruding rightward from the right surface of the right plate 50f is provided in the center of the top and bottom of the right plate 50f near the front end. A female coupler FC2 is provided on the protrusion PR2, penetrating it in the forward and backward directions.

[0082] Inside the cover 50, there is an internal space IS surrounded by a top plate 50a, a bottom plate 50b, a rear plate 50d, a left plate 50e, and a right plate 50f. 50 The internal space IS 50 The cover 50 is open to the outside through an opening defined by the front ends of the top plate 50a, the bottom plate 50b, the left plate 50e, and the right plate 50f. The cover 50 connects the air cylinder 42 and the link arm 43 provided on the rear surface 10d of the housing 10 to the internal space IS. 50 The power supply 10 is attached to the rear surface 10d of the housing 10 so as to be accommodated in the power supply 10.

[0083] When the cover 50 is attached to the housing 10, the supply air hose SAH extending between the supply port sp of the switch 41 and an air supply source (not shown) is connected in order from the air supply source side to the protrusion PR1 of the housing 10, the protrusion PR2 of the cover 50, the notch NTf of the cover 50, and the internal space IS of the cover 50.50 , extends through the through-hole THe1 of the cover 50. The first exhaust air hose DAH1 extending between the first exhaust port dp1 of the switch 41 and the air cylinder 42 extends through the through-hole THe2 of the cover 50. The second exhaust air hose DAH2 extending between the second exhaust port dp2 of the switch 41 and the air cylinder 42 extends through the through-hole THe3 of the cover 50.

[0084] 3(a), the supply air hose SAH includes, in order from the upstream side (air supply source side), a first supply air hose SAH1, a second supply air hose SAH2, and a third supply air hose SAH3. The downstream end of the first supply air hose SAH1 is connected to a male coupler MC1, which is connected to a female coupler FC1 provided on a protrusion PR1 of the front panel 10c.

[0085] The upstream end of the second supply air hose SAH2 is connected to a female coupler FC1, and the downstream end of the second supply air hose SAH2 is connected to a male coupler MC2. The male coupler MC2 is connected to a female coupler FC2 provided on a protruding piece PR2 of the cover 50.

[0086] In this way, the protruding piece PR1 of the front plate 10c and the protruding piece PR2 of the cover 50 are connected by the second supply air hose SAH2. 10c The housing 10 is pivoted about its center to move from a closed position to an open position, thereby filling the interior space IS of the housing 10. 10 When it is desired to open the air cylinder 42 forward, the male coupler MC2 must be separated from the female coupler FC2 and the second supply air hose SAH2 must be moved away from the protruding piece PR2. In other words, it is necessary to cut off the supply of air to the air cylinder 42 through the supply air hose SAH. Therefore, the front panel 10c must be in the open position and the internal space IS must be opened. 10 This prevents the guide portion 30 from pivoting when the guide portion 30 is open.

[0087] (controller 300) The controller 300 operates the switch 41 of the separator 200 based on the detection result of the metal detector 100. The controller 300 is communicatively connected to the metal detector 100 and the switch 41 and position sensors 441, 442 of the separator 200. The controller 300 can be placed in any location. In this embodiment, the controller 300 is placed inside a housing (not shown) at a location separated from the metal detector 100 and the separator 200. The controller 300, the metal detector 100, and the separator 200 may be connected by wire or wirelessly.

[0088] (Operation of Metal Detection System 1000) The operation of the metal detection system 1000 having the above configuration will be described using an example in which the object to be inspected is a resin pellet. The resin pellet may have any shape and size. For example, it may have a diameter of about 3 to 4 mm, but is not limited to this. The object to be inspected is not limited to a resin pellet and may be any object. For example, the object to be inspected may be a powder, granules, etc.

[0089] When detecting whether metal has been mixed into resin pellets (either into the resin pellets themselves or into a collection of resin pellets), the resin pellets are first placed into the inspection pipeline P1. The resin pellets flow through the inspection pipeline P1 due to gravity and pass through the metal detector 100.

[0090] If the resin pellets passing through the metal detector 100 do not contain metal, the metal detector 100 outputs a first signal to the controller 300. The controller 300 determines that the resin pellets do not contain metal based on receiving the first signal from the metal detector 100. Based on receiving the first signal or determining that the resin pellets do not contain metal, the controller 300 sets the switching mechanism 412 of the switch 41 to a state in which air is sent to the first outlet dp1. At this time, the air discharged from the switch 41 is sent to the head side of the cylinder tube 421 of the air cylinder 42 via the first exhaust air hose DAH1. This maintains the piston rod 222 of the air cylinder 42 in a protruding state, and keeps the guide tube GT in an upright position. When the guide tube GT is in the upright position, the position sensor 441 sends a signal indicating that the guide tube GT is in the upright position to the controller 300.

[0091] When the guide tube GT is in a straight-ahead position, the resin pellets that have passed through the metal detector 100 are fed from the downstream end of the inspection pipe P1 through the supply port SP into the internal space IS. 10 and passes through the guide tube GT to the right discharge port DPf. That is, the resin pellets advance along the straight passage CHS and enter the non-contaminant pipe P2 via the right discharge port DPf.

[0092] If metal is present in the resin pellets passing through the metal detector 100, the metal detector 100 outputs a second signal to the controller 300. The controller 300 determines that metal is present in the resin pellets based on receiving the second signal from the metal detector 100. Based on receiving the second signal or determining that metal is present in the resin pellets, the controller 300 sets the switching mechanism 412 of the switch 41 to a state in which air is sent to the second outlet dp2. At this time, the air discharged from the switch 41 is sent to the rod side of the cylinder tube 421 of the air cylinder 42 via the second exhaust air hose DAH2. This moves the piston rod 422 of the air cylinder 42 into the cylinder tube 421, and the guide tube GT changes to the tilted position. When the guide tube GT changes to the tilted position, the position sensor 442 sends a signal to the controller 300 indicating that the guide tube GT is in the tilted position.

[0093] When the guide cylinder GT is in the inclined position, the resin pellets that have passed through the metal detector 100 are introduced from the downstream end of the inspection pipe P1 into the internal space IS through the supply port SP. 10 and passes through the guide tube GT toward the left discharge port DPe. That is, the resin pellets proceed along the curved passage CHB and enter the conduit P3 for mixed material via the left discharge port DPe.

[0094] In this way, the metal detection system 1000 separates the test object into non-contaminated objects that do not contain metal and contaminated objects that contain metal by pivoting the guide tube GT of the separator 200 based on the detection results of the metal detector 100.

[0095] (The internal space IS of the housing 10 10 (The significance of not allowing anything other than metals to exist in the As described above, in the separator 200 of this embodiment, the housing 10, the partition 20, and the guide portion 30 are all made of metal, and the position sensors 441 and 442 are also formed in the internal space IS 10 That is, in the separator 200 of this embodiment, the internal space IS of the housing 10 is made of metal. 10In this way, only metal exists in the internal space IS of the housing 10. 10 By limiting the material present inside to metal only, the possibility of non-metallic objects being mixed into the test object in separator 200 can be substantially eliminated.

[0096] If a material other than metal (for example, resin, rubber, etc.) is used in the internal space IS of the housing 10, 10 If the material is present in the internal space IS of the housing 10, the material may fall off due to deterioration or the like, and the material may be mixed into the non-mixed material pipe P2. 10 If the material present inside the housing 10 is only metal, there is no risk of such contamination occurring. 10 Even if metals present in the pipeline P2 are mixed into the non-contaminant pipeline P2, metal detection is often performed again in the downstream process, and it is expected that the metals will be detected and removed in the downstream process.

[0097] (The significance of setting the inclination angle of the main guide plate GP1 at 50° in the inclined position) When detecting metal contamination using the metal detection system 1000, it is common to let multiple test objects flow together from the perspective of operational efficiency. In this case, if the angle θ of inclination of the main guide plate GP1 with respect to the horizontal plane is not large enough, the test objects may collide with each other and flow to the right side of the main guide plate GP1, as shown in FIG. 7(a). In this case, the contaminant may pass through the gap G2 (FIG. 5(b)) between the right plate 10f of the housing 10 and the main guide plate GP1 and be sent to the non-contaminant pipe P2 via the right discharge port DPf.

[0098] In order to prevent contamination, it is conceivable to close the gap between the main guide plate GP1 and the right plate 10f. However, in the device of the present disclosure, as described above, the internal space IS of the housing 10 is 10It is desirable to construct the right plate 10f only from metal. Therefore, it is not easy to close the gap between the right plate 10f and the main guide plate GP1, which moves relative to the right plate 10f, with a flexible member. Furthermore, if such a variable member is formed from metal, the number of parts increases, and there is a possibility that parts may fall off and become mixed in. Furthermore, considering processing tolerances, it is not easy to position the guide tube GT and the right plate 10f of the housing 10 so as to eliminate the gap G2 when the guide tube GT is in the tilted position.

[0099] According to the findings of the inventors of the present disclosure, when the angle θ is less than 45°, the objects under test bounce off each other, causing them to drift to the right. On the other hand, when the angle θ is set to 50°, the movement of the objects under test to the right due to the bounce is sufficiently reduced. Based on this finding, in the present embodiment, the angle θ of the main guide plate GP1 in the inclined position is set to 50° (FIG. 7(b)). This effectively prevents contaminants from entering the non-contaminant conduit P2 without increasing the possibility of foreign matter contamination due to the placement of materials other than metal inside the housing 10.

[0100] (The significance of gradually decreasing the distance between the main guide board GP1 and the secondary guide board GP2) As described above, in this embodiment, the angle of inclination α of the auxiliary guide plate GP2 relative to the main guide plate GP1 when viewed in the front-to-rear direction is 12°, and the distance between the main guide plate GP1 and the auxiliary guide plate GP2 gradually decreases downward. By gradually decreasing the distance between the main guide plate GP1 and the auxiliary guide plate GP2 downward (downstream of the straight passage CHS and the curved passage CHB), it is possible to more effectively prevent contaminants from entering the non-contaminant pipe P2. Specifically, this is as follows.

[0101] 8(a), consider a case where the distance between main guide plate GP1 and sub-guide plate GP2 gradually increases downward. In this case, when an object to be inspected hits main guide plate GP1 and bounces off, it is highly likely to head toward left plate 10e of housing 10 when it hits sub-guide plate GP2. The object to be inspected then hits left plate 10e and heads rightward, potentially entering right discharge port DPf and, ultimately, non-contaminant conduit P2.

[0102] 8(b), consider the case where the distance between the main guide plate GP1 and the sub-guide plate GP2 is constant. In this case, there is a high possibility that an object under test that has collided multiple times between the main guide plate GP1 and the sub-guide plate GP2 and bounced off will head toward the left plate 10e of the housing 10. Then, the object under test that subsequently collides with the left plate 10e will head rightward and may enter the right discharge port DPf and, ultimately, the non-contaminant pipe P2.

[0103] In contrast, consider the case where the distance between the main guide plate GP1 and the sub-guide plate GP2 gradually decreases downward, as shown in Figure 8(c). In this case, when an object to be inspected hits the main guide plate GP1 and bounces off the sub-guide plate GP2, it is more likely to move downward. The object to be inspected that bounces downward from the sub-guide plate GP2 is then sent to the contaminant pipe P3 via the left discharge port DPe. This effectively prevents metal-contaminated objects or metals mixed in a collection of objects from entering the non-contaminant pipe P2.

[0104] The advantageous effects of the metal detection system 1000 and separator 200 of this embodiment are summarized below.

[0105] In the metal detection system 1000 and the separator 200 of this embodiment, the internal space IS of the housing 10 of the separator 200 10 Only metal exists in the inner space IS, and the angle θ of the main guide plate GP1 in the inclined position is 50°. 10 By eliminating materials other than metal, the internal space IS 10In addition, materials other than metals present in the internal space IS are prevented from entering the non-contaminant pipe P2. 10 By not including any material other than metal in the interior space IS of the housing 10, a gap is created between the main guide plate GP1 and the right plate 10f of the housing 10, but by setting the angle θ of the main guide plate GP1 in the inclined position to 50°, the object to be inspected that collides with the main guide plate GP1 is prevented from bouncing off to the right. 10 There is no risk that materials other than metals present in the non-contaminant pipe P2 will be mixed into the non-contaminant pipe P2, and there is also little risk that contaminants will be mixed into the non-contaminant pipe P2.

[0106] In the metal detection system 1000 and the separator 200 of this embodiment, as described above, the pivot axis AX of the guide unit 30 30 is located at a position spaced apart from the main guide plate GP1 in the normal direction of the main guide plate GP1. This reduces the torque required to pivot the guide cylinder GT, but on the other hand, the pivoting of the guide cylinder GT changes the position of the upper end of the main guide plate GP1, so the gap G2 tends to become large when the main guide plate GP1 is in the tilted position. However, because the angle θ of the main guide plate GP1 in the tilted position is 50°, even if the gap G2 is large, there is little risk of the contaminant entering the non-contaminant pipe P2.

[0107] <Modification> The following modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment.

[0108] (Modification of the housing 10) In the separator 200 of the above-described embodiment, the shape of the housing 10 can be changed arbitrarily.

[0109] Specifically, for example, the shape of the supply port SP is not limited to a circle and can be any shape. The shape of the discharge port DP can also be any shape. Furthermore, the partition 20 may be omitted. Even in an embodiment having only one discharge port such as the discharge port DP, if the single discharge port functions as essentially two discharge ports with different destinations for the test objects, the essentially two discharge ports correspond to the "first discharge port" and "second discharge port" of the present invention.

[0110] In the housing 10 of the separator 200 of the above-described reference embodiment, the front plate 10c does not have to be openable or closable. The housing 10 does not have to have a flange-like portion formed by the top plate 10a and the bottom plate 10b. Instead of the through-hole THs, the support plate 10s may have a recess for rotatably supporting a rotation shaft RSc (described later) of the guide unit 30.

[0111] In the metal detection system 1000 of the above-mentioned reference embodiment, the internal space IS of the housing 10 of the separator 200 10 The separator 200 is configured such that the only material present in the internal space IS of the housing 10 is metal. However, this is not limiting. 10 In this specification and the present invention, the term "area communicating with the outlet" means an area where there is no object separating the space between the area and the outlet, and an object present in the area can reach the outlet. Therefore, for example, the internal space IS of the housing 10 may be 10 Even if an area is within the enclosure, an area sealed with metal is not included in the "area leading to the outlet." The required level of sealing may vary depending on the type of non-metallic material present in the area. Taking into account the potential for detachment or other issues that may occur with non-metallic materials, it is sufficient to seal the area to the extent that objects that fall out cannot reach the outlet. On the other hand, considering only the forces that may act on objects within the enclosure, even if an object present in a certain area will not reach the outlet, the area is considered to be a region leading to the outlet if there are no objects that would impede its movement between the area and the outlet. The "area leading to the outlet" can also be considered a region where an object passing through the straight passage CHS or the curved passage CHB of the separator 200 may come into contact with the area. Furthermore, "only metal is present" also includes a case where multiple types of metal are present.

[0112] The right surface of the left plate 10e of the housing 10 may be configured to be inclined so that the lower end of the right surface is located further left than the upper end of the right surface. This allows the object under test that collides with the right surface of the left plate 10e to bounce downward, increasing the probability that the bounced object will head toward the left discharge outlet DPe.

[0113] (Modification of the guide portion 30) In the separator 200 of the above-described embodiment, the shape of the guide portion 30 can be changed arbitrarily.

[0114] Specifically, for example, the auxiliary guide member 32 may be omitted. Furthermore, at least one of the front wall Wc1 and the rear wall Wd1 of the main guide member 31 may be omitted. Even in an embodiment having only the main guide plate GP1 instead of the guide cylinder GT, the rotation axes RSc and RSd (and thus the pivot axis AX) can be positioned in the same position as in the above-mentioned reference embodiment by using any plate-like member, rod-like member, etc. 30 In an embodiment where the guide cylinder GT has only the main guide plate GP1, the front and rear ends of the main guide plate GP1 may be disposed near the front plate 10c and rear plate 10d of the housing 10.

[0115] In the guide portion 30, the pivot axis AX 30 The position of the pivot shaft AX can be changed arbitrarily. 30 The pivot axis AX is located at the upper end of the sub-guide plate GP2. 30 is located.

[0116] In the separator 200 of the metal detection system 1000 of the above-mentioned reference embodiment, when the main guide plate GP1 of the guide unit 30 is in the upright position, the angle θ of inclination of the main guide plate GP1 relative to the horizontal plane is 90°. However, this is not limited to this. The angle θ of the main guide plate GP1 in the upright position can be changed depending on the distance between the right plate 10f and the main guide plate GP1, the size of the right discharge port DPf, etc., and may be 80° or more and 100° or less, 85° or more and 95° or less, or 89° or more and 91° or less.

[0117] In the separator 200 of the metal detection system 1000 of the above-described reference embodiment, when the main guide plate GP1 of the guide section 30 is in the inclined position, the angle θ of inclination of the main guide plate GP1 relative to the horizontal plane is 50°. However, this is not limited to this.

[0118] To better prevent the object under test from moving to the right (i.e., from entering the non-contaminant pipe P2), the angle θ in the inclined position may be increased. However, the larger the angle θ in the inclined position, the smaller the difference D between the left-right position of the lower end of the main guide plate GP1 in the upright position and the left-right position of the lower end of the main guide plate GP1 in the inclined position. Note that the difference D can be expressed by the following equation (1), where L (FIG. 5(b)) is the length from the upper end to the lower end of the main guide plate GP1 and the angle θ in the upright position is 90°. In equation (1), θ is the angle θ in the inclined position. D=Lcosθ (1)

[0119] Therefore, if the angle θ in the inclined position is made too large, the difference D will become small, and it will become necessary to reduce the dimension of the right discharge outlet DPf in the left-right direction. It is possible to increase the length L of the main guide plate GP1 to make the difference D sufficiently large while increasing the angle θ in the inclined position, but this would increase the size of the guide unit 30 and the housing 10, and the size of the separator 200.

[0120] Taking into consideration the viewpoints of preventing the intrusion of contaminants into the right discharge outlet DPf (and thus the non-contaminant pipeline P2), ensuring that the right discharge outlet DPf is sufficiently large, and preventing the separator 200 from becoming too large, the angle θ at the inclined position may be 45° or more and 65° or less, or 50° or more and 60° or less, or 50° or more and 55° or less.

[0121] In the separator 200 of the metal detection system 1000 of the reference embodiment, the angle of inclination α of the sub-guide plate GP2 relative to the main guide plate GP1 when viewed in the front-to-rear direction is 12°, and the distance between the main guide plate GP1 and the sub-guide plate GP2 gradually decreases downward. However, this is not limited to this.

[0122] The inclination angle α can be changed as appropriate depending on the grain size, shape, etc. of the object to be inspected, and may be 1° or more and 25° or less, 5° or more and 20° or less, or 10° or more and 15° or less.

[0123] The distance between the main guide plate GP1 and the sub-guide plate GP2 may be constant or may gradually increase downward. In either case, the intrusion of contaminants into the non-contaminant pipe P2 is effectively suppressed.

[0124] In the above-described embodiment, the main guide plate GP1 and the sub-guide plate GP2 are flat plates, but this is not limitative. The main guide plate GP1 and the sub-guide plate GP2 may be curved plates. If the main guide plate GP1 is a curved plate, the inclination angle of the tangent line in each region relative to the horizontal plane may be within the range of the angle θ described above.

[0125] (Modification of pivot mechanism 40) In the separator 200 of the above-mentioned reference embodiment, the configuration of the pivot mechanism 40 can be changed arbitrarily.

[0126] Specifically, for example, any actuator such as an electric motor or hydraulic actuator may be used instead of the air cylinder 42. When an electric motor is used, the electric wiring is arranged in the same manner as the supply air hose SAH in the above-mentioned reference embodiment, and when a hydraulic actuator is used, the hydraulic hose is arranged in the same manner as the supply air hose SAH in the above-mentioned reference embodiment. In order to move the front plate 10c to the open position, the electric wiring or hydraulic hose between the protrusions PR1 and PR2 must be disconnected. As a result, even when an electric motor, hydraulic actuator, or the like is used instead of the air cylinder 42, the front plate 10c can be moved to the open position and the internal space IS can be opened in the same manner as in the above-mentioned reference embodiment. 10When an electric motor is used, the ball screw may be rotated by the electric motor, and the link arm 43 may be moved by the ball screw.

[0127] (Other variations) In the separator 200 of the above-described reference embodiment, the protrusion PR2 is provided on the right plate 50f of the cover 50, and the female coupler FC2 is provided on the protrusion PR2. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the protrusion PR2 with the female coupler FC2 may be provided on the right plate 10f of the housing 10, or the protrusion PR2 and the female coupler FC2 may be omitted. When the protrusion PR2 and the female coupler FC2 are omitted, the protrusion PR1 may support the female coupler FC1 or male coupler MC1 connected to the downstream end of the first supply air hose SAH1, and the male coupler MC1 or female coupler FC1 connected to the upstream end of the second supply air hose SAH2 may be detachably attached to the protrusion PR1. The second supply air hose SAH2 is routed directly through the notch NTf of the cover 50 and connected to the supply port sp of the switch 41. In any other embodiment, whether the protrusion supports the female coupler or the male coupler may be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, the connection relationship between the male coupler, the female coupler and the air hose can be changed as desired.

[0128] In the above-described embodiment, the contaminant pipe P2 is connected to the right outlet DPf, and the contaminant pipe P3 is connected to the left outlet DPe. The contaminant pipe P2 is then sent to the right outlet DPf, and the contaminant pipe P3 is sent to the left outlet DPe. However, this is not limiting. The contaminant pipe P3 may be connected to the right outlet DPf, and the contaminant pipe P2 may be connected to the left outlet DPe. The contaminant pipe P3 may then be sent to the right outlet DPf, and the contaminant pipe P2 may then be sent to the left outlet DPe.

[0129] <Embodiment> A metal detection system 2000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0130] The metal detection system 2000 is the same as the metal detection system 1000 of the reference embodiment, except that it includes a separator 600 instead of the separator 200 .

[0131] The main difference between separator 600 and separator 200 is that separator 600 is provided with guide unit 70 instead of guide unit 30. The following describes separator 600, focusing on the differences from separator 200. Items for which explanation is omitted are as described above for separator 200.

[0132] 9(a) and 9(b), the separator 600 has a guide unit 70 inside the housing 10. The guide unit 70 is a mechanism that guides non-contaminant objects and contaminant objects to different discharge ports by pivoting based on the detection results of the metal detector 100. The guide unit 70 has a fixed cylinder 71 fixed to the housing 10, a pivotable cylinder 72 that can pivot relative to the housing 10, and a pivotable cover 73 fixed to the pivotable cylinder 72.

[0133] The fixed cylinder 71 is a cylindrical member that sends the test object, which has been introduced into the fixed cylinder 71 through the supply port SP of the housing 10, to the pivotal cylinder 72 while keeping it separated from the outside of the fixed cylinder 71. The fixed cylinder 71 is fixed to the top plate 10a (and thus the housing 10) with the upper end of the fixed cylinder 71 abutting against the underside of the top plate 10a of the housing 10. The fixed cylinder 71 is made of metal (stainless steel, for example).

[0134] As shown in FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b), the fixed barrel 71 has a front plate 71c, a rear plate 71d, a left plate 71e, and a right plate 71f, and the front plate 71c, the rear plate 71d, the left plate 71e, and the right plate 71f are arranged along a central axis X 71 The fixed barrel 71 has a cylindrical structure with a passage CH 71 (an example of a "first passage") is defined. The supply port SP is connected to the passage CH 71 In this embodiment, the central axis X 71 The shape of the supply port SP and the passage CH as seen in the direction 71 The shape of is rectangular.

[0135] The front plate 71c and the rear plate 71d are each flat plates extending in a plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction. The front plate 71c and the rear plate 71d are parallel to each other. The front plate 71c has a first portion 71c1 that is rectangular when viewed in the front-to-rear direction and a second portion 71c2 below the first portion 71c1. The rear plate 71d has a first portion 71d1 that is rectangular when viewed in the front-to-rear direction and a second portion 71d2 below the first portion 71d1.

[0136] The left plate 71e has a flat plate portion 71e1 and a curved plate portion 71e2. The right plate 71f has a flat plate portion 71f1 and a curved plate portion 71f2. The flat plate portion 71e1 and the flat plate portion 71f1 are each a flat plate extending in a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction. The flat plate portion 71e1 and the flat plate portion 71f1 are parallel to each other. The curved plate portion 71e2 and the curved plate portion 71f2 are aligned along an axis AX extending in the front-rear direction. 71 It extends within the cylindrical surface centered on the axis AX 71 The length of the curved plate portion 71e2 in the circumferential direction about the center is shorter than the length of the curved plate portion 71f2 in the circumferential direction. The right surface of the curved plate portion 71f2 of the right plate 71f is an example of a "fixed closed curved surface," the left surface of the curved plate portion 71e2 of the left plate 71e is an example of a "secondary fixed closed curved surface," the front surface of the second portion 71c2 of the front plate 71c is an example of a "first fixed closed plane," and the rear surface of the second portion 71d2 of the rear plate 71d is an example of a "second fixed closed plane."

[0137] The pivoting cylinder 72 is a cylindrical member that pivots based on the detection result of the metal detector 100, thereby guiding the object to be inspected that has been sent via the fixed cylinder 71 to one of two different discharge ports. The pivoting cylinder 72 is located below the fixed cylinder 71. The pivoting cylinder 72 is made of metal (stainless steel, for example).

[0138] As shown in FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b), the pivot cylinder 72 has a front plate 72c, a rear plate 72d, a left plate 72e, and a right plate 72f, and the front plate 72c, the rear plate 72d, the left plate 72e, and the right plate 72f are arranged around a central axis X 72 The pivot tube 72 has a cylindrical structure with a passage CH 72 (an example of a "second passage") is defined.

[0139] The front plate 72c and the rear plate 72d are each a flat plate extending in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The front plate 72c and the rear plate 72d are parallel to each other. A rotation axis RSSc is provided on the front surface of the front plate 72c and stands upright forward from the front plate 72c. A rotation axis RSSd is provided on the rear surface of the rear plate 72d and stands upright rearward from the rear plate 72d. The rotation axes RSSc and RSSd are aligned with an axis AX extending in the front-rear direction. 72 It is cylindrical with a central axis.

[0140] The left plate 72e and the right plate 72f are rectangular flat plates. The left plate 72e and the right plate 72f are inclined relative to each other when viewed in the front-rear direction. The pivot tube 72 is oriented along the central axis X 72 The area of ​​the opening OPPb on one side of the direction of the central axis X 72 The area of ​​the opening OPPa on the other side in the direction of the passage CH is smaller than that of the opening OPPa on the other side in the direction of the passage CH. 72 Central axis X 72 Passage CH by a plane perpendicular to 72 The cross-sectional area of ​​the right plate 72f decreases from the opening OPPa to the opening OPPb. The right plate 72f is an example of a "guide plate," the left plate 72e is an example of a "sub-guide plate," and the front plate 72c and the rear plate 72d are an example of a "pair of wall portions."

[0141] The pivot cylinder 72 is rotatably inserted into the through-hole THs of the pivot support plate 10s (FIG. 4) and the rotation shaft RSSd is rotatably inserted into the through-hole THd of the rear plate 10d, and is configured to move in the internal space IS of the housing 10. 10 In this state, the pivot cylinder 72 is disposed on the axis AX 72 That is, it can be pivoted about the axis AX 72 is the pivot axis of the pivot barrel 72. In this state, the axis AX of the fixed barrel 71 71 and the axis AX of the pivot tube 72 72 The following are consistent:

[0142] The pivoting cover 73 is a member that pivots integrally with the pivoting cylinder 72 and closes the gap between the fixed cylinder 71 and the pivoting cylinder 72 regardless of the position of the pivoting cylinder 72. The pivoting cover 73 is fixed to an area near the opening OPPa of the pivoting cylinder 72. The pivoting cover 73 is made of metal (stainless steel, for example).

[0143] The front plate 73c and the rear plate 73d are each a substantially semicircular flat plate extending in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The front plate 73c and the rear plate 73d are parallel to each other. The left plate 73e and the right plate 73f are each oriented along the axis AX extending in the front-rear direction. 73 The left and right plates 73e and 73f are curved plates extending in a cylindrical surface with the axis AX at the center. The front ends of the left and right plates 73e and 73f are connected to the front plate 73c, and the rear ends of the left and right plates 73e and 73f are connected to the rear plate 73d. 73 The length of the left plate 73e in the circumferential direction about the center is shorter than the length of the right plate 73f in the circumferential direction. The left surface of the right plate 73f is an example of a "pivoting closing curved surface," the right surface of the left plate 73e is an example of a "secondary pivoting closing curved surface," the rear surface of the front plate 73c is an example of a "first pivoting closing plane," and the front surface of the rear plate 73d is an example of a "second pivoting closing plane."

[0144] When the pivot cover 73 is fixed to the pivot tube 72, the front surface of the front plate 73c abuts against the rear surface of the front plate 72c, the rear surface of the rear plate 73d abuts against the front surface of the rear plate 72d, the left surface of the left plate 73e abuts against the right surface of the left plate 72e, and the right surface of the right plate 73f abuts against the left surface of the right plate 72f. In this embodiment, there is no gap between the pivot tube 72 and the pivot cover 73. When the pivot cover 73 is fixed to the pivot tube 72, the axis AX of the pivot tube 72 abuts against the rear surface of the left plate 73d. 72 and the axis AX of the pivot cover 73 73 The following are consistent:

[0145] As shown in Figures 9(a) and 9(b), when the fixed barrel 71 is fixed to the housing 10 and the pivotal barrel 72 and pivotal cover 73 are arranged to be pivotable relative to the housing 10, the fixed barrel 71 is located inside the pivotal cover 73. A curved plate portion 71e2 of the left plate 71e of the fixed barrel 71 and a left plate 73e of the pivotal cover 73 face each other with a gap (not shown, for example, approximately 0.1 mm to 1 mm) between them. A curved plate portion 71f2 of the right plate 71f of the fixed barrel 71 and a right plate 73f of the pivotal cover 73 face each other with a gap (not shown, for example, approximately 0.1 mm to 1 mm) between them. A second portion 71c2 of the front plate 71c of the fixed barrel 71 and a front plate 73c of the pivotal cover 73 face each other with a gap (not shown, for example, approximately 0.1 mm to 1 mm) between them. The second portion 71d2 of the rear plate 71d of the fixed barrel 71 and the rear plate 73d of the pivot cover 73 face each other with a gap (not shown, for example, about 0.1 mm to 1 mm) therebetween.

[0146] The size of the gap between each part of the fixed barrel 71 and each part of the pivoting cover 73 is, as mentioned above, about 0.1 mm to 1 mm as an example, but is not limited to this and can be set appropriately. In this embodiment, the gap is large enough that the test object cannot pass through. Note that each part of the fixed barrel 71 and each part of the pivoting cover 73 may be in slidable contact with each other without any gap.

[0147] In this way, the guide part 70 faces the fixed cylinder 71 and the pivoting cover 73 in a manner that there is no gap between them through which the test object can pass. This state is maintained regardless of the position of the pivoting cylinder 72 in the pivoting direction (described in detail later).

[0148] (Operation of Metal Detection System 2000) The metal detection system 2000 operates in the same manner as the metal detection system 1000 of the reference embodiment. Upon receiving a first signal from the metal detector 100 indicating that no metal is mixed in the resin pellets passing through the metal detector 100, the controller 300 places the pivot cylinder 72 in the upright position shown in Figure 9(a) (an example of the "first position"). Upon receiving a second signal from the metal detector 100 indicating that metal is mixed in the resin pellets passing through the metal detector 100, the controller 300 places the pivot cylinder 72 in the inclined position shown in Figure 9(b) (an example of the "second position").

[0149] When the pivotal barrel 72 is in the upright position, the central axis X of the fixed barrel 71 71 and the central axis X of the pivot tube 72 72 In this state, the guide portion 70 is aligned with the passage CH 71 and aisle CH 72 In this embodiment, when the pivot cylinder 72 is in the upright position, the angle θ of inclination of the right plate 72f with respect to the horizontal plane is 78°.

[0150] When the pivotal barrel 72 is in the upright position, the entire right plate 73f of the pivotal cover 73 faces an area near the lower end of the curved plate portion 71f2 of the right plate 71f of the fixed barrel 71. Also, an area near the upper end of the left plate 73e of the pivotal cover 73 faces an area near the lower end of the curved plate portion 71e2 of the left plate 71e of the fixed barrel 71. Most of the front plate 73c and most of the rear plate 73d of the pivotal cover 73 face most of the front plate 71c and most of the rear plate 71d of the fixed barrel 71, respectively.

[0151] When the pivotal barrel 72 is in the tilted position, the central axis X of the fixed barrel 71 71 and the central axis X of the pivot tube 72 72 The right plate 72f is inclined with respect to the left plate 72e, and the surface of the right plate 72f facing the left plate 72e is inclined so that it faces upward and to the left. 71 and aisle CH 72 In this embodiment, the angle θ of inclination of the right plate 72f with respect to the horizontal plane when the pivot cylinder 72 is in the inclined position is 60°.

[0152] When the pivot barrel 72 is in the tilted position, an area near the upper end of the right plate 73f of the pivot cover 73 faces an area near the lower end of the curved plate portion 71f2 of the right plate 71f of the fixed barrel 71. In addition, the entire left plate 73e of the pivot cover 73 faces an area near the vertical center of the curved plate portion 71e2 of the left plate 71e of the fixed barrel 71. Most of the front plate 73c and most of the rear plate 73d of the pivot cover 73 face most of the front plate 71c and most of the rear plate 71d of the fixed barrel 71, respectively.

[0153] When the pivot cylinder 72 moves between the upright position and the tilted position, the left plate 73e of the pivot cover 73 rotates about the axis AX 72 The curved plate portion 71e2 of the left plate 71e of the fixed barrel 71 moves along the axis AX 72 71e2。 Therefore, the size of the gap between the left plate 73e and the curved plate portion 71e2 is maintained at a constant value throughout the pivot range of the pivot tube 72. When the pivot tube 72 moves from the inclined position to the upright position, the area of ​​the region of the left plate 73e facing the curved plate portion 71e2 gradually decreases, but even when the pivot tube 72 reaches the upright position, the region near the upper end of the left plate 73e faces the region near the lower end of the curved plate portion 71e2. Therefore, regardless of the position of the pivot tube 72 within the pivot range, at least a portion of the left plate 73e and at least a portion of the curved plate portion 71e2 face each other. In this embodiment, regardless of the position of the pivot tube 72 within the pivot range, the passage CH 71 The curved plate portion 71e2 and the left plate 73e face each other over the entire area in the front-rear direction.

[0154] When the pivot cylinder 72 moves between the upright position and the tilted position, the right plate 73f of the pivot cover 73 rotates about the axis AX 72 The curved plate portion 71f2 of the right plate 71f of the fixed barrel 71 moves along the axis AX 7271f2。 Therefore, the size of the gap between the right plate 73f and the curved plate portion 71f2 is maintained at a constant value throughout the pivot range of the pivot tube 72. When the pivot tube 72 moves from the upright position to the inclined position, the area of ​​the region of the right plate 73f facing the curved plate portion 71f2 gradually decreases, but even when the pivot tube 72 reaches the inclined position, the region near the upper end of the right plate 73f faces the region near the lower end of the curved plate portion 71f2. Therefore, regardless of the position of the pivot tube 72 within the pivot range, at least a portion of the right plate 73f and at least a portion of the curved plate portion 71f2 face each other. In this embodiment, regardless of the position of the pivot tube 72 within the pivot range, the passage CH 71 The curved plate portion 71f2 and the right plate 73f face each other over the entire area in the front-rear direction.

[0155] The front plate 71c of the fixed barrel 71 and the front plate 73c of the pivot cover 73 face each other with a gap in the front-to-rear direction at most parts, regardless of the position of the pivot barrel 72 within the pivot range. The rear plate 71d of the fixed barrel 71 and the rear plate 73d of the pivot cover 73 face each other with a gap in the front-to-rear direction at most parts, regardless of the position of the pivot barrel 72 within the pivot range. In this embodiment, the passage CH 71 The second portion 71c2 and the front plate 73c face each other over the entire left-right area of ​​the pivot cylinder 72. 71 The second portion 71d2 and the rear plate 73d face each other over the entire area in the left-right direction.

[0156] In this way, the guide portion 70 determines a passageway that has no gap (i.e., a gap that would allow the test object to leak outside the passageway) between the supply port SP and the opening OPPb, regardless of whether the pivoting tube 72 is in any position within the pivoting range between the upright position and the inclined position.

[0157] When the pivoting tube 72 is in the upright position, the opening OPPa of the pivoting tube 72 faces upward, and the opening OPPb of the pivoting tube 72 faces downward. When viewed in the vertical direction, the outline of the supply port SP is contained within the outline of the opening OPPa. When viewed in the vertical direction, the outline of the opening OPPb is contained within the outline of the right discharge port DPf. In other words, the entire area obtained by projecting the supply port SP in the vertical direction is located inside the area obtained by projecting the opening OPPa in the vertical direction, and the entire area obtained by projecting the opening OPPb in the vertical direction is located inside the area obtained by projecting the right discharge port DPf in the vertical direction.

[0158] When the pivotal cylinder 72 is in the upright position, the pivotal cylinder 72 is connected to the internal space IS via the supply port SP. 10 When the pivot cylinder 72 is in the upright position, the test object supplied to the inner space IS is guided to the right discharge port DPf (an example of the "first discharge port"). 10 The test object fed to the right passes through the straight passage CHS and is discharged from the right discharge port DPf. The test object discharged from the right discharge port DPf is sent downstream through the non-contaminant pipe P2 (Figure 1) connected to the right discharge port DPf.

[0159] When the pivoting tube 72 is in the tilted position, the opening OPPa of the pivoting tube 72 faces upward and to the right, and the opening OPPb of the pivoting tube 72 faces downward and to the left. When viewed in the vertical direction, the outline of the supply port SP is contained within the outline of the opening OPPa. When viewed in the vertical direction, the outline of the opening OPPb is contained within the outline of the left discharge port DPe. In other words, the entire area obtained by projecting the supply port SP in the vertical direction is located within the area obtained by projecting the opening OPa in the vertical direction, and the entire area obtained by projecting the opening OPPb in the vertical direction is located within the area obtained by projecting the left discharge port DPe in the vertical direction.

[0160] When the pivoting cylinder 72 is in the inclined position, the pivoting cylinder 72 is connected to the internal space IS via the supply port SP. 10 When the pivot cylinder 72 is in the tilted position, the test objects supplied to the left discharge port DPe are guided to the internal space IS through the supply port SP. 10The test object supplied to the left discharge port DPe passes through the curved passage CHB and is discharged from the left discharge port DPe. The test object discharged from the left discharge port DPe is sent downstream through the contaminant pipe P3 (Figure 1) connected to the left discharge port DPe.

[0161] In this embodiment, the axis AX, which is the pivot axis of the pivot tube 72, 72 is located at a position spaced apart from the right plate 72f in the normal direction of the right plate 72f (i.e., the direction perpendicular to the flat right plate 72f), and is located at a position spaced apart from the left plate 72e in the normal direction of the left plate 72e (i.e., the direction perpendicular to the flat left plate 72e). 72 (i.e., the axis AX when viewed in the front-back direction) 72 the length of the perpendicular line from the left plate 72e to the right plate 72f) and the relationship between the left plate 72e and the axis AX in the normal direction of the left plate 72e 72 (i.e., the axis AX when viewed in the front-to-back direction) 72 The lengths of the perpendicular lines from the pivot tube 72 to the left plate 72e are equal to each other. 72 The average value of the separation distance between the two becomes smaller, and the torque required to pivot the pivot cylinder 72 becomes smaller.

[0162] In this embodiment, the position of the center of the supply port SP in the left-right direction and the axis AX in the left-right direction are 72 This suppresses changes in the positional relationship between the supply port SP and the opening OPPa of the pivoting cylinder 72 (that is, changes in the positional relationship when viewed in the up-down direction) caused by the pivoting of the pivoting cylinder 72.

[0163] The advantageous effects of the metal detection system 2000 and the separator 600 of this embodiment are summarized below.

[0164] In the metal detection system 2000 and separator 600 of this embodiment, the guide section 70, which has the fixed cylinder 71, pivoting cylinder 72, and pivoting cover 73, defines a passage between the supply port SP and the opening OPPb that has no gap (i.e., a gap that would allow the test object to leak out of the passage), regardless of the position of the pivoting cylinder 72 within the pivot area. Therefore, the metal detection system 2000 and separator 600 of this embodiment can prevent foreign matter such as contaminants from entering the non-contaminant pipe P2, which sends the test object for which no metal contamination has been detected.

[0165] <Modification> The above embodiment may also employ the following modifications: In addition to the following modifications, modifications of the above-described reference embodiment may also be employed in the above embodiment.

[0166] In the above embodiment, the curved plate portion 71f2 of the right plate 71f of the fixed barrel 71 and the right plate 73f of the pivoting cover 73 can be configured in any manner such that at least a portion of the curved plate portion 71f2 faces at least a portion of the right plate 73f regardless of the position of the pivoting barrel 72 within the pivoting range.

[0167] In the above embodiment, the curved plate portion 71e2 of the left plate 71e of the fixed barrel 71 and the left plate 73e of the pivoting cover 73 can be configured in any manner such that at least a portion of the curved plate portion 71e2 faces at least a portion of the left plate 73e regardless of the position of the pivoting barrel 72 within the pivoting range.

[0168] In the above embodiment, the axis AX 71 The dimension of the curved plate portion 71e2 in the circumferential direction about the axis AX may be equal to or greater than the dimension of the curved plate portion 71f2 in the circumferential direction. 73 The dimension of the left plate 73e in the circumferential direction about the center may be equal to or greater than the dimension of the right plate 73f in the circumferential direction.

[0169] In the above embodiment, the curved plate portion 71e2 and the curved plate portion 71f2 are connected to the axis AX 71 The curved plate portion 71e2 extends within a single cylindrical surface having the axis AX as its center, but is not limited to this. 71The curved plate portion 71f2 extends along the first cylindrical surface centered on the axis AX 71 The left and right plates 73e and 73f of the pivot cover 73 may be formed in the same manner.

[0170] In the above embodiment, the second portion 71c2 of the front plate 71c of the fixed barrel 71 and the front plate 73c of the pivoting cover 73 can be configured in any manner such that at least a portion of the second portion 71c2 faces at least a portion of the front plate 73c regardless of the position of the pivoting barrel 72 within the pivoting range.

[0171] In the above embodiment, the second portion 71d2 of the rear plate 71d of the fixed barrel 71 and the rear plate 73d of the pivoting cover 73 can be configured in any manner such that at least a portion of the second portion 71d2 faces at least a portion of the rear plate 73d regardless of the position of the pivoting barrel 72 within the pivoting range.

[0172] In the above embodiment, the pivot cover 73 is disposed on the outside of the fixed barrel 71, but this is not limiting. The pivot cover 73 may also be disposed on the inside of the fixed barrel 71.

[0173] In the above embodiment, the pivot cover 73 may be omitted, and portions corresponding to the left plate 73e and right plate 73f of the pivot cover 73 may be provided on the pivot barrel 72. The pivot barrel 72 and the combination of the pivot barrel 72 and the pivot cover 73 are each an example of a "pivot barrel."

[0174] In the above embodiment, at least one of the second portion 71c2 of the front plate 71c of the fixed barrel 71, the second portion 71d2 of the rear plate 71d, and the curved plate portion 71e2 of the left plate 71e may be omitted. Also, at least one of the front plate 73c, the rear plate 73d, and the left plate 73e of the pivot cover 73 may be omitted. Even in this case, by maintaining a state in which at least a portion of the curved plate portion 71f2 of the right plate 71f of the fixed barrel 71 faces at least a portion of the right plate 73f of the pivot cover 73 throughout the entire pivot range of the pivot barrel 72, it is possible to prevent contaminants, etc. that collide with the right plate 72f of the pivot barrel 72 and bounce off to the right from reaching the right discharge port DPf through the gap between the fixed barrel 71 and the pivot barrel 72 and entering the non-contaminant conduit P2.

[0175] In the above embodiment, the axis X 71 Passage CH seen in the direction 71 Shape of axis X 72 Passage CH seen in the direction 72 The shape is not limited to a rectangle and may be any shape.

[0176] In the above embodiment, when the pivoting tube 72 is in the upright position, the inclination angle θ of the right plate 72f of the pivoting tube 72 with respect to the horizontal plane is 78°, and when the pivoting tube 72 is in the inclined position, the inclination angle θ of the right plate 72f of the pivoting tube 72 with respect to the horizontal plane is 60°, but this is not limited to this.

[0177] Increasing the difference between the angle θ of the right plate 72f in the upright position and the angle θ of the right plate 72f in the inclined position requires enlarging the curved plate portion 71f2 of the right plate 71f of the fixed barrel 71 and the right plate 73f of the pivoting cover 73, and also raises the risk of interference between the flat plate portion 71e1 of the left plate 71e of the fixed barrel 71 and the left plate 73e of the pivoting cover 73. On the other hand, reducing the difference between the angle θ of the right plate 72f in the upright position and the angle θ of the right plate 72f in the inclined position reduces the difference between the position of the opening OPPb in the upright position and the position of the opening OPPb in the inclined position, which raises the risk of inappropriate sorting of the test subjects. From these perspectives, the angle θ of the right plate 72f in the upright position may be set to any value between 68° and 88°, and the angle θ of the right plate 72f in the inclined position may be set to any value between 50° and 70°. Alternatively, the angle θ of the right board 72f in the upright position may be any value between 73° and 83°, and the angle θ of the right board 72f in the inclined position may be any value between 55° and 65°.

[0178] In the above embodiment, the separator 600 is disposed in the internal space IS of the housing 10. 10 Alternatively, a material other than metal may be disposed in the area communicating with the left discharge port DPe and / or the right discharge port DPf. Even in this case, for example, by arranging at least a part of the curved plate portion 71f2 of the right plate 71f of the fixed barrel 71 and at least a part of the right plate 73f of the pivot cover 73 opposite each other regardless of the position of the pivot barrel 72 within the pivot range, the test object is prevented from passing through the gap between the fixed barrel 71 and the pivot barrel 72, and foreign matter such as contaminants can be prevented from entering the right discharge port DPf and the non-contaminant conduit P2.

[0179] As long as the features of the present invention are maintained, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and other forms conceivable within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention are also included in the scope of the present invention. The features described in the above-described embodiment, the features described in each modification, and the features described in other modifications can be used in any combination with each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0180] 10 housing; 20 partition; 30 guide section; 31 main guide member; 32 sub-guide member; 40 pivot mechanism; 41 switch; 42 air cylinder; 43 link arm; 44 position detection system; 50 cover; 70 guide section; 71 fixed cylinder; 72 pivot cylinder; 73 pivot cover; DP discharge port; GP1 main guide plate; GT guide cylinder; GP2 sub-guide plate; SP supply port; 100 metal detector; 200, 600 separator; 300 controller; 1000, 2000 metal detection system

Claims

1. A separator for use with a metal detector, comprising: The housing and a guide portion provided in the internal space of the housing, The housing includes: a supply port for supplying the object to be inspected that has passed through the metal detector into the internal space; a first discharge port that overlaps with the supply port when viewed in the vertical direction and is provided below the supply port in the vertical direction; a second outlet provided at a position different from the first outlet in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, The guide unit is a fixed cylinder fixed to the housing, the fixed cylinder defining a first passage communicating with the supply port; a pivotal cylinder located below the fixed cylinder and defining a second passage communicating with the first passage, the pivotal cylinder pivoting about a pivot axis extending in an axial direction intersecting both the vertical direction and the orthogonal direction to be displaced between a first position and a second position; When the pivot cylinder is in the first position, the test object supplied from the supply port to the internal space is discharged from the first discharge port through the first passage and the second passage, When the pivot cylinder is in the second position, the test object supplied from the supply port to the internal space is discharged from the second discharge port through the first passage and the second passage, The first discharge port is provided on one side in the orthogonal direction, the second outlet is provided on the other side in the orthogonal direction, the fixed cylinder has a fixed closed curved surface located on the one side of the pivot shaft in the orthogonal direction and extending within a cylindrical surface centered on the pivot shaft, the pivot cylinder has a pivot closed curved surface located on the one side of the pivot shaft in the orthogonal direction and extending within a cylindrical surface centered on the pivot shaft, A separator in which at least a portion of the fixed closing curved surface and at least a portion of the pivoting closing curved surface face each other regardless of whether the pivoting cylinder is at any position within a pivot range of the pivoting cylinder between the first position and the second position.

2. The separator according to claim 1 , wherein only metal is disposed in a region of the internal space that communicates with the first discharge port and / or the second discharge port.

3. the fixed cylinder has a secondary fixed closed curved surface located on the other side of the pivot shaft in the orthogonal direction and extending within a cylindrical surface centered on the pivot shaft, the pivot cylinder has a secondary pivot closed curved surface located on the other side of the pivot shaft in the orthogonal direction and extending within a cylindrical surface centered on the pivot shaft, 3. The separator according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the secondary fixed closing curved surface faces at least a portion of the secondary pivoting closing curved surface regardless of the position of the pivot cylinder within the pivot range.

4. 4. A separator as described in claim 3, wherein the circumferential length of the secondary fixed closing curved surface around the pivot axis is smaller than the circumferential length of the fixed closing curved surface around the pivot axis, and / or the circumferential length of the secondary pivoting closing curved surface around the pivot axis is smaller than the circumferential length of the pivoting closing curved surface around the pivot axis.

5. The fixed barrel is a first fixed closed plane located on one side of the first passage in the axial direction; a second fixed closed plane located on the other side of the first passage in the axial direction, The pivoting cylinder is a first pivot closure plane located on one side of the second passage in the axial direction; a second pivot closure plane located on the other side of the second passage in the axial direction, A separator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, regardless of the position of the pivoting cylinder within the pivoting range, at least a portion of the first fixed closing plane faces at least a portion of the first pivoting closing plane, and at least a portion of the second fixed closing plane faces at least a portion of the second pivoting closing plane.

6. The pivoting cylinder is a guide plate defining an end of the second passage on the one side in the orthogonal direction; The separator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a sub-guide plate that defines the other end of the second passage in the orthogonal direction.

7. a first inclination angle of the guide plate with respect to a horizontal plane when the pivot tube is in a first position is larger than a second inclination angle of the guide plate with respect to a horizontal plane when the pivot tube is in a second position; 7. The separator according to claim 6, wherein the first inclination angle is between 68° and 88°, and the second inclination angle is between 50° and 70°.

8. 8. A separator according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the pivot shaft is located at a position spaced apart from the guide plate.

9. The separator according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein a distance between the guide plate and the sub-guide plate decreases downward in the vertical direction.

10. the pivot shaft is located at a position spaced apart from the guide plate and the sub-guide plate, A separator according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the length of a perpendicular line extending from the pivot shaft to the guide plate and the length of a perpendicular line extending from the pivot shaft to the sub-guide plate are equal to each other.

11. The separator according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the position of the center of the supply port and the position of the pivot shaft are equal to each other in the orthogonal direction.

12. The separator according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the object to be inspected is a resin pellet.

13. A separator for use with a metal detector, comprising: The housing and a guide portion provided in the internal space of the housing; a pivot mechanism; The housing includes: a supply port for supplying the object to be inspected that has passed through the metal detector into the internal space; a first discharge port that overlaps with the supply port when viewed in the vertical direction and is provided below the supply port in the vertical direction; a second outlet provided at a position different from the first outlet in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, The guide unit is a fixed cylinder fixed to the housing, the fixed cylinder defining a first passage communicating with the supply port; a pivotal cylinder located below the fixed cylinder and defining a second passage communicating with the first passage, the pivotal cylinder having a first opening at one end and a second opening at the other end, and pivoting about a pivot axis extending in an axial direction perpendicular to both the vertical direction and the perpendicular direction to be displaced between a first position and a second position; The pivoting cylinder is a guide plate that is a rectangular flat plate; a sub-guide plate which is a rectangular flat plate facing the guide plate; a pair of wall portions connecting the guide plate and the sub-guide plate at both ends in the axial direction, When the guide plate is in either the first position or the second position, the first opening is located above the second opening, the pivot shaft is located at a position spaced apart from the guide plate and the auxiliary guide plate, and a length of a perpendicular line extending from the pivot shaft to the guide plate and a length of a perpendicular line extending from the pivot shaft to the auxiliary guide plate are equal to each other; the position of the center of the supply port in the orthogonal direction and the position of the pivot shaft in the orthogonal direction are equal to each other, The first discharge port is provided on one side in the orthogonal direction, the second outlet is provided on the other side in the orthogonal direction, The fixed barrel is a fixed closed curved surface located on the one side of the pivot shaft in the orthogonal direction and extending on a cylindrical surface centered on the pivot shaft; a secondary fixed closed curved surface located on the other side of the pivot shaft in the orthogonal direction and extending on a cylindrical surface centered on the pivot shaft; a first fixed closed plane located on one side of the first passage in the axial direction; a second fixed closed plane located on the other side of the first passage in the axial direction, The pivoting cylinder is a pivoting closed curved surface located on the one side of the pivot shaft in the orthogonal direction and extending on a cylindrical surface centered on the pivot shaft; a secondary pivot closed curved surface located on the other side of the pivot shaft in the orthogonal direction and extending on a cylindrical surface centered on the pivot shaft; a first pivot closure plane located on one side of the second passage in the axial direction; a second pivot closing plane located on the other side of the second passage in the axial direction; When the pivot tube is at any position within a pivot range of the pivot tube between the first position and the second position, at least a part of the fixed closing curved surface faces at least a part of the pivoting closing curved surface, at least a part of the secondary fixed closing curved surface faces at least a part of the secondary pivoting closing curved surface, at least a part of the first fixed closing plane faces at least a part of the first pivoting closing plane, and at least a part of the second fixed closing plane faces at least a part of the second pivoting closing plane, Only metal is disposed in the internal space, The pivot mechanism is an air cylinder having a cylinder tube and a piston rod, wherein the orientations of the central axes of the cylinder tube and the piston rod are aligned with the orthogonal direction; a link arm connecting the piston rod and the pivot cylinder.

14. Metal detectors and A separator according to any one of claims 1 to 13; a controller; A metal detection system in which the controller pivots the pivot tube of the separator based on the detection result of the metal detector.

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