X-ray imaging device

Abstract

The present invention provides an X-ray imaging device that enables X-ray irradiation of a workpiece while maintaining a stable posture during transport, and reduces the workload on the operator. [Solution] The system comprises a conveying unit 2 having a belt 7a on which poultry leg meat is placed and for conveying the poultry leg meat, an X-ray imaging unit 11 provided above the conveying unit 2 and for irradiating the poultry leg meat placed on the belt 7a with X-rays, and a shielding unit 12 provided at the entrance and exit of the X-ray imaging unit 11 and for shielding the X-rays from the X-ray imaging unit 11. The shielding unit 12 is rotatably supported and comprises a rotating shaft 16 whose axis of rotation A is in a direction intersecting the conveying direction Y1 of the conveying unit 2 and the normal direction of the belt 7a, a plurality of blades 17 extending radially outward from the outer surface of the rotating shaft 16, and a drive unit 15 that rotates the rotating shaft 16 and moves the rotating shaft 16 up and down to move it closer to and further away from the conveying unit 2 according to the rotation position of the blades 17.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an X-ray imaging apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] For example, an X-ray imaging apparatus (X-ray bone detection unit) is used in an apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a boning device) for boning bird leg meat with bones cut from the thigh bone of a bird carcass (hereinafter simply referred to as bird leg meat) (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This type of boning device includes, in addition to an X-ray imaging apparatus, a conveyor chain laid on a predetermined conveyance path, shackles provided at equal intervals on the conveyor chain and from which the bird leg meat is suspended, a cutting station for peeling the meat from the bone of the bird leg meat, and an electric drive unit for driving the conveyor chain.

[0003] An X-ray imaging apparatus is provided in the middle of the location where the conveyor chain is laid. The cutting station is provided on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the conveyor chain from the X-ray imaging apparatus among the locations where the conveyor chain is laid. The cutting station includes a cutter for peeling the meat around the bone of the bird leg meat.

[0004] Under such a configuration, the joint position of the bird leg meat is detected by the X-ray imaging apparatus while the bird leg meat suspended by the shackle is being conveyed by the conveyor chain. The detected joint position is aligned with the position of the cutter at the cutting station. After that, the meat around the bone of the bird leg meat is peeled off by the cutter, and the boning of the bird leg meat is performed.

[0005] Here, the X-ray imaging apparatus includes a protection housing to suppress leakage of X-rays to the outside. The X-ray imaging apparatus lays a conveyor chain inside the protection housing and irradiates the bird leg meat with X-rays inside the protection housing. Further, paddle wheels for shielding X-rays leaking from these entrances and exits to the outside are provided at the entrance and exit of the conveyor chain in the protection housing.

[0006] The paddle wheel has multiple paddle plates. The paddle wheel rotates in sync with the conveyor chain. The axis of rotation of the paddle wheel extends in the vertical direction. The shackle of the conveyor chain passes between two adjacent paddle plates in the circumferential direction of the rotating paddle wheel. This configuration allows the passage of poultry leg meat into the protective housing while shielding X-rays leaking to the outside from the inlet and outlet by the multiple paddle plates. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7123974 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] Incidentally, since the poultry leg meat suspended from the shackle is supported at only one point on the shackle, the posture of the poultry leg meat is unstable. As a result, the accuracy of bone detection of the poultry leg meat by the X-ray imaging device sometimes decreased. Furthermore, there was a problem in that the posture of the poultry leg meat detected by the X-ray imaging device did not match the posture of the poultry leg meat at the cutting station in the subsequent process, resulting in a decrease in the deboning yield of the poultry leg meat. Furthermore, workers need to lift and suspend the chicken thighs to the shackles in order to transport them. This presented a challenge as it increased the workload on the workers.

[0009] Therefore, the present invention provides an X-ray imaging device that enables X-ray irradiation of a workpiece (e.g., poultry leg meat) while maintaining a stable posture during transport, and that reduces the workload on the operator. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To solve the above problems, the X-ray imaging apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a transport unit having a mounting surface on which a workpiece is placed and transporting the workpiece; an X-ray imaging unit provided above the transport unit and irradiating the workpiece placed on the mounting surface with X-rays; and a shielding unit provided at the entrance and exit of the X-ray imaging unit and shielding the X-rays from the X-ray imaging unit. The shielding unit is rotatably supported and comprises a rotation axis whose axis of rotation is in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the transport unit and the normal direction of the mounting surface; a plurality of blades extending radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the rotation axis; and a drive unit that rotates the rotation axis and moves the rotation axis up and down to move it closer to and further away from the transport unit according to the rotation position of the blades.

[0011] This configuration allows the workpiece to be placed on the mounting surface of the transport unit, thus stabilizing the workpiece's posture during transport compared to the conventional method of suspending the workpiece from a shackle. Furthermore, since the workpiece is simply placed on the mounting surface, there is no need to lift the workpiece as in the conventional method, thus reducing the workload.

[0012] If the X-ray imaging unit is placed above the transport unit which has a mounting surface, simply rotating a paddle wheel as in the conventional method will create a gap between the mounting surface of the transport unit and the shielding unit to block the X-rays. In other words, depending on the rotation position of the paddle wheel, a large gap may be created between the mounting surface of the transport unit and the shielding unit. Therefore, it is not possible to shield X-rays leaking from the X-ray imaging device to the outside.

[0013] Therefore, the shielding section was configured as described above, consisting of a rotating shaft, multiple blades, and a drive unit that moves the rotating shaft closer to and further away from the transport unit. With this configuration, the distance between the transport unit and the rotating shaft can be changed according to the position of the blades, and the gap between the mounting surface and the blades can always be kept constant. As a result, the shielding section can block X-rays leaking from the X-ray imaging device to the outside, making it possible to irradiate the workpiece with X-rays.

[0014] In the above configuration, the drive unit rotates the rotating shaft and moves it up and down in synchronization with the transport unit.

[0015] This configuration ensures that the workpiece can reliably pass between two adjacent blades in the circumferential direction. This prevents the workpiece from coming into contact with the blades, thus stabilizing the quality of the workpiece.

[0016] In the above configuration, the drive unit separates the rotating shaft from the transport unit as far as possible when the extension direction of the blades is aligned with the direction normal to the mounting surface described above.

[0017] This configuration minimizes the gap between the mounting surface and the blades, and prevents contact between the conveying section and the shielding section.

[0018] In the above configuration, the number of blades is four, and the drive unit brings the rotating shaft closest to the transport unit when the extension direction of the blades is aligned with a direction 45° to the normal direction of the mounting surface described above.

[0019] This configuration minimizes the gap between the mounting surface and the blades, and prevents contact between the conveying section and the shielding section. It ensures an appropriate spacing between two adjacent blades in the circumferential direction, allowing the workpiece to pass reliably between them.

[0020] In the above configuration, a chamfered portion is formed on the tip of the blade opposite to the rotation axis, on the upstream side in the rotational direction of the rotation axis.

[0021] This configuration allows the chamfered portion to be formed, and when a workpiece is positioned between two adjacent circumferential blades, these two blades can be brought as close as possible to the mounting surface. As a result, the shielding portion can more reliably shield X-rays leaking from the X-ray imaging device to the outside.

[0022] In the above configuration, the drive unit comprises a motor and a linear motion mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the motor into linear motion and transmits it to the rotating shaft.

[0023] By configuring it in this way, it is possible to approach and separate the rotation axis with respect to the placement surface with a simple structure.

Advantages of the Invention

[0024] According to the X-ray imaging apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to irradiate X-rays onto the workpiece in a state where the posture of the workpiece during conveyance is stabilized, and the workload of the operator can be reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] [Figure 1] It is a schematic configuration diagram of a processed chicken leg meat system in an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view of an X-ray imaging apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a plan view of a main part of a shielding part in an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the left-right direction. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view of a drive part in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a plan view of a drive part in an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above. [Figure 6] It is an explanatory view showing the behavior of a shielding part main body in an embodiment of the present invention, and (a) to (d) show the postures of the shielding part main body in the order of behavior.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0026] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

[0027] <Processed Chicken Leg Meat System> FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a processed chicken leg meat system 1 including an X-ray imaging apparatus 4 according to the present invention as viewed from above. As shown in Figure 1, the poultry leg processing system 1 is a system that automatically debones poultry leg meat (not shown). The poultry leg processing system 1 is laid out in a long, one-way direction and includes a conveying section 2 for transporting the poultry leg meat. In the conveying section 2, the input section 3, X-ray imaging device 4, sinewing device 5, and automatic deboning device 6 are arranged in this order from the upstream side in the conveying direction Y1 (see arrow Y1 in Figure 1).

[0028] In the following explanation, the upstream side of the conveying direction Y1 will simply be referred to as the upstream side, and the downstream side of the conveying direction Y1 will simply be referred to as the downstream side. The up and down directions refer to the state when the poultry leg meat processing system 1 is installed. The direction perpendicular to the conveying direction Y1 and the up and down directions will be referred to as the left and right directions. In the left and right directions, the central side in the short direction of the conveying section 2 will be referred to as the inside, and the side opposite the inside will be referred to as the outside.

[0029] <Conveying Section> The conveying unit 2 includes a belt conveyor 7 and a chain conveyor 8. These belt conveyor 7 and chain conveyor 8 are arranged parallel to each other in the left-right direction. The belt conveyor 7 and chain conveyor 8 are driven synchronously. The chain conveyor 8 is provided with clamps 9 (see Figure 2, etc.) at equal intervals. The clamps 9 hold the ankles of poultry thighs (not shown) by hooking them onto the clamps 9. The poultry thighs held by the clamps 9 are placed on the belt 7a of the belt conveyor 7 in a lying position. That is, the belt 7a functions as a surface on which the poultry thighs are placed. The lying position of the poultry thighs refers to the position in which the poultry thighs are laid down with the inner thigh side facing upwards.

[0030] <Insertion section> The input section 3 is equipped with a workbench 10 positioned parallel to the conveying section 2. The workbench 10 is located on the opposite side of the chain conveyor 8 from the belt conveyor 7. Numerous poultry thighs (not shown) are fed onto the workbench 10. The worker picks up a poultry thigh from the workbench 10, lays it on the belt 7a of the belt conveyor 7, and hooks the ankle of the poultry thigh onto the clamper 9. This allows the poultry thigh to be fed into the poultry thigh processing system 1 via the input section 3.

[0031] <X-ray imaging device> The X-ray imaging device 4 irradiates X-rays from above on the chicken leg meat conveyed by the conveying unit 2, and acquires information on the shape of the bone of the chicken leg meat and the position and orientation of the bone with respect to the entire chicken leg meat. Details of the X-ray imaging device 4 will be described later.

[0032] <Injection device> The injection device 5 performs injection along the bone of the chicken leg meat based on the information on the shape of the bone of the chicken leg meat and the position and orientation of the bone with respect to the entire chicken leg meat acquired by the X-ray imaging device 4. Since the chicken leg meat is placed on the belt 7a, it is difficult for the posture of the chicken leg meat in the X-ray imaging device 4 and the posture of the chicken leg meat in the injection device 5 to change. Therefore, the injection device 5 can perform stable injection.

[0033] <Automatic deboning device> The automatic deboning device 6 automatically strips and discharges the meat from the chicken leg meat injected by the injection device 5. A transfer device 60 is provided between the automatic deboning device 6 and the conveying unit 2. By this transfer device 60, after the injected chicken leg meat is conveyed in front of the automatic deboning device 6 by the conveying unit 2, the chicken leg meat is transferred from the conveying unit 2 to the automatic deboning device 6.

[0034] <X-ray imaging device> Next, details of the X-ray imaging device 4 will be described based on FIGS. 2 to FIG. 6. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the X-ray imaging device 4. In FIG. 2, some covers are removed for easy explanation. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the X-ray imaging device 4 includes an X-ray imaging unit 11 provided above the conveying unit 2, and a pair of shielding units 12 provided on the upstream side and the downstream side of the X-ray imaging unit 11, respectively. The X-ray imaging unit 11 irradiates X-rays from above on the chicken leg meat conveyed by the conveying unit 2, and acquires information on the shape of the bone of the chicken leg meat and the position and orientation of the bone with respect to the entire chicken leg meat.

[0035] The X-ray imaging unit 11 comprises a housing 11a and an X-ray irradiation unit (not shown) housed within the housing 11a. Upstream and downstream of the housing 11a, inlets 11b and outlets 11c (hereinafter collectively referred to as inlets 11b and 11c) are formed to allow the passage of the transport unit 2 and the poultry leg meat transported by the transport unit 2. Shielding units 12 are provided to block these inlets 11b and 11c. Since each shielding unit 12 has the same configuration, the following description will only describe the shielding unit 12 located upstream of the X-ray imaging unit 11 (the same applies to the following modifications). The description of the shielding unit 12 located downstream of the X-ray imaging unit 11 will be omitted (the same applies to the following modifications).

[0036] Figure 3 is a plan view of the main part of the shielding section 12 as seen from the left and right directions. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the shielding unit 12 comprises a frame 13, a drive unit 15 partially supported by the frame 13, and a shielding unit body 14 rotatably supported by the drive unit 15. The shielding body 14 comprises a rotating shaft 16 rotatably supported by the drive unit 15, and a plurality of (four in this embodiment) blades 17 extending radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft 16.

[0037] The rotating shaft 16 rotates around a rotation axis A in a direction parallel to the left and right, that is, a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction Y1 and the normal direction of the belt 7a. A pair of shielding plates 18 are provided on both sides of the rotating shaft 16 in the axial direction. The shielding plates 18 are plate-shaped members that extend along the longitudinal and vertical directions of the conveying section 2. The distance between the pair of shielding plates 18 is greater than the width in the left-right direction of the entrances and exits 11b and 11c of the X-ray imaging section 11. The pair of shielding plates 18 are positioned on both sides in the left-right direction of the entrances and exits 11b and 11c of the X-ray imaging section 11.

[0038] The blades 17 extend across the entire space between the pair of shielding plates 18 on the rotating shaft 16, and also extend radially along the rotating shaft 16. The blades 17 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft 16. In this embodiment, since there are four blades 17, the blades 17 are arranged at 90° intervals in the circumferential direction. The rotating shaft 16 is rotationally driven by a rotary actuator 21 of the drive unit 15, which will be described later. The direction of rotation of the rotating shaft 16 is such that the direction of movement of the blades 17 located below the center of the rotating shaft 16 (close to the conveying unit 2) coincides with the conveying direction Y1 (see arrow CW in Figure 3; hereinafter simply referred to as the rotation direction CW).

[0039] The thickness of the blade 17 is sufficient to shield against X-rays. At both ends of the blade 17 in the left-right direction, bent portions 19 are formed on the upstream side in the rotation direction CW. Each bent portion 19 faces the corresponding shielding plate 18 in the left-right direction with a small gap between them. A flat portion 19b is formed at the tip 19a of the bent portion 19 opposite to the rotation axis 16. The flat portion 19b is formed on the upstream side in the rotation direction CW of the bent portion 19 (blade 17). The angle θ of the flat portion 19b with respect to the blade 17 is approximately 45°.

[0040] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the drive unit 15. Figure 5 is a plan view of the drive unit 15 from above. In Figures 4 and 5, some covers and frames 13 have been removed for clarity of explanation. As shown in Figures 2, 4, and 5, the drive unit 15 comprises a rotary actuator 21 and a vertical actuator 22. The rotary actuator 21 comprises a pair of pillow block bearings 23 that rotatably support both sides of the rotating shaft 16 in the axial direction, and a rotary drive unit 24 provided on the left-right outer side of one of the pair of pillow block bearings 23.

[0041] One axial end of the rotating shaft 16 protrudes outward in the left-right direction beyond the pillow block bearing 23. The rotary drive unit 24 is connected to this protruding portion. The rotary drive unit 24 includes an electric motor 25 and a reduction unit 26 that reduces the rotation of the electric motor 25 and outputs the reduced speed. One end of the rotating shaft 16 is connected to the reduction unit 26. As a result, the rotary drive unit 24 rotates the rotating shaft 16.

[0042] The vertical actuator 22 comprises a pair of linear motion mechanisms 31 supported on both sides in the left-right direction of the frame 13, and a vertical drive unit 32 connected to one of the linear motion mechanisms 31. Each pair of linear motion mechanisms 31 comprises base plates 33 fixed to both sides of the frame 13 in the left-right direction. Support plates 35 are fixed to the upper part of the base plates 33 via support columns 34 on the left-right outer sides. Each support plate 35 is provided with a pillow block bearing 36. Both ends of a transmission shaft 37 are rotatably supported by each pillow block bearing 36. An upper pulley 38 is fitted and fixed to the transmission shaft 37 between the base plate 33 and the support plate 35. The upper pulley 38 and the transmission shaft 37 rotate as a single unit.

[0043] A lower pulley 39 is rotatably supported at the bottom of the base plate 33. The lower pulley 39 and the upper pulley 38 are located on the same plane. The lower pulley 39 and the upper pulley 38 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction. A timing belt 41 is stretched between these lower pulley 39 and upper pulley 38. A slide bracket 42 is attached to the timing belt 41. The slide bracket 42 is formed in an L shape when viewed from above. Specifically, the slide bracket 42 comprises a first plate 43 extending in the left-right direction, and a second plate 44 extending from the inside of the first plate 43 in the left-right direction along the conveying direction Y1 and upstream.

[0044] The thickness direction of the first plate 43 coincides with the transport direction Y1. The thickness direction of the second plate 44 coincides with the left-right direction. Mounting plates 45 are provided on the left-right outer ends of the first plate 43. The mounting plates 45 are fastened and fixed to the first plate 43 by bolts 46. The timing belt 41 is sandwiched between the first plate 43 and the mounting plates 45. The surface of the mounting plates 45 that overlaps with the timing belt 41 is formed in an uneven shape. As a result, the mounting plates 45 bite into the timing belt 41, and the slide bracket 42 moves together with the timing belt 41.

[0045] The second plate 44 is supported by a linear guide 47 provided on the frame 13. The linear guide 47 extends in the vertical direction. This restricts the movement direction of the slide bracket 42 to only the vertical direction. The ends of each second plate 44 upstream of the linear guide 47 are fastened and fixed to the corresponding pillow block bearings 23 of the rotary actuator 21. That is, the rotating shaft 16 of the shielding body 14 is supported by the slide bracket 42 via the pillow block bearings 23 of the rotary actuator 21.

[0046] The vertical drive unit 32 is located on the left-right outer side of one of the pair of linear motion mechanisms 31. One end of the transmission shaft 37 in the linear motion mechanism 31 protrudes outward in the left-right direction from the pillow block bearing 36. The vertical drive unit 32 is connected to this protruding portion. The vertical drive unit 32 includes an electric motor 48 and a reduction unit 49 that reduces the rotation of the electric motor 48 and outputs the reduced speed. For example, a servo motor is used as the electric motor 48. One end of the transmission shaft 37 is connected to the reduction unit 49. However, it is not limited to this, and various motors can be used.

[0047] Under this configuration, the transmission shaft 37 is rotationally driven by the vertical drive unit 32. The transmission shaft 37 repeatedly rotates in forward and reverse directions within a certain range of rotational angles under the drive control of the vertical drive unit 32. As a result, the upper pulley 38 repeatedly rotates in forward and reverse directions in conjunction with the rotation of the transmission shaft 37. Furthermore, the timing belt 41 also repeatedly rotates in forward and reverse directions.

[0048] The rotational motion of the timing belt 41 is converted into vertical linear motion by the slide bracket 42. As a result, the shielding body 14 repeatedly moves up and down within a certain range via the rotary actuator 21. That is, the shielding body 14 rotates around the rotation axis 16 by the rotary actuator 21 while repeatedly moving up and down within a certain range by the vertical actuator 22. The behavior of the shielding body 14 will be described in detail below.

[0049] <Regarding the behavior of the shielding unit itself> Next, the behavior of the shielding body 14 will be described in detail based on Figure 6. Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the behavior of the shielding body 14, where (a) to (d) show the orientation of the shielding body 14 in order of behavior. Figures 6(a) to 6(d) are plan views of the shielding body 14 viewed from the left and right directions, and correspond to the aforementioned Figure 3.

[0050] As shown in Figures 6(a) to 6(d), the drive unit 15 rotates and moves the rotating shaft 16 up and down in synchronization with the conveying unit 2. More specifically, as shown in Figure 6(a), the drive unit 15 moves the rotating shaft 16 furthest away from the conveying unit 2 when the extension direction of the blades 17, as viewed from the left and right, is aligned with the normal direction of the belt 7a. In other words, when the extension direction of the blades 17, as viewed from the left and right, is aligned with the vertical direction, the position of the rotating shaft 16 is at top dead center. In this state, only a small gap is formed between the tip 19a of the blades 17 and the belt 7a.

[0051] Next, as shown in Figure 6(b), the conveying unit 2 and the rotating shaft 16 are driven in synchronously, causing the clamper 9 (poultry leg meat) to enter between adjacent blades 17 in the circumferential direction. At this time, the blades 17 tilt with respect to the vertical direction (normal direction of the belt 7a), so the tip 19a of the blade 17 tries to move away from the belt 7a. However, the rotating shaft 16 slides downward while being rotated by the drive unit 15 (see arrow Y2 in Figure 6(b)). As a result, the gap between the tip 19a of the blade 17 and the belt 7a is kept constant. At this time, a flat portion 19b is formed on the upstream side of the tip 19a of the blade 17 in the rotation direction CW. Therefore, the bent portion 19 of the blade 17 does not interfere with the belt 7a, and the gap between the tip 19a of the blade 17 and the belt 7a is kept constant.

[0052] As shown in Figure 6(c), the drive unit 15 brings the rotating shaft 16 closest to the conveying unit 2 when the extension direction of the blades 17, as viewed from the left and right directions, is aligned at a 45° angle to the normal direction of the belt 7a. In other words, when the extension direction of the blades 17, as viewed from the left and right directions, is aligned at a 45° angle to the up and down direction, the position of the rotating shaft 16 is at the bottom dead center. In this state, the clamper 9 is surrounded by adjacent blades 17 and the belt 7a in the circumferential direction.

[0053] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 6(d), the drive unit 15 causes the rotating shaft 16 to rotate and slide upward (see arrow Y3 in Figure 6(d)). This movement ensures that the clamper 9 is discharged from between adjacent blades 17 in the circumferential direction, while maintaining a constant gap between the tip 19a of the blades 17 and the belt 7a. In this way, the shielding unit 12 reliably shields the X-rays from the X-ray imaging unit 11.

[0054] As described above, the X-ray imaging apparatus 4 comprises a transport unit 2 having a belt 7a, an X-ray imaging unit 11 provided above the transport unit 2, and shielding units 12 provided at the entrances and exits 11b and 11c of the X-ray imaging unit 11. The belt 7a functions as a surface on which the poultry thigh meat is placed. In this way, since the poultry thigh meat is placed on the belt 7a, the posture of the poultry thigh meat during transport can be stabilized compared to the conventional method of suspending the poultry thigh meat from a shackle. Furthermore, since the poultry thigh meat is simply placed on the belt 7a, there is no need to lift the poultry thigh meat as in the conventional method, thus reducing the workload.

[0055] The shielding unit 12 comprises a rotating shaft 16, a plurality of blades 17, and a drive unit 15 that moves the rotating shaft 16 closer to and further away from the conveying unit 2. Therefore, the distance between the conveying unit 2 and the rotating shaft 16 can be changed according to the position of the blades 17, and the gap between the belt 7a and the tip 19a of the blades 17 can always be kept constant. As a result, the shielding unit 12 can reliably shield X-rays leaking from the X-ray imaging device 4 to the outside, so even when a belt conveyor 7 is used for conveying poultry leg meat, X-ray irradiation of the poultry leg meat is possible.

[0056] The drive unit 15 rotates and moves the rotating shaft 16 up and down in synchronization with the conveying unit 2. This ensures that the poultry thigh meat passes reliably between two adjacent blades 17 in the circumferential direction. This prevents the poultry thigh meat from coming into contact with the blades 17, thus stabilizing the quality of the poultry thigh meat.

[0057] The drive unit 15 positions the rotating shaft 16 furthest from the conveying unit 2 when the extension direction of the blades 17, as viewed from the left and right, aligns with the normal direction of the belt 7a. This minimizes the gap between the belt 7a and the blades 17 and prevents contact between the conveying unit 2 and the shielding unit 12.

[0058] In this embodiment, there are four blades 17. With this configuration, the drive unit 15 brings the rotating shaft 16 closest to the conveying unit 2 when the extension direction of the blades 17, as viewed from the left and right, is aligned with a direction 45° to the normal direction of the belt 7a. This minimizes the gap between the belt 7a and the blades 17 and prevents contact between the conveying unit 2 and the shielding unit 12. An appropriate size can be ensured for the spacing between two adjacent blades 17 in the circumferential direction, and the poultry leg meat (clamper 9) can be reliably passed between two adjacent blades 17 in the circumferential direction.

[0059] A flat portion 19b is formed at the tip 19a of the feather 17. Because of the flat portion 19b, when poultry leg meat is placed between two adjacent feathers 17 in the circumferential direction, these two feathers 17 can be brought as close to the belt 7a as possible without interfering with the belt 7a. As a result, the shielding portion 12 can more reliably shield X-rays leaking from the X-ray imaging device 4 to the outside.

[0060] The drive unit 15 comprises a linear motion mechanism 31 and an electric motor 48 connected to the linear motion mechanism 31. In this way, the rotating shaft 16 can be moved closer to and further away from the belt 7a with a simple structure. This makes it possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the X-ray imaging device 4.

[0061] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and includes various modifications to the embodiments and their respective variations, without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the X-ray imaging device 4 was described in the case where it is used in a poultry leg meat processing system 1. However, it is not limited to this, and the X-ray imaging device 4 can be used in processing systems for various workpieces other than poultry leg meat.

[0062] In the above-described embodiment, the case in which the vertical actuator 22 comprises a linear motion mechanism 31 and a vertical drive unit 32 was explained. The case in which the rotating shaft 16 (shielding body 14) slides up and down by the vertical actuator 22 was explained. However, it is not limited to this, and the vertical actuator 22 can be configured to move the rotating shaft 16 closer to or further away from the transport unit 2. The vertical actuator 22 does not have to slide the rotating shaft 16 perfectly along the vertical direction.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the case where four blades 17 are provided was described. However, the number of blades 17 is not limited to this, and any number of blades 17 that can constantly shield X-rays from the X-ray imaging unit 11 is acceptable. The vertical actuator 22 should be driven according to the number of blades 17. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 2…Conveyor unit 4. X-ray imaging device 7a... Belt (mounting surface) 11…X-ray imaging unit 11b...Entrance 11c…Exit 12...Shielding part 15…Drive unit 16…Rotation axis 17... Feathers 19b... Chamfered section (beveled edge) 22… Vertical actuator 31…Linear motion mechanism 48… Electric motor (motor)

Claims

1. A conveying unit having a mounting surface on which a workpiece is placed, and transporting the workpiece, An X-ray imaging unit is provided above the transport unit and irradiates the workpiece placed on the aforementioned surface with X-rays, A shielding section is provided at the entrance and exit of the X-ray imaging unit and shields the X-rays from the X-ray imaging unit, Equipped with, The shielding portion is, It is rotatably supported, and has a rotation axis whose rotation axis intersects the conveying direction of the conveying section and the normal direction of the aforementioned mounting surface, Multiple blades extending radially outward from the outer surface of the rotating shaft, A drive unit that rotates the rotating shaft and moves the rotating shaft up and down to move it closer to and further away from the conveying unit according to the rotation position of the blades, Equipped with, X-ray imaging device.

2. The drive unit rotates the rotating shaft and moves it up and down in synchronization with the transport unit. The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The drive unit, when the extension direction of the blades is aligned with the direction normal to the mounting surface described above, moves the rotating shaft as far away from the transport unit as possible. The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The number of blades is four. The drive unit brings the rotating shaft closest to the transport unit when the extension direction of the blade is aligned with a direction 45° to the normal direction of the mounting surface described above. The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2.

5. A chamfered portion is formed on the tip of the blade opposite to the rotation axis, on the upstream side in the direction of rotation of the rotation axis. The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2.

6. The aforementioned drive unit is Motor and, A linear motion mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the motor into linear motion and transmits it to the rotating shaft, Equipped with, The X-ray imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2.

Images