Leak detection device and leak detection method

Abstract

To provide a leak inspection device and a leak inspection method that can improve the work efficiency for leak inspection. [Solution] The leak inspection device 100 can detect leaks in the mold 1 when the outside of the mold 1 is immersed in liquid. The leak inspection device 100 can detect leaks by observing the intrusion of liquid into the inside of the mold 1. Here, the leak inspection device 100 can detect leaks in the mold 1 when the mold 1 is attached to the food manufacturing device 50. Therefore, when performing a leak inspection, it is not necessary to remove the mold 1 from the food manufacturing device 50, and the inspection can be performed with the mold 1 still attached to the food manufacturing device 50. Thus, the number of work steps required for leak inspection can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a leak inspection device and a leak inspection method.

Background Art

[0002] As a conventional leak inspection device, the one described in Patent Document 1 is known. This leak inspection device seals a mold and increases the pressure by supplying air into the mold. When a leak occurs, the pressure inside the mold decreases, so the leak inspection device detects the leak of the mold based on the pressure change.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Here, in the above-described leak inspection device, when performing an inspection, it was necessary to remove only the mold from the food manufacturing device and perform the leak inspection at a location separate from the food manufacturing device. Therefore, in order to achieve labor saving and the like, it has been demanded to improve the working efficiency for leak inspection.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a leak inspection device and a leak inspection method that can improve the working efficiency for leak inspection.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The leak inspection device according to the present disclosure is a leak inspection device that at least has a housing part for housing a fluid and inspects a leak of a mold for solidifying the fluid, and can detect a leak of the mold in a state where the mold is attached to a food manufacturing device and the outside of the mold is immersed in a liquid.

[0007] In a leak detection device, leaks in a mold can be detected when the outside of the mold is immersed in liquid. That is, if a leak occurs in the mold, such as a crack or pinhole, the external liquid will enter the inside of the mold through the leak. The leak detection device can then detect the leak by observing the intrusion of liquid into the inside of the mold. Furthermore, the leak detection device can detect leaks in a mold while the mold is attached to the food manufacturing equipment. Therefore, when performing a leak inspection, it is not necessary to remove the mold from the food manufacturing equipment; the inspection can be performed while the mold remains attached to the equipment. Consequently, the number of steps required for leak inspection can be reduced. As a result, the efficiency of leak inspection can be improved.

[0008] A leak detection device may be equipped with a camera mounted on the opening side of an empty container in a mold attached to a food manufacturing apparatus, and the camera can detect liquid leaks into the container. In this case, the camera can photograph the internal state of the empty container through the opening. Therefore, the leak detection device can detect leaks using the image data acquired by the camera. In this way, using a camera can improve detection accuracy compared to when an operator performs the inspection with the naked eye.

[0009] A leak inspection device can detect the intrusion of liquid into the containment by photographing the containment with a camera, thereby detecting the presence or absence of a leak in the mold. If a leak occurs in the mold, the liquid that has leaked into the containment will be visible in the image data acquired by the camera. Therefore, by analyzing the image data acquired by the camera, the leak inspection device can easily determine the presence or absence of a leak in the mold by identifying the intrusion of liquid.

[0010] The liquid outside the mold may be colored. In this case, the colored liquid will leak from the leak point, making it easily visible. Therefore, the leaked liquid can be easily identified in the camera image.

[0011] The mold may be one used for solidifying frozen foods. In molds for frozen foods, repeated heating and cooling causes repeated expansion and contraction of the base material, making them prone to cracking. Therefore, the effect of easily detecting leaks with a leak detection device becomes more pronounced.

[0012] The mold may have multiple compartments. In this case, the multiple compartments can be inspected together without removing the mold from the food manufacturing equipment, thus significantly improving work efficiency.

[0013] A leak inspection device may detect the intrusion of liquid into multiple containment areas by simultaneously photographing them with a camera, thereby detecting the presence or absence of leaks in multiple containment areas. In this case, the leak inspection device can detect the presence or absence of leaks in multiple containment areas with a single photograph. Therefore, the efficiency of leak inspection work can be improved.

[0014] The leak inspection device may be capable of detecting the location and number of leaks in the mold. In this case, repair work on the leaks can be carried out efficiently.

[0015] A leak detection device may detect liquid leaks into the containment by photographing the containment with a camera and performing binarization processing. In this case, the leak detection device can detect even colorless liquids.

[0016] A leak detection device may use a camera to photograph a liquid colored differently from the contents of the container and detect liquid leaks based on the difference in color inside the container. In this case, the leak detection device can detect even very small amounts of liquid leakage by distinguishing the color.

[0017] The leak inspection device can detect a leak in the mold during food production by the food production device. In this case, the leak inspection device can perform leak inspection in real time while performing food production.

[0018] The leak inspection device can detect a leak in the mold when the food production device is not producing food. In this case, the leak inspection device can perform leak inspection without interfering with the flow of the food production process.

[0019] The leak inspection method according to the present disclosure is a leak inspection method for inspecting a leak in a mold that solidifies a flowing material, at least having a housing portion that houses the flowing material, wherein the mold is attached to a food production device, and the leak in the mold may be detected in a state where the outside of the mold is immersed in a liquid.

[0020] According to this leak inspection method, the same functions and effects as those of the above-described leak inspection device can be obtained.

Effects of the Invention

[0021] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a leak inspection device and a leak inspection method that can improve the working efficiency for leak inspection.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] ]] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of the mold. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing an example of use of the mold. [Figure 3] [[ID=)33]]It is a side view of the food production device. [Figure 4] It is a plan view of the food production device. [Figure 5] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V shown in FIG. 3. [[ID=)40]] [Figure 6] It is a side view showing a photographing device incorporated in the food production device. [Figure 7] It is a plan view showing a photographing device incorporated in the food production device. [Figure 8]This is a conceptual diagram explaining the leak area. [Figure 9] This is an example of an image acquired by a camera. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0023] The following describes an embodiment of the leak inspection device 100 for mold 1 according to this disclosure, with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted as appropriate. In addition, for ease of understanding, some parts of the drawings may be simplified or exaggerated, and dimensional ratios, etc., are not limited to those shown in the drawings.

[0024] First, with reference to Figure 1, the mold 1 to be inspected by the leak inspection device 100 will be described. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the mold 1. The mold 1 comprises a plurality of housing sections 2 and a top plate 3. The plurality of housing sections 2 are arranged along a first direction D1. The horizontal direction perpendicular to the first direction D1 is referred to as the second direction D2. The number of housing sections 2 in the mold 1 is not particularly limited and may be one instead of multiple. The mold 1 is formed from a metallic material such as stainless steel, alloy metals (such as titanium alloys and nickel alloys), aluminum, or copper.

[0025] The storage section 2 is a component that contains the fluid material of the product. The storage section 2 solidifies the fluid into the shape of the product by heat exchange while containing it. In this embodiment, the storage section 2 has the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped with its longitudinal direction in the vertical direction. The storage section 2 has side walls 2a, 2b, end walls 2c, 2d, and a bottom wall 2e. The side walls 2a, 2b are walls that face each other in the second direction D2. The end walls 2c, 2d are walls that face each other in the first direction. The bottom wall 2e is a wall that closes the storage section 2 at the lower ends of each wall 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d. An opening 2f is formed at the upper end of the storage section 2, with the internal space opening upward. The opening 2f and the bottom wall 2e have the shape of a rectangle with its longitudinal direction in the first direction D1.

[0026] The top plate 3 is a plate-shaped member that extends horizontally at the upper end of the storage section 2. In this embodiment, the top plate 3 extends in the first direction D1, connecting the multiple storage sections 2. The top plate 3 is fixed to the upper end of each storage section 2. The top plate 3 is also fixed to each storage section 2 with the opening 2f of each storage section 2 open upward.

[0027] The uses of mold 1 are not particularly limited. Mold 1 is applied to equipment that performs heat exchange by cooling or heating. Mold 1 can be used as a metallic casting mold, molding mold, or container in general. Mold 1 may be applied to cosmetics and chemicals. Mold 1 may be used to solidify food. For example, mold 1 may be used to solidify ice cream, soup, liquid cooked food, seasonings, sauces, etc. In particular, mold 1 may be used to solidify frozen desserts such as ice cream, and mold 1 may be used to solidify frozen foods. Furthermore, the shape of the housing section 2 may be changed as appropriate depending on the product being manufactured. For example, the housing section 2 may take any shape such as a polygonal column, cylindrical, polygonal pyramidal, conical, polygonal frustoconical, frustoconical, or hemispherical shape.

[0028] Referring to Figure 2, the procedure for manufacturing ice cream using mold 1 will be explained. In Figure 2, one container 2 is shown. As shown in Figure 2(a), mold 1 is set in the predetermined position. Mold 1 is supported by a conveyor chain and transported in the food manufacturing apparatus described later. As shown in Figure 2(b), the liquid FB, which is the raw material for ice cream, is filled into the container 2 through the opening 2f. As shown in Figure 2(c), mold 1 is immersed in liquid LQ (brine) at approximately -35°C. Here, almost the entire container 2 is immersed in liquid LQ. This solidifies the liquid FB. Chopsticks B (Figure 2(d)) are inserted into the liquid FB. To remove the solidified product PD from mold 1, warm water at approximately 40°C is supplied to the surface of mold 1. This allows the product PD to be removed from mold 1, as shown in Figure 2(d). In the case of frozen soup, the process is similar to that of ice cream manufacturing, except that chopsticks B are not inserted.

[0029] Next, the food manufacturing apparatus 50 to which the leak inspection device 100 is applied will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 5. In this embodiment, the food manufacturing apparatus 50 is exemplified as a frozen dessert manufacturing apparatus that produces frozen desserts such as ice cream. Figure 3 is a side view of the food manufacturing apparatus 50. Figure 4 is a top view of the food manufacturing apparatus 50. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along the VV line shown in Figure 3.

[0030] The food manufacturing apparatus 50 shown in Figure 3 extends horizontally in the left-right direction in the figure and includes a brine tank 52 for storing brine, a secondary refrigerant used in the indirect freezing method. The brine tank 52 is equipped with a conveying means 4 for moving the mold 1, which is filled with ingredients for frozen desserts, in the longitudinal direction of the brine tank 52.

[0031] Here, as shown in Figure 3, the mold 1 is positioned with the width direction of the brine tank 52, which is perpendicular to its direction of travel (the direction perpendicular to the viewer from the plane of the paper in Figure 3), as the first direction D1, and the direction of travel as the second direction D2. The transport means 4 is equipped with a pair of transport chains 5 that are spaced apart in the width direction of the brine tank 52 so that the top plate 3 of the mold 1 can be placed across it.

[0032] As shown in Figure 3, the conveying chain 5 is capable of circumferential motion by a drive unit (not shown) in a path from the raw material filling means 6 located at one end of the brine tank 52, through the frozen dessert removal means 7 located at the other end, and back to the raw material filling means 6. A pair of conveying chains 5 are mounted with numerous molds 1 arranged in the longitudinal direction of the brine tank 52 stretched across them.

[0033] Then, the mold 1, which has been filled with frozen dessert ingredients (liquid FB in Figure 2) by the raw material filling means 6, is immersed in brine in the brine tank 52 and moved from one end to the other of the brine tank 52 by the circumferential motion of the conveying chain 5. When it is removed from the brine tank 52 at the other end, the frozen dessert is removed from the housing section 2 (see Figure 5) of the mold 1 by the frozen dessert removal means 7. In addition, the food manufacturing apparatus 50 may be equipped with a stick inserter (not shown) for inserting a stick (chopsticks B in Figure 2) into the partially frozen frozen dessert ingredients as they move through the brine tank 52.

[0034] As shown in Figure 5, below the path of the mold 1 within the brine tank 52, a brine discharge pipe 11 is provided, extending in the width direction of the brine tank 52 and with both ends closed. Below the brine discharge pipe 11 within the brine tank 52, a pair of brine supply main pipes 12 are provided at predetermined intervals in the width direction of the brine tank 52, extending in the longitudinal direction of the brine tank 52 (the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 5). Each brine discharge pipe 11 has multiple brine outlets (not shown) formed along its entire length.

[0035] As shown in Figure 3, the brine supply main pipe 12 is connected to a refrigerator (not shown) via a brine inlet pipe 21, and brine cooled by the refrigerator is pumped into the brine supply main pipe 12 via the brine inlet pipe 21. The brine sent from the brine inlet pipe 21 to the pair of brine supply main pipes 12 is then sent to each brine discharge pipe 11, and the brine is discharged from multiple brine outlets formed in each brine discharge pipe 11.

[0036] Furthermore, the brine whose temperature has risen due to the cooling of the mold 1 by the brine discharge pipe 11 overflows from the weir 24 shown in Figures 3 and 5, is collected in the brine recovery box 25 shown in Figure 3, and then returned to the refrigerator by a brine recovery pump (not shown). The returned brine is cooled in the refrigerator and sent again to the brine supply main pipe 12 via the brine introduction pipe 21. This makes it possible to keep the brine in the brine tank 52 at a predetermined temperature (for example, -35°C) at all times, and to stably cool and freeze the frozen confectionery ingredients in the containment section 2 of the mold 1.

[0037] As shown in Figure 5, a brine supply pipe 31, which extends in the width direction of the brine tank 52 and has both ends closed, is installed below the path of the mold 1 within the brine tank 52 and at a position higher than the position of the brine discharge pipe 11. Below the brine supply pipe 31 within the brine tank 52, a pair of brine internal circulation pipes 32, which extend in the longitudinal direction of the brine tank 52 (the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 5), are installed at a predetermined distance in the width direction of the brine tank 52 so as not to interfere with the pair of brine supply main pipes 12.

[0038] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the brine supply pipes 31 are located at the center and other ends of the brine tank 52 in the longitudinal direction. In Figure 4, for explanatory purposes, only the brine supply pipes 31 located within the brine tank 52 are shown, and the brine discharge pipe 11 is omitted from the illustration. The brine supply pipes 31 are configured to allow the brine to flow in the longitudinal direction of the brine tank 52 in the opposite direction to the direction of mold 1's movement and in the direction opposite to the direction of mold movement. A portion of the brine recovered in the brine recovery box 25 is sent to each brine supply pipe 31.

[0039] In the food manufacturing apparatus 50 described above, repeated use of mold 1 involves repeated cooling and heating with a heat transfer medium having a temperature difference of "filling: -35°C" and "washing: 50~60°C". The metal mold 1 may develop cracks due to repeated expansion and contraction caused by cooling and heating, or pinholes due to chloride ions contained in the heat transfer medium. If leaks such as cracks or pinholes occur in mold 1, foreign matter such as the heat transfer medium may enter the frozen food. In response to this, the leak inspection device 100 inspects mold 1 for leaks. Furthermore, by identifying the leak, mold 1 can be repaired.

[0040] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the leak inspection device 100 for mold 1 according to this embodiment can be incorporated into a food manufacturing apparatus 50. Therefore, the leak inspection device 100 can detect leaks in mold 1 when mold 1 is attached to the food manufacturing apparatus 50 and the outside of mold 1 is immersed in liquid (in this case, brine). During inspection with the leak inspection device 100, mold 1 is transported by being attached to the food manufacturing apparatus 50, while the containment section 2 is kept empty without any liquids or other contents. In addition, brine is stored in the brine tank 52 so that the outside of the containment section 2 of mold 1 is immersed in liquid. In other words, the food manufacturing apparatus 50 performs substantially the same operation as described above, except that no liquid is poured into the containment section 2 during leak inspection.

[0041] The leak inspection device 100 is a device for inspecting leaks in the mold 1 that solidifies fluids. A leak in the mold 1 is when fluid leaks out of the mold 1 due to leaks such as minute pinholes or microcracks formed in the mold 1. The leak inspection device 100 can detect the presence or absence of leaks in the mold 1, as well as the number and location of leaks.

[0042] The leak inspection device 100 comprises an imaging device 101 and a calculation device 102. The imaging device 101 is a device that uses a camera to take images in order to detect leaks in the mold 1. The calculation device 102 is a device that performs various calculations based on the imaging data acquired by the imaging device 101. In Figures 3 and 4, the imaging device 101 of the leak inspection device 100 is located upstream of the brine recovery box 25 in the direction of mold movement and closer to the center of the brine tank 52. However, the position of the imaging device 101 is not particularly limited and may be located closer to the raw material filling means 6, or at any position downstream of the brine recovery box 25 in the direction of mold movement. Furthermore, the leak inspection device 100 may be equipped with multiple imaging devices 101, and imaging devices 101 may be provided at multiple positions in the brine tank 52.

[0043] The computing device 102 may be composed of various computing devices, such as a general-purpose personal computer or mobile terminal. The location of the computing device 102 may be near the food manufacturing apparatus 50, but is not particularly limited, and may be in a separate room or building from the food manufacturing apparatus 50.

[0044] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, an example of the detailed configuration of the imaging device 101 of the leak inspection device 100 will be described. Figure 6 is a side view showing the imaging device 101 incorporated into the food manufacturing apparatus 50. Figure 7 is a top view showing the imaging device 101 incorporated into the food manufacturing apparatus 50. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the imaging device 101 comprises a camera 40, an irradiation unit 41, and a support member 43. The imaging device 101 designates a predetermined position in the longitudinal direction of the brine tank 52 as the imaging position DP and photographs the mold 1 present at that imaging position. Since the mold 1 is movable in the direction of mold movement, once the imaging of one mold 1 is completed, the next mold 1 arrives at the imaging position DP, and the imaging of the next mold 1 becomes possible.

[0045] Camera 40 is positioned on the opening 2f side of the empty housing section 2 in relation to the mold 1 attached to the food manufacturing apparatus 50, when nothing is contained within it. In this embodiment, camera 40 is positioned at a location spaced above the shooting position DP. Camera 40 takes pictures of the mold 1 located directly below it. Therefore, camera 40 is positioned so that its optical axis LA extends in the vertical direction. This allows camera 40 to acquire images of the inner surfaces of each wall section 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e (see Figure 1) of the housing section 2 through the opening 2f of the housing section 2. Camera 40 transmits the acquired image data to the computing unit 102 (see Figure 3).

[0046] The illumination unit 41 irradiates the mold 1 at the shooting position DP with light to assist in leak detection. The illumination unit 41 may be an illumination device or an infrared irradiator, as described later. The illumination unit 41 may be positioned in a location that does not interfere with the shooting of the mold 1 at the shooting position DP, and is positioned lower than the camera 40 and diagonally above the shooting position DP. As a result, the illumination unit 41 is positioned so that the illumination axis RA is inclined in the vertical direction.

[0047] The support member 43 is a member that supports the camera 40 and the illumination unit 41. The support member 43 comprises gate-shaped frame members 44A, 44B, and 44C configured to straddle the brine tank 52. The frame members 44A, 44B, and 44C are arranged in this order, spaced apart from each other along the mold progression direction. Frame members 44A and 44B are of the same height. A ceiling member 46A (see Figure 6) is provided between the upper end members of frame members 44A and 44B. The camera 40 is fixed to the ceiling member 46. Frame member 44C is lower than frame members 44A and 44B. A ceiling member 46B (see Figure 6) is provided between the upper end member of frame member 44C and frame member 44B. The illumination unit 41 is fixed to the ceiling member 46B.

[0048] The leak inspection device 100 detects liquid leaks into the housing section 2 using the camera 40. The leak inspection device 100 detects the intrusion of liquid into the housing section 2 by photographing the housing section 2 with the camera 40, and detects the presence or absence of a leak in the mold 1. For example, consider the case where a leak section 70 is formed in any of the walls 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, or 2e of the housing section 2, as shown in Figures 8(a) and 8(b). In this case, since the outside of the housing section 2 is immersed in liquid LQ (see also Figure 2(c)), the external liquid LQ enters the inside of the housing section 2 through the leak section 70. As a result, the leaked liquid LP adheres to the inner surfaces of the walls 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, and 2e. The leaked liquid LP is captured in the image data acquired by the camera 40. Therefore, the computing device 102 can identify the leaking liquid LP by analyzing the image data from the camera 40 and determine that a leak section 70 exists in that area. At this time, the computing device 102 can also detect the location and number of leak sections 70. On the other hand, the computing device 102 can analyze the image data and determine that there are no leak sections 70 in areas where there is no leaking liquid LP. Therefore, the computing device 102 can detect the intrusion of liquid LQ into the inside of the housing section 2 and detect the presence or absence of a leak section 70 in the mold 1.

[0049] Here, the liquid LQ outside mold 1 may be colored. The state in which liquid LQ is colored means that it is not colorless and transparent, but has a color that is distinguishable in the image data of camera 40. A liquid that is already colored may be used as liquid LQ. When coloring a colorless and transparent liquid LQ, the method is not particularly limited, but for example, a method using food coloring may be employed.

[0050] As mentioned above, mold 1 has multiple housing sections 2. In contrast, as shown in Figure 7, camera 40 can simultaneously photograph multiple housing sections 2 of mold 1 located at the shooting position DP. This allows camera 40 to acquire image data showing the state of multiple housing sections 2. Note that the shooting device 101 may have multiple cameras 40 along the first direction D1 of mold 1. This allows multiple cameras 40 to acquire image data of all housing sections 2 of mold 1 in a single shot. This allows the leak inspection device 100 to detect the intrusion of liquid LQ into the inside of multiple housing sections 2 and to detect the presence or absence of leaks 70 in multiple housing sections 2. Note that, depending on the type of camera 40, all housing sections 2 of mold 1 may be photographed with a single camera 40.

[0051] Here, the irradiation unit 41 irradiates the mold 1 with infrared light, and a near-infrared camera may be used as the camera 40. In this case, the computing unit 102 detects the leakage of liquid LQ into the inside of the housing unit 2 by binarizing the image data captured by the camera 40. The image data acquired by the near-infrared camera has different density depending on the intensity of the infrared light. When the computing unit 102 binarizes the image data from the near-infrared camera, a black and white image can be obtained as shown in Figure 9(a). If leaked liquid LP is present inside the housing unit 2, that area will be darker than the inner surface of the surrounding wall. As a result, the computing unit 102 can identify the presence, location, and number of leaked liquid LP in the image.

[0052] Furthermore, the illumination unit 41 may be a light source (e.g., a ring light), and a color-recognition camera may be used as the camera 40. In this case, it is preferable to use a liquid LQ that is colored with a different color from the housing unit 2. In this case, the computing unit 102 detects liquid LQ leakage by analyzing the difference in color inside the housing unit 2 based on the image data. The image data acquired by the color-recognition camera will have different colors depending on the color difference. When the computing unit 102 processes the image data from the color-recognition camera, it can grasp the difference in color at each location, as shown in Figure 9(b). If leaked liquid LP is present inside the housing unit 2, that location will have a different color from the inner surface of the surrounding wall. As a result, the computing unit 102 can identify the presence, location, and number of leaked liquid LP in the image.

[0053] The timing at which the leak inspection device 100 performs a leak inspection is not particularly limited. The leak inspection device 100 can detect leaks in the mold 1 during food production by the food manufacturing device 50. For example, when the food manufacturing device 50 is producing food by repeatedly circulating the mold 1, the liquid is not put into the container 2 at a predetermined timing, and the mold 1 with the container 2 empty is transported in the brine tank 52. At this time, the leak inspection device 100 can perform a leak inspection on the mold 1 with the container 2 empty. Alternatively, the leak inspection device 100 can detect leaks in the mold 1 when the food manufacturing device 50 is not producing food. For example, when food production by the food manufacturing device 50 is finished and maintenance of the food manufacturing device 50 is performed, the leak inspection device 100 may inspect the mold 1 used in food production for leaks.

[0054] Next, the operation and effects of the leak inspection device 100 and the leak inspection method according to this embodiment will be described.

[0055] The leak inspection device 100 can detect leaks in the mold 1 while the outside of the mold 1 is immersed in liquid. That is, if a leak occurs in the mold 1, such as a crack or pinhole, the external liquid will enter the inside of the mold 1 through the leak. As a result, the leak inspection device 100 can detect the leak by observing the intrusion of liquid into the inside of the mold 1. Here, the leak inspection device 100 can detect leaks in the mold 1 while the mold 1 is attached to the food manufacturing device 50. Therefore, when performing a leak inspection, it is not necessary to remove the mold 1 from the food manufacturing device 50, and the inspection can be performed while the mold 1 remains attached to the food manufacturing device 50. Consequently, the number of work steps required for leak inspection can be reduced. As a result, the work efficiency for leak inspection can be improved.

[0056] The leak inspection device 100 is equipped with a camera 40 located on the opening 2f side of the empty storage section 2 in the mold 1 attached to the food manufacturing apparatus 50, and the camera 40 can detect liquid leaks into the inside of the storage section 2. In this case, the camera 40 can photograph the internal state of the empty storage section 2 through the opening 2f. Therefore, the leak inspection device 100 can detect leaks using the image data acquired by the camera 40. In this way, using the camera 40 can improve detection accuracy compared to when an operator performs the inspection with the naked eye.

[0057] The leak inspection device 100 can detect the intrusion of liquid into the housing 2 by photographing the housing 2 with the camera 40, and detect whether or not there is a leak in the mold 1. If a leak occurs in the mold 1, the liquid that has leaked into the housing 2 will be visible in the image data acquired by the camera 40. Therefore, the leak inspection device 100 can easily detect the presence or absence of a leak in the mold 1 by analyzing the image data acquired by the camera 40 to determine if liquid has intruded.

[0058] The liquid outside mold 1 may be colored. In this case, the colored liquid will leak from the leak point, making it easily visible. Therefore, the leaked liquid can be easily identified in the image from camera 40.

[0059] Mold 1 may be used for solidifying frozen foods. In mold 1 for frozen foods, repeated heating and cooling causes repeated expansion and contraction of the base material, making it prone to cracking, thus making it easier for leaks to be detected by the leak inspection device 100.

[0060] The mold 1 may have multiple storage compartments 2. In this case, the multiple storage compartments 2 can be inspected together without removing the mold 1 from the food manufacturing apparatus 50, thus significantly improving work efficiency.

[0061] The leak inspection device 100 may detect the intrusion of liquid into multiple housings 2 by simultaneously photographing multiple housings 2 with the camera 40, thereby detecting the presence or absence of leaks in multiple housings 2. In this case, the leak inspection device 100 can detect the presence or absence of leaks in multiple housings at once with a single photograph. Therefore, the efficiency of leak inspection can be improved.

[0062] The leak inspection device 100 may be capable of detecting the location and number of leaks occurring in the mold 1. In this case, repair work on the leaks can be carried out efficiently.

[0063] The leak detection device 100 may detect liquid leaks into the housing 2 by photographing the housing 2 with the camera 40 and performing binarization processing. In this case, the leak detection device 100 can detect even colorless liquids.

[0064] The leak detection device 100 may use the camera 40 to photograph a liquid colored differently from the container 2 and detect a liquid leak based on the difference in color inside the container 2. In this case, the leak detection device 100 can detect even very small leaks by distinguishing the colors.

[0065] The leak detection device 100 can detect leaks in the mold 1 during food production by the food manufacturing device 50. In this case, the leak detection device 100 can perform leak inspections in real time while food production is underway.

[0066] The leak detection device 100 can detect leaks in the mold 1 when the food manufacturing equipment 50 is not producing food. In this case, the leak detection device 100 can perform leak inspections without disrupting the flow of the food manufacturing process.

[0067] The leak inspection method according to this embodiment is a leak inspection method for inspecting leaks in a mold 1 that solidifies a fluid, having at least a containment section 2 for containing a fluid, and the leak in the mold 1 may be detected when the mold 1 is attached to a food manufacturing apparatus 50 and the outside of the mold 1 is immersed in liquid.

[0068] This leak testing method provides the same functionality and effects as the leak testing device 100 described above.

[0069] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0070] The arrangement of the camera 40 relative to the mold 1 is not limited to the structures shown in Figures 6 and 7. In other words, the camera 40 can be arranged in any way as long as it can acquire an image capable of detecting leaks in the mold. The structure of the food manufacturing apparatus 50 is also not limited to those shown in Figures 3 to 5 and may be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, the structure and arrangement of the leak inspection device 100 may also be modified as appropriate if the structure of the food manufacturing apparatus 50 is changed. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0071] 1...Mold, 2...Housing section, 40...Camera, 100...Leak detection device.

Claims

1. A leak inspection device having at least a containment section for containing a fluid, and for inspecting leaks in a mold for solidifying the fluid, A leak detection device capable of detecting leaks in the mold while the mold is attached to a food manufacturing apparatus and the outside of the mold is immersed in liquid.

2. The mold attached to the food manufacturing apparatus is equipped with a camera located on the opening side of the storage section when it is empty and nothing is stored inside. The leak inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the camera detects the leakage of the liquid into the housing.

3. The leak inspection device according to claim 2, wherein the camera photographs the housing, thereby detecting the intrusion of the liquid into the housing and detecting the presence or absence of a leak in the mold.

4. The leak inspection device according to claim 3, wherein the liquid outside the mold is colored.

5. The leak inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the mold is for solidifying frozen food.

6. The leak inspection device according to claim 3, wherein the mold has a plurality of housing sections.

7. The leak inspection device according to claim 6, wherein the camera simultaneously photographs multiple of the housings to detect the intrusion of the liquid into the multiple housings and to detect the presence or absence of leaks in the multiple housings.

8. The leak inspection device according to claim 3, which is capable of detecting the location and number of leaks occurring in the mold.

9. The leak inspection device according to claim 2, wherein the camera photographs the housing and performs a binarization process to detect the leakage of the liquid into the housing.

10. The leak inspection device according to claim 4, wherein the liquid, which is colored with a different color from the container, is photographed with a camera, and a leak of the liquid is detected based on the difference in color inside the container.

11. The leak inspection device according to claim 1, which is capable of detecting leaks in the mold during food production using the food manufacturing apparatus.

12. The leak inspection device according to claim 1, which is capable of detecting leaks in the mold when the food manufacturing apparatus is not manufacturing food.

13. A leak inspection method for inspecting leaks in a mold that solidifies a fluid, the mold having at least a containment section for containing the fluid, A leak inspection method for detecting a leak in a mold while the mold is attached to a food manufacturing apparatus and the outside of the mold is immersed in liquid.

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