Inspection equipment

Abstract

To provide an inspection device that has a simple configuration while improving work efficiency. [Solution] The inspection device 10 inspects for leaks in the workpiece WW. The inspection device 10 comprises a holding part 3 having a first plate 1 and a second plate 2 that are rotatably connected, and a shell 4 having higher rigidity than the first plate 1 and the second plate 2. The holding part 3 holds the workpiece WW by sandwiching the workpiece WW between the first plate 1 and the second plate 2. The holding part 3 can slide inward into the shell 4 and be housed in the shell 4.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an inspection apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] The inspection apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes an upper inspection jig holder and a lower inspection jig holder. Fitting recesses for mounting an electrolytic capacitor sealing cap formed body, which is an inspection jig, are formed in the upper inspection jig holder and the lower inspection jig holder. The upper inspection jig holder is attached to a cylinder rod or the like so as to be vertically movable.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The inventors of the present application have found the following problems. Such an inspection apparatus performs a hermeticity inspection by flowing a fluid into a workpiece, which is an inspection jig. At that time, an actuator such as a cylinder rod presses the upper inspection jig holder against the lower inspection jig holder to prevent deformation of the workpiece. Such an inspection apparatus requires an actuator. Therefore, an inspection apparatus with a simple configuration is required.

[0005] Also, the inventors of the present application recalled an inspection apparatus in which an upper inspection jig holder and a lower inspection jig holder having a large weight are overlapped and bolted to prevent deformation of the inspection jig during the hermeticity inspection. The inspection apparatus does not require an actuator. However, the inspection apparatus requires an operation of overlapping an upper inspection jig holder and a lower inspection jig holder having a large weight and a bolt tightening operation, and there is room for improvement in workability.

[0006] This disclosure was made in view of the above-mentioned problems and provides an inspection device that has a simple configuration while improving work efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The inspection device relating to this disclosure is an inspection device for inspecting leaks in a workpiece, A holding section comprising first and second plates that are rotatably connected, A shell having higher rigidity than the first and second plates, The first and second plates sandwich the workpiece, thereby the holding portion holds the workpiece. The retaining part can slide inward into the shell and be housed within the shell.

[0008] Furthermore, the inspection device described above is further equipped with a support having a roughly U-shaped cross-section. When the holding portion holds the workpiece, the workpiece has an exposed portion that is exposed from the shell and a cylindrical opening that protrudes from the exposed portion. The support may support the cylindrical opening while sandwiching the exposed portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The technology disclosed herein has a simple configuration while improving work efficiency. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the configuration of the inspection apparatus according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the support and the workpiece. [Figure 3] This diagram shows one step of the inspection method according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram showing one step of the inspection method according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 5]It is a schematic diagram showing one step of the inspection method according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing one step of the inspection method according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 7] It is a schematic diagram showing one step of the inspection method according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing one step of the inspection method according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 9] It is a schematic diagram showing one step of the inspection method according to Embodiment 1. **Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention**

[0011] Hereinafter, specific embodiments to which the present disclosure is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. Also, for clarity of explanation, the following description and drawings are simplified as appropriate.

[0012] Of course, the right-handed XYZ coordinates shown in FIG. 1 and other drawings are for convenience in explaining the positional relationship of the components. Usually, the positive Z-axis direction is vertically upward, the XY plane is the horizontal plane, and is common among the drawings.

[0013] <Embodiment 1> (Configuration) Hereinafter, the inspection apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the inspection apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the support and the workpiece.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the inspection apparatus 10 includes a holding portion 3 and a shell 4. In the present Embodiment 1, the inspection apparatus 10 includes a support 5 and a pipe 6. The inspection apparatus 10 can inspect for leaks in the workpiece WW.

[0015] The holding part 3 holds the workpiece WW. Specifically, the holding part 3 includes a first plate 1 and a second plate 2. The first plate 1 and the second plate 2 hold the workpiece WW therebetween. The first plate 1 and the second plate 2 are made of, for example, a resin material. The first plate 1 and the second plate 2 are, for example, substantially rectangular plates.

[0016] The second plate 2 has a main surface 2A on which the workpiece WW can be placed. The main surface 2A preferably has a concave portion conforming to the workpiece WW so that the workpiece WW can be easily placed thereon. Pins 2B are provided on the main surface 2A. The pins 2B project from the main surface 2A. The pins 2B are arranged on the main surface 2A so as to be able to position the workpiece WW when the workpiece WW is placed on the main surface 2A. The workpiece WW preferably has holes through which the pins 2B can pass. The main surface 2A is preferably substantially rectangular, and a rotation shaft 2C is provided at one end of the main surface 2A. The second plate 2 preferably has mechanical strength necessary to support the workpiece WW while preventing rubbing of the workpiece WW.

[0017] The first plate 1 and the second plate 2 are rotatably connected. Specifically, the first plate 1 and the second plate 2 can rotate around the rotation shaft 2C.

[0018] The first plate 1 preferably has mechanical strength so as to be able to prevent the workpiece WW from lifting and rubbing. The first plate 1 preferably includes a gripping portion that can be gripped by a user so that the first plate 1 can be easily rotated with respect to the second plate 2.

[0019] The workpiece WW comprises a main body W1 and a cylindrical opening W2. The main body W1 includes a flow path WF as shown in Figure 4. The cylindrical opening W2 is connected to the flow path WF of the main body W1. The cylindrical opening W2 is preferably provided at the end of the main body W1. The cylindrical opening W2 is substantially cylindrical. When the holding part 3 holds the workpiece WW, the exposed portion W1A, which is part of the main body W1 of the workpiece WW, is exposed from the holding part 3. The cylindrical opening W2 protrudes upward from the exposed portion W1A. As shown in Figure 2, the cylindrical opening W2 includes flanges W2A and W2B. The flanges W2A and W2B are annular plates that protrude outward in the radial direction from the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical opening W2. Flange W2B is positioned at the tip on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical opening W2. Flange W2A is positioned on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical opening W2 closer to the exposed portion W1A than flange W2B. The workpiece WW includes a cylindrical opening W3 (see Figure 4) which has the same configuration as the cylindrical opening W2, except for the portion that protrudes in the opposite direction, i.e., downward. The cylindrical opening W3 includes flanges W3A and W3B, which have the same configuration as flanges W2A and W2B, respectively.

[0020] The shell 4 has a space 4A extending inside the shell 4. The space 4A is large enough to accommodate the retaining part 3. Specifically, the retaining part 3 slides inward into the shell 4 and is housed in the space 4A of the shell 4. The shell 4 has higher rigidity than the first plate 1 and the second plate 2. For example, the shell 4 may have a greater weight than the first plate 1 and the second plate 2. The shell 4 is made of, for example, a metallic material. The shell 4 should have the mechanical strength necessary to withstand the pressure applied from the workpiece WW during the leak inspection of the workpiece WW by the inspection device 10.

[0021] The support member 5 supports the cylindrical opening W2 while sandwiching the exposed portion W1A. The support member 5 has a substantially U-shaped cross-section. The support member 5 should preferably have higher rigidity than the first plate 1 and the second plate 2, similar to the shell 4.

[0022] The pipe 6 is held by a holding mechanism 8 above the cylindrical opening W2, so as to be able to move closer to or further away from the cylindrical opening W2. The holding mechanism 8 is positioned on the shell 4. The holding mechanism 8 holds the pipe 6 so as to be able to move closer to or further away from the shell 4. An O-ring 7 is provided at the tip of the opening of the pipe 6. Preferably, a groove shaped to resemble the O-ring 7 is provided at the tip of the opening of the pipe 6. Preferably, the O-ring 7 is placed in the groove. The pipe 6 is connected to a fluid supply source (not shown), and fluid is supplied from the fluid supply source.

[0023] (Testing method) Next, the inspection method using the inspection device 10 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 9. Figures 3, 6, and 8 are diagrams showing one step of the inspection method according to Embodiment 1. Figures 4, 5, 7, and 9 are schematic diagrams showing one step of the inspection method according to Embodiment 1. In Figures 4, 5, 7, and 9, some illustrations have been omitted to facilitate understanding.

[0024] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the support member 5 is inserted into the exposed portion W1A of the main body W1 of the workpiece WW (step ST1). The support member 5 contacts the outer wall surface of the cylindrical opening W2 while sandwiching the exposed portion W1A. The support member 5 is preferably inserted between the exposed portion W1A and the flange W2A of the cylindrical opening W2. In this way, the support member 5 supports the cylindrical opening W2.

[0025] Next, as shown in Figures 3 and 5, the workpiece WW is held in the holding unit 3 (step ST2). Specifically, the first plate 1 is rotated around the pivot axis 2C to separate it from the second plate 2. The workpiece WW is placed on the main surface 2A of the second plate 2. The first plate 1 is rotated around the pivot axis 2C to overlap it with the second plate 2. The workpiece WW is sandwiched between the first plate 1 and the second plate 2. This holds the workpiece WW in the holding unit 3.

[0026] Next, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the retaining part 3 is slid inward (in this case, in the positive Y-axis direction) of the shell 4 (step ST3). As a result, the retaining part 3 is housed in the space 4A of the shell 4.

[0027] Next, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the opening 6A of the pipe 6 is brought into contact with the cylindrical opening W2 of the workpiece WW, thereby connecting the opening 6A and the cylindrical opening W2 (step ST4). The plug 9 is then inserted into the cylindrical opening W3 to seal it. Alternatively, a rubber sheet may be placed tightly against the tip of the cylindrical opening W3 to seal it.

[0028] Finally, the workpiece WW is inspected for leaks by injecting fluid into the workpiece WW via piping 6 (step ST5). Specifically, fluid is injected into the workpiece WW until the fluid pressure inside the workpiece WW reaches a predetermined pressure value. It is then checked whether or not the fluid has leaked from the workpiece WW. Fluid leaks from the workpiece WW may also be confirmed by observing changes in the fluid pressure inside the workpiece WW or by visual inspection.

[0029] Based on the above, the inspection device 10 can be used to inspect for leaks in the workpiece WW.

[0030] According to the configuration of the inspection device 10 described above, the workpiece WW can be set inside the inspection device 10 by the rotation of the first plate 1 and the second plate 2 and the sliding movement of the holding part 3 inward of the shell 4. Even when fluid is injected into the workpiece WW during the leak inspection, the workpiece WW is protected by the holding part 3 and the shell 4 and therefore hardly deforms. As a result, the inspection device 10 can be used to perform inspections with simple work by the inspection operator. The inspection device 10 does not require actuators, stacking heavy objects, or bolt fastening. Therefore, the inspection device 10 has a simple configuration while improving work efficiency.

[0031] Furthermore, an O-ring 7 is placed in a groove provided at the tip of the opening of the pipe 6. In other words, the O-ring 7 does not need to be placed on the workpiece WW. This eliminates the need to place the O-ring 7 on the workpiece WW each time an inspection is performed, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0032] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, in the inspection method described above, steps ST1 and ST2 were performed in that order, but step ST2 may be performed before step ST1. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0033] 10 Inspection equipment 1. First plate 2. The second plate 2A main surface 2B pin 2C Rotating shaft 3 Holding part 4 Shells 4A Space 5 Supports 6 Piping 7 O-rings 8 Retention mechanism 9. Plug WW Work W1 Main Unit W1A Exposed part W2, W3 Cylindrical opening W2A, W2B, W3A, W3B flanges WF channel

Claims

1. An inspection device for inspecting leaks in a workpiece, A holding section comprising first and second plates that are rotatably connected, A shell having higher rigidity than the first and second plates, The first and second plates sandwich the workpiece, thereby the holding portion holds the workpiece. The retaining part can slide inward into the shell and be housed in the shell. Inspection device.

2. It is further equipped with a support with a roughly U-shaped cross-section, When the holding portion holds the workpiece, the workpiece has an exposed portion that is exposed from the shell and a cylindrical opening that protrudes from the exposed portion. The support member supports the cylindrical opening while sandwiching the exposed portion. The inspection apparatus according to claim 1.

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