Work sorting device and work sorting method

Abstract

A work sorting device is provided that prevents uninspected work from being removed from a conveyor line together with inspected work. [Solution] The work sorting device 10 comprises a conveying table 11, a work supplying section 13, a work inspection device 15, an observation device outside the conveying line 17, a first removal means 20, a second removal means 30, and a third removal means 40. The work inspection device inspects the work 5 supplied to the conveying line 12, and the observation device outside the conveying line observes the position where the work is off the conveying line. The first removal means removes from the conveying table a work that is judged to be a non-defective product and that is judged by the observation device outside the conveying line to have no other work nearby at the position where the work is off the conveying line. The second removal means removes from the conveying table a work that is judged to be a defective product and that is judged by the observation device outside the conveying line to have no other work nearby at the position where the work is off the conveying line.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a work sorting device and a work sorting method. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known an apparatus that inspects workpieces such as chips and classifies the workpieces according to the inspection results. The workpieces are supplied to a conveying line. The workpieces are imaged by an imaging device while being conveyed along the conveying line. The workpieces are inspected based on the captured images. Depending on the inspection results, the workpieces are removed from the conveying line by an air blower or other removal means. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 4-107000 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When a workpiece is supplied to the transport line, it may roll unintentionally, causing the workpiece to be positioned off the transport line. Workpieces positioned off the transport line are not inspected. Uninspected workpieces may be removed together with inspected workpieces. Uninspected workpieces may be mixed in with workpieces that have been sorted based on the inspection results. The workpiece sorting results may become inappropriate.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to prevent a workpiece located off the conveying line from being removed from the conveying line together with an inspected workpiece. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The work classification device of the present disclosure is A conveyor line is provided and a conveyor table for conveying the workpiece; A work supply unit that supplies the work toward the conveying line; a work inspection device that inspects the work on the conveying line; an outside-of-transfer-line observation device for observing a position outside the transfer line; a first removal means for removing, from the conveying table, the work that has been determined to be a non-defective product by the work inspection device and that has been determined by the outside conveying line observation device to be in a position off the conveying line with no other work in its vicinity; a second removal means for removing, from the conveying table, the work that has been determined to be a defective product by the work inspection device and that has been determined by the outside conveying line observation device to be in a position off the conveying line with no other work in its vicinity; and a third removal means for removing from the conveying table a workpiece that is determined by the outside conveying line observation device to be in the vicinity of another workpiece in a position off the conveying line, and a workpiece that is located in a position off the conveying line. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent a workpiece located in a position off the conveying line from being removed from the conveying line together with the inspected workpiece. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a top view that diagrammatically illustrates a workpiece sorting apparatus. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the work classification method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] In the drawings attached to this specification, the scale and the aspect ratios have been appropriately changed and exaggerated from those of the actual objects for the convenience of illustration and understanding. Configurations shown in some drawings may be omitted in other drawings.

[0010] In this specification, terms specifying shapes or geometric conditions and their degrees, such as "parallel," "orthogonal," "same," and the like, as well as values ​​of lengths and angles, are not limited to their strict meanings, but are interpreted to include a range within which similar functions can be expected.

[0011] In this specification, when multiple upper limit candidates and multiple lower limit candidates are listed for a parameter, the parameter may be a numerical range that combines any one of the upper limit candidates with any one of the lower limit candidates.

[0012] One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to the following [1] to [5]. [1] A conveyor line is provided and a conveyor table for conveying the workpiece; A work supply unit that supplies the work toward the conveying line; a work inspection device that inspects the work on the conveying line; an outside-of-transfer-line observation device for observing a position outside the transfer line; a first removal means for removing, from the conveying table, the work that has been determined to be a non-defective product by the work inspection device and that has been determined by the outside conveying line observation device to be in a position off the conveying line with no other work in its vicinity; a second removal means for removing, from the conveying table, the work that has been determined to be a defective product by the work inspection device and that has been determined by the outside conveying line observation device to be in a position off the conveying line with no other work in its vicinity; a third removal means for removing from the conveying table a workpiece that is determined by the outside conveying line observation device to be in the vicinity of another workpiece in a position off the conveying line, and a workpiece that is located in a position off the conveying line. [2] The work sorting device according to [1], wherein the third removal means continues to operate while the work is being transported. [3] The work classification device described in [1] or [2], wherein the work supply unit, the work inspection device, the outside observation device of the conveyor line, the first removal means, the second removal means and the third removal means are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream of the conveyor line. [4] The work classification device described in any one of [1] to [3], further comprising a guide means for retaining the work at the position of the transport table from which the third removal means removes the work. [5] a work inspection process for inspecting a work on a conveying line provided on the conveying table; an observation step of observing a position outside the transfer line; a first removal process of removing, from the conveying table, the work that has been determined to be a non-defective product in the work inspection process and that has been determined to be in a position off the conveying line in the outside conveying line observation process so that there are no other workpieces in the vicinity of the workpiece; a second removal process of removing, from the conveying table, the work that is determined to be a defective product in the work inspection process and is determined to be located off the conveying line in the outside conveying line observation process with no other work in the vicinity; A work classification method comprising: a third removal process of removing from the transport table a work that is determined to be in the vicinity of another work in a position off the transport line in the outside transport line observation process, and a work that is located in a position off the transport line.

[0013] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a top view of a workpiece sorting device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The workpiece sorting device 10 sorts workpieces 5. For example, the workpiece sorting device 10 sorts the supplied workpieces 5 into non-defective and defective works.

[0014] The workpiece 5 may be, for example, an electronic component. As a more specific example, the workpiece 5 may be a diced semiconductor chip. The workpiece 5 may include a magnetic material. The shape of the workpiece 5 may be a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0015] As shown in Figure 1, the work classification device 10 includes a conveying table 11, a work supply section 13, a supply sensor 14, a work inspection device 15, an outside conveying line observation device 17, a first removal means 20, a first storage section 25, a removal sensor 27, a second removal means 30, a second storage section 35, a third removal means 40, a guide means 41, a third storage section 45, and a work recovery means 50.

[0016] The conveying table 11 conveys the workpiece 5. The conveying table 11 is provided with a conveying line 12. The conveying line 12 is a portion extending along a direction in which the workpiece 5 is conveyed from a position where the workpiece 5 should be supplied by a workpiece supply unit 13 described later. The conveying table 11 is arranged so that the conveying line 12 is horizontal. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the conveying table 11 is disk-shaped. The conveying table 11 rotates around the center of the disk as an axis. This causes the workpiece 5 to be conveyed along a circular track. The conveying line 12 is provided along the circumferential direction of the conveying table 11. The conveying line 12 is a track along which the workpiece 5 is conveyed. The workpiece 5 is conveyed from upstream to downstream on the conveying line 12. The conveying table 11 may be transparent. The material of the conveying table 11 may be, for example, glass.

[0017] In the example shown in FIG. 1, in the work sorting device 10, the work supply unit 13, the work inspection device 15, the outside observation device 17, the first take-out means 20, the take-out sensor 27, the second take-out means 30, the third take-out means 40 and the work collection means 50 are arranged in this order from the upstream to the downstream of the conveying line 12. Not limited to the example shown in the figure, the first take-out means 20, the second take-out means 30 and the third take-out means 40 may be arranged in any order between the outside observation device 17 and the work collection means 50 from the upstream to the downstream of the conveying line 12. For example, the second take-out means 30, the first take-out means 20 and the third take-out means 40 may be arranged in this order between the outside observation device 17 and the work collection means 50 from the upstream to the downstream of the conveying line 12. In this case, the take-out sensor 27 is located between the first take-out means 20 and the second take-out means 30 in the direction from the upstream to the downstream of the conveying line 12.

[0018] The work supply unit 13 supplies the work 5 toward the conveying line 12. The work supply unit 13 is also located at the most upstream of the conveying line 12. The work supply unit 13 may be, for example, a linear feeder that supplies the work 5 from a part feeder (not shown) in a line. The work supply unit 13 may transport and supply the work 5 by vibrating. The work supply unit 13 may supply the work 5 one by one. The work pieces 5 supplied by the work supply unit 13 to the conveying line 12 may be sufficiently separated from each other. The interval between the work pieces 5 supplied by the work supply unit 13 to the conveying line 12 may be, for example, 1.0 mm or more or 1.0 mm or less.

[0019] The supply sensor 14 detects the workpieces 5 supplied from the workpiece supply unit 13. The supply sensor 14 may be located immediately downstream of the position where the workpiece supply unit 13 supplies the workpieces 5 toward the conveyor line 12. The supply sensor 14 may detect whether the intervals between the workpieces 5 supplied from the workpiece supply unit 13 are appropriate. The supply sensor 14 may be, for example, an optical sensor.

[0020] The work inspection device 15 is controlled to inspect the conveying line 12 according to the fact that the work 5 has been supplied from the work supply unit 13 by the supply sensor 14 and the speed at which the conveying line 12 conveys the work 5. When the work 5 is located on the conveying line 12, the work inspection device 15 inspects the work 5 on the conveying line 12. When the work 5 is not located on the conveying line 12, for example, when the work 5 is located at a position off the conveying line 12, the work inspection device 15 determines that the work 5 is not present. The work inspection device 15 is located downstream of the work supply unit 13 along the conveying line 12. The work classification device 10 may have a plurality of work inspection devices 15. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the work classification device 10 has six work inspection devices 15. The work inspection device 15 may be, for example, an imaging device. The work inspection device 15 images the work 5. The work inspection device 15 may capture images of the left side, right side, front, rear, top, and bottom of the work 5 on the conveying line 12. The left and right, front and rear, and top and bottom of the work 5 are defined according to the direction in which the work 5 is conveyed. If the conveying table 11 is transparent, the work 5 on the conveying line 12 can be captured through the conveying table 11. The left and right, front and rear of the work 5 may be captured through a mirror (not shown). The work 5 is inspected based on the captured images. For example, the work inspection device 15 inspects whether the work 5 is a good or defective product. For example, the work inspection device 15 judges a work 5 in which scratches, dirt, etc. are detected in any of the six captured images to be a defective product, and judges a work 5 that is not a defective product to be a good product.

[0021] The outside-of-the-transport-line observation device 17 observes positions off the transport line 12. Specifically, the outside-of-the-transport-line observation device 17 observes whether the workpiece 5 is located at a position off the transport line 12. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the position off the transport line 12 includes both a position on the outside and a position on the inside of the transport line 12. The outside-of-the-transport-line observation device 17 is located downstream of the work supply unit 13 along the transport line 12. The outside-of-the-transport-line observation device 17 may be located downstream of the workpiece inspection device 15 along the transport line 12. The outside-of-the-transport-line observation device 17 may observe the transport line 12 as well as the positions off the transport line 12. The outside-of-the-transport-line observation device 17 may observe whether multiple workpieces 5 are located on the transport line 12. The position observed by the outside-of-the-transport-line observation device 17 may be wider than the position imaged by the workpiece inspection device 15. The outside-of-the-transport-line observation device 17 may be, for example, an imaging device.

[0022] The first take-out means 20 takes out from the conveying platform 11 the workpiece 5 that is judged to be a non-defective product by the workpiece inspection device 15 and that is judged by the outside conveying line observation device 17 to be not in the vicinity of other workpieces 5 at a position off the conveying line 12. The first take-out means 20 is located downstream of the workpiece inspection device 15 and the outside conveying line observation device 17 along the conveying line 12. The first take-out means 20 may be, for example, an air blowing device that blows air. The workpiece 5 that is judged to be not in the vicinity of other workpieces 5 at a position off the conveying line 12 means, for example, a workpiece 5 that is judged not to be able to be taken out by the first take-out means 20 blowing air on other workpieces 5 located at a position off the conveying line 12 when the first take-out means 20 blows air to take out the workpiece 5. In other words, the workpiece 5 that is judged to be not in the vicinity of other workpieces 5 located at a position off the conveying line 12 means a workpiece 5 that can be taken out from the conveying platform 11 without involving other workpieces 5 located at a position off the conveying line 12. As a specific example, the absence of other workpieces 5 in a position off the conveying line 12 in the vicinity of the workpiece 5 means that there are no other workpieces 5 in a position off the conveying line 12 that is closer than the interval between the workpieces 5 supplied by the workpiece supply unit 13 to the conveying line 12 in the direction along the conveying line 12. As a more specific example, the absence of other workpieces 5 in a position off the conveying line 12 in the vicinity of the workpiece 5 means that there are no workpieces 5 in a position off the conveying line 12 that is 15 mm or less away from the workpiece 5. The first take-out means 20 is driven only when the workpiece 5 is transported to a position where it can be taken out. For example, the first take-out means 20 blows air onto the workpiece 5 to take it out only when the workpiece 5 is transported to a position where it can be taken out. The first take-out means 20 takes out the workpiece 5 in the radially outward direction of the conveying table 11. The workpiece 5 taken out by the first take-out means 20 heads toward the first storage unit 25.

[0023] The first storage section 25 stores the workpiece 5 taken out from the conveyor table 11 by the first take-out means 20. The first storage section 25 is located radially outward of the conveyor table 11. The first storage section 25 stores non-defective products. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows how the workpiece 5 taken out from the conveyor table 11 by the first take-out means 20 is stored in the first storage section 25. As shown in FIG. 2, the first storage section 25 includes a work path 25a and a work storage section 25b. The work path 25a connects the conveyor table 11 and the work storage section 25b. The work path 25a is a passage that guides the workpiece 5 from the conveyor table 11 to the work storage section 25b. The workpiece 5 taken out from the conveyor table 11 moves along the work path 25a toward the work storage section 25b. The work storage section 25b stores and stores the workpiece 5. The workpiece accommodation portion 25b is box-shaped.

[0024] The take-out sensor 27 confirms that the first take-out means 20 properly takes out the workpiece 5. The take-out sensor 27 observes the conveying line 12. The take-out sensor 27 may be, for example, an imaging device. The take-out sensor 27 is located between the first take-out means 20 and the second take-out means 30 along the conveying line 12. The take-out sensor 27 confirms that the workpiece 5 that should be taken out by the first take-out means 20 has been taken out, and that the workpiece 5 that should not be taken out by the first take-out means 20 has not been taken out. Specifically, the take-out sensor 27 confirms that the first take-out means 20 takes out the workpiece 5 that has been determined to be a non-defective product by the work inspection device 15, and does not take out the workpiece 5 that has been determined to be a defective product by the work inspection device 15. The take-out sensor 27 ensures that the non-defective product is properly accommodated in the first accommodation section 25.

[0025] The second take-out means 30 takes out the work 5, which is determined to be a defective product by the work inspection device 15 and is determined by the outside observation device 17 to be located away from the conveying line 12 and has no other work 5 in the vicinity. The second take-out means 30 is located downstream of the work inspection device 15 and the outside observation device 17 along the conveying line 12. The second take-out means 30 may be located downstream of the conveying line 12 from the first take-out means 20. The second take-out means 30 may be, for example, an air blowing device that blows air. The second take-out means 30 is driven only when the work 5 is transported to a position where it can be taken out. For example, the second take-out means 30 blows air on the work 5 and takes it out only when the work 5 is transported to a position where it can be taken out. The second take-out means 30 takes out the work 5 in the radially outward direction of the conveying table 11. The work 5 taken out by the second take-out means 30 is directed to the second storage section 35.

[0026] The second storage section 35 stores the workpiece 5 removed from the conveyor table 11 by the second removal means 30. The second storage section 35 is located radially outward of the conveyor table 11. The second storage section 35 stores defective products. The second storage section 35 may have substantially the same configuration as the first storage section 25 shown in FIG. 2.

[0027] The work sorting device 10 may have a plurality of first removal means 20 and a plurality of second removal means 30. The work sorting device 10 may have a plurality of first storage sections 25 and a plurality of second storage sections 35 corresponding to each of the first removal means 20 and the second removal means 30.

[0028] The third removal means 40 removes from the conveying platform 11 the work 5 that is determined by the outside conveying line observation device 17 to be in the vicinity of another work 5 at a position off the conveying line 12 and the work 5 that is located at a position off the conveying line 12. The third removal means 40 is located downstream of the work inspection device 15 and the outside conveying line observation device 17 along the conveying line 12. The third removal means 40 may be located downstream of the first removal means 20 and the second removal means 30 along the conveying line 12. The third removal means 40 may be, for example, an air blowing device that blows air. The third removal means 40 continues to operate while the work 5 is being conveyed. For example, the third removal means 40 continues to blow air while the work 5 is being conveyed. The work 5 determined to have another work 5 in the vicinity at a position off the conveying line 12 means, for example, a work 5 determined to be capable of being taken out by the first take-out means 20 blowing air onto the work 5 located off the conveying line 12 when the first take-out means 20 blows air to take out the work 5. In other words, the work 5 determined to have another work 5 in the vicinity at a position off the conveying line 12 means a work 5 that can be taken out from the conveying table 11 while involving the other work 5 located off the conveying line 12. As a specific example, the fact that there is no other work 5 in the vicinity of the work 5 at a position off the conveying line 12 means that, in the direction along the conveying line 12, there is another work 5 at a position closer than the interval of the work 5 supplied to the conveying line 12 by the work supply unit 13, and at a position off the conveying line 12. As a more specific example, the presence of another workpiece 5 near a workpiece 5 and off the conveyor line 12 means that the workpiece 5 is off the conveyor line 12 and is located 15 mm or less away from the workpiece 5. The third removal means 40 removes the workpiece 5 in the radial outward direction of the conveyor table 11. The workpiece 5 removed by the third removal means 40 heads toward the third storage section 45.

[0029] The guide means 41 holds the workpiece 5 at the position of the conveying table 11 where the third take-out means 40 takes out the workpiece 5. The guide means 41 is arranged on the conveying line 12 and at a position off the conveying line 12. The guide means 41 is arranged at a position downstream of the conveying line 12 from the position of the conveying table 11 where the third take-out means 40 takes out the workpiece 5. The guide means 41 may be a rod-shaped member extending in the radial direction of the conveying table 11. The guide means 41 extends inward and outward in the radial direction from the conveying line 12 of the conveying table 11. The guide means 41 holds the workpiece 5 so that it can be taken out by the third take-out means 40 even at the conveying line 12 and at a position off the conveying line 12. The guide means 41 may include a portion extending from the rod-shaped portion toward the upstream of the conveying line 12. The end of the portion extending toward the upstream of the conveying line 12 is inclined with respect to the direction along the conveying line 12. This prevents the workpiece 5 from getting caught in the portion of the guide means 41 that extends toward the upstream of the conveyor line 12.

[0030] The third storage section 45 stores the workpieces 5 removed from the transport table 11 by the third removal means 40. The third storage section 45 is located radially outward of the transport table 11. The third storage section 45 stores workpieces 5 that have not been inspected by the work inspection device 15, non-defective products, and defective products. The third storage section 45 may have substantially the same configuration as the first storage section 25 shown in FIG. 2.

[0031] The workpiece collecting means 50 collects the workpiece 5 remaining on the conveying table 11. The workpiece collecting means 50 is located downstream of the first take-out means 20, the second take-out means 30, and the third take-out means 40 along the conveying line 12. The workpiece collecting means 50 is located at the most downstream of the conveying line 12. The workpiece collecting means 50 is arranged at the conveying line 12 and at a position off the conveying line 12. The workpiece collecting means 50 may be a rod-shaped member extending in the radial direction of the conveying table 11. The workpiece collecting means 50 collects the workpiece 5 even at the conveying line 12 and at a position off the conveying line 12. The workpiece collecting means 50 may be, for example, a magnet. When the workpiece 5 is a magnetic body, the workpiece collecting means 50 collects the workpiece 5 by magnetic force.

[0032] A work sorting method by the work sorting device 10 will be described. Fig. 3 is a flow chart showing an example of the work sorting method. As shown in Fig. 3, the work sorting method includes a work supply step S1, a work detection step S2, a work inspection step S3, an outside-of-the-transport-line observation step S4, a first take-out step S5, a second take-out step S6, and a third take-out step S7.

[0033] In the work supply process S1, the work supply unit 13 supplies the work 5 towards the conveying line 12 provided on the conveying table 11. The work 5 supplied from the work supply unit 13 may come off the conveying line 12. The work 5 is supplied one by one towards the conveying line 12. A plurality of workpieces 5 may be grouped together on the conveying line 12. The workpieces 5 are supplied towards the conveying line 12 so as to be sufficiently separated from each other. The workpieces 5 supplied in the work supply process S1 are detected in the work detection process S2.

[0034] In the work detection process S2, the supply sensor 14 detects the work 5 supplied from the work supply unit 13. In the work detection process S2, it may be detected whether the interval between the work pieces 5 supplied from the work supply unit 13 is appropriate. In the work detection process S2, it is determined whether the work pieces 5 can be properly inspected in the work inspection process S3. For example, if the work pieces 5 are grouped together and not sufficiently separated from each other, it is determined that the work pieces 5 cannot be properly inspected in the work inspection process S3. The work pieces 5 that are determined to be properly inspected are inspected in the work inspection process S3. The work pieces 5 that are determined to be unable to be properly inspected are removed in the third removal process S7.

[0035] In the work inspection process S3, the conveyor line 12 is inspected according to the fact that the work 5 has been supplied in the work detection process S2 and the speed at which the conveyor line 12 conveys the work 5. When the work 5 is located on the conveyor line 12, the work 5 on the conveyor line 12 is inspected by the work inspection device 15. In the work inspection process S3, for example, the left side, right side, front, rear, top, and bottom of the work 5 are imaged. The work 5 is inspected based on the imaged images. For example, in the work inspection process S3, it is inspected whether the work 5 is a good product or a defective product. For example, a work 5 in which scratches, dirt, etc. are detected in any of the six captured images is judged to be a defective product, and a work 5 in which no scratches, dirt, etc. are detected is judged to be a good product. Both the work 5 judged to be a good product and the work 5 judged to be a defective product are observed in the outside conveyor line observation process S4. A work 5 that cannot be judged to be a good product or a defective product in the work inspection process S3 because multiple work pieces 5 are clumped together or the orientation of the work pieces 5 is not appropriate is taken out in the third take-out process S7. If the workpiece 5 is not located on the conveying line 12, for example if the workpiece 5 is located at a position off the conveying line 12, then in the work inspection process S3 it is determined that the workpiece 5 is not present. Even if it is determined that the workpiece 5 is not present, there is a possibility that the workpiece 5 is located at a position off the conveying line 12, so removal is performed in the third removal process S7.

[0036] In the outside-of-transfer-line observation process S4, the position off the transfer line 12 is observed by the outside-of-transfer-line observation device 17. In the outside-of-transfer-line observation process S4, it is observed whether the workpiece 5 is located at a position off the transfer line 12. In the outside-of-transfer-line observation process S4, the transfer line 12 may be observed together with the position off the transfer line 12. In the outside-of-transfer-line observation process S4, it may be observed that a plurality of workpieces 5 are located on the transfer line 12. The workpiece 5 that is determined to be a non-defective product in the work inspection process S3 and that is determined to have no other workpieces 5 located off the transfer line 12 in the vicinity of the workpiece 5 in the outside-of-transfer-line observation process S4 is taken out in the first take-out process S5. The workpiece 5 that is determined to be a defective product in the work inspection process S3 and that is determined to have no other workpieces 5 located off the transfer line 12 in the vicinity of the workpiece 5 in the outside-of-transfer-line observation process S4 is taken out in the second take-out process S6. A work 5 that is determined to be in the vicinity of another work 5 in a position off the transfer line 12 in the outside transfer line observation step S4 and a work 5 that is located in a position off the transfer line 12 are removed in a third removal step S7. When multiple workpieces 5 are observed to be located on the transfer line 12, the work 5 is also removed in the third removal step S7.

[0037] In the first removal step S5, the work 5 that has been determined to be a non-defective product in the work inspection step S3 and that has been determined to have no other workpieces 5 in the vicinity in a position off the conveyor line 12 in the outside conveyor line observation step S4 is removed from the conveyor table 11 by the first removal means 20. In the first removal step S5, the work 5 is removed from the conveyor table 11, for example, by blowing air onto the work 5. The work 5 removed in the first removal step S5 is accommodated in the first accommodation section 25. The work 5 accommodated in the first accommodation section 25 is treated as a non-defective product.

[0038] In the second removal step S6, the workpiece 5 that was determined to be defective in the workpiece inspection step S3 and that was determined to be located off the conveyor line 12 in the outside conveyor line observation step S4 with no other workpieces 5 in its vicinity is removed from the conveyor table 11 by the second removal means 30. In the second removal step S6, the workpiece 5 is removed from the conveyor table 11, for example, by blowing air onto the workpiece 5. The workpiece 5 removed in the second removal step S6 is accommodated in the second accommodation section 35. The workpiece 5 accommodated in the second accommodation section 35 is treated as a defective product.

[0039] In the third removal step S7, the work 5 that is determined to be in the vicinity of another work 5 in a position off the conveying line 12 in the outside conveying line observation step S4 and the work 5 that is located in a position off the conveying line 12 are removed from the conveying table 11 by the third removal means 40. In the third removal step S7, the work 5 is removed from the conveying table 11, for example, by blowing air onto the work 5. The work 5 removed in the third removal step S7 is stored in the third storage section 45. The work 5 stored in the third storage section 45 is treated as an uninspected product. The work 5 stored in the third storage section 45 may be supplied again to the work sorting device 10 by the work supply section 13.

[0040] A workpiece collecting step may be performed after the first take-out step S5, the second take-out step S6, and the third take-out step S7. In the workpiece collecting step, the workpiece 5 remaining on the transfer table 11 without being taken out in the first take-out step S5, the second take-out step S6, and the third take-out step S7 is collected by the workpiece collecting means 50. For example, in the workpiece collecting step, the workpiece 5 is collected by magnetic force.

[0041] In a conventional work sorting device, when a work is supplied to a conveying line, the work may be located at a position off the conveying line. For example, a plurality of workpieces may be supplied from a work supply unit together, and some of the workpieces may roll to a position off the conveying line. The workpieces located at a position off the conveying line are not inspected by the work inspection device. The uninspected workpieces may be taken out together with the inspected workpieces. For example, when a workpiece located on a conveying line is taken out by blowing air onto it, a workpiece located near the workpiece and off the conveying line may also be blown with air and taken out together with the workpiece. The workpieces that are sorted and taken out according to the inspection results may be mixed with workpieces located off the conveying line and treated as uninspected workpieces. The classification result of the workpieces may become inappropriate. For example, uninspected workpieces may be mixed with workpieces that have been determined to be good. If the uninspected workpieces are defective, the defective workpieces will be mixed with the works that are treated as good.

[0042] The work sorting device 10 of this embodiment has an outside conveying line observation device 17 that observes the position off the conveying line 12. The work 5 that is judged as a good product by the work inspection device 15 and judged by the outside conveying line observation device 17 that there are no other work pieces 5 in the vicinity at the position off the conveying line 12 is taken out from the conveying table 11 by the first take-out means 20. The work 5 that is judged as a defective product by the work inspection device 15 and judged by the outside conveying line observation device 17 that there are no other work pieces 5 in the vicinity at the position off the conveying line 12 is taken out from the conveying table 11 by the second take-out means 30. Even if the work 5 is judged as a good product or a defective product, the work 5 that is in the vicinity of the other work pieces 5 in the position off the conveying line 12 is not taken out as a good product or a defective product. A work 5 that is determined by the outside conveying line observation device 17 to be in the vicinity of another work 5 in a position off the conveying line 12 and a work 5 that is located in a position off the conveying line 12 are removed from the conveying table 11 by a third removal means 40. The inspected work 5 is removed together with the work 5 located in a position off the conveying line. The work 5 located in a position off the conveying line 12 is prevented from being removed from the conveying line 12 together with the work 5 that has been inspected and determined to be good or defective. Uninspected work 5 is prevented from being mixed in with the work 5 that has been classified and removed according to the inspection results. The classification results of the work 5 can be made appropriate.

[0043] In this embodiment, the third removal means 40 continues to operate while the workpiece 5 is being transported. A workpiece 5 located in a position off the transport line 12 is not inspected by the work inspection device 15, and it is difficult to identify where on the transport table 11 the workpiece 5 is located. By keeping the third removal means 40 operating, the workpiece 5 that was not inspected by the work inspection device 15 can be properly removed by the third removal means 40. A workpiece 5 located in a position off the transport line can be properly collected from the transport table 11.

[0044] In this embodiment, the work supply unit 13, the work inspection device 15, the outside transport line observation device 17, the first take-out means 20, the second take-out means 30, and the third take-out means 40 are arranged in this order from the upstream to the downstream of the transport line 12. Since the outside transport line observation device 17 is arranged immediately before the first take-out means 20, even if the work 5 moves while being transported on the transport line 12, it can be appropriately determined whether the work 5 is located at a position outside the transport line 12 when the work 5 is taken out by the first take-out means 20. Since the first take-out means 20 is arranged upstream of the second take-out means 30, it is possible to prevent defective products from being mixed into the work 5 taken out by the first take-out means 20. Since the third take-out means 40 is arranged downstream of the first take-out means 20 and the second take-out means 30, it is possible to appropriately take out the work 5 that was not inspected by the work inspection device 15. For example, the work 5 located at a position outside the transport line 12 that was not observed by the outside transport line observation device 17 can also be taken out by the third take-out means 40.

[0045] In this embodiment, the work sorting device 10 further includes guide means 41 for holding the work 5 at a position on the conveyance table 11 where the third removal means 40 removes the work 5. The guide means 41 makes it easier for the third removal means 40 to remove the work 5 that remains on the conveyance table 11 and has not been removed by the first removal means 20 and the second removal means 30.

[0046] The aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described embodiments, but include various modifications that may be conceived by a person skilled in the art, and the effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the contents of the above-described embodiments. Various additions, modifications, and partial deletions are possible within the scope of the conceptual ideas and intent of each disclosure derived from the contents defined in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 5 Work 10 Work sorting device 11 Transport platform 12 Conveyor Line 13 Work supply section 14 Supply Sensor 15 Workpiece inspection equipment 17. Observation device outside the conveyor line 20 First removal means 25 First Storage Unit 27 Removal sensor 30 Second removal means 35 Second storage section 40 Third removal means 41 Guide means 45 Third Storage Unit 50 Work recovery method

Claims

1. A conveyor line is provided and a conveyor table for conveying the workpiece; A work supply unit that supplies the work toward the conveying line; a work inspection device that inspects the work on the conveying line; an outside-of-transfer-line observation device for observing a position outside the transfer line; a first removal means for removing, from the conveying table, the work that has been determined to be a non-defective product by the work inspection device and that has been determined by the outside conveying line observation device to be in a position off the conveying line with no other work in its vicinity; a second removal means for removing, from the conveying table, the work that has been determined to be a defective product by the work inspection device and that has been determined by the outside conveying line observation device to be in a position off the conveying line with no other work in its vicinity; A work sorting device comprising: a third removal means for removing from the conveying table a work that is determined by the outside conveying line observation device to be in the vicinity of another work in a position off the conveying line, and a work that is located in a position off the conveying line.

2. 2. The workpiece sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third removal means is kept in operation while the workpieces are being transported.

3. 2. The work classification device according to claim 1, wherein the work supply unit, the work inspection device, the outside observation device of the conveying line, the first removal means, the second removal means and the third removal means are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream of the conveying line.

4. 2. The workpiece sorting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising guide means for holding the workpiece at a position on the conveying table where the third removal means removes the workpiece.

5. a work inspection process for inspecting a work on a conveying line provided on the conveying table; an observation step of observing a position outside the transfer line; a first removal process of removing, from the conveying table, the work that has been determined to be a non-defective product in the work inspection process and that has been determined to be in a position off the conveying line in the outside conveying line observation process so that there is no other work in the vicinity of the work; a second removal process for removing, from the conveying table, the work that is determined to be a defective product in the work inspection process and is determined to be located off the conveying line in the outside conveying line observation process with no other work in its vicinity; A work classification method comprising: a third removal process of removing from the transport table a work that is determined to be in the vicinity of another work in a position off the transport line in the outside transport line observation process, and a work that is located in a position off the transport line.

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