Product Inspection Verification System

Abstract

To provide an article inspection verification system that prevents a reduction in operating rate associated with verification operation of a defect detection function of an article inspection device and reduces a burden of the verification operation.SOLUTION: An article inspection verification system 5 is provided in an article inspection line 1 including article inspection devices 2, 3, 4 that inspects quality state of an article P to be inspected passing through inspection zones Z1, Z2, Z3 on an article conveyance path 10 and determines whether the article is non-defective or defective product based on a predetermined determination condition. The system comprises: physical effect generators 51, 52, 53 that generate physical effect that causes the article P to be inspected to be defective during the inspection zones Z1, Z2, Z3: and a PLC 55 which stores conditions for the physical effect generators 51, 52, 53 to generate the physical effect in advance, and drives the physical effect generators 51, 52, 53 while the article inspection line 1 is in operation, in accordance with the conditions, to cause the article inspection devices 2, 3, 4 to determine the article P to be inspected to be defective, the article passing through the inspection zones Z1, Z2, Z3 in a specific period in the operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an article inspection verification system, and more particularly to an article inspection verification system suitable for periodically verifying whether or not the defect detection function and the defective product sorting function by article inspection are normal. [Background technology]

[0002] In an item inspection system that includes an item inspection device that inspects transported items and a sorting device that operates in response to the results of the item inspection, the reliability of quality control through item inspection has traditionally been ensured by periodically verifying operation using pseudo-defective samples (hereinafter referred to as pseudo-defective items) that have an effect on the inspection section of the item inspection device or so-called test pieces, thereby confirming whether normal defect detection function is maintained with the required detection sensitivity or accuracy.

[0003] For example, in various types of product inspection devices such as X-ray inspection devices, metal detection devices, weighing devices, visual inspection devices, and other devices that are placed on inspection lines for fresh foods or on production lines for processed foods and pharmaceuticals, or in various product inspection systems that combine such product inspection devices with downstream devices that allocate the destination of the inspected products or sort and discharge defective products outside the production line depending on the inspection results, verification work is carried out at the start, during operation, and end of the production line by sending pseudo-defective products down the production line to check for any abnormalities in the detection operation of the pseudo-defective products or in the operation of the downstream devices that should be executed when a defect is detected, and the results of this operation check are recorded.

[0004] Conventional item inspection devices and item inspection systems for performing such verification work include, for example, a normal operation mode in which sequentially transported items are used as the items to be inspected, and a test operation confirmation mode, or so-called test mode, in which the defect detection function of the item inspection device and the operation of downstream devices when a defect is detected are set up, and the mode can be switched to the test mode during verification work, thereby facilitating the verification work (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0005] Also, as shown in FIG. 11, a system is known in which multiple types of test pieces tp1 and tp2 are attached to a product 102 as foreign body samples to create pseudo-defective products, and based on the detection signal from the foreign body detection device 100 when the pseudo-defective products are passed through, the system can enter a test mode in which it is possible to identify the foreign body samples tp1 and tp2 and determine whether the required sensitivity detection function for multiple types of foreign bodies according to the type of product being inspected is being properly performed, thereby making it possible to accurately check operation and output the results (see Patent Document 2).

[0006] On the other hand, there are also known weight checkers that are installed on production lines and that are capable of checking and correcting changes in weighing sensitivity over time due to adhesions or deposits from the inspected items without stopping the production line (see Patent Documents 3 and 4).

[0007] Also, in metal detectors that detect metallic foreign bodies in inspected products by detecting fluctuations in the magnetic field in the inspection area, there are known devices that open and close a loop circuit to fluctuate the magnetic field, thereby generating a pseudo metal detection signal without using a foreign body sample, or that insert a predetermined foreign body sample into the inspection area using an actuator, thereby enabling performance confirmation of the inspection device without manual intervention (see Patent Documents 5 and 6). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5906070 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5431659 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 60-25417 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-328059 [Patent Document 5] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 59-053292 [Patent Document 6] Patent No. 4588707 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] However, in conventional product inspection devices and product inspection systems such as those described above, when checking the defect detection function of the product inspection device or the operation of downstream devices when a defect is detected, it is necessary to create a pseudo-defective product and then perform a trial operation check or switch to test mode to perform a trial operation check, which poses the problem of forcing the normal operation of the production line to be stopped.

[0010] Therefore, particularly in cases where multiple production lines are equipped with product inspection devices and the defect detection function of the product inspection device on each production line and the operation of downstream equipment when a defect is detected are verified relatively frequently, for example, when the defect detection operation corresponding to pseudo-defective products flowing through the product inspection section and the subsequent sorting operation are confirmed every short time, such as every hour, not only does this reduce the operating rate of the production line, but the workload of the verification work also becomes extremely heavy.

[0011] Furthermore, many production lines are equipped with multiple item inspection devices with different inspection functions and performance, and it is not realistic to simultaneously upgrade all of the item inspection devices to ones with operation confirmation and verification functions. When the manufacturers and manufacturing years are different, software updates become extremely difficult. Furthermore, such operation confirmation and verification functions are usually equipped on each item inspection device, and the devices cannot be linked together. This means that it is necessary to stop operation, perform verification work, record the results, and then reorganize the records, which raises concerns that problems may be discovered late.

[0012] When verification work is carried out sequentially on each item inspection device in the inspection process of a production line in which multiple types of item inspection devices are arranged in a series, the operation of the subsequent sorting process is determined by which item inspection device detects a defective product.In order to carry out verification including the sorting process, there is also the problem that the verification work must be carried out in normal operating mode under actual operating conditions rather than in so-called test mode, making it difficult to carry out overall verification work for the inspection and sorting process.

[0013] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an item inspection and verification system that prevents a decrease in operating rate and reduces the burden of verification work associated with the verification work of the defect detection function of item inspection equipment, and further aims to perform verification work reliably and efficiently in the inspection and sorting processes of manufacturing lines that are composed of multiple types of item inspection equipment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] (1) In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, the item inspection verification system of the present invention is an item inspection verification system that is installed in an item inspection line having an item inspection device that inspects the quality condition of an inspected item passing through an inspection section on an item conveying path and determines whether the item is good or defective based on predetermined determination conditions, and is characterized in that it includes a physical effect generator that generates a physical effect that causes the item inspection device to determine the inspected item as defective during the inspection section, and a physical effect control unit that pre-stores conditions for generating the physical effect by the physical effect generator and drives the physical effect generator during operation of the item inspection line in accordance with the generation conditions, thereby causing the item inspection device to determine that an inspected item passing through the inspection section within a specific period during operation is defective.

[0015] With this configuration, in the article inspection verification system of the present invention, the physical effect generator is driven by the physical effect control unit within a specific period during operation of the article inspection line, thereby generating a physical effect within the inspection section that causes an inspected article passing through the inspection section to be determined to be defective. Therefore, pseudo-defective articles can be generated under control of the article inspection verification system while the article inspection line is operating, without affecting the inspected articles passing through the inspection section, and it can be verified whether the defect detection operation of the article inspection device for inspected articles determined to be defective at this time is normal.

[0016] (2) In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus may further include a verification information storage unit that stores and saves verification information regarding whether the defect detection operation of the item inspection device is normal or not, in a manner that allows it to be recorded and output, when the item to be inspected passing through the inspection section within a specific period during operation is determined to be defective by the item inspection device.

[0017] In this case, when an inspected article passing through an inspection section within a specific period during operation of the article inspection line is determined to be defective, the verification information storage unit stores and saves verification information indicating whether the defect detection operation of the article inspection device is normal or not, so that the verification work of periodically checking the defect detection operation and recording the results is greatly facilitated.

[0018] (3) In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the item inspection line may have a defective item sorting mechanism downstream of the inspection section on the item conveying path that moves the inspected item determined to be defective in a direction away from the conveying path of the good items on the item conveying path, and may further have a return conveying mechanism between the inspection section and the defective item sorting section by the defective item sorting mechanism that moves the inspected item determined to be defective as it passes through the inspection section, bypassing the inspection section, to the upstream side of the item conveying path.

[0019] In this case, a return conveying mechanism is provided between the inspection section of the item inspection line and the defective item sorting section downstream thereof, which moves inspected items that are determined to be defective when passing through the inspection section, bypassing the inspection section and moving them to the upstream side of the item conveying path.This makes it possible to return uninspected items that have been used as pseudo-defective items, i.e., items that have been determined to be pseudo-defective and have not received normal inspection results, to the upstream side, and to perform normal inspection again, for example.

[0020] (4) In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the item inspection line may have as the item inspection device a first item inspection device and a second item inspection device having a plurality of different inspection types, and may also have, downstream of the inspection section on the item conveying path, a first defective item sorting mechanism that moves an inspected item determined to be defective by the first item inspection device in a direction away from the conveying path for good items on the item conveying path, and a second defective item sorting mechanism that moves an inspected item determined to be defective by the second item inspection device in a direction away from the conveying path for good items on the item conveying path.

[0021] In this way, the item inspection line has first and second item inspection devices with multiple different inspection types, and first and second defective item sorting mechanisms are provided downstream of the inspection section on the item conveying path to move inspected items determined to be defective by the first and second item inspection devices in a direction away from the good item conveying path.By providing multiple types of physical effect generators corresponding to the inspection types of the first and second item inspection devices, it becomes possible to continuously verify multiple types of item inspection and sorting functions for the same inspected item within the same item inspection line.

[0022] (5) In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the physical effect control unit may be configured to drive the physical effect generator corresponding to either or both of the first item inspection device and the second item inspection device for a specific inspected item.

[0023] In this way, when an item inspection line has a first item inspection device and a second item inspection device with multiple different inspection types, the overall operation of the item inspection system 1 when a defect is detected by either one or both of the item inspection devices can be verified using a comprehensive combination.

[0024] (6) In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus may further include an operation detection sensor that detects the operating states of the first defective product sorting mechanism and the second defective product sorting mechanism.

[0025] In this way, for items that are judged to be defective by one or more of multiple types of item inspection devices, the operating status of the sorting mechanism in the downstream sorting device can be detected, and it can also be verified whether the item is being sorted to the correct discharge destination.

[0026] (7) In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the item inspection device may include a metal detection device that detects metal components in the inspected item, while the physical effect generator may include a magnetic field fluctuation generator that changes the magnetic field in the inspection section in accordance with a control signal from the physical effect control unit.

[0027] In this case, by generating magnetic field fluctuations that affect the metal detection device, pseudo-defective items can be automatically generated for the metal detection device while the item inspection line is operating, without any effect on the inspected items passing through the inspection section for metal detection, and it becomes possible to verify whether the defect detection operation of the metal detection device for inspected items that are determined to be defective at this time is normal.

[0028] The magnetic field fluctuation generator may be an element that can affect the magnetic field generated by the metal detector, such as a coil that can be switchably used in one turn or within a predetermined number of turns to change the impedance.

[0029] (8) In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the item inspection device may include a weighing device that measures the weight of the item to be inspected, while the physical effect generator may include an adding / removing mechanism that adds and / or removes a weight load to the weight of the item to be inspected in the inspection section in accordance with a control signal from the physical effect control unit.

[0030] In this case, by adding or removing a load that affects the weighing value, pseudo-defective items can be automatically generated in the weighing device while the item inspection line is operating, without any effect on the inspected items passing through the weighing inspection section, and it can be verified whether the defect detection operation of the weighing device for inspected items that are determined to be defective at this time is normal.

[0031] (9) In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the item inspection device may include an X-ray inspection device that irradiates X-rays onto an item to be inspected passing through the inspection section on the item conveying path and performs the item inspection based on the distribution of transmitted X-ray dose, while the physical effect generator may also include a test piece moving mechanism that moves a test piece having predetermined X-ray transmission characteristics into and out of the inspection section in accordance with a control signal from the physical effect control unit.

[0032] In this case, by moving test pieces that affect the X-ray inspection into and out of the inspection section, pseudo-defective products can be automatically generated for the X-ray inspection device while the item inspection line is in operation, without any effect on the inspected items passing through the X-ray inspection section, and it can be verified whether the defect detection operation of the X-ray inspection device for inspected items that are determined to be defective at this time is normal.

[0033] (10) In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the physical effect control unit may be configured to variably set output conditions for a control signal to the physical effect generator depending on the type of the object under test.

[0034] In this way, it is possible to generate appropriate physical effects in the inspection section according to the type of product, thereby enabling more effective verification work in product inspection. [Effects of the Invention]

[0035] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an item inspection and verification system that can automatically generate pseudo-defective items for each item inspection device while the item inspection line is in operation, without affecting the items being inspected passing through the inspection section, and can verify whether the defect detection operation of the item inspection device is normal, thereby preventing a decrease in operating rate due to verification work and significantly reducing the burden of verification work. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0036] [Figure 1] Figure 1(A) is a schematic system configuration diagram of an item inspection and verification system according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 1(B) is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement and connection of the equipment that constitutes the item inspection system and the main parts of the item inspection and verification system. [Figure 2] 1 is a configuration diagram of a main part of an article inspection and verification system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3(A) is a schematic explanatory diagram of a metal influence noise generator in an item inspection verification system according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3(B) is a graph of experimental noise influence showing the item influence of a transported item detected by a metal detection device in the item inspection system and the fluctuation in influence value due to the metal influence noise detected superimposed on the item influence, in relation to the operation of the item inspection verification system. The vertical axis of the graph represents the influence value detected by the metal detection device, and the horizontal axis represents time. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a metal-influence noise generator and its ON / OFF control circuit in an article inspection and verification system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] Figure 5(A) is a schematic explanatory diagram of a weight controller for measuring the influence of weight values ​​in an item inspection verification system according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 5(B) is a graph showing the measurement values ​​due to the influence of the weight of the transported item detected by a weighing device in the item inspection system and the measurement value fluctuations due to the influence of the weight of a weight added or removed from the weighing platform of the weighing device, along with an example of a record of confirmation items, where the vertical axis represents the measurement value of the weighing device and the horizontal axis represents time. [Figure 6] Figure 6(A) is a front view showing the schematic configuration of a weight controller for adding and removing weighing weight in an item inspection and verification system according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 6(B) is a view taken in the direction of the arrow VIB in Figure 6(A). [Figure 7] FIG. 7(A) is an explanatory diagram of the weight addition / removal state of a weight controller in an item inspection / verification system according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7(A) shows the normal state in which the first of two weights selectively applied to the weighing platform is loaded and the second weight is unloaded. FIG. 7(B) shows the light side in which both the first and second weights are unloaded, i.e., the -NG state. FIG. 7(C) shows the overweight side in which both the first and second weights are loaded, i.e., the +NG state. [Figure 8] Figure 8(A) is an explanatory diagram of the operating direction of a test piece insertion controller attached to an X-ray inspection device in an item inspection verification system according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8(B) is a front view of the essential parts of the test piece insertion controller, which inserts and removes test pieces from an inspection line where the X-ray dose is detected at predetermined intervals by an X-ray inspection device in the item inspection system, showing insertion as a virtual line and removal as a solid line; and Figure 8(C) is a graph showing the distribution of detected X-ray dose values ​​(values ​​equivalent to the amount of attenuation due to the influence of the item) detected by multiple detection elements on the inspection line at predetermined intervals during the item inspection period by the X-ray inspection device, using an example of a predetermined time when an inspection NG occurs, with the vertical axis representing the detected value and the horizontal axis representing the widthwise position of the item in the direction of the inspection line. [Figure 9] Figure 9(A) is an explanatory diagram of the operating direction of a test piece insertion controller attached to an X-ray inspection device in an item inspection and verification system according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9(B) is a view in the direction of the arrow IXB of Figure 9(A) showing an example of the arrangement of multiple test pieces that are simultaneously inserted and removed from the inspection line by the test piece insertion controller; Figure 9(C) shows the arrangement height of the test pieces when the thickness of the transported item in the X-ray transmission direction is relatively small; and Figure 9(D) shows the arrangement height of the test pieces when the thickness of the transported item in the X-ray transmission direction is relatively large. [Figure 10]10 is an example of a list showing an output form of a verification result obtained by the product inspection verification system according to each embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a verification method for verifying the defect detection function of an article inspection device such as a conventional metal detection device using a test piece. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0038] (One embodiment) 1-8 illustrate an article inspection verification system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] First, the overall configuration of this embodiment will be described.

[0040] 1 and 2, one embodiment of the present invention is configured as an article inspection verification system 5 that can periodically verify whether the defect detection function of an article inspection system 1 that constitutes an article inspection line is normal while the article inspection system 1 is in operation. Note that, as will be described in detail later, in the article inspection system 1, articles P are sequentially inspected as they are being transported on an article conveying path 10 downstream of the article production line, and articles P that are determined to be defective are sorted and discharged from the normal article conveying path of the article conveying path 10.

[0041] As shown in Figures 1(A) and 1(B), the item inspection system 1 includes a plurality of item inspection devices arranged along the item conveying path 10, including a metal detection device 2, a weighing device 3, and an X-ray inspection device 4 (hereinafter also referred to as multiple types of item inspection devices 2-4).These multiple types of item inspection devices 2-4 inspect the quality condition of each inspected item P (hereinafter simply referred to as item P) passing through multiple inspection sections Z1, Z2, Z3 on the item conveying path 10 using different inspection methods for each inspection section Z1, Z2, Z3, and determine whether the item is an OK item (i.e., a good product) or an NG item (i.e., a defective product) based on predetermined judgment conditions corresponding to each inspection section Z1, Z2, or Z3.

[0042] Of course, the product inspection system 1 may be configured to include other product inspection devices, such as an appearance inspection device that detects defects in the product shape or the sealed portion of a packaging bag. Furthermore, the product P may be, for example, food (fresh food or processed food) or medicine that is ingested by humans or animals, or a product that is manufactured to be worn or come into contact with humans or animals, but is not limited to a specific product.

[0043] The item inspection system 1 is composed of multiple types of item inspection devices 2 to 4 arranged in order from the upstream side along the item conveying path 10 as shown in Figure 1(A), and a sorting device 20 located downstream of the item inspection devices 2 to 4 as shown in Figures 1(B) and 2.The control units (not shown in detail) of each item inspection device 2, 3, 4 are network-connected to a LAN-connected management PC 40, and are able to send and receive inspection-related information and various control signals.

[0044] The multiple types of article inspection devices 2 to 4 each have conveyors 11, 12, 13, and form part of an article transport path 10.

[0045] The sorting device 20 has a relay conveyor 16 provided downstream of the article inspection devices 2 to 4, followed by multiple conveyors 17, 18, 19 that form the article conveying path 10, with the upstream conveyor 17 being a dropout-type sorting conveyor and the conveyor 18 continuing downstream including multiple-stage flipper-type sorting mechanisms 27, 28 that each perform a sorting operation to the width side of the conveying path. Note that the relay conveyor 16 may be integrated with the conveyor 13 of the article inspection device 4.

[0046] The conveyor 17, which functions as a dropout-type sorting conveyor, does not sort the articles P associated with the inspection results of the multiple types of article inspection devices 2 to 4 of the article inspection system 1, but rather associates the articles P used for verification with the verification operation of the article inspection verification system 5 and recovers them via a return transport path described below, without transporting them to the downstream conveyor 18. Therefore, the conveyor 17 in this embodiment functions simply as a transport conveyor when viewed from the multiple types of article inspection devices 2 to 4 of the article inspection system 1.

[0047] Here, conventional components of this article inspection system 1 (article inspection line) are assumed to be configured in substantially the same manner as the inspection line described in, for example, JP 2019-212234 A, and detailed configuration descriptions of each of the multiple types of article inspection devices 2-4 and the management system that outputs inspection result information to a host computer connected via a computer network to each of the article inspection devices 2-4 will be omitted, except as will be described later. However, the multiple types of article inspection devices 2-4 are not limited to those of a specific type.

[0048] That is, the article inspection verification system 5 is also characterized in that it can use conventionally known and already installed article inspection devices 2 to 4 that make up the article inspection system 1. That is, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the inspection and sorting functions of the article inspection devices 2 to 4 are independent of the verification function of the article inspection verification system 5.

[0049] For example, the metal detection device 2 may have a detection unit that detects fluctuations in the magnetic field in the inspection area when the item P passes through the inspection zone (see JP 2018-200197 A). The weighing device 3 may have the configuration of an electromagnetic balance scale or an electric resistance scale (load cell) (see JP 2016-205846 A, JP 2020-122677 A, etc.). Furthermore, the X-ray inspection device 4 may be configured as an X-ray foreign object detection device (see Patent Documents 1 and 2, etc.), and the image processing and pass / fail judgment process may differ depending on the object being inspected.

[0050] The article conveying path 10 may be configured to include a plurality of belt conveyor-type conveyors 11, 12, 13 that pass through the inspection sections Z1, Z2, Z3 of the plurality of types of article inspection devices 2-4 and are driven at approximately the same predetermined conveying speed, a plurality of belt conveyor-type conveyors 16, 17, 18, 19 that pass through the sorting section of the sorting device 20 and before and after it and are driven at approximately the same conveying speed as the plurality of conveyors 11-13, and a plurality of belt conveyor-type return conveyors 21, 22 that form a dedicated return conveying path that returns the articles P used for inspection by the plurality of types of article inspection devices 2-4 and the sorting device 20 to the upstream side. In addition, the conveyor 17 that serves as the sorting conveyor has a pair of rollers that support an endless conveyor belt supported by a common shaft support frame, and a sorting drive actuator that swings the shaft support frame up and down is interposed between the shaft support frame and the support of the conveyor 17. The swing drive mechanism of such a drop-down sorting conveyor may be configured in the same manner as that described in, for example, JP 2018-150130 A.

[0051] 2, a pair of flipper arms 27A, 27B and 28A, 28B are arranged on both sides of the conveyor 18 of the sorting device 20 to form sorting mechanisms 27, 28, which sort the articles P by either moving them straight in the conveying direction of the article conveying path 10 or discharging them to the side. Note that such a flipper-type sorting conveyor may be configured similarly to the one described in, for example, JP 2019-001591 A.

[0052] 1(A) and 1(B), the article inspection verification system 5 has multiple types of physical effect generators that generate physical effects that cause the article P to be determined to be defective in multiple inspection zones Z1, Z2, and Z3, respectively, including a magnetic field fluctuation generator 51 (which may be a metal piece insertion mechanism) that generates pulsed magnetic field fluctuations (a type of noise from the perspective of the metal detection device 2) in the inspection magnetic field of the metal detection device 2, a weight controller 52 attached to the weighing device 3, and a test piece insertion controller 53 attached to the X-ray inspection device 4. Hereinafter, these will be collectively referred to as multiple types of physical effect generators 51, 52, and 53.

[0053] In addition, the item inspection verification system 5 has a PLC (programmable logic controller) 55 as a physical effect control unit, and may also include a tablet-type information terminal 56 that works in cooperation with the management PC 40 to function as a programming tool for the PLC 55 and a setting input switch, as shown in Figure 1(A).

[0054] The management PC 40 here can execute a program that can sequentially receive inspection-related information representing the inspection results of multiple types of item inspection devices 2 to 4, and functions as a data recording unit that stores the received inspection data in a storage medium.It can also execute an analysis program that performs various analyses in combination with various data output from PLC 55.

[0055] The PLC 55 is configured to store in advance the conditions for generating physical effects by multiple types of physical effect generators 51, 52, 53, i.e., the control procedures for each physical effect generator 51, 52, 53, as a program list for sequence control, and by driving the physical effect generators 51 to 53 during operation of the item inspection system 1 according to each generation condition, the item P passing through the inspection sections Z1, Z2, Z3 within a specific period during operation can be determined to be defective by the item inspection devices 2, 3, 4.

[0056] The specific periods during operation referred to here are, for example, when the line starts, while the line is in operation, and when the line closes; specifically, periods corresponding to the specified inspection time at the start of inspection, which is when the line starts, or during inspection of a specified number of items, during the specified inspection time every certain amount of time after the start of inspection, which is when the line is in operation, and the specified inspection time at the end of inspection, which is when the line closes; and every certain amount of time after the start of inspection is preferably every hour after the start of inspection.

[0057] Even during such a specific period during operation, the multiple types of article inspection devices 2 to 4 of the article inspection system 1 continue to perform normal article inspections, without undergoing any setting change operation such as switching the operation mode.

[0058] PLC55 has the function of setting item P as the item to be verified based on the detection signal generated when item P that is brought in during a specific period while the item inspection system 1 is in operation is detected by item detection sensor 15 at the entrance side of the item inspection system 1, and driving and controlling one of the physical effect generators 51-53 in accordance with the timing when the item to be inspected passes through each of the inspection sections Z1-Z3 of the multiple types of item inspection devices 2-4, and generating verification data as a record of its operation.

[0059] In this case, how to drive and control the corresponding physical effect generators 51-53 for each of the plurality of types of article inspection devices 2-4 may be set in advance as a verification schedule in the PLC 55, or the verification schedule may be received as data from the management PC 40. Furthermore, a plurality of verification patterns (PT01, PT02, ...) may be stored in the PLC, and the verification pattern to be executed from the plurality of stored verification patterns may be specified in the verification schedule; if a verification pattern is set, the verification can be easily recorded by indicating which verification pattern was applied.

[0060] The timing at which the item P to be inspected passes through the inspection sections Z1, Z2, and Z3 may be set as a delay time in advance based on the detection signal from the item detection sensor 15 that detects the entry of the item P into the item inspection system 1, but it is preferable to install item detection sensors 66, 75, and 83 (or 84 in Figure 9) that can detect the entry into each inspection section Z1, Z2, and Z3 near the upstream side of each inspection section Z1 to Z3 to reduce the effects of deviations in the transport timing of the item P that may occur on the item transport path 10 and fluctuations in the transport speed of each conveyor 11 to 13.

[0061] In addition to the detection signals from the item detection sensors 15, 66, 75, 83 (84) for detecting incoming items and the judgment result information from the multiple types of item inspection devices 2 to 4, the PLC 55 may be capable of verifying the operation of the sorting device 20 in the item inspection system 1 by inputting monitoring images from a camera 23 that inputs line monitoring images to the management PC 40, detection information from multiple operation detection sensors 31, 33, 34 that detect the operating status of the dropout-type sorting conveyor 17 of the sorting device 20 and the operating status of the multi-stage flipper-type sorting mechanisms 27, 28, detection information from a returned item detection sensor 32 that detects items P that have been dropout-sorted, and detection information from a non-defective item passage detection sensor 35.

[0062] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the PLC 55 executes a sequence control program that can be rewritten, for example, by a programming tool, in the order of the step numbers in the program list, and has a CPU section 55a which is an arithmetic control section for executing the program, a memory section 55b consisting of various memories that store circuit programs and instructions including various instruction words and devices (operands) in a readable manner in the order of step numbers, an input section 55c which takes in input information from external sensors, switches, etc., an output section 55d which outputs the calculation results of the CPU section 55a to the outside, a communication I / F 55e which is an interface for enabling communication connection to multiple types of physical effect generators 51, 52, 53, a higher-level management PC 40, or a tablet-type information terminal 56, and a power supply section 55f.

[0063] In addition, when the item inspection verification system 5 is retrofitted to an existing item inspection system 1, a management system using a management PC has been established to import and record the detection signals of the item detection sensor 15 for detecting the above-mentioned incoming items, and the judgment result information of the multiple types of item inspection devices 2 to 4, etc., so the item inspection verification system 5 can work in conjunction with the already established management system, with the PLC 55 mainly performing the control of the verification operation of each item inspection device and the generation of its operation record, and outputting the verification data to the management PC 40.

[0064] The PLC 55 referred to here is a suitable example of a unit having a port capable of inputting and outputting control signals for realizing each function in an embodiment of the present invention, and a microprocessor that executes related control programs, and does not specify a specific equipment configuration.

[0065] As shown in Figures 3(A) and 4, the magnetic field fluctuation generator 51 attached to the metal detector 2 switches on / off a loop coil 61 that affects the inspection zone Z1 or its vicinity by the metal detector 2 via a relay circuit 62 via a driver 64 in response to a predetermined control signal RJ0-t1 from the PLC 55, a physical influence control unit, and adjusts a variable resistor 63 for impedance adjustment. As a result, as shown in Figure 3(B), the magnetic field fluctuation generator 51 can disrupt the magnetic field generated by the transmitter coil of the metal detector 2 to a state similar to that observed when a metallic foreign object, such as a sample (test piece) of metallic foreign object, is present in the article P, thereby causing a level fluctuation in the detection signal. Note that this figure illustrates detection waveforms obtained when magnetic field fluctuations corresponding to two types of metal balls are generated as pulsed noise signals at different timings. The PLC 55 also receives a detection signal from an article detection sensor 66 located near the upstream end of the inspection zone Z1 of the metal detector 2.

[0066] The loop coil 61 is formed into a planar shape using, for example, one turn of magnet wire (copper wire), and the coil case that secures and encloses this loop coil 61 is fixed with a fastener (not shown), allowing it to be stably and easily attached near the inspection zone Z1 of the metal detecting device 2. Note that the loop coil 61 may be one that can switch between the number of turns or the number of turns in multiple stages, or switch between multiple types of coils (61, 61, ... (not shown)) with different loop diameters, etc.

[0067] A separate parts box containing a variable resistor 63, a relay circuit 62 and a driver 64 is connected to the coil case enclosing the loop coil 61 by a flexible cable, ensuring freedom in the installation location of the loop coil 61.

[0068] Furthermore, the case in which the loop coil 61 is enclosed is preferably made of a non-magnetic resin, but to improve environmental resistance so that it can withstand cleaning and washing on the production line, it can also be made of a metal plate such as stainless steel that exhibits weak magnetism.

[0069] By adopting such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 3(A), even in the case of an existing metal detecting device 2, a loop coil 61 is installed near the detection section (inspection section), and a relay circuit 62, a variable resistor 63, and driver A separate box containing the object detection sensor 64 can be installed on the leg of the metal detection device 2, making it easy to install the object detection sensor 66 near the conveyor 11.

[0070] In addition, a portion of the memory section 55b of the PLC 55 stores circuit programs such as an operation hold / release command for turning on / off a predetermined control signal RJ0-t1 and switching the relay circuit 62 by the driver 64 according to the type of item P to be inspected, and a register that specifies the resistance value of the variable resistor 63.

[0071] Here, variable resistor 63 is preferably composed of multiple resistors that can be controlled to turn on / off with an electrical signal, and determines the impedance of the loop coil according to the combination of resistors that make up the circuit, setting the DC impedance when relay circuit 62 is turned on and forms a closed circuit together with loop coil 61. The DC impedance of loop coil 61 correlates with the strength of the magnetic field fluctuation acting on metal detecting device 2, i.e., the level of the detection signal, and a verification function equivalent to verifying operation by changing the size of a sample (test piece) of metallic foreign matter can be realized.

[0072] In this way, the physical effect generator 51 on the metal detection device 2 can be configured as a unit as a magnetic field fluctuation generator 51 using a loop coil 61 and a relay circuit 62 that opens and closes the loop coil 61, and the effect level can be adjusted by setting the impedance of the loop coil 61.

[0073] Furthermore, since the magnetic field fluctuation generator 51 acts electromagnetically on the metal detection device 2 and has no externally visible moving parts, it is advisable to provide a monitor circuit that monitors the state of the relay circuit 62 to detect unintentional disconnections, etc., thereby improving reliability.

[0074] FIG. 3(B) shows a time chart illustrating the relationship between the detection waveform of a passing article P detected by the metal detecting device 2 and the operation of the magnetic field fluctuation generator 51 in response to the detection of an article by the article detection sensor 66.

[0075] The metal detector 2 is configured to determine that metal is present when the level of the detected waveform exceeds a determination limit.

[0076] Therefore, the article inspection verification system 5 needs to operate the magnetic field fluctuation generator 51 while the article P is passing through the inspection zone Z1 of the metal detector 2, and determine that the article P contains metal.

[0077] Next, the verification operation of the article inspection verification system 5 will be described, in which an article P carried into the metal detection device 2 is treated as a verification target article and an operation for determining that metal is present will be described.

[0078] When the article detection sensor 66 detects the introduction of the article P, the PLC 55 operates the magnetic field fluctuation generator 51 so that the metal detection device 2 determines that the article P contains metal.

[0079] 3(B), when the article detection sensor 66 detects an article P approaching the inspection zone Z1, it switches the detection signal from H level to L level. The other article detection sensors 75, 83 (84) also switch in the same way.

[0080] When the article detection sensor 66 detects that the article P has entered the inspection zone Z1, the PLC 55 activates two timers (not shown) built into the PLC 55, a first timer and a second timer (not shown), and causes the magnetic field fluctuation generator 51 to set the resistance value of the variable resistor 63. When the first timer reaches the set time (TD1 or TD1' in FIG. 3(B)), the PLC 55 outputs a control signal, turning on the relay circuit 62 to form a closed circuit with the loop coil 61. When the second timer (TD2 in FIG. 3(B)) reaches the set time, the PLC 55 turns off the relay circuit 62, generating a pulsed noise signal. The set time of the first timer (TD1 or TD1') and the set time of the second timer (TD2) are set to times such that the above-mentioned pulsed noise signal is superimposed on the detection signal output by the metal detector 3 while the article P is passing through.

[0081] The metal detection device 3 outputs a detection signal in response to magnetic field fluctuations caused by moisture, salt, etc., even for items P that do not contain metal, and the level of the detection signal is not constant as it is affected by the material, temperature, shape, packaging material, etc. of the item P. Therefore, it is preferable to set multiple timings (TD1, TD1', ...) for the magnetic field fluctuation generator 51 to generate the magnetic field fluctuation (pulse-shaped noise signal) so that the relative position of the detection signal to the item P changes, and to switch between them in order to correspond to changing the position at which the metal piece is added.

[0082] As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the weighing device 3 has a weighing device 71, a weighing platform 72 located between the weighing device 71 and the conveyor 12, and a mass calculation circuit (not shown) that calculates the mass of an item from the load applied to the weighing device 71 minus the weight of the conveyor 12 and the weighing platform 72 based on the output signal of the weighing device 71.

[0083] As shown in Figures 6(A) and 6(B), the weighing platform 72 is composed of a conveyor frame 72A that directly supports the conveyor 12 and a weight platform 72B. The weight platform 72B is attached to a part of the conveyor frame 72A by a fastener (not shown). The weight of the item P on the conveyor 12, as well as the weight of the weights Wt (Wt1, Wt2) placed on the weight platform 72B, are applied to the weighing device 71 via the conveyor frame 72A.

[0084] The weight platform 72B is located in the space below the conveyor 12 and is an area surrounded on the sides by the conveyor frame 72A, and is located outside the weighing device 71, so that it can be attached to an existing weighing device 3 without requiring any major structural changes.

[0085] The weight base 72B has two weight placement holes formed on the same surface, and cone-shaped weights Wt1 and Wt2 are stably held with their tapered surfaces in contact with each other.

[0086] In addition, the weight controller 52 attached to the weighing device 3 is configured to include an adding / removing mechanism 73 that adds or removes two or three different weight loads to the weighing platform 72 by raising or lowering either one or both of two weights Wt1 and Wt2 of the same mass, a photoelectric sensor 75 for detecting objects that has a light-emitting section 75a and a light-receiving section 75b sandwiched between the conveyor 12, and a drive circuit that operates the adding / removing mechanism 73 in response to the detection signal of the photoelectric sensor 75. The drive method of the loading / unloading mechanism 73 and the specific weight operating mechanism may be one in which a screw mechanism fixed to the motor shaft drives a lifting member with a hook for the weight to move up and down, one in which a motor drives a cam to drive a lifting lever for the weight to move up and down, or one that uses another actuator, and are not particularly limited, but may be configured in the same way as the loading / unloading mechanism and loading / unloading mechanism control means described in Patent Document 4, for example, and in either configuration, a gap is provided to prevent contact between the weight and part of the loading / unloading mechanism when a load is applied to the weighing platform 72.

[0087] The weight controller 52's adding / removing mechanism 73 drives the adding / removing mechanism 73 via a drive circuit in accordance with a predetermined control signal RJ0-t4 / t5 from the physical effect control unit PLC55, thereby increasing or decreasing the load applied to the weighing device 71 via the weighing platform 72, and switching to any one of three different weighing states as shown in Figures 7(A), 7(B), and 7(C).

[0088] Specifically, the three different weighing states are a normal zero set state in which the weight of only one of the two weights Wt1 and Wt2, for example weight Wt2, is applied to the weighing instrument 71 via the weighing platform 72, as shown in Figure 7(A); a -NG side, or light side, state in which neither of the two weights Wt1 and Wt2 is applied to the weighing instrument 71 via the weighing platform 72, as shown in Figure 7(B); and a +NG side, or overweight side, state in which the weights of both of the two weights Wt1 and Wt2 are applied to the weighing instrument 71 via the weighing platform 72, as shown in Figure 7(C).

[0089] FIG. 5(B) shows a time chart illustrating the relationship between the weighing of the article P in the weighing device 3 and the operation of the weight controller 52 in response to the detection of the article by the photoelectric sensor 75.

[0090] First, the weighing operation of the weighing device 3 will be briefly described in relation to the verification operation of the article inspection and verification system 5.

[0091] When the weighing device 3 detects that an item P has approached the conveyor 12, it sets the weighing scale 61 to zero at that point. Then, a predetermined time after the item P has been transferred onto the conveyor 12, the weighing value is acquired and it is determined whether the weighing value is within a reference range consisting of an upper limit and a lower limit. At this time, if the weighing value exceeds the upper limit, it is determined to be overweight (+NG), and if it is below the lower limit, it is determined to be underweight (-NG).

[0092] Next, the verification operation of the item inspection verification system 5 will be described, in which an item P carried into the weighing device 3 is treated as a verification target item and is determined to be underweight (-NG) or overweight (+NG).

[0093] First, for the weighing device 3, lightweight The case where (-NG) occurs will be explained.

[0094] When the item detection sensor 75 detects the introduction of an item P, the PLC 55 controls the weight controller 52 to apply a load fluctuation to the weighing device 71 so that the weighing device 3 determines that the item P is light (-NG).

[0095] As shown in Figure 5(B), when the article detection sensor 75 detects that the article P has entered the inspection zone Z2, two timers (not shown) built into the PLC 55, a third timer and a fourth timer (not shown), are activated, and when the third timer expires at the set time (TD2A in the figure), a control signal is output to the weight controller 52, which moves the weight Wt2 placed on the weight platform 72B to the upper position and holds it there, thereby creating a light state. Here, the set time (TD2A) of the third timer is a delay time for operating the weight controller 52 after the weighing device 71 is set to zero, and the operation time required for adding or removing the weight is taken into account, so that the operation of the weight Wt2 is completed before the weighing device 3 obtains the weight value for judging the article P.

[0096] In this light weight state, the weighing device 3 outputs a light weight (-NG) judgment for the item P.

[0097] Then, when the fourth timer expires at the set time (TD2B in FIG. 5(B)), the PLC 55 outputs a control signal to the weight controller 52, causing the weight Wt2, which had been retracted to the upper position, to be lowered to the lower position and placed back on the weight platform 52. The set time (TD2B) of the fourth timer is a delay time for operating the weight controller 52 after the weighing device 3 obtains a weight value for judgment, and is designed so that the operation of the weight Wt2 is completed before the next item P is carried in.

[0098] Next, a case where an overage (+NG) is generated in the weighing device 3 will be described.

[0099] When the item detection sensor 75 detects the introduction of an item P, the PLC 55 controls the weight controller 52 to apply a load fluctuation to the weighing device 61 so that the weighing device 3 determines that the item P is overweight (+NG).

[0100] 5(B), when the article detection sensor 75 detects that the article P has entered the inspection zone Z2, two timers (not shown) built into the PLC 55 are activated, a third timer and a fourth timer (not shown), and when the third timer expires at the set time (TD2A), a control signal is output to the weight controller 52, causing the weight Wt1, which has been retracted to its upper position, to be lowered to its lower position and placed on the weight platform 52B, thereby generating an overweight state. Here, the set time (TD2A) of the third timer is a delay time for operating the weight controller 52 after the weighing device 61 is set to zero, and the time required for adding or removing the weight is taken into account so that the operation of the weight Wt1 is completed before the weighing device 3 obtains the weight value for judgment on the article P.

[0101] In this overweight state, the weighing device 3 outputs an overweight (+NG) judgment for the article P.

[0102] When the fourth timer expires at the set time (TD2B), the PLC 55 outputs a control signal to the weight controller 52 to move the weight Wt1 placed on the weight platform 52B back to the upper position. The set time (TD2B) of the fourth timer is a delay time for operating the weight controller 52 after the weighing device 3 obtains a weight value for judgment, and is set so that the operation of the weight Wt1 is completed before the next article P is carried in.

[0103] The two weights Wt1 and Wt2 do not necessarily have to have the same mass, and may have any mass that allows them to be in a lighter and overweight state within the measurable range of the weighing device 71.

[0104] For example, the mass of weights Wt1 and Wt2 used in weight controller 52 is determined as the level of influence of the load fluctuation action on weighing device 71 via weighing platform 72 by adding or removing each weight, and therefore, can be set so that the weighed value of item P is determined to be overweight (+NG) or underweight (-NG) depending on the addition or removal of each weight.

[0105] Specifically, when the effective weighing range of the weighing device 71 is 20 to 500 g, the expected mass distribution of multiple items P that are sequentially inserted is 280 g to 310 g, and the reference upper and lower limits are 310 g and 290 g, respectively, the minimum mass of the weight required for the item inspection verification system 1 to generate an overweight (+NG) for a 280 g item P is 30 g. Similarly, the minimum mass of the weight required for the item inspection verification system 1 to generate an underweight (-NG) for a 310 g item P is 20 g. In reality, there may be weighing errors in the weighing device 71 and mass fluctuations that exceed the expected range of the item P, so in this example, it is better to use weights of approximately 35g to 40g and 25g to 30g, respectively.If they are set to the same mass of 35g to 40g, it is possible to reliably generate an overweight (+NG) or underweight (-NG) for any item P within the effective weighing range of the weighing device 71 without using weights that are heavier than necessary, and regardless of which weight is added or removed.

[0106] In this way, the mass (40 g) of the weights Wt1 and Wt2 exemplified in this embodiment should be set by taking into consideration a combination of factors such as the effective weighing range of the weighing device 71, the mass distribution of the item P, the upper and lower limit values ​​that serve as the criteria for overweight (+NG) and underweight (-NG) set in the weighing device 3, and the weighing performance of the weighing device 3.

[0107] 8(A) and 8(B), the X-ray inspection device 4 includes an X-ray irradiation unit 81 having an X-ray tube or the like, and an X-ray detection unit 82 having an X-ray line sensor 82a extending in a direction perpendicular to the article conveyance direction. Although not shown, the X-ray inspection device 4 further includes an image generation unit that generates X-ray transmission image data based on transmitted X-ray amount data of the X-ray detection unit 82 at predetermined time intervals during the inspection period in which the article P passes over the X-ray line sensor 82a of the X-ray detection unit 82, and a foreign object detection unit that identifies areas in the X-ray transmission image where the amount of transmitted X-rays changes sharply and detects foreign objects.

[0108] The X-ray inspection device 4 has an inspection space ZX formed as an area where X-rays are irradiated onto the item P, and this is covered with a metal casing and a shielding body to prevent X-rays from leaking to the outside. As this shielding body, a noren-style shielding curtain 85 may be hung within the inspection space ZX, or tunnel-shaped shielding covers (not shown) may be installed before and after the inspection space ZX, and the type of shielding body is selected depending on the shape and transport characteristics of the item P.

[0109] A test piece insertion controller 53 is provided above the inspection space ZX of the X-ray inspection device 4, and is configured to move the test piece tp to a position where it blocks the X-rays irradiated from the X-ray irradiation unit 81 toward the X-ray detection unit 82.

[0110] The test piece insertion controller 53 attached to the X-ray inspection device 4 is configured to include a test piece stage 53a that can pass over the X-ray line sensor 82a of the X-ray detection unit 82 at a moving speed equivalent to the conveying speed of the article P by the conveyor 13 of the article conveying path 10, a foreign object test piece tp supported on the test piece stage 53a, a linear guide rod 53b connected to the test piece stage 53a, a bracket 53c that supports the linear guide rod 53b so that it can move parallel to the article conveying direction, a compression spring 53d that urges the linear guide rod 53b relative to the bracket 53c in the direction opposite to the article conveying direction, i.e., to the left in Figure 8, thereby urging the test piece tp on the test piece stage 53a to move it out of the X-ray irradiation area from the X-ray irradiation unit 81, and an insertion drive mechanism and drive circuit (not shown) that move the test piece stage 53a in the article conveying direction against the urging force of the compression spring 53d and insert the test piece tp into the X-ray irradiation area.

[0111] The insertion drive mechanism referred to here is composed of, for example, a motor and a linear / rotational motion conversion mechanism, and the motor is driven to rotate and its rotation direction is switched via a drive circuit in accordance with a predetermined control signal RJ0-t2 from the PLC 55, so that the test piece insertion controller 53 inserts the foreign object test piece tp into the X-ray irradiation area at a timing that coincides with the item inspection period.

[0112] The test piece stand 53a may support a standard sample specified by the user as a quality control standard for the item P as the test piece tp, or may support test pieces (tp, tp, ...) of foreign objects having a plurality of different materials and shapes.

[0113] Figure 8(C) shows the detected X-ray dose values ​​(equivalent to attenuation values) detected by the X-ray detection unit 82 as a distribution diagram in the width direction, which is the direction in which the detection elements of the X-ray line sensor 82a are arranged, when the item P is transported to pass over the X-ray line sensor 82a of the X-ray detection unit 82 and a foreign object test piece tp is inserted into the irradiated X-ray area.

[0114] The management PC 40 is composed of, for example, an industrial PC connected via LAN in a predetermined wired or wireless bus format to the control units of each of the multiple types of item inspection devices 2 to 4 and the PLC 55, and has the functions of performing overall settings for the item inspection system 1 and the item inspection verification system 5, recording the operation history of both systems 1 and 5, creating and outputting reports in a predetermined format, and displaying these settings, records, reports, etc. on the screen 41.

[0115] This management PC 40 has, for example, a CPU which is a processor with built-in cache, RAM, ROM, an input / output interface circuit, a storage device such as an SSD or HDD, and multiple control programs and various setting information (including control parameters) stored in the ROM and storage device.The CPU executes a predetermined control program based on various sensor information and setting information, etc., thereby performing the functions described above and operating as multiple functional units as described below.

[0116] That is, the management PC 40 includes a verification information memory unit 42 that stores and saves verification information on whether the defect detection operation of each item inspection device 2, 3, 4 is normal or not in a recordable and outputtable manner when an item P passing through the inspection sections Z1, Z2, Z3 is determined to be defective by one or each of the item inspection devices 2 to 4 during a specific period during operation of the item inspection system 1, for example, within a predetermined time at the start of the line, while the line is in operation, and at the end of the line as mentioned above (see Figure 2).

[0117] However, the verification operations of the multiple types of item inspection devices 2 to 4 in the item inspection verification system 5 are executed sequentially according to the timing of transporting the item P, and direct control from the LAN-connected management PC 40 would result in delays (latency).Therefore, from the perspective of ensuring the reliability of the verification operations, it is preferable to use a PLC 55 installed near each item inspection line as the main control unit to receive detection signals from each item detection sensor 15, 66, 75, 83 (84), which requires real-time performance, and to send and receive control signals to each physical effect generator 51, 52, 53 (or 54 in Figure 9), using control commands via serial communication including signal voltage levels (high level / low level) and bus connections.

[0118] The sorting device 20 has a sorting discharge drive circuit 25 that can cause a flipper-type sorting mechanism 27 (27A or 27B) to perform sorting discharge in response to either sorting commands RJ1 or RJ2, which are defect detection signals from a metal detection device 2 capable of detecting foreign objects and an X-ray inspection device 4 among the multiple types of item inspection devices 2-4, while causing a flipper-type sorting mechanism 28 (28A or 28B) to perform sorting discharge in response to either sorting commands RJ4 or RJ5, which are defect detection signals from a weighing device 3 capable of detecting excess or deficiency (+NG, -NG) of content volume among the multiple types of item inspection devices 2-4.

[0119] This sorting and discharge drive circuit 25 is also capable of causing the drop-out sorting conveyor 17 to perform sorting and discharge operations in accordance with the sorting command RJ0, which is a verification item discharge signal, input from the PLC 55.

[0120] Specifically, the drop-out sorting conveyor 17 and the flipper-type sorting mechanisms 27 and 28 are able to perform their respective sorting and discharge operations by converting the linear motion output from the air cylinders CYL1, CYL2, and CYL3 into rotational motion using the corresponding linear / rotational motion conversion mechanisms Mc1, Mc2, and Mc3, such as link lever mechanisms.

[0121] Here, the drop-out sorting conveyor 17 is located downstream of conveyors 11, 12, 13 (14) on the item conveying path 10, where inspection sections Z1, Z2, Z3 are set, and upstream of conveyors 18-19, which are provided with sorting mechanisms 27, 28 for discharging items P determined to be defective in a direction away from the item conveying path 10.The downstream end of the conveyor 17 is lowered in a direction away from the item conveying path 10, for example, until it assumes an inclined position shown by the virtual line in Figure 2, while maintaining the item P in a position that allows it to be transported downstream, for example, a horizontal position shown by the solid line in Figure 2.

[0122] More specifically, the flipper-type sorting mechanisms 27, 28 are configured to include a pair of flippers (27A, 27B and 28A, 28B) arranged on both sides of the belt width direction of the conveyor 18 subsequent to the sorting conveyor 17, and air cylinders CYL2, CYL3 and linear / rotational motion conversion mechanisms Mc2, Mc3 corresponding to each flipper, and each flipper is supported, for example, by a pivot shaft at its downstream base end, and is capable of performing a predetermined sorting and discharge operation by causing its upstream leading end to enter the conveyor 18 at a predetermined intersecting angle. During the input period of either sorting command RJ1 or RJ2 to the sorting and discharge drive circuit 25, the corresponding one of the pair of flippers of the flipper-type sorting mechanism 27 performs the predetermined sorting and discharge operation, and during the input period of either sorting command RJ4 or RJ5 to the sorting and discharge drive circuit 25, the corresponding one of the pair of flippers of the flipper-type sorting mechanism 28 performs the predetermined sorting and discharge operation.

[0123] In addition, each air cylinder CYL1, CYL2, CYL3 can supply compressed air (supply pressure indicated by a circle in Figure 2) to the pressure chamber on either side of the extension / retraction direction while discharging residual air (indicated by an X in Figure 2) from the pressure chamber on the other side by using the corresponding air supply / discharge control valve V1, V2 or V3 connected to a pair of air supply / discharge ports.By switching and controlling the multiple air supply / discharge control valves V1, V2, V3, the drop-out sorting conveyor 17 and the flipper-type sorting mechanisms 27, 28 can perform sorting and discharge operations and return from their operating positions to their normal operating positions in response to the ON / OFF of the sorting commands RJ0, RJ1, RJ2, RJ4, RJ5, respectively.

[0124] The sorting and discharging drive circuit 25 can receive a plurality of sorting commands for a certain item P, and a sorting priority order for discharging the item P according to which sorting command is set in advance.

[0125] For example, if a certain item P is found to be defective due to metal detection by the metal detection device 2 and defective due to being too light or excessive in the weighing device 3, the item P is set to be rejected as being defective due to metal detection.

[0126] Furthermore, for example, if a certain item P is found to be defective due to metal detection by the metal detection device 2 and a defect due to foreign object detection by the X-ray inspection device 4 at the same time, the item P is set to be rejected as being defective due to foreign object detection.

[0127] In this way, when multiple defects occur for a particular item P, the item P is distributed to a specific discharge destination based on a pre-set sorting priority order.

[0128] The item inspection verification system 5 is intended to verify the operation of the item inspection system 1, and there is no sorting priority between the sorting command RJ0, which is the verification item discharge signal, and the other sorting commands RJ0, RJ1, RJ2, RJ4, and RJ5.

[0129] As a result, for defects detected by the item inspection system 5, the item P as the item to be inspected can be discharged from the good item transport path 10 by the sorting conveyor 17, and the sorting mechanism can be operated based on a sorting command corresponding to the defect, as if the item P were a normal defect. Without further elaboration, if the sorting conveyor 17 is not provided, the item P as the item to be inspected is sorted to a destination based on the sorting command.

[0130] The sorting device 20 also includes return conveyance mechanisms, namely return conveyors 21 and 22, which move the items P, which are to be inspected and have been discharged from the sorting conveyor 17, to the upstream side of the item conveyance path 10.

[0131] Here, the return conveyors 21 and 22 are arranged vertically below the conveyors 16, 17, and 18 in accordance with the sorting and discharge operation posture of the sorting conveyor 17, but they can be arranged in any position by setting the sorting and discharge direction from the article conveying path 10 to a different direction. The return conveyor 21 is a conveyor for receiving articles P that have not actually been inspected but have been used as pseudo-defective articles for verification from the sorting conveyor 17, and sending and transferring them to the return conveyor 22, and its posture may not be horizontal but may be inclined or changeable to suit this transfer. The return conveyor 22 is capable of transporting articles P to an upstream product stock table or retention conveyor not shown in the figure.

[0132] A return item detection sensor 32 is provided on the return conveying conveyor 21 to detect an uninspected item P used as a pseudo-defective item for verification when the item P is discharged from the drop-out sorting conveyor 17, and when the motion detection sensor 32 detects the item P discharged as an item to be verified, the return conveying conveyors 21, 22 are driven in the return conveying direction.

[0133] In addition, the sorting and discharging operation of each flipper can be detected based on the detection information from each operation detection sensor 33, 34 that detects the rotation of the rotation support shaft of each flipper of the flipper-type sorting mechanisms 27, 28. The non-defective article passage detection sensor 35 is disposed between the conveyor 18 on which the flipper-type sorting mechanisms 27, 28 are disposed and the conveyor 19 downstream thereof, and detects the passage of the article P to the subsequent stage.

[0134] In this way, in this embodiment, the item inspection system 1 has item inspection devices 2, 3, and 4, which are a first item inspection device 2 or 4 and a second item inspection device 3, each having a plurality of different inspection types, and downstream of the inspection sections Z1, Z2, and Z3 on the item conveying path 10, a flipper-type sorting mechanism 27, which is a first defective item sorting mechanism, which moves NG items P determined to be defective by the first item inspection device 2 or 4 in a direction away from the conveyors 16-19, which are the conveying path for good items on the item conveying path 10, and a flipper-type sorting mechanism 28, which is a second defective item sorting mechanism, which moves NG items P determined to be defective by the second item inspection device 3 in a direction away from the conveyors 16-19, which are the conveying path for good items on the item conveying path 10.

[0135] Here, the detection signal from the motion detection sensor 31 that detects the operating state of the dropout-type sorting conveyor 17, the motion detection sensors 33 and 34 that detect the operating state of the flipper-type sorting mechanisms 27 (27A, 27B) and 28 (28A, 28B), and the detection signal output from the non-defective-item passing detection sensor 35 are input to the PLC 55 that constitutes the article inspection verification system 5. However, if the detection signals from the motion detection sensors 33 and 34 and the non-defective-item passing detection sensor for the flipper-type sorting mechanisms 27 and 28 have already been input to the article inspection system 1, overall operation verification can be performed in the management PC 40, so there is no need to change the connection destination so that the detection signal is input to the PLC 55 or to branch the detection signal so that it is also input to the PLC 55. In other words, the article inspection verification system 5 can be constructed without changing the functions of the existing article inspection system 1 and each of the article inspection devices 2-4 or changing the connection destinations of the various sensors.

[0136] In addition, the multiple types of item inspection devices of the item inspection system 1 include a metal detection device 2 that detects metal components in the item P, while the physical effect generator 51 of the item inspection verification system 5 includes a magnetic field fluctuation generator that changes the magnetic field in the inspection area in accordance with a control signal (RJ0-t1) from the physical effect control unit 55 that requests the generation of a magnetic field fluctuation for verification.

[0137] Furthermore, the multiple types of item inspection devices of the item inspection system 1 include a weighing device 3 that weighs the weight of the item P, while the physical effect generator 52 of the item inspection verification system 5 includes an adding / removing mechanism 73 that adds and removes a weight load to the weight of the object P to be inspected in the inspection section Z2 in accordance with a control signal (RJ0-t4 / t5) for increasing or decreasing the weight load from the physical effect control unit 55.

[0138] In addition, the multiple types of item inspection devices 2 to 4 of the item inspection system 1 include an X-ray inspection device 4 that irradiates X-rays onto an item P passing through the inspection section Z3 on the item conveying path 10 within the section Z3 and performs item inspection based on the transmitted X-ray dose distribution, while the physical effect generator 53 of the item inspection verification system 5 is configured as a test piece moving mechanism that inserts and retracts a test piece tp having predetermined X-ray transmission characteristics into and from the irradiated X-ray area above the X-ray line sensor 82a within the inspection section Z3 in accordance with a control signal (RJ0-t2) for requesting test piece insertion from the physical effect control unit 55.

[0139] In addition, since the PLC 55 in this embodiment executes a sequence control program that can be rewritten using a programming tool in the order of the step numbers in the program list, a physical effect control unit is configured that can variably set the output conditions of control signals ((RJ0-t1), (RJ0-t4 / t5), (RJ0-t2)) to the physical effect generators 51, 52, 53 depending on the type of item P.

[0140] The item inspection verification system 5 of this embodiment is equipped in an item inspection system 1 having multiple types of item inspection devices 2 to 4 that inspect the quality condition of items P passing through inspection sections Z1, Z2, and Z3 on the item conveying path 10 and determine whether the items are good or defective based on predetermined determination conditions, and includes physical effect generators 51, 52, and 53 that generate physical effects that cause items P to be determined to be defective during the inspection sections Z1 to Z3, and a PLC 55 as a physical effect control unit that pre-stores conditions for generating physical effects by the physical effect generators 51, 52, and 53, and drives the physical effect generators 51, 52, and 53 during operation of the item inspection system 1 according to those generation conditions, thereby causing items P passing through the inspection sections Z1, Z2, and Z3 within a specific period during operation to be determined to be defective by the multiple types of item inspection devices 2, 3, and 4.

[0141] In other words, under the control of PLC 55, physical effect generators 51, 52, and 53 each apply a physical effect to a corresponding one of the item inspection devices 2 to 4, and do not apply that physical effect to the other item inspection devices, so that a specific item P can be judged as defective in any combination of multiple types of item inspection devices 2 to 4.

[0142] In addition, in the configuration of this embodiment, the item inspection system 1 has first item inspection devices 2, 4 and a second item inspection device 3, each having a plurality of different inspection types, and downstream of the inspection sections Z1, Z2, Z3 on the item conveying path 10, a sorting mechanism 27 as a first defective item sorting mechanism that moves an item P that has been determined to be defective by the first item inspection device 2 or 4 in a direction away from the conveyors 16-19, which are the conveying path for good items on the item conveying path 10, and a sorting mechanism 28 as a second defective item sorting mechanism that moves an item P that has been determined to be defective by the second item inspection device 3 in a direction away from the conveyors 16-19, which are the conveying path for good items on the item conveying path 10.

[0143] The operation data generated by the article inspection and verification system 5 in the PLC 55 will be described.

[0144] 10, when an article P is detected by a detection signal from the article detection sensor 66, and when the first timer ends and the relay circuit 62 forming the loop coil 61 is turned on for the time specified by the second timer, the PLC 55 generates operation data related thereto. The operation data here may include, for example, the time (time stamp), device ID, event code, setting value, etc.

[0145] The verification data generated by the PLC 55 includes the identification ID of the item detection sensor 66, the ID of the formed loop coil 61 or the ID of the relay element that has been turned ON, the resistance value of the variable resistor 63 or the information of the register that set the resistance value, etc., plus time information, and is recorded as a series of data sets together with header information that identifies the verification conditions.

[0146] If the relay circuit 62 has a monitor circuit, monitor information indicating that the relay circuit 62 has been activated is also recorded.

[0147] In addition, as shown in the weight controller column in Figure 10, PLC 55 generates verification operation data when item P is detected by the detection signal of item detection sensor 75, and when the third and fourth timers end and the weight Wt1 is added or removed.

[0148] The verification operation data generated by the PLC 55 includes the identification ID of the item detection sensor 75, the ID of the weight Wt1 that was added or removed or the ID of the motor that added or removed it, information indicating the direction in which the weight Wt1 was added or removed, and time information, and is recorded as a series of data sets together with header information that identifies the verification conditions.

[0149] Furthermore, as shown in the column for the test piece insertion controller in Figure 10, the PLC 55 generates operation data when the item P is detected by the detection signal of the item detection sensor 83 (84), or when the fifth timer ends and the test piece stand 53a (54a) is inserted.

[0150] The verification operation data generated by the PLC 55 includes time information added to the identification ID of the item detection sensor 83 (84), the identification ID of the test piece insertion controller 53 (54) that inserted the test piece, etc., and is recorded as a series of data sets together with header information that identifies the verification conditions.

[0151] The PLC 55 is programmed to output the data set of each verification operation to the management PC 40 connected thereto in a communicable manner in a predetermined data communication procedure and in a predetermined data format.

[0152] Next, the operation will be described.

[0153] In this embodiment configured as described above, the physical effect generators 51, 52, and 53 are sequentially driven within a specific period during operation of the article inspection system 1 by verification control signals (RJ0-t1), (RJ0-t4 / t5), and (RJ0-t2) from the physical effect control unit PLC 55, and a physical effect that determines that an article P passing through the inspection zones Z1, Z2, and Z3 is defective occurs within the corresponding zone in the form of magnetic field-influence noise, an increase or decrease in weight load, or the insertion of a test piece. Therefore, regardless of whether the article P passing through each inspection zone Z1, Z2, and Z3 is actually a good or defective item, pseudo-defective items can be generated under control of the article inspection verification system 5 while the article inspection system 1 is operating, and it can be verified whether the defect detection operation of the article inspection device for the article P determined to be defective at this time is normal.

[0154] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when an article P passing through inspection sections Z1, Z2, Z3 within a specific period during operation of the article inspection system 1 is determined to be defective, verification information as to whether the defect detection operation of each article inspection device 2, 3, 4 is normal or not is stored and saved in the verification information storage unit 42 so that it can be recorded and output. This greatly simplifies the verification work of periodically checking the defect detection operation of each article inspection device 2, 3, 4 and recording the results.

[0155] Furthermore, in this embodiment, flipper-type sorting mechanisms 27, 28 are arranged downstream of the inspection sections Z1-Z3 on the article conveying path 10, and return conveyors 21, 22 are provided between the defective product sorting sections Zrj1 / 2, Zrj4 / 5 set by these sorting mechanisms 27, 28 for sorting defective products and the upstream inspection sections Z1-Z3, to move NG articles P that have been determined to be defective when passing through the inspection sections Z1-Z3, bypassing the inspection sections Z1-Z3, to the upstream side of the article conveying path 10. Therefore, between the inspection sections Z1-Z3 of the article inspection system 1 and the defective product sorting sections Zrj1 / 2, Zrj4 / 5 set by the downstream defective product sorting mechanisms, articles P that have been determined to be pseudo-defective and for which normal inspection results have not been obtained can be returned to the upstream side of the article conveying path 10, bypassing the inspection sections Z1-Z3, and can be subjected to normal inspection again, for example.

[0156] Additionally, in this embodiment, the article inspection system 1 has a first article inspection device 2 or 4 and a second article inspection device 3 for a plurality of different inspection types, and also has, downstream of the inspection sections Z1-Z3 on the article conveying path 10, a first sorting mechanism 27 for sorting defective items that moves an article P determined to be defective by the first article inspection device 2 or 4 in a direction away from the conveyors 16-19 that serve as the conveying path for good articles on the article conveying path 10, and a second sorting mechanism 28 for sorting defective items that moves an article determined to be defective by the second article inspection device 3 in a direction away from the conveyors 16-19. Therefore, by providing a plurality of types of physical effect generators 51, 52 corresponding to the inspection types of the first and second article inspection devices 2, 3, it becomes possible to continuously verify a plurality of types of article inspection and sorting functions for the same article P within the same article inspection system 1.

[0157] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the article inspection system 1 has article inspection devices 2 to 4 with multiple different inspection types, the physical effect control units 51, 52, and 53 of the article inspection system 5 can be configured to each drive a physical effect generator corresponding to either or both of the first and second article inspection devices for a specific inspected article. Therefore, when the article inspection line has the first and second article inspection devices with multiple different inspection types, the operation of the article inspection system 1 as a whole when a defect is detected by either or both of the article inspection devices can be verified through a comprehensive combination.

[0158] In this embodiment, an operation detection sensor can be further provided to detect the operating status of the first defective product sorting mechanism and the second defective product sorting mechanism. Therefore, for an item P determined to be defective by any one or more of the multiple types of item inspection devices 2 to 4, the operating status of the sorting mechanism in the subsequent sorting device 20 can be detected, and it can also be verified whether this item P is sorted to the correct discharge destination.

[0159] Furthermore, the article inspection system 1 of this embodiment includes a metal detection device 2 that detects metal components in an article P as an article inspection device, while a physical effect generator 51 attached to the metal detection device 2 generates magnetic field fluctuations that change the magnetic field in the inspection zone Z1 in accordance with a control signal RJ0-t1 from the PLC 55. Therefore, pseudo-defective items can be automatically generated for the metal detection device 2 while the article inspection system 1 is in operation, without any effect on the article P passing through the inspection zone Z1, and it is possible to easily and accurately verify whether the defect detection operation of the metal detection device 2 for an article P that is determined to be defective at this time is normal.

[0160] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the physical effect generator 52 attached to the weighing device 3 as an item inspection device includes an adding / removing mechanism 73 that adds and removes a weight load from the weighing platform 72 to the weighing scale 71 in relation to the weight of the item P in the inspection zone Z2 in accordance with a control signal from the PLC 55. Therefore, by adding or removing a load that affects the weighing value, pseudo-defective items can be automatically generated for the weighing device 2 while the item inspection system 1 is operating, without any effect on the item P passing through the inspection zone Z2, and it is possible to easily and accurately verify whether the defect detection operation of the weighing device 3 for the item P that is determined to be defective at this time is normal.

[0161] In this embodiment, the article inspection device includes an X-ray inspection device 4 that irradiates X-rays onto articles P passing through an inspection section Z3 on the article conveying path 10 and performs article inspection based on the distribution of detected X-ray doses, while an attached physical effect generator 53 constitutes a test piece movement mechanism that moves a test piece tp having predetermined X-ray transmission characteristics into and out of the inspection section in accordance with a control signal RJ0-t2 from a PLC 55. Therefore, by moving a test piece tp that affects the X-ray inspection into and out of the inspection section Z3, pseudo-defective articles can be automatically generated for the X-ray inspection device 4 while the article inspection system 1 is in operation, without affecting the articles P passing through the inspection section Z3, and it can be verified whether the defect detection operation of the X-ray inspection device 4 for articles P that are determined to be defective at this time is normal.

[0162] In addition, in this embodiment, the physical effect control unit PLC55 variably sets the output conditions of the control signals (RJ0-t1), (RJ0-t4 / t5), (RJ0-t2) to the physical effect generators 51, 52, 53 according to the type of item P, thereby generating appropriate physical effects according to the type within the inspection sections Z1, Z2, Z3, and enabling effective verification work of item inspection.

[0163] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to automatically generate pseudo-defective products for each item inspection device 2, 3, 4 while the item inspection system 1 is in operation, without any effect on the items P passing through the inspection sections Z1 to Z3, and to verify whether the defect detection operation of the item inspection devices 2, 3, 4 is normal, thereby providing an item inspection and verification system that can prevent a decrease in the operating rate of the item inspection system 1 due to the verification work and significantly reduce the workload of the verification work.

[0164] (Other embodiments) FIG. 9 illustrates an article inspection verification system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0165] As shown in the same figure, this embodiment is similar to the previously described embodiment in that it is configured as an item inspection verification system 5 that can periodically verify whether the defect detection function of the item inspection system 1 is normal while the item inspection system 1 is in operation.

[0166] The item inspection verification system 5 is also similar to the above-mentioned embodiment in that it has multiple types of physical effect generators that generate physical effects that cause the item P to be determined to be defective in each of the multiple inspection zones Z1 and Z2, including a magnetic field fluctuation generator 51 for the inspection magnetic field attached to the metal detection device 2 and a weight controller 52 attached to the weighing device 3.

[0167] However, the item inspection verification system 5 of this embodiment differs from the previously described embodiment which has a linear test piece insertion controller 53 in that it has an oscillating test piece insertion controller 54 attached to the X-ray inspection device 4 as multiple types of physical effect generators which generate physical effects in other inspection sections Z3 that cause the item P to be judged as defective.

[0168] The test piece insertion controller 54 of this embodiment, which is attached to the X-ray inspection apparatus 4, is composed of a test piece stage 54a that can pass over the X-ray line sensor 82a of the X-ray detection unit 82 at a moving speed equivalent to the conveying speed of the article P by the conveyor 13 of the article conveying path 10, a foreign object test piece tp supported on the test piece stage 54a, a swing rod 54b that is connected to the test piece stage 54a and whose upper end is supported integrally with the main shaft of a motor 54c, the above-mentioned motor 54c that can swing the swing rod 54b in a direction parallel to the article conveying direction, and an insertion drive mechanism and drive circuit (not shown) that move the test piece stage 54a in a direction approximately parallel to the article conveying direction and selectively insert the test piece tp into the X-ray irradiation area on the X-ray line sensor 82a of the X-ray detection unit 82.

[0169] In addition, a curtain-like shielding member is suspended in the inspection space ZX of the X-ray inspection device 4 illustrated in FIG. 9, and the space in which the test piece insertion controller 54 can be placed is limited to the inside of the curtain-like shielding member, which is more restrictive than the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8. However, by connecting the test piece stand 54a to the swinging rod 54b and driving it with a motor 54c, the device can be made compact and easily added to an existing X-ray inspection device 4.

[0170] The other configurations are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, and the present embodiment can be expected to provide substantially the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

[0171] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the insertion drive mechanism rotates the motor 54c back and forth in response to a predetermined control signal RJ0-t2 from the PLC 55, and the rotational drive of the motor 54c and the switching control of its rotation direction are performed via the drive circuit. Therefore, the test piece insertion controller 53 can insert the foreign object test piece tp into the X-ray irradiation area at a predetermined height position at a timing that coincides with the item inspection period.

[0172] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the height of the test piece stage 54a can be changed by changing the position at which the test piece stage 54a is supported by the swing rod 54b, which has the advantage of making it possible to adjust the installation height of the test piece stage 54a and the test piece tp according to the height of the article P. In this case, it is preferable to adjust the rotation speed of the motor 54c according to the distance from the main shaft of the motor 54c, and to match the movement speed of the test piece stage 54a when passing the X-ray irradiation position with the transport speed of the article P. Furthermore, because the test piece insertion controller 53 in this embodiment has small and lightweight components, it is of course possible to displace the motor 54c in the article transport direction or height direction, and to easily adjust its installation position.

[0173] In the above-described embodiment, the noise generator 51 for generating a physical effect in each of the inspection zones Z1, Z2, and Z3 of the item inspection system 1 is exemplified as a noise generator 51 for generating a physical effect in the inspection magnetic field of the metal detection device 2. However, a mechanism for inserting a metal piece into the inspection zone may be used instead, or different noise generators may be used in combination. Furthermore, the weight controller 52 attached to the weighing device 3 applies one of two weights of the same mass to the weighing device 71 or the weighing platform 72 under normal operating conditions. However, it is also possible to apply one or more of three or more weights of different types with different masses under normal operating conditions, and then increase or decrease the weight by small or large amounts using multiple different weights. Furthermore, the test piece insertion controller 53 attached to the X-ray inspection device 4 may be configured to change the height of a horizontally rotating or horizontally sliding test piece table using a height adjustment mechanism for its support bracket. In each embodiment, the sorting mechanisms 27 and 28 are configured to eject defective products outward from the article conveying path, but the defective product sorting mechanism referred to in the present invention may of course be configured to sort defective products into a path different from the conveying path for good products.

[0174] As described above, the product inspection verification system of the present invention can provide an product inspection verification system that prevents a decrease in the availability rate associated with the verification work of the defect detection function of the product inspection device and reduces the burden of the verification work, and furthermore, similarly enables the verification work to be carried out reliably and efficiently in the inspection and sorting process of a production line that is made up of multiple types of product inspection devices. The present invention is useful for product inspection verification systems in general that are suitable for periodically verifying whether the defect detection function of product inspection is normal. [Explanation of symbols]

[0175] 1. Article inspection system (article inspection line) 2 Metal detection device (item inspection device, first item inspection device, MD) 3 Weighing equipment (article inspection equipment, second article inspection equipment, CW) 4 X-ray inspection equipment (article inspection equipment, first article inspection equipment, XR) 5. Product Inspection Verification System 10 Goods conveyance route 11, 12, 13 Conveyor (belt conveyor) 15. Item detection sensor 16, 18, 19 Conveyor (transport path, belt conveyor) 17 Conveyors (sorting conveyors, transport routes, belt conveyors) 20 Sorting equipment 21, 22 Conveyor (return conveyor, return conveyance mechanism) 23 Camera 25 Selective discharge drive circuit 27 Sorting mechanism (flipper-type sorting mechanism, first defective product sorting mechanism) 28 Sorting mechanism (flipper-type sorting mechanism, second defective product sorting mechanism) 31, 33, 34 Motion detection sensors 32 Returned item detection sensor 35 Good product passing detection sensor 40 Management PC 41 screens 42 Verification information storage unit 51 Magnetic field fluctuation generator (physical effect generator) 52 Weight controller (physical influence generator, weight control mechanism) 53 Test piece insertion controller (physical effect generator, test piece movement mechanism) 53a Test piece stand 53b Linear guide rod 53c bracket 54 Test piece insertion controller (physical effect generator, test piece movement mechanism) 54a Test piece stand 54b Swing rod 54c motor 55 PLC (Programmable Logic Controller, Physical Effect Control Unit) 55a CPU section (arithmetic control section) 55b Memory section (various memories) 55c Input section (digital input, pulse input, analog input) 55d Output section (digital output, pulse output, analog output) 55e Communication I / F (Communication Interface) 55f Power supply section 56 Information terminals (tablet-type information terminals, programming tools, setting input switches) 61 Loop Coil 62 Relay Circuit 63 Variable Resistor 64 Driver 66 Item detection sensor 71 Measuring instrument 72 Weighing Platform 73 Loading / unloading mechanism (weight loading / unloading mechanism) 81 X-ray irradiation section 82 X-ray detector 82a X-ray line sensor CYL1, CYL2, CYL3 air cylinders Mc1, Mc2, Mc3 Linear / Rotational Motion Conversion Mechanism P Article (article to be inspected) RJ0, RJ1, RJ2, RJ4, RJ5 Defect detection signal (sorting command) RJ0-t1, RJ0-t2, RJ0-t4, RJ0-t5 control signals V1, V2, V3 air supply / exhaust control valve W1, Wt2 weights Z1, Z2, Z3 inspection zones Zrj1 / 2, Zrj4 / 5 Defective product distribution section

Claims

1. An article inspection and verification system that is installed in an article inspection line having an article inspection device that inspects the quality state of an article to be inspected passing through an inspection section on an article conveying path and judges whether the article is good or defective based on predetermined judgment conditions, the article inspection line includes, as the article inspection devices, a first article inspection device and a second article inspection device having a plurality of different inspection types; a first physical effect generator and a second physical effect generator, which are respectively provided to the first article inspection device and the second article inspection device, and which generate a physical effect in accordance with an inspection type for causing the first article inspection device and the second article inspection device to determine that the inspected article in the inspection section is defective; A physical effect control unit that pre-stores conditions for generating the physical effect by the first and second physical effect generators, and outputs a control signal independently from the inspection functions of the first item inspection device and the second item inspection device to drive either or both of the first physical effect generator attached to the first item inspection device and the second physical effect generator attached to the second item inspection device in accordance with the generating conditions during operation of the item inspection line, thereby causing either or both of the first item inspection device and the second item inspection device to determine as defective a specific inspected item that passes through the inspection section within a specific period during operation in accordance with the control signal.

2. The object inspection verification system described in claim 1, further comprising a verification information memory unit that stores and retains verification information regarding whether the defect detection operation of the object inspection device is normal or not when the specific inspected object passing through the inspection section within a specific period during operation is determined to be the defective item by either one or both of the first and second object inspection devices in accordance with the conditions for occurrence of the physical effect, in a manner that allows it to be recorded and output.

3. the article inspection line has a defective article sorting mechanism downstream of the inspection section on the article conveying path that moves the inspected article determined to be defective in a direction away from a conveying path for the non-defective articles on the article conveying path, The item inspection and verification system described in claim 1 or 2, further characterized in that a return conveying mechanism is provided between the inspection section and a defective item sorting section by the defective item sorting mechanism, which moves the specific inspected item that is determined to be defective due to the physical influence from either or both of the first and second physical effect generators when passing through the inspection section, bypassing the inspection section, to the upstream side of the item conveying path.

4. An item inspection and verification system as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it has a first defective item sorting mechanism downstream of the inspection section on the item conveying path, which moves an inspected item determined to be defective by the first item inspection device in a direction away from the conveying path for good items on the item conveying path, and a second defective item sorting mechanism which moves an inspected item determined to be defective by the second item inspection device in a direction away from the conveying path for good items on the item conveying path.

5. The object inspection and verification system described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the physical effect control unit stores a verification pattern that is set to generate a physical effect on either the first object inspection device or the second object inspection device for the specific inspected object.

6. 5. The article inspection and verification system according to claim 4, further comprising an operation detection sensor that detects an operation state of the first defective sorting mechanism and the second defective sorting mechanism.

7. The article inspection device includes a metal detection device that detects metal components in the inspected article, The object inspection and verification system of any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that either one of the first and second physical effect generators is attached to the metal detection device and includes a relay circuit that opens and closes a loop coil that changes the magnetic field in the inspection zone in accordance with the control signal from the physical effect control unit.

8. The article inspection apparatus includes a weighing device that weighs the article to be inspected, An item inspection and verification system as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that either one of the first and second physical effect generators is attached to the weighing device and includes a drive circuit that operates an addition / removal mechanism that adds and / or removes a weight load to the weight of the specific inspected item in the inspection section in accordance with the control signal from the physical effect control unit.

9. the article inspection device includes an X-ray inspection device that irradiates X-rays onto an article to be inspected passing through the inspection section on the article transport path and performs the article inspection based on a distribution of transmitted X-ray amounts; The object inspection and verification system of any one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that either one of the first and second physical effect generators is attached to the X-ray inspection apparatus and includes a test piece moving mechanism that moves a test piece stage supporting a test piece having predetermined X-ray transmission characteristics into and out of the inspection section in accordance with the control signal from the physical effect control unit.

10. The object inspection and verification system described in any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the physical effect control unit variably sets the output conditions of the control signals to the first and second physical effect generators depending on the type of the inspected object.

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