Lighting System

Abstract

To provide an illumination system for illuminating a workpiece being conveyed by a pallet.SOLUTION: An illumination system 1 is a system that illuminates a workpiece 6. The illumination system 1 includes: a pallet 3 carrying a workpiece 6; a conveyance device 4 for conveying the pallet 3; and a light source 2 for illuminating the workpiece 6 on the pallet 3 conveyed to a predetermined position 120 by the conveyance device 4. The pallet 3 has a housing pallet 10 for housing the workpiece 6; a pallet base 20 for supporting the housing pallet 10; and a light guide plate 30 arranged between the housing pallet 10 and the pallet base 20. The light guide plate 30 guides the light emitted from the light source 2 so that light is emitted from the whole top face 36 of the light guide plate 30. The housing pallet 10 has a structure of transmitting the light emitted from the light guide plate 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an illumination system used for workpiece recognition. [Background technology]

[0002] Systems for recognizing workpieces are known (for example, Patent Document 1). In the technology described in Patent Document 1, the system transports the workpiece on a transparent transport plate. The system includes an upper lighting device that illuminates the workpiece from above, and a lower lighting device that illuminates the workpiece from below the transport plate. The robot grasps the workpiece based on the workpiece recognition result by the recognition means, and transports it to a predetermined position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-139145 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, there are cases where a workpiece is placed on a pallet for transporting one or more workpieces. In this case, even if light is irradiated from below the workpiece, the light is blocked by the pallet, so the workpiece cannot be illuminated from below. Therefore, we provide a lighting system that can illuminate a workpiece transported by a pallet from below. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] (1) A lighting system that solves the above problem is a lighting system that illuminates a workpiece, comprising a pallet on which the workpiece is placed, a transport device that transports the pallet, and a light source that illuminates the workpiece on the pallet transported to a predetermined position by the transport device, the pallet having a storage pallet that stores the workpiece, a pallet base that supports the storage pallet, and a light guide plate disposed between the storage pallet and the pallet base, the light guide plate guides light emitted from the light source so that light is emitted from the entire upper surface of the light guide plate, and the bottom of the storage pallet has a structure that transmits the light emitted from the light guide plate. With this configuration, the workpiece transported by the pallet can be illuminated from below.

[0006] (2) In the lighting system of (1) above, the light guide plate is disposed on the pallet base such that a first side surface of the light guide plate is aligned with a first edge of the pallet base in a plan view, and the light source is disposed near the conveying device such that the first side surface of the light guide plate faces the light source when the pallet is disposed at the predetermined position. With this configuration, the workpiece can be illuminated from below at a position where the workpiece is recognized.

[0007] (3) In the lighting system of (1) above, the storage pallet is detachably provided on the pallet base or the light guide plate. With this configuration, the storage pallet of the pallet can be easily changed.

[0008] (4) In the lighting system of (3) above, the pallet base is provided with a holder that holds the storage pallet and the light guide plate. According to this configuration, the storage pallet and the light guide plate are held by the holder.

[0009] (5) In the lighting system of (4) above, the holding section is configured to be able to hold a plurality of types of the storage pallets having different dimensions. With this configuration, a plurality of types of storage pallets having different dimensions can be fixed to the pallet base or the light guide plate.

[0010] (6) In the lighting system of (5) above, the light guide plate is larger than any of the plurality of types of storage pallets. With this configuration, even when the storage pallet is changed, light can be irradiated over the entire bottom of the storage pallet.

[0011] (7) In the lighting system of (4) above, the holding unit includes a storage pallet holding unit that holds the storage pallet and a light guide plate holding unit that holds the light guide plate. With this configuration, the storage pallet and the light guide plate can be held independently.

[0012] (8) In the lighting system of (7) above, the light guide plate holder has a light guide plate step on which the light guide plate is placed. With this configuration, the light guide plate is easily lifted by placing the light guide plate on the light guide plate step. This allows efficient replacement of the light guide plate.

[0013] (9) In the lighting system of (1) above, the storage pallet has a pallet frame that defines a plurality of pockets. With this configuration, the pallet frame can prevent a plurality of works from overlapping each other.

[0014] (10) In the lighting system of any one of (1) to (9) above, the bottom of the storage pallet is configured in a mesh shape. With this configuration, chips and grinding fluid attached to the workpiece can be easily discharged from the bottom of the storage pallet when washing or cleaning the storage pallet. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the lighting system of the present disclosure, a workpiece transported by a pallet can be illuminated from below. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the lighting system; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the lighting system. [Diagram 3]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pallet and a light source according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the pallet taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a holding portion according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 6 is a diagram showing diffusion of light in a cross section of the light guide plate taken along line 6-6 in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state in which a workpiece is illuminated from below in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a holding portion in a first modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a pallet according to a second modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] First Embodiment The lighting system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 7. A vertical direction DA is defined as the direction in which the pallet 3 moves forward and backward in the plan view of Fig. 1. A horizontal direction DB is defined as the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction DA in the plan view of Fig. 1.

[0018] The lighting system 1 illuminates the workpiece 6. In one example, the lighting system 1 is incorporated into a transport system including a recognition system that recognizes the workpiece 6. The lighting system 1 transports the workpiece 6 to a location where recognition of the workpiece 6 is to be performed, and further illuminates the workpiece 6 at that location. By illuminating the workpiece 6, the lighting system 1 makes it easier to recognize the workpiece 6.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the lighting system 1 includes a pallet 3 on which a workpiece 6 is placed, a transport device 4 that transports the pallet 3, and a light source 2 that illuminates the workpiece 6. As shown in Fig. 2, the pallets 3 are stored in a storage shelf 5. The storage shelf 5 has a space capable of storing a plurality of pallets 3. There are two methods for transferring the pallets 3 from the storage shelf 5 to the transport device 4: a method for pushing out the pallets 3, and a method for pulling out the pallets 3. In the first embodiment, the pushing out method is used, but an apparatus for pushing out the pallets 3 is not shown.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the conveying device 4 conveys the pallet 3 pushed out from the storage shelf 5. The pallet 3 moves on a plurality of rollers 4B arranged on a rail 4A. The conveying device 4 carries the pallet 3 to a predetermined position 120 near the light source 2. The conveying of the pallet 3 may be performed by a robot arm or an actuator.

[0021] A work inspection device 7 is placed around the predetermined position 120. The work inspection device 7 includes a work carry-in device 8 that carries the work 6 into the work inspection device 7, and a camera 9 that photographs the work 6. In one example, the transport device 4 and the work inspection device 7 are controlled by a control device 110.

[0022] 1 and 2, the light source 2 illuminates the workpiece 6 on the pallet 3 transported to a predetermined position 120 by the transport device 4. Specifically, the light source 2 is installed near the transport device 4 so that the first side surface 37 of the light guide plate 30 faces the light source 2 when the pallet 3 is placed at the predetermined position 120.

[0023] 1 and 2, the light source 2 extends in the direction in which the rail 4A extends. The light source 2 is installed away from the transport device 4. The light source 2 irradiates light toward the pallet 3. When the pallet 3 is transported to the predetermined position 120, the light guide plate 30 receives the light irradiated from the light source 2 and emits light. At this time, the light source 2 is away from the light guide plate 30.

[0024] Examples of the light source 2 include a fluorescent lamp, an incandescent bulb, a halogen lamp, an LED light, a light guide, and a laser light source. In this embodiment, the light source 2 is an LED light 40. The LED light 40 may be waterproofed and dustproofed. In one example, the control unit or wiring of the LED light 40 is sealed with a sealant. This makes it difficult for water droplets or dust to enter the control unit and wiring of the LED light 40.

[0025] <Palette> As shown in FIG. 3, the pallet 3 has a storage pallet 10 for storing the workpieces 6, a pallet base 20 for supporting the storage pallet 10, and a light guide plate 30.

[0026] The storage pallet 10 may take various forms. For example, the size or length and width of the storage pallet 10 varies depending on the size or shape of the workpiece 6. Changing the width of the rail 4A of the transport device 4 according to the size and shape of the storage pallet 10 is time-consuming. The pallet base 20 of the pallet 3 is configured as a common member that supports various storage pallets 10 so that various storage pallets 10 can be transported by the transport device 4. The pallet base 20 has a size and shape that allows it to be stored in the storage shelf 5. The width of the pallet base 20 has a length that matches the width of the rail 4A. The pallet base 20 is provided with a holding portion 21 that holds the storage pallet 10 and the light guide plate 30. The storage pallet 10 is provided detachably to the pallet base 20 or the light guide plate 30.

[0027] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the light guide plate 30 is disposed between the storage pallet 10 and the pallet base 20. The light guide plate 30 is larger than any of the multiple types of storage pallets 10. The pallet base 20 is larger than the storage pallet 10 and the light guide plate 30. A first side surface 37 of the light guide plate 30 is disposed on the pallet base 20 so as to be aligned with a first edge 28 of the pallet base 20. The storage pallet 10 and the light guide plate 30 are disposed so as not to protrude from the pallet base 20.

[0028] In one example, the pallet 3 is transported as follows. The pallet 3 is placed on the transport device 4 so that the first edge 28 of the pallet base 20 is transported along a predetermined line of the transport device 4. In this case, for a plurality of pallets 3 transported by the transport device 4, the light source distance when the pallet 3 is placed at the predetermined position 120 can be kept at a predetermined distance. The light source distance is the distance between the first side surface 37 of the light guide plate 30 and the light source 2. This makes it possible to suppress variation in the amount of light illuminating the workpiece 6 among the plurality of pallets 3. There is a risk that the accuracy of recognition of the workpiece 6 will vary among the pallets 3 due to variation in the amount of light, but according to the transport method as described above, such variation in recognition accuracy can be suppressed.

[0029] <Storage pallet> As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the storage pallet 10 has a pallet frame 17. The pallet frame 17 forms a plurality of pockets 16. The pallet frame 17 is configured to have a size that allows the workpiece 6 to be stored in the pocket 16. In a plan view, the pallet frame 17 is configured in a lattice shape, but the shape is not limited to the lattice shape. For example, the pallet frame 17 may be configured in a shape in which triangles are laid out. In addition, the bottom 13 of the storage pallet 10 has a structure that transmits light emitted from the light guide plate 30. As an example, the bottom 13 of the storage pallet 10 is configured in a mesh shape. The bottom 13 is provided with a plurality of through holes 15. The plurality of through holes 15 suppresses the accumulation of unnecessary materials in the bottom 13. Examples of unnecessary materials include grinding fluid, cutting fluid, chips, and workpiece washing water. By removing unnecessary materials from the bottom 13 by washing, the shape of the workpiece 6 can be easily recognized. In addition, the through holes 15 are smaller than the size of the workpiece 6.

[0030] The bottom 13 of the storage pallet 10 may be made of a transparent material. A hole is provided in a part of the transparent material for removing unnecessary objects. Examples of the transparent material include glass and acrylic resin.

[0031] <Pallet base> The pallet base 20 is made of a board having a width that fits within the width of the rail 4A. The pallet base 20 is made of wood, resin, or metal. In this embodiment, the pallet base 20 is made of resin.

[0032] A gripper 29 is provided on the side of the pallet base 20 located opposite the first edge 28 of the pallet base 20 in a plan view. The gripper 29 is used when moving the pallet 3 in the pulling direction. For example, when pulling the pallet 3 from the storage shelf 5, the pallet 3 can be placed on the conveying device 4 by pulling the gripper 29. Methods for pulling the gripper 29 include manual labor and using a robot.

[0033] <Holding part> The pallet base 20 is provided with a holder 21 that holds the storage pallet 10 and the light guide plate 30. The holder 21 has a storage pallet holder 22 that holds the storage pallet 10, and a light guide plate holder 23 that holds the light guide plate 30.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 3, the storage pallet holding section 22 is at approximately the same height as the storage pallet 10. The storage pallet holding section 22 comprises a first storage pallet holding section 22A and a second storage pallet holding section 22B. The storage pallet holding section 22 holds the storage pallet 10 by sandwiching it between the first storage pallet holding section 22A and the second storage pallet holding section 22B. Specifically, the first storage pallet holding section 22A holds the storage pallet outer edge 12 at a corner 10A of the storage pallet 10, and the second storage pallet holding section 22B holds the storage pallet outer edge 12 at a corner 10B diagonally opposite the corner 10A.

[0035] Light guide plate holding portion 23 has approximately the same height as light guide plate 30. In this embodiment, light guide plate holding portion 23 includes first light guide plate holding portion 23A, second light guide plate holding portion 23B, third light guide plate holding portion 23C, and fourth light guide plate holding portion 23D (see FIG. 5). Third light guide plate holding portion 23C is formed in a substantially L-shape and has a recess 123 that engages with corner portion 30A of light guide plate 30. Third light guide plate holding portion 23C has a first holding piece 124 extending in vertical direction DA and a second holding piece 125 extending in horizontal direction DB when third light guide plate holding portion 23C and light guide plate 30 are engaged with each other.

[0036] In the vertical direction DA, the first light guide plate holding part 23A and the second holding pieces 125 of the second light guide plate holding part 23B and the third light guide plate holding part 23C sandwich the light guide plate 30. Specifically, the first light guide plate holding part 23A contacts a part of the light guide plate outer edge 31 of the light guide plate 30. The second holding pieces 125 of the second light guide plate holding part 23B and the third light guide plate holding part 23C contact a part of the light guide plate outer edge 31 of the light guide plate 30 that is located on the opposite side to the first light guide plate holding part 23A. In the horizontal direction DB, the first holding pieces 124 of the fourth light guide plate holding part 23D and the third light guide plate holding part 23C are arranged to restrict the positional deviation of the light guide plate 30 in the horizontal direction DB. At this time, the first holding pieces 124 engage with the corner parts 30A of the light guide plate 30. In this manner, light guide plate holding section 23 holds light guide plate 30 by sandwiching light guide plate 30 in vertical direction DA and restricting positional deviation of light guide plate 30 in horizontal direction DB, thereby making it possible to stably hold light guide plate 30.

[0037] The holding portion 21 is fixed to the pallet base 20 by a fixing member 24. An example of the fixing member 24 is a bolt 24A. The storage pallet holding portion 22 and the light guide plate holding portion 23 are provided with a bolt hole 24B through which the bolt 24A is inserted.

[0038] Bolt 24A inserted from above storage pallet holding part 22 passes through bolt holes 24B provided in storage pallet holding part 22 and light guide plate holding part 23, and is inserted into a screw hole in pallet base 20. Bolt 24A inserted from above light guide plate holding part 23 passes through bolt hole 24B provided in light guide plate holding part 23, and is inserted into a screw hole in pallet base 20. An extraction groove 26 is provided in the head of bolt 24A. This allows bolt 24A to be removed by inserting a screwdriver into extraction groove 26.

[0039] 4 and 5, light guide plate holding part 23 has light guide plate step portion 25 on which light guide plate 30 is placed. Specifically, first light guide plate holding part 23A is provided with first light guide plate step portion 25A. Second light guide plate holding part 23B is provided with second light guide plate step portion 25B. Third light guide plate holding part 23C is provided with third light guide plate step portion 25C. First light guide plate step portion 25A is provided to face second light guide plate step portion 25B and third light guide plate step portion 25C.

[0040] 3 and 5, in a state in which the pallet 3 is placed next to the LED lighting 40, the holding portion 21 is disposed between the LED lighting 40 and the light guide plate 30 so as not to block the light of the LED lighting 40. Specifically, in the vicinity of the light entrance surface 32 of the light guide plate 30, a gap is provided between the first storage pallet holding portion 22A and the first light guide plate holding portion 23A, the gap having the same height as the light guide plate 30. An end of the light guide plate 30 is disposed in this gap.

[0041] <Light guide plate> 6, the light guide plate 30 is configured to guide the light emitted from the light source 2 so that the light comes out from the entire upper surface of the light guide plate 30. The light guide plate 30 has a light entrance surface 32 that receives light from the LED lighting 40, dots 33 that diffuse the incident light, and a mirror surface 34 that reflects the light. The LED lighting 40 emits light toward a first side surface 37 of the light guide plate 30. The light entrance surface 32 is provided on the first side surface 37 of the light guide plate 30.

[0042] The thickness of the light guide plate 30 is 5 mm or more and 10 mm or less. In one example of the light guide plate 30, the thickness of the light guide plate 30 is 5 mm. The LED lighting 40 is arranged so that a large amount of light can be irradiated onto the light entrance surface 32. Specifically, the optical axis of the LED lighting 40 is located between a position 1.5 mm higher than the middle position of the light guide plate 30 in the thickness direction and a position 1.5 mm lower than the middle position of the light guide plate 30. In one example of the arrangement of the LED lighting 40, the optical axis of the LED lighting 40 is located at the same height as the middle position of the light guide plate 30 in the thickness direction. The LED lighting 40 is arranged at a position 10 mm or more and 15 mm or less away from the light entrance surface 32 of the light guide plate 30. In one example, the exit surface of the LED lighting 40 is arranged at a distance of 10 mm from the light entrance surface 32 of the light guide plate 30.

[0043] <How to illuminate the workpiece> A method for illuminating the workpiece 6 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, light emitted from the LED lighting 40 passes through the light entrance surface 32 of the light guide plate 30. The light that passes through travels toward the mirror surface 34, the lower surface 35, and the upper surface 36 of the light guide plate 30. The light that travels toward the mirror surface 34 is reflected by the mirror surface 34. The light that travels toward the upper surface 36 is split into light that travels straight and light that is reflected. The light that travels toward the lower surface 35 is diffused by hitting the dots 33. The light is repeatedly reflected and travels straight inside the light guide plate 30, causing the light guide plate 30 to emit light.

[0044] 7, the light guided by the light guide plate 30 illuminates the storage pallet 10 and the workpieces 6. Because the light guide plate 30 has a structure that makes it easy for light to be uniform, all of the workpieces 6 on the storage pallet 10 are illuminated in approximately the same way.

[0045] The mesh 14 has aligned through holes 15. As a result, when the camera 9 photographs the workpiece 6 from above, the mesh 14 functions as a grid. This makes it easy to check the inclination of the workpiece 6.

[0046] The work carry-in device 8 recognizes the position of the work 6 from the image captured by the camera 9. Then, the work carry-in device 8 takes out the work 6 from the storage pallet 10 and carries it into the work inspection device 7.

[0047] The operation of this embodiment will now be described. The pallet 3 on which the workpieces 6 are placed is pushed out from the storage shelf 5. Then, the transport device 4 transports the pallet 3 to the vicinity of the light source 2. At the transport destination, the light guide plate 30 of the pallet 3 emits light due to the light irradiated from the light source 2. The light guided by the light guide plate 30 illuminates the workpieces 6 stored on the storage pallet 10 from below.

[0048] Conventionally, in an illumination system that illuminates a workpiece 6 from below, the light source 2 is disposed below the conveying line of the workpiece 6. In order to illuminate the workpiece 6 with the light from the light source 2, the conveying member for conveying the workpiece 6 is made transparent. In this regard, according to this embodiment, the workpiece 6 is illuminated by the light guided by the light guide plate 30 as described above. For this reason, it is not necessary to place the light source 2 below the conveying line. Therefore, it is not necessary to configure the conveying member to be transparent. In this way, according to the illumination system 1 of this embodiment, the workpiece 6 can be illuminated from below without making any changes to the conveying device 4.

[0049] In addition, the lighting system 1 of this embodiment has the following advantages over the following reference example. As a reference example, for example, instead of the light guide plate 30, a backlight device can be arranged on the pallet base 20. A backlight device with a light source includes an integrated light guide plate and a light source. When the pallet 3 is provided with a backlight device, it is necessary to supply power to the light source of the backlight device using a slip ring or wireless power communication. In contrast, in the lighting system 1 according to this embodiment, the light guide plate 30 is arranged separately from the light source 2. The light source 2 is arranged near the transport device 4 and is configured to irradiate light toward the light guide plate 30 of each transported pallet 3. Since the light source 2 does not move, power can be supplied to the light source 2 without using a special device. In this way, power can be supplied to the light source 2 without using a complicated power supply means.

[0050] The effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) The lighting system 1 includes a pallet 3 on which a workpiece 6 is placed, a transport device 4 that transports the pallet 3, and a light source 2 that illuminates the workpiece 6 on the pallet 3 transported to a predetermined position 120 by the transport device 4. The pallet 3 includes a storage pallet 10 that stores the workpiece 6, a pallet base 20 that supports the storage pallet 10, and a light guide plate 30 that is disposed between the storage pallet 10 and the pallet base 20. The light guide plate 30 guides light emitted from the light source 2 so that light is emitted from the entire upper surface 36 of the light guide plate 30. The bottom 13 of the storage pallet 10 has a structure that transmits the light emitted from the light guide plate 30. With this configuration, the workpiece 6 transported by the pallet 3 can be illuminated from below.

[0051] (2) The light guide plate 30 is disposed on the pallet base 20 such that the first side surface 37 of the light guide plate 30 is aligned along the first edge 28 of the pallet base 20 in a plan view. The light source 2 is installed near the conveying device 4 such that the first side surface 37 of the light guide plate 30 faces the light source 2 when the pallet 3 is disposed at the predetermined position 120. With this configuration, the workpiece 6 can be illuminated from below at the position where the workpiece 6 is recognized (i.e., the predetermined position 120).

[0052] (3) The storage pallet 10 is detachably provided on the pallet base 20 or the light guide plate 30. With this configuration, the storage pallet 10 of the pallet 3 can be easily changed. For example, in a line that processes multiple types of workpieces 6, when the workpieces 6 are changed, the storage pallet 10 can be easily changed to one that matches the workpieces 6.

[0053] (4) The pallet base 20 is provided with the holder 21 that holds the storage pallet 10 and the light guide plate 30. According to this configuration, the storage pallet 10 and the light guide plate 30 are held by the holder 21.

[0054] (5) The holding unit 21 is configured to be capable of holding a plurality of types of storage pallets 10 with different dimensions. With this configuration, a plurality of types of storage pallets 10 with different dimensions can be fixed to the pallet base 20 or the light guide plate 30. For example, by attaching the storage pallet holding unit 22 corresponding to the storage pallet 10 to the pallet base 20, different types of storage pallets 10 can be held.

[0055] (6) The light guide plate 30 is larger than any of the multiple types of storage pallets 10. With this configuration, even if the storage pallet 10 in the pallet 3 is changed, light can be irradiated over the entire bottom 13 of the storage pallet 10.

[0056] (7) Holding unit 21 has storage pallet holding unit 22 that holds storage pallet 10, and light guide plate holding unit 23 that holds light guide plate 30. With this configuration, storage pallet 10 and light guide plate 30 can be held independently.

[0057] (8) The light guide plate holding unit 23 has the light guide plate step 25 on which the light guide plate 30 is placed. According to this configuration, the light guide plate 30 can be easily lifted by placing the light guide plate 30 on the light guide plate step 25. Therefore, the light guide plate 30 can be replaced efficiently.

[0058] (9) The storage pallet 10 has a pallet frame 17 that defines a plurality of pockets 16. According to this configuration, the pallet frame 17 can prevent a plurality of workpieces 6 from overlapping each other.

[0059] (10) The bottom 13 of the storage pallet 10 is configured in a mesh shape. With this configuration, chips and grinding fluid attached to the workpieces 6 can be easily discharged from the bottom 13 of the storage pallet 10 when the storage pallet 10 is washed or cleaned.

[0060] (11) In the lighting system 1, the light source 2 indirectly illuminates the workpiece 6 via the light guide plate 30. Since the light source 2 is not disposed under the storage pallet 10, it is less susceptible to the effects of grinding fluid dripping from the workpiece 6 and the effects of friction with the storage pallet 10. This makes it easier to keep the light source 2 in good condition.

[0061] <Modification> The above-described embodiment is an example of a form that the lighting system 1 can take, and is not intended to limit the form. The lighting system 1 can take a form different from the form exemplified in the above-described embodiment. An example of such a form is a form in which a part of the configuration of the embodiment is replaced, changed, or omitted, or a form in which a new configuration is added to the embodiment. An example of a modified example of the embodiment is shown below.

[0062] <First Modification> The light guide plate holding portion 23 in the first embodiment detachably holds the light guide plate 30. Therefore, the light guide plate 30 can be easily changed according to the shapes of the storage pallet 10 and the work 6. Several modified examples of the light guide plate 30 will be described below.

[0063] In one example, the light guide plate 30 is modified so that the area of ​​the upper surface 36 of the light guide plate 30 matches the bottom area of ​​the storage pallet 10. As a result, when the light guide plate 30 is in a state of emitting light, the light guide plate 30 is likely to guide light only to the bottom 13 of the storage pallet 10. If the area of ​​the upper surface 36 of the light guide plate 30 is larger than the bottom area of ​​the storage pallet 10, there is a risk of light leaking from the outside of the outer periphery of the storage pallet 10. In this case, the light may hit an object such as the camera 9 and be scattered toward the workpiece 6. Such ambient light may reduce the accuracy of the position recognition of the workpiece 6. In this regard, according to the above configuration, it is difficult to reduce the accuracy of the position recognition of the workpiece 6.

[0064] The light guide plate 30 may be processed so that the light distribution of the light guide plate 30 becomes a narrow angle light distribution. This allows the light guide plate 30 to reach a longer distance. Since the distance that the camera 9 can be separated from the light guide plate 30 becomes longer, the degree of freedom in arranging the camera 9 increases. In addition, a color filter different from the color of the workpiece 6 may be added to the light guide plate 30 to make it easier to recognize the shape of the workpiece 6.

[0065] In addition, since the pallet 3 of this embodiment detachably holds the light guide plate 30, it is easy to replace the light guide plate 30 that has deteriorated over time with a new light guide plate 30. In the reference example given in the first embodiment, the pallet is provided with a backlight device. In this reference example, the backlight device has an integrated light source and light guide plate. Therefore, in the pallet of the reference example, when replacing the light guide plate, it is necessary to replace the light source together with the light guide plate. On the other hand, in the lighting system 1 of the present disclosure, it is necessary to replace only the light guide plate 30. Therefore, the lighting system 1 of the present disclosure can reduce maintenance costs.

[0066] <Second Modification> 8, the second light guide plate holding unit 23B may be removed and a third storage pallet holding unit 22C may be attached. The third storage pallet holding unit 22C is substantially L-shaped. The third storage pallet holding unit 22C can hold a larger storage pallet 10 than the second storage pallet holding unit 22B in the first embodiment.

[0067] As in the second modified example, the parts of the holding unit 21 can be replaced depending on the shapes of the storage pallet 10 and the light guide plate 30. When replacing, a screwdriver is inserted into the removal groove 26 of the bolt 24A to remove the bolt 24A. Then, the part of the holding unit 21 to be newly attached is placed in a predetermined location and fixed by tightening the bolt 24A.

[0068] <Third Modification> As shown in FIG. 9, the LED lighting 40 may irradiate light toward the light guide plate 30 from above. The LED lighting 40 is provided on a movable device 130 that can raise and lower the LED lighting 40. The movable device 130 is disposed around the predetermined position 120 or on the ceiling. The light guide plate 30 is provided with a lower mirror surface 35A on a part of the lower surface 35 facing the LED lighting 40, and dots 33 are provided on the lower surface 35 where the lower mirror surface 35A is not provided. In addition, an opposing mirror surface 34A is provided on the surface of the light guide plate 30 facing the mirror surface 34. As a result, the light irradiated from above the light guide plate 30 to the light guide plate 30 uniformly emits light on the upper surface 36 of the light guide plate 30. The second modified example can increase the options for arranging the LED lighting 40.

[0069] <Fourth Modification> The workpiece 6 may be delivered to a workpiece processing device by the workpiece carry-in device 8. Specific examples of the workpiece processing device include a grinding machine, a lathe, a milling machine, and a machining center. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1...lighting system, 2...light source, 3...pallet, 4...transport device, 5...storage shelf, 6...work, 7...work inspection device, 8...work loading device, 9...camera, 10...storage pallet, 12...outer edge of storage pallet, 13...bottom, 14...mesh, 15...through hole, 16...pocket, 17...pallet frame, 20...pallet base, 21...holding portion, 22...storage pallet holding portion, 22A...first storage pallet holding portion, 22B...second storage pallet holding portion, 22C...third storage pallet holding portion, 23...light guide plate holder holding portion, 23A...first light guide plate holding portion, 23B...second light guide plate holding portion, 24...fixing member, 24A...bolt, 24B...bolt hole, 25...light guide plate step portion, 25A...first light guide plate step portion, 25B...second light guide plate step portion, 26...removal groove, 28...first edge, 29...grip portion, 30...light guide plate, 31...outer edge of light guide plate, 32...light entrance surface, 33...dot, 34...mirror surface, 34A...opposing mirror surface, 35...lower surface, 35A...lower mirror surface, 36...upper surface, 37...first side surface, 110...control device, 120...predetermined position, 130...movable device.

Claims

1. A lighting system comprising: a pallet on which a workpiece is placed; a transport device that transports the pallet; and a light source that illuminates the workpiece on the pallet transported to a predetermined position by the transport device, The pallet includes a storage pallet that stores the workpiece, a pallet base that supports the storage pallet, and a light guide plate that is disposed between the storage pallet and the pallet base, the light guide plate guides the light emitted from the light source so that the light is emitted from the entire upper surface of the light guide plate; The bottom of the storage pallet has a structure that transmits light emitted from the light guide plate. Lighting system.

2. the light guide plate is disposed on the pallet base such that a first side surface of the light guide plate is aligned along a first edge of the pallet base in a plan view; the light source is installed near the conveying device such that the first side surface of the light guide plate faces the light source when the pallet is placed at the predetermined position.

10. The lighting system of claim 1.

3. The storage pallet is detachably provided on the pallet base or the light guide plate.

10. The lighting system of claim 1.

4. The pallet base is provided with a holding portion for holding the storage pallet and the light guide plate.

4. The lighting system of claim 3.

5. The holding unit is configured to be able to hold a plurality of types of storage pallets having different sizes.

5. A lighting system according to claim 4.

6. The light guide plate is larger than any of the plurality of types of storage pallets.

6. A lighting system according to claim 5.

7. The holding section includes a storage pallet holding section that holds the storage pallet, and a light guide plate holding section that holds the light guide plate.

5. A lighting system according to claim 4.

8. The light guide plate holding portion has a light guide plate step portion on which the light guide plate is placed.

8. A lighting system according to claim 7.

9. The storage pallet has a pallet frame that defines a plurality of pockets.

10. The lighting system of claim 1.

10. The bottom of the storage pallet is configured in a mesh shape.

10. A lighting system according to any one of the preceding claims.

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