Photography equipment and visual inspection equipment

Abstract

To provide a photographing device used in an appearance inspection device for inspecting the appearance of the side surfaces of a plurality of test objects transported by a transport mechanism, which can be simplified in configuration even when it is possible to simultaneously photograph the side surfaces of the plurality of test objects from four directions. [Solution] This imaging device includes a first reflecting unit and a second reflecting unit (10) for reflecting light reflected by the side surfaces of a plurality of test objects (2) arranged in the X direction, and a telecentric lens (11). The first reflecting unit reflects the light reflected by the side surfaces of the test objects (2) in the X direction toward the telecentric lens (11), and the second reflecting unit (10) reflects the light reflected by the side surfaces of the test objects (2) in the Z direction toward the telecentric lens (11). The second reflecting unit (10) includes common reflecting members (28-31) for reflecting the light reflected by each of the side surfaces of the test objects (2) arranged in the X direction together toward the telecentric lens (11).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device used in a visual inspection apparatus for visually inspecting the side surface of an object under inspection, and also to a visual inspection apparatus equipped with such an imaging device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known an appearance inspection device for performing an appearance inspection of tablets transported by a transport drum (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The appearance inspection device described in Patent Document 1 includes a first transport drum and a second transport drum for transporting tablets, a camera for photographing the tablets on the circumferential surface of the first transport drum, and a camera for photographing the tablets on the circumferential surface of the second transport drum. Three tablets are arranged horizontally on the circumferential surfaces of the first transport drum and the second transport drum. The first transport drum and the second transport drum rotate in opposite directions. Three tablets are transferred sequentially from the first transport drum to the second transport drum in an upside-down state.

[0003] In the visual inspection device described in Patent Document 1, a pair of first reflecting members, a pair of second reflecting members, and a pair of third reflecting members are arranged at the tablet photography position to reflect light reflected from the side surfaces of the tablets toward the camera. This visual inspection device uses one conveying drum and one camera to simultaneously photograph the side surfaces of three tablets arranged horizontally from two directions. Furthermore, this visual inspection device uses two conveying drums and two cameras to photograph the side surfaces of the tablets from four directions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-317415 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The visual inspection device described in Patent Document 1 is capable of simultaneously photographing the side surfaces of three tablets arranged horizontally from two directions. However, this visual inspection device requires two cameras to photograph the side surfaces of the tablets from four directions, which makes the configuration of the visual inspection device complex.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device used in a visual inspection apparatus for visually inspecting the side surfaces of multiple inspected objects transported by a transport mechanism, which can simultaneously image the side surfaces of each of the multiple inspected objects from four directions, while still being able to simplify its configuration.Another object of the present invention is to provide a visual inspection apparatus equipped with such an imaging device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the photographing device of the present invention is a photographing device used in an appearance inspection apparatus for visually inspecting the side surfaces of a plurality of objects under inspection transported by a transport mechanism, and includes a photographing mechanism for photographing the side surfaces of the plurality of objects under inspection, an illumination mechanism for irradiating light onto the side surfaces of the plurality of objects under inspection, a first reflecting section and a second reflecting section for reflecting light reflected by the side surfaces of the plurality of objects under inspection toward the photographing mechanism, and a telecentric lens disposed between the first reflecting section and the second reflecting section and the photographing mechanism, and a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the objects under inspection transported by the transport mechanism is defined as a transport orthogonal direction, a direction parallel to the optical axis of the photographing mechanism is defined as an optical axis direction, a predetermined direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction is defined as a first orthogonal direction, and a direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction and the first orthogonal direction is defined as a second orthogonal direction. When the optical axis direction is defined as the intersecting direction, in the conveying mechanism, a plurality of objects to be inspected are arranged in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction and a plurality of objects to be inspected are arranged in the conveying direction, the conveying direction of the objects to be inspected when at least the side surfaces are photographed by the photographing mechanism is perpendicular to the optical axis direction, the first reflecting unit reflects light reflected by the side surfaces of the plurality of objects to be inspected in the first orthogonal direction when the side surfaces are photographed by the photographing mechanism, toward the telecentric lens, and the second reflecting unit reflects light reflected by the side surfaces of the plurality of objects to be inspected in the second orthogonal direction when the side surfaces are photographed by the photographing mechanism, toward the telecentric lens, and at least one of the first reflecting unit and the second reflecting unit has a common reflecting member for reflecting the light reflected by each side surface of the plurality of objects to be inspected together toward the telecentric lens. The conveyance orthogonal direction and the first orthogonal direction coincide with each other, and the conveyance direction of the object to be inspected when at least the side surface is photographed by the photographing mechanism coincides with the second orthogonal direction, the first reflecting unit includes a plurality of individual reflecting members for individually reflecting light reflected by each side surface of the plurality of objects to be inspected arranged in the conveyance orthogonal direction toward the telecentric lens, and the second reflecting unit includes a common reflecting member for jointly reflecting light reflected by each side surface of the plurality of objects to be inspected arranged in the conveyance orthogonal direction toward the telecentric lens. It is characterized by:

[0008] The imaging device of the present invention includes a first reflecting unit and a second reflecting unit for reflecting light reflected from the side surfaces of multiple test objects toward the imaging mechanism, and a telecentric lens disposed between the first reflecting unit and the second reflecting unit and the imaging mechanism. Furthermore, in the present invention, the first reflecting unit reflects light reflected from the side surfaces of the multiple test objects in a first orthogonal direction toward the telecentric lens when the side surfaces are imaged by the imaging mechanism, and the second reflecting unit reflects light reflected from the side surfaces of the multiple test objects in a second orthogonal direction toward the telecentric lens when the side surfaces are imaged by the imaging mechanism. Therefore, in the present invention, it is possible to simultaneously image the side surfaces of multiple test objects from four directions using a single imaging mechanism. Therefore, even if the side surfaces of multiple test objects can be simultaneously imaged from four directions, the configuration of the imaging device can be simplified.

[0009] Furthermore, in the present invention, at least one of the first reflecting section and the second reflecting section includes a common reflecting member for reflecting light reflected from the respective side surfaces of the plurality of objects under test together toward the telecentric lens, thereby making it possible to reduce the number of parts in at least one of the first reflecting section and the second reflecting section. Therefore, in the present invention, it is possible to further simplify the configuration of the imaging device and to reduce the size of at least one of the first reflecting section and the second reflecting section.

[0010] Also, The present invention So The conveyance orthogonal direction and the first orthogonal direction coincide with each other, and the conveyance direction of the object to be inspected when at least the side surface is photographed by the photographing mechanism coincides with the second orthogonal direction, the first reflecting unit includes a plurality of individual reflecting members for individually reflecting light reflected by each side surface of the plurality of objects to be inspected arranged in the conveyance orthogonal direction toward the telecentric lens, and the second reflecting unit includes a common reflecting member for jointly reflecting light reflected by each side surface of the plurality of objects to be inspected arranged in the conveyance orthogonal direction toward the telecentric lens. Therefore,Therefore, it is possible to arrange the individual reflecting members according to the positions of the plurality of objects under test, and thus it is possible to suppress variations in the optical path difference between the side surface of each of the plurality of objects under test in the first orthogonal direction and the telecentric lens.

[0011] In the present invention, it is preferable that the first reflecting unit includes, as individual reflecting members, first individual reflecting members that individually reflect light reflected from each side surface of the multiple objects under test and second individual reflecting members that individually reflect the light reflected from the first individual reflecting members toward the telecentric lens, and the second reflecting unit includes, as common reflecting members, a first common reflecting member that jointly reflects the light reflected from each side surface of the multiple objects under test and a second common reflecting member that reflects the light reflected from the first common reflecting member toward the telecentric lens. This configuration makes it possible to collect light from the first reflecting unit toward the telecentric lens and light from the second reflecting unit toward the telecentric lens at a position close to the optical axis of the imaging mechanism. This makes it possible to reduce the radial size of the telecentric lens.

[0012] In the present invention, for example, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, the conveying mechanism arranges N test objects in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, the first reflecting unit includes N first individual reflecting members and N second individual reflecting members for individually reflecting light reflected from side surfaces of the N test objects on one side in the first orthogonal direction toward the telecentric lens, and N first individual reflecting members and N second individual reflecting members for individually reflecting light reflected from side surfaces of the N test objects on the other side in the first orthogonal direction toward the telecentric lens, and the second reflecting unit includes one first common reflecting member and one second common reflecting member for jointly reflecting light reflected from side surfaces of the N test objects on one side in the second orthogonal direction toward the telecentric lens, and one first common reflecting member and one second common reflecting member for jointly reflecting light reflected from side surfaces of the N test objects on the other side in the second orthogonal direction toward the telecentric lens.

[0013] The imaging device of the present invention can be used in a visual inspection device equipped with a transport mechanism. In this visual inspection device, even if it is possible to simultaneously image the side surfaces of multiple inspected objects from four directions, it is possible to further simplify the configuration of the imaging device and to reduce the size of at least one of the first reflecting unit and the second reflecting unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] As described above, the present invention makes it possible to simplify the configuration of an imaging device used in an appearance inspection apparatus for performing appearance inspection of the side surfaces of multiple inspection objects transported by a transport mechanism, even though it is possible to simultaneously photograph the side surfaces of each of the multiple inspection objects from four directions. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view for explaining a configuration of a visual inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view for explaining the configuration of the imaging device shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view for explaining the configuration of a portion E in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 3 is an enlarged front view for explaining the configuration of the imaging device from the FF direction in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 5] 3 is a side view for explaining the configuration of the first reflecting section, the second reflecting section, and the illumination mechanism as viewed from the direction GG in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating the configuration of a first reflecting section according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating the configuration of a second reflecting section according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating the configuration of a first reflecting section according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] (Configuration of visual inspection device and imaging device) FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating the configuration of an appearance inspection apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the configuration of an imaging device 4 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view illustrating the configuration of part E in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view illustrating the configuration of the imaging device 4 from the FF direction in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating the configuration of a first reflecting unit 9, a second reflecting unit 10, and an illumination mechanism 8 from the GG direction in FIG. 2.

[0018] The visual inspection device 1 of this embodiment is a device for visually inspecting the side surface of an object 2 to be inspected. The object 2 to be inspected in this embodiment is a round tablet that is a pharmaceutical product. Therefore, hereinafter, the object 2 to be inspected will be referred to as "tablet 2." The visual inspection device 1 includes a conveying drum 3 as a conveying mechanism for conveying a plurality of tablets 2, and an imaging device 4 that photographs the side surfaces of the plurality of tablets 2 conveyed by the conveying drum 3. In other words, the imaging device 4 is used in the visual inspection device 1. The conveying drum 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The conveying drum 3 rotates with the horizontal direction as the axis of rotation, and conveys the plurality of tablets 2 in the circumferential direction of the conveying drum 3.

[0019] In the following description, the X direction in Fig. 1, etc., which is the axial direction of the conveying drum 3, is referred to as the "front-rear direction," and the Y direction in Fig. 1, etc., which is perpendicular to the up-down direction (vertical direction, Z direction in Fig. 1, etc.) and the front-rear direction, is referred to as the "left-right direction." In addition, in the following description, the X1 direction side in Fig. 2, etc., which is one side of the front-rear direction, is referred to as the "front" side, the X2 direction side in Fig. 2, etc., which is the opposite side, is referred to as the "rear" side, the Y1 direction side in Fig. 1, etc., which is one side of the left-right direction, is referred to as the "right" side, and the Y2 direction side in Fig. 1, etc., which is the opposite side, is referred to as the "left" side. The front-rear direction in this embodiment is the conveyance orthogonal direction, which is perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the tablets 2 conveyed by the conveying drum 3.

[0020] A plurality of suction holes are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the conveying drum 3 for sucking and holding the tablets 2. A plurality of tablets 2 are arranged in the front-to-rear direction on the conveying drum 3. In the conveying drum 3 of this embodiment, three tablets 2 are arranged in the front-to-rear direction. Furthermore, in the conveying drum 3, a plurality of tablets 2 are arranged in the circumferential direction of the conveying drum 3, which is the conveying direction of the tablets 2.

[0021] The photographing device 4 includes one camera (photographing mechanism) 7 for photographing the side surfaces of the plurality of tablets 2, an illumination mechanism 8 for irradiating the side surfaces of the plurality of tablets 2 with light, a first reflecting unit 9 and a second reflecting unit 10 for reflecting the light reflected by the side surfaces of the plurality of tablets 2 toward the camera 7, and a telecentric lens 11 disposed between the first reflecting unit 9 and the second reflecting unit 10 and the camera 7. The photographing device 4 also includes a PC (personal computer) 12 electrically connected to the camera 7.

[0022] The optical axis L of the camera 7 is parallel to the left-right direction. When viewed from the front-to-back direction, the optical axis L of the camera 7 passes through the center of rotation of the transport drum 3. The lighting mechanism 8, the first reflecting unit 9, and the second reflecting unit 10 are disposed directly beside the transport drum 3. Specifically, the lighting mechanism 8, the first reflecting unit 9, and the second reflecting unit 10 are disposed on the right side of the transport drum 3. The telecentric lens 11 is disposed to the right of the lighting mechanism 8, the first reflecting unit 9, and the second reflecting unit 10. The telecentric lens 11 in this embodiment is a double-telecentric lens. The optical axis of the telecentric lens 11 coincides with the optical axis L of the camera 7.

[0023] The camera 7 is disposed to the right of the telecentric lens 11. Light is incident on the camera 7 from the left side. The left-right direction in this embodiment is the optical axis direction, which is a direction parallel to the optical axis L of the camera 7. The front-rear direction in this embodiment is the first orthogonal direction, which is a predetermined direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction, and the above-mentioned transport orthogonal direction and the first orthogonal direction coincide with each other. The up-down direction is the second orthogonal direction, which is a direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction and the first orthogonal direction.

[0024] The camera 7 photographs the side faces of the three tablets 2 arranged in the front-to-rear direction on the conveying drum 3. Specifically, the camera 7 photographs the side faces of the three tablets 2 arranged on the left side of the lighting mechanism 8, the first reflecting unit 9, and the second reflecting unit 10. When the side faces of the three tablets 2 are photographed by the camera 7, the three tablets 2 move in the vertical direction. That is, the conveying direction of the three tablets 2 when the side faces are photographed by the camera 7 is perpendicular to the left-to-right direction, which is the optical axis direction. Furthermore, the conveying direction of the three tablets 2 when the side faces are photographed by the camera 7 coincides with the vertical direction, which is the second orthogonal direction.

[0025] The first reflecting unit 9 reflects light reflected from the side surfaces in the front-to-back direction of the three tablets 2 when the side surfaces are photographed by the camera 7, toward the telecentric lens 11. The first reflecting unit 9 includes a plurality of mirrors 14 to 25 for individually reflecting light reflected from each side surface of the three tablets 2 arranged in the front-to-back direction, toward the telecentric lens 11. The first reflecting unit 9 in this embodiment includes 12 mirrors 14 to 25. Specifically, the first reflecting unit 9 includes six mirrors 14 to 19 that individually reflect light reflected from each side surface of the three tablets 2, and six mirrors 20 to 25 that individually reflect the light reflected by the mirrors 14 to 19, toward the telecentric lens 11.

[0026] More specifically, the first reflecting unit 9 includes three mirrors 14 to 16 and three mirrors 20 to 22 for individually reflecting light reflected by the front surfaces of the three tablets 2 toward the telecentric lens 11, and three mirrors 17 to 19 and three mirrors 23 to 25 for individually reflecting light reflected by the rear surfaces of the three tablets 2 toward the telecentric lens 11. The first reflecting unit 9 of this embodiment is composed of 12 mirrors 14 to 25. The mirrors 14 to 25 are formed in a flat plate shape. The mirrors 14 to 25 are fixed to a mirror holder 26. The mirrors 14 to 25 of this embodiment are individual reflecting members. Furthermore, the mirrors 14 to 19 of this embodiment are first individual reflecting members, and the mirrors 20 to 25 are second individual reflecting members.

[0027] Mirrors 14 to 19 are arranged at a constant pitch in the front-to-rear direction. Mirrors 14 to 19 are arranged in the following order from the front. The reflective surfaces of mirrors 14 to 16 face rearward. The reflective surfaces of mirrors 17 to 19 face forward. Mirrors 20 to 25 are arranged in the following order from the front. The reflective surfaces of mirrors 20 to 22 face diagonally forward to the right. The reflective surfaces of mirrors 23 to 25 face diagonally rearward to the right. Mirror 20 is arranged diagonally rearward to the right of mirror 14, mirror 21 is arranged diagonally rearward to the right of mirror 15, and mirror 22 is arranged behind mirror 16. Mirror 23 is arranged in front of mirror 17, mirror 24 is arranged diagonally front to the right of mirror 18, and mirror 25 is arranged diagonally front to the right of mirror 19.

[0028] Mirrors 14 and 17 reflect light reflected by the side of the tablet 2 placed foremost. Mirror 20 reflects light reflected by mirror 14 to the right, and mirror 23 reflects light reflected by mirror 17 to the right. Mirrors 15 and 18 reflect light reflected by the side of the tablet 2 placed second from the front. Mirror 21 reflects light reflected by mirror 15 to the right, and mirror 24 reflects light reflected by mirror 18 to the right. Mirrors 16 and 22 reflect light reflected by the side of the tablet 2 placed foremost. Mirror 22 reflects light reflected by mirror 16 to the right, and mirror 25 reflects light reflected by mirror 19 to the right.

[0029] The second reflecting unit 10 reflects, toward the telecentric lens 11, light reflected from the vertical side surfaces of the three tablets 2 when the side surfaces are photographed by the camera 7. The second reflecting unit 10 includes mirrors 28 to 31 for reflecting, together, the light reflected from each side surface of the three tablets 2 arranged in the front-to-rear direction, toward the telecentric lens 11. The second reflecting unit 10 of this embodiment includes four mirrors 28 to 31. Specifically, the second reflecting unit 10 includes two mirrors 28 and 29 that reflect, together, the light reflected from each side surface of the three tablets 2, and two mirrors 30 and 31 that reflect, towards the telecentric lens 11, the light reflected by the mirrors 28 and 29.

[0030] More specifically, the second reflecting section 10 includes one mirror 28 and one mirror 30 for reflecting the light reflected by the upper surfaces of the three tablets 2 together toward the telecentric lens 11, and one mirror 29 and one mirror 31 for reflecting the light reflected by the lower surfaces of the three tablets 2 together toward the telecentric lens 11. The second reflecting section 10 of this embodiment is composed of four mirrors 28 to 31. The mirrors 28 to 31 are formed in a flat plate shape. The mirrors 28 to 31 are fixed to a mirror holder 32. The mirrors 28 to 31 of this embodiment are common reflecting members. Furthermore, the mirrors 28 and 29 of this embodiment are first common reflecting members, and the mirrors 30 and 31 are second common reflecting members.

[0031] Mirror 28 and mirror 29 are arranged with a gap between them in the vertical direction. Mirror 28 is arranged above mirror 29. The reflective surface of mirror 28 faces downward. The reflective surface of mirror 29 faces upward. The reflective surface of mirror 30 faces diagonally upward to the right. The reflective surface of mirror 31 faces diagonally downward to the right. Mirror 30 is arranged diagonally below and to the right of mirror 28, and mirror 31 is arranged diagonally above and to the right of mirror 29. Mirror 30 reflects light reflected by mirror 28 to the right, and mirror 31 reflects light reflected by mirror 29 to the right.

[0032] The lighting mechanism 8 includes an illumination unit 34 that irradiates the upper side surfaces of the three tablets 2 with light from the diagonally upper right side when photographed by the camera 7, an illumination unit 35 that irradiates the lower side surfaces of the three tablets 2 with light from the diagonally lower right side when photographed by the camera 7, an illumination unit 36 ​​that irradiates the front side surfaces of the three tablets 2 with light from the diagonally front right side when photographed by the camera 7, and an illumination unit 37 that irradiates the rear side surfaces of the three tablets 2 with light from the diagonally rear right side when photographed by the camera 7. The illumination units 34 to 37 include a plurality of light-emitting units 38. The lighting mechanism 8 is not shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0033] When the appearance inspection of the tablets 2 is performed, the conveying drum 3 rotates. The camera 7 sequentially photographs the side surfaces of each of the three tablets 2 from four directions, both front and back, and both up and down, as they pass directly beside the lighting mechanism 8, the first reflecting unit 9, and the second reflecting unit 10. The PC 12 sequentially captures the images of the side surfaces of the tablets 2 photographed by the camera 7 and displays them on the display.

[0034] (Main effect of this form) As described above, in this embodiment, the telecentric lens 11 is disposed between the first reflecting unit 9 and the second reflecting unit 10 and the camera 7. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first reflecting unit 9 reflects, toward the telecentric lens 11, light reflected from the side surfaces in the front-to-back direction of the three tablets 2 when the side surfaces are photographed by the camera 7, and the second reflecting unit 10 reflects, toward the telecentric lens 11, light reflected from the side surfaces in the up-to-down direction of the three tablets 2 when the side surfaces are photographed by the camera 7. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to simultaneously photograph the side surfaces of the three tablets 2 from four directions using one camera 7. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if it is possible to simultaneously photograph the side surfaces of the three tablets 2 from four directions, it is possible to simplify the configuration of the photographing device 4.

[0035] In this embodiment, the second reflecting unit 10 includes mirrors 29 to 31 for reflecting the light reflected by the respective side surfaces of the three tablets 2 together toward the telecentric lens 11. Therefore, in this embodiment, the number of parts of the second reflecting unit 10 can be reduced compared to when the second reflecting unit 10 includes a plurality of mirrors for individually reflecting the light reflected by the respective side surfaces of the three tablets 2 toward the telecentric lens 11. Therefore, in this embodiment, the configuration of the imaging device 4 can be further simplified, and the second reflecting unit 10 can be made smaller.

[0036] In this embodiment, the first reflecting unit 9 includes twelve mirrors 14 to 25 for individually reflecting light reflected by the side surfaces of the three tablets 2 arranged in the front-rear direction toward the telecentric lens 11. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to arrange the mirrors 14 to 25 according to the positions of the three tablets 2. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to suppress variations in the optical path difference between the side surfaces of the three tablets 2 in the front-rear direction and the telecentric lens 11.

[0037] In this embodiment, the first reflecting unit 9 includes six mirrors 14 to 19 that individually reflect the light reflected by each side surface of the three tablets 2, and six mirrors 20 to 25 that individually reflect the light reflected by the mirrors 14 to 19 toward the telecentric lens 11. In addition, in this embodiment, the second reflecting unit 10 includes two mirrors 28 and 29 that together reflect the light reflected by each side surface of the three tablets 2, and two mirrors 30 and 31 that together reflect the light reflected by the mirrors 28 and 29 toward the telecentric lens 11. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to collect the light from the first reflecting unit 9 toward the telecentric lens 11 and the light from the second reflecting unit 10 toward the telecentric lens 11 at a position close to the optical axis L of the camera 7. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the size of the telecentric lens 11 in the radial direction.

[0038] (Modification example 1 of the first reflecting part) FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating the configuration of a first reflecting section 9 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] In the above-described embodiment, the first reflecting unit 9 may be composed of six mirrors 44 to 49 that individually reflect light reflected by each side surface of three tablets 2 arranged in the front-to-rear direction. In this case, for example, the mirrors 44 to 46 are arranged in this order from the front side. The reflective surfaces of the mirrors 44 to 46 face diagonally rearward to the right, and the reflective surfaces of the mirrors 47 to 49 face diagonally frontward to the right. The mirror 44 reflects light reflected by the front side surface of the tablet 2 arranged for the forefront toward the telecentric lens 11, and the mirror 47 reflects light reflected by the rear side surface of the tablet 2 arranged for the forefront toward the telecentric lens 11.

[0040] The mirror 45 reflects the light reflected by the front side surface of the tablet 2 placed second from the front toward the telecentric lens 11, and the mirror 48 reflects the light reflected by the rear side surface of the tablet 2 placed second from the front toward the telecentric lens 11. The mirror 46 reflects the light reflected by the front side surface of the tablet 2 placed at the back toward the telecentric lens 11, and the mirror 49 reflects the light reflected by the rear side surface of the tablet 2 placed at the back toward the telecentric lens 11. The mirrors 44 to 49 in this modified example are individual reflecting members.

[0041] (Example of modification of the second reflector) FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating the configuration of a second reflecting section 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] In the above-described embodiment, the second reflecting unit 10 may be composed of two mirrors 58, 59 that reflect together the light reflected by the respective side surfaces of the three tablets 2 arranged in the front-to-rear direction. In this case, for example, mirror 58 is arranged above mirror 59. The reflecting surface of mirror 58 faces diagonally downward to the right, and the reflecting surface of mirror 59 faces diagonally upward to the right. Mirror 58 reflects the light reflected by the upper side surfaces of the three tablets 2 toward the telecentric lens 11, and mirror 59 reflects the light reflected by the lower side surfaces of the three tablets 2 toward the telecentric lens 11. Mirrors 58, 59 in this modified example are a common reflecting member.

[0043] (Modification example 2 of the first reflecting part) FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating the configuration of a first reflecting section 9 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] In the above-described embodiment, the first reflecting section 9 may be composed of two mirrors 64, 65 and one prism 66 for jointly reflecting light reflected by the respective side surfaces of three tablets 2 arranged in the front-to-rear direction. The mirror 64 jointly reflects light reflected by the respective front side surfaces of the three tablets 2, and the mirror 65 jointly reflects light reflected by the respective rear side surfaces of the three tablets 2. The prism 66 reflects the light reflected by the mirrors 64, 65 toward the telecentric lens 11. The mirrors 64, 65 and the prism 66 in this modified example are a common reflecting member.

[0045] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the first reflecting section 9 may be composed of two mirrors: one mirror that reflects the light reflected by the front side surfaces of the three tablets 2 together toward the telecentric lens 11, and the other mirror that reflects the light reflected by the rear side surfaces of the three tablets 2 together toward the telecentric lens 11. In this case, the mirror is a common reflecting member.

[0046] In this modified example, the second reflecting unit 10 may include a plurality of mirrors for individually reflecting light reflected by each side surface of the three tablets 2 arranged in the front-to-rear direction toward the telecentric lens 11. For example, the second reflecting unit 10 may include 12 mirrors, similar to the first reflecting unit 9 in the above-described embodiment. Specifically, the second reflecting unit 10 may include six mirrors that individually reflect light reflected by each side surface of the three tablets 2, and six mirrors that individually reflect the light reflected by these mirrors toward the telecentric lens 11.

[0047] (Other embodiments) In the above-described embodiment, the number of tablets 2 arranged in the front-to-rear direction on the conveying drum 3 may be two or four or more. If N is an integer equal to or greater than two and N tablets 2 are arranged in the front-to-rear direction on the conveying drum 3, the first reflecting unit 9 includes, for example, N mirrors that individually reflect light reflected from the front sides of the N tablets 2, N mirrors that individually reflect the light reflected from these N mirrors toward the telecentric lens 11, N mirrors that individually reflect light reflected from the rear sides of the N tablets 2, and N mirrors that individually reflect the light reflected from these N mirrors toward the telecentric lens 11.

[0048] In the above-described embodiment, the first reflecting unit 9 may be composed of 13 or more mirrors. In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the first reflecting unit 9 may include, instead of the mirrors 20 to 25, one mirror as a common reflecting member that reflects the light reflected by the mirrors 14 to 16 together toward the telecentric lens 11, and one mirror as a common reflecting member that reflects the light reflected by the mirrors 17 to 19 together toward the telecentric lens 11. In addition, instead of the mirrors 14 to 19, the first reflecting unit 9 may include, instead of the mirrors 14 to 19, one mirror as a common reflecting member that reflects the light reflected by the front side surfaces of the three tablets 2, and one mirror as a common reflecting member that reflects the light reflected by the rear side surfaces of the three tablets 2.

[0049] In the above-described embodiment, the second reflecting unit 10 may be provided with six mirrors, instead of the mirrors 28 and 29, that individually reflect the light reflected by the respective side surfaces of the three tablets 2. Furthermore, the second reflecting unit 10 may be provided with six mirrors, instead of the mirrors 30 and 31, that individually reflect the light reflected by the respective side surfaces of the three tablets 2 and then by the mirrors 28 and 29.

[0050] In the above-described embodiment, the transport mechanism for transporting the plurality of tablets 2 may be a transport conveyor that transports the plurality of tablets 2 linearly. In this case, the plurality of tablets 2 are transported horizontally by the transport conveyor. The camera 7 is installed above the transport conveyor so that the optical axis L of the camera 7 is parallel to the up-down direction. That is, in this case, the transport direction of the tablets 2 by the transport conveyor is always perpendicular to the optical axis direction. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the first orthogonal direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction may be inclined with respect to the front-to-rear direction.

[0051] In the above-described embodiment, the shape of the tablet 2 may be an irregular shape other than a round shape. Furthermore, the object to be inspected by the visual inspection device 1 may be a capsule-shaped medicine, or may be an object other than a medicine. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment or modified example, the first reflecting unit 9 may be provided with a prism instead of at least one of the mirrors 14 to 25, 44 to 49, 64, and 65. Furthermore, the second reflecting unit 10 may be provided with a prism instead of at least one of the mirrors 28 to 31, 58, and 59. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the first reflecting unit 9 may be provided with a prism with a mirror surface instead of the mirrors 14 to 25 and the mirror holder 26. Furthermore, the second reflecting unit 10 may be provided with a prism with a mirror surface instead of the mirrors 28 to 31 and the mirror holder 32. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1. Visual inspection equipment 2 tablets (test specimen) 3. Conveyor drum (conveyor mechanism) 4. Imaging equipment 7 Camera (filming mechanism) 8 Lighting System 9 1st reflection section 10 Second reflection section 11 Telecentric Lens 14-19 Mirror (individual reflective member, first individual reflective member) 20-25 Mirror (individual reflective member, second individual reflective member) 28, 29 Mirror (common reflecting member, first common reflecting member) 30, 31 Mirror (common reflecting member, second common reflecting member) 44~49 Mirror (individual reflective parts) 58, 59, 64, 65 Mirrors (common reflective members) 66 Prism (common reflecting member) X: Orthogonal direction to conveyance, 1st orthogonal direction Y optical axis direction Z Second orthogonal direction

Claims

1. 1. An imaging device used in a visual inspection apparatus for visually inspecting the side surfaces of a plurality of objects to be inspected that are transported by a transport mechanism, an imaging mechanism for imaging the side surfaces of the plurality of objects under inspection; an illumination mechanism for irradiating the side surfaces of the plurality of objects under inspection with light; a first reflecting section and a second reflecting section for reflecting the light reflected by the side surfaces of the plurality of objects under inspection toward the imaging mechanism; and a telecentric lens disposed between the first reflecting section, the second reflecting section and the imaging mechanism; A direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the inspection object conveyed by the conveying mechanism is defined as a conveying perpendicular direction, a direction parallel to the optical axis of the imaging mechanism is defined as an optical axis direction, a predetermined direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction is defined as a first perpendicular direction, and a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction and the first perpendicular direction is defined as a second perpendicular direction. In the transport mechanism, a plurality of the objects to be inspected are arranged in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction and in the transport direction, the conveying direction of the object under inspection when at least the side surface is photographed by the photographing mechanism is perpendicular to the optical axis direction; the first reflecting unit reflects, toward the telecentric lens, light reflected by side surfaces of the plurality of objects under inspection in the first orthogonal direction when the side surfaces are photographed by the photographing mechanism; the second reflecting unit reflects, toward the telecentric lens, light reflected by side surfaces of the plurality of objects under inspection in the second orthogonal direction when the side surfaces are photographed by the photographing mechanism; at least one of the first reflecting unit and the second reflecting unit includes a common reflecting member for reflecting light reflected by each side surface of the plurality of objects under test together toward the telecentric lens; the transport orthogonal direction coincides with the first orthogonal direction, and the transport direction of the object to be inspected at least when the side surface is photographed by the photographing mechanism coincides with the second orthogonal direction; the first reflecting unit includes a plurality of individual reflecting members for individually reflecting light reflected by each side surface of the plurality of objects under inspection arranged in the transport orthogonal direction toward the telecentric lens, The second reflecting unit is characterized in that it has a common reflecting member for reflecting light reflected from each side of the plurality of inspected objects arranged in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction together toward the telecentric lens.

2. the first reflecting unit includes, as the individual reflecting members, first individual reflecting members that individually reflect light reflected by each of the side surfaces of the plurality of objects under test, and second individual reflecting members that individually reflect the light reflected by the first individual reflecting members toward the telecentric lens; The imaging device described in claim 1, characterized in that the second reflecting section comprises, as the common reflecting member, a first common reflecting member that reflects light reflected from each side surface of the multiple test objects together, and a second common reflecting member that reflects light reflected from the first common reflecting member toward the telecentric lens.

3. If N is an integer equal to or greater than 2, In the transport mechanism, N objects to be inspected are arranged in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction, the first reflecting section includes N first individual reflecting members and N second individual reflecting members for individually reflecting light reflected by side surfaces of the N objects under test on one side in the first orthogonal direction toward the telecentric lens, and N first individual reflecting members and N second individual reflecting members for individually reflecting light reflected by side surfaces of the N objects under test on the other side in the first orthogonal direction toward the telecentric lens, The imaging device described in claim 2, characterized in that the second reflecting section comprises one first common reflecting member and one second common reflecting member for jointly reflecting light reflected from side surfaces of the N test objects on one side in the second orthogonal direction toward the telecentric lens, and one first common reflecting member and one second common reflecting member for jointly reflecting light reflected from side surfaces of the N test objects on the other side in the second orthogonal direction toward the telecentric lens.

4. 4. An appearance inspection apparatus comprising: the photographing device according to claim 1; and the transport mechanism.

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