Inspection Equipment

Abstract

To provide an inspection device capable of handling multiple types of conveying parts with different widths in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction without requiring to adjust the position of an imaging device or an imaging lens.SOLUTION: An inspection device 1 is a device for inspecting work-pieces W when a work-piece W passes between a first conveying section 31 and a second conveying section 32, which are arranged in the conveying direction of the work-piece W with a predetermined gap G therebetween. The inspection device is placed at one side of the work-piece W with a predetermined gap G in the cross direction and includes an imaging device 10 for picking up an image of the work-piece W from one side. The imaging device 10 is composed of a contact image sensor in which a light source, an imaging element, and an imaging lens are integrated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an inspection device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, an inspection device that inspects a workpiece using an imaging device is known as described in Non-Patent Document 1. In the inspection device described in Non-Patent Document 1, in a visual inspection process, a camera installed above a conveyor that transports the workpiece captures an image of the workpiece while it is being transported, and determines whether the workpiece is defective based on the captured image. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0003] [Non-Patent Document 1] “Monthly Food Factory Manager” Nihon Shokuryo Shimbun, August 1, 2021, p.84-85 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, there are a number of types of conveyors for transporting workpieces, each with a different width in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction, to accommodate workpieces of different sizes.

[0005] In the inspection device described in Non-Patent Document 1, the following problems arise when using the same camera to handle a plurality of types of conveyors with different widths as described above.

[0006] In the inspection device described in Non-Patent Document 1, when changing to a conveyor of a different width from the conveyor that was previously in use, the imaging range of the camera must be changed to match the change in conveyor width, so the camera's installation position and lens relative to the conveyor must be adjusted.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide an inspection device that can accommodate multiple types of conveying sections with different widths in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, without requiring adjustment of the installation position of the imaging device or the imaging lens. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The inspection device according to the present invention inspects an inspection product as the inspection product passes between a first conveying section and a second conveying section that are arranged with a predetermined gap in the conveying direction of the inspection product, and includes an imaging device that is provided on one side of the predetermined gap in a direction intersecting the conveying direction of the inspection product and captures an image of the inspection product from the one side, and the imaging device is configured as a contact image sensor that integrates a light source, an imaging element, and an imaging lens. The first conveying unit and the second conveying unit are configured to be replaceable with units having different conveying widths, which are widths in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, and the contact image sensor is replaceable with a unit having a length corresponding to the conveying width that has been changed by the replacement, and is attached by a bracket (11) at a position where the distance from the inspection product does not change before and after the replacement. .

[0009] With this configuration, the inspection device of the present invention has an imaging device configured with a contact image sensor, so even if the width of the conveying section in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction is changed, the changed conveying section can be used simply by changing to a contact image sensor with a length corresponding to the size of the inspected product being conveyed, without adjusting the installation position of the contact image sensor or the imaging lens, etc. In this way, the inspection device of the present invention can accommodate multiple types of conveying sections with different widths in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction without requiring adjustment of the installation position of the imaging device or the imaging lens, etc. In addition, the inspection device of the present invention allows the contact image sensor to be replaced with one of a length corresponding to the changed conveying width due to the replacement of the first conveying unit and the second conveying unit, and the replaced contact image sensor is attached by a bracket at a position where the distance from the inspection product remains unchanged before and after the replacement, so the replaced contact image sensor can be used without adjusting the installation position or imaging lens.

[0010] In the inspection device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the imaging device is disposed below the imaging device across the predetermined gap in the intersecting direction.

[0011] With this configuration, the inspection device of the present invention has the imaging device positioned below with a predetermined gap in the cross direction, so even if there is only limited space below the conveying section, it can accommodate changes in the width of the conveying section without any restrictions by simply using contact image sensors with different lengths in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction.

[0012] In the inspection device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the imaging device is disposed above the imaging device across the predetermined gap in the intersecting direction.

[0013] With this configuration, the inspection device of the present invention has the imaging device positioned above with a predetermined gap in the cross direction, so even if the conveying unit is changed to one with a larger width, the distance between the conveying unit and the contact image sensor can be maintained, thereby preventing the inspection device from becoming larger in height. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, an inspection device can be provided that can accommodate multiple types of conveying sections with different widths in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, without requiring adjustment of the installation position of the imaging device or the imaging lens. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of an inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a view taken along the line AA in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing a modified example of the inspection device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a view seen from the direction BB in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] An inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0019] 1, the inspection device 1 of this embodiment is an inspection device that uses an imaging device to inspect a workpiece W as an inspection item. Examples of the inspection item include a product with a flat bottom, in which the contents such as food are tightly packed in a film-like packaging material, and food in a tray.

[0020] In this embodiment, an example will be described in which a product with a flat bottom, the contents of which are tightly packed in a packaging material, and a label WL (see Figure 2) attached to the bottom, is inspected as the workpiece W.

[0021] The inspection device 1 of this embodiment inspects whether a label WL attached to the bottom is present, whether the attachment position is correct, whether there are any printing defects on the label WL, etc., based on an image of the work W captured by the imaging device. Note that if the work W is not a label but a type of product where information is printed directly on the packaging material, it is also possible to inspect whether there are any printing defects on the packaging material, whether there are any printing defects on the expiration date, etc.

[0022] In addition, the inspection device 1 may be used to inspect products with flat bottoms, such as food, whose contents are tightly packed in film-like packaging material, to see if the contents are caught in the sealed portion of the packaging material.

[0023] [Inspection equipment configuration] The inspection device 1 is disposed between a first conveying section 31 and a second conveying section 32, which are arranged at a predetermined gap G in the conveying direction of the workpiece W (indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1). The first conveying section 31 is, for example, a belt conveyor, and conveys the workpiece W to the second conveying section 32. The second conveying section 32 is, for example, a belt conveyor, and conveys the workpiece W conveyed from the first conveying section 31 to a subsequent process. Here, an example of the subsequent process is an inspection process using an X-ray inspection device. The belt conveyor may also be a transparent conveyor. Note that, hereinafter, the first conveying section 31 and the second conveying section 32 may be collectively referred to simply as the "conveying section."

[0024] The inspection device 1 is configured to inspect the workpiece W when the workpiece W passes through a predetermined gap G between the first transport section 31 and the second transport section 32.

[0025] The inspection device 1 includes an imaging device 10 and a processing unit 20.

[0026] The imaging device 10 is provided on one side (in this embodiment, the lower side in FIG. 1) across a predetermined gap G in a transverse direction (in this embodiment, the vertical direction in FIG. 1) that intersects with the conveying direction of the workpiece W. The imaging device 10 is held by a bracket 11 (see FIG. 2), which will be described later, at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the predetermined gap G.

[0027] The imaging device 10 is composed of a line sensor that uses a one-dimensional element in which pixels are arranged one-dimensionally on the light-receiving element surface as an imaging element, and images the workpiece W from one side to obtain a line-shaped image in the width direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the workpiece W. The imaging device 10 continuously images the workpiece W during conveyance. The images of each line captured by the imaging device 10 are continuously captured by the image acquisition unit and configured into a single image.

[0028] An operation unit 21 is connected to the processing unit 20. The operation unit 21 is composed of, for example, a plurality of keys and switches operated by the user, soft keys on the display screen of the display unit 27 (described later), etc. The operation unit 21 is operated, for example, to instruct the start and stop of operation of the inspection device 1, to set the type of work W and the number of inspections, etc., to set various settings when changing the size of the imaging device 10, to start the processing unit 20, etc.

[0029] The processing unit 20 includes an image acquisition unit 22, a storage unit 23, a region specification unit 24, a determination unit 25, and a display control unit 26.

[0030] The image acquisition unit 22 is configured to include, for example, an image input board, acquires images for each line from the imaging device 10, and generates one image from the acquired images for each line. The storage unit 23 stores the images generated by the image acquisition unit 22.

[0031] The area identification unit 24 performs image processing such as binarization and edge detection on the single image generated by the image acquisition unit 22, and identifies a label area on the workpiece W. The label area is an area on the bottom of the workpiece W where a label WL is affixed. Note that if the workpiece W is a type that does not use a label, a print area on which characters, barcodes, etc. are printed may be identified instead of the label area.

[0032] When the inspection device 1 is used to inspect whether or not contents are caught in a sealed portion, the area specifying unit 24 performs image processing, such as binarization or edge detection, on the single image generated by the image acquisition unit 22 to specify the sealed area in the work W. The sealed area refers to, for example, the area from both ends of the packaging material to the inner edge of the sealed portion in a work W in which the inner portion is sealed by a predetermined width from both opposing ends of the packaging material.

[0033] The determination unit 25 determines whether a label WL is attached to the bottom and whether the attachment position is correct, based on the single image generated by the image acquisition unit 22. Furthermore, the determination unit 25 uses a matching function, such as OCV (Optical Character Verification) or OCR (Optical Character Recognition), on the single image generated by the image acquisition unit 22 to determine whether there is a printing defect on the label WL.

[0034] When the inspection device 1 is used to inspect whether or not contents are caught in a sealed portion, the determination unit 25 determines whether or not contents are caught in the sealed portion of the packaging material in the sealed area identified by the area identification unit 24. The determination unit 25 can, for example, detect an abnormal portion from one image generated by the image acquisition unit 22, and determine whether or not the detected abnormal portion is present in the sealed area, thereby determining whether or not contents are caught in the sealed portion of the packaging material.

[0035] The display control unit 26 controls the display on the display unit 27 connected to the processing unit 20. The display control unit 26 controls the display on the display unit 27 so as to display various information such as, for example, one image generated by the image acquisition unit 22, the inspection result of the work W based on the judgment of the judgment unit 25, the total number of inspections, the number of good products, the total number of NG products, etc.

[0036] The display unit 27 is configured with a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and displays various information including the inspection results of the workpiece W under the control of the display control unit 26.

[0037] [Configuration of imaging device] Next, a specific configuration of the imaging device 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0038] The imaging device 10 of this embodiment is configured with a contact image sensor that integrates a light source, an imaging element, and an imaging lens. Advantages of using a contact image sensor as an imaging device include, for example, that compared to using a normal line camera that requires separate lighting and lenses, there is no distortion due to lenses or lighting, and shading correction or lighting adjustment is not required; that the components required for imaging are compactly unitized, allowing the installation of the components required for imaging to be compact, thereby preventing the inspection device from becoming larger; that no separate lighting is required, eliminating the need to secure lighting installation space or a separate lighting irradiation area, allowing imaging to be performed using the small gaps that usually occur between conveying parts lined up in the conveying direction; and that the size of the contact image sensor (the length in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction) can be changed without changing the distance from the workpiece W.

[0039] Here, in this embodiment, a contact image sensor is used as the imaging device 10, but it does not necessarily need to be placed in close contact with the workpiece W, and the imaging device 10 is positioned so that the distance between the imaging device 10 and the workpiece W is, for example, approximately 50 mm.

[0040] 2 and 3, the imaging device 10 is attached to a support base 33 of a first transport unit 31 via a bracket 11. A control box 12 accommodating a processing unit 20 is attached to the support base 33 of the first transport unit 31.

[0041] The bracket 11 has a support frame 11a that supports the imaging device 10 from below, and a pair of left and right connecting frames 11b. The support frame 11a is connected to the upper ends of the pair of left and right connecting frames 11b. The lower ends of the pair of left and right connecting frames 11b are connected to the support base 33.

[0042] The bracket 11 may be formed of only the pair of left and right connecting frames 11b. In this case, both ends of the imaging device 10 in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction are directly supported by the pair of left and right connecting frames 11b.

[0043] [Regarding changes to imaging equipment] The transport section to which the inspection device 1 is applied includes a plurality of types of transport sections each having a different width in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction (hereinafter referred to as "transport width") depending on the size of the workpiece W to be inspected.

[0044] In the case of an inspection device that uses a normal line camera that requires separate lighting as the imaging device, there are the following issues when handling conveyance sections with different conveyance widths. Note that the following issues apply when using the same line camera to handle changes in conveyance section.

[0045] Normally, when the workpiece W to be inspected is changed to a different type (different size), the conveying width (width perpendicular to the conveying direction) of the conveying unit is also changed to a size appropriate for the new workpiece. The distance between the line camera and the workpiece must also be changed so that the entire workpiece with the changed width size can be properly imaged. For this reason, the brackets supporting the line camera must be replaced, and the aforementioned distance must be adjusted accurately. The lighting position must also be adjusted. Furthermore, the lens must be adjusted as needed.

[0046] When changing to a conveying section with a larger conveying width, it is necessary to increase the distance between the line camera and the workpiece in order to properly capture the entire large workpiece. In the case of a type in which the line camera is installed below the conveying section, there is a limit to how far the distance between the line camera and the workpiece can be increased in the limited space below the conveying section, and there are restrictions on the installation of the line camera. As a result, the conveying width that can be supported is limited.

[0047] In contrast, in the inspection device 1 of this embodiment, when handling conveyance sections with different conveyance widths, it is only necessary to replace the contact image sensor with a contact image sensor of a length corresponding to the conveyance width. In this case, there is no need to change the distance between the contact image sensor and the workpiece W.

[0048] Therefore, in the inspection device 1 of this embodiment, when changing the contact image sensor, it is only necessary to change the length of the support frame 11a in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction to match the length of the changed contact image sensor, and there is no need to change the connecting frame 11b to one of a different length.

[0049] In the case of a configuration in which both ends of the imaging device 10 are directly supported by the pair of left and right connecting frames 11b, no modification is required to the bracket 11.

[0050] In this way, the inspection device 1 of this embodiment is applicable to the first conveying unit 31 and the second conveying unit 32, each of which is configured to be replaceable with one having a different conveying width, and is configured so that when the first conveying unit 31 and the second conveying unit 32 are replaced with one having a different conveying width, the imaging device 10 can be replaced with an imaging device having a length corresponding to the conveying width of the replaced conveying unit. The imaging device 10 is supported by the bracket 11 at a position where the distance from the workpiece W or the distance from the conveying surface of the conveying unit does not change before and after replacing the conveying unit.

[0051] [Action and effect] As described above, in the inspection device according to this embodiment, the imaging device 10 is configured with a contact image sensor, so even if the conveying width of the conveying section is changed, the inspection device can be used without adjusting the installation position of the contact image sensor or the imaging lens, simply by changing the changed conveying section to a contact image sensor with a length that corresponds to the size of the conveyed workpiece W. In this way, the inspection device according to this embodiment can accommodate a plurality of types of conveying sections with different conveying widths, without requiring adjustment of the installation position of the imaging device 10 or the imaging lens.

[0052] Furthermore, in the inspection device according to this embodiment, the imaging device 10 is positioned below with a predetermined gap G in the cross direction. Therefore, even if there is only limited space below the conveying section, it is possible to accommodate changes in the conveying width of the conveying section without any restrictions by simply using contact image sensors with different lengths in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction.

[0053] Furthermore, in the inspection device according to this embodiment, the contact image sensor can be replaced with one of a length corresponding to the changed conveying width due to replacement of the conveying unit, and the replaced contact image sensor is attached by bracket 11 at a position where the distance from the workpiece W remains unchanged before and after the replacement, so the replaced contact image sensor can be used without adjusting the installation position or imaging lens.

[0054] [Variations] In this embodiment, an example in which the imaging device 10 is arranged below the conveying section has been described, but this is not limited to this. For example, the imaging device 10 may be arranged above the conveying section with a predetermined gap G in the intersecting direction as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

[0055] The inspection device 101 according to the modified example is suitable for inspecting a product whose contents are tightly packed in a packaging material and whose top surface is flat. Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show a case where a product with a label WL attached to its top surface is inspected as a workpiece W.

[0056] 4 and 5, in the inspection device 101 according to the modified example, a U-shaped frame 11c is attached to the upper ends of a pair of left and right connecting frames 11b, and a support frame 11a is connected to the left and right upper ends of the frame 11c. The imaging device 10 is attached to the underside of the support frame 11a. As a result, in the inspection device 101 according to the modified example, the imaging device 10 is disposed above the transport unit.

[0057] In addition to the effects of this embodiment, the inspection device 101 according to the modified example has the following effect: In the inspection device 101 according to the modified example, the imaging device 10 is disposed above with a predetermined gap G in the intersecting direction, and therefore even if the conveying unit is changed to one with a larger conveying width, the distance between the conveying unit and the contact image sensor can be maintained, thereby preventing the inspection device 101 from becoming larger in size in the height direction.

[0058] The methods of supporting the imaging device 10 shown in this embodiment and the modifications shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are merely examples and are not limiting, and other known supporting methods can be used instead.

[0059] Furthermore, the inspection device according to this embodiment and the modified examples shown in Figures 4 and 5 can be used to inspect whether the contents of a product, such as food, are tightly packed in a film-like packaging material and have a flat bottom, and whether the contents are caught in the sealed portion of the packaging material. In this case, the inspection device may be configured as follows.

[0060] For example, by placing a light on the side opposite the contact image sensor across a predetermined gap G and using an infrared imaging element as the imaging element of the contact image sensor, a transmitted image of the workpiece W can be obtained and the presence or absence of jamming can be inspected based on the transmitted image.

[0061] While an embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention, and it is intended that all such modifications and equivalents be included in the following claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1, 101 Inspection equipment 10. Imaging device 11 Bracket 11a Support frame 11b Connecting frame 11c Frame 12 Control box 20 Processing section 21 Control section 22 Image acquisition unit 23 Memory section 24 Area identification part 25 Judgment section 26 Display control unit 27 Display section 31 First conveying section 32 Second conveying section 33 Support stand Double work (inspection items) WL Label G specified gap

Claims

1. An inspection device (1) that inspects an inspection product (W) when the inspection product passes between a first conveying section (31) and a second conveying section (32) that are arranged with a predetermined gap (G) between them in a conveying direction of the inspection product, an imaging device (10) that is provided on one side of the predetermined gap in a direction intersecting the conveying direction of the inspection product and that captures an image of the inspection product from the one side; the imaging device is configured by a contact image sensor in which a light source, an imaging element, and an imaging lens are integrated; the first conveying unit and the second conveying unit are configured to be replaceable with units having different conveying widths, which are widths in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, The inspection device is characterized in that the contact image sensor can be replaced with one having a length corresponding to the changed conveying width due to the replacement, and is attached by a bracket (11) at a position where the distance from the inspection product does not change before and after the replacement.

2. The inspection device according to claim 1 , wherein the imaging device is disposed below the inspection device with the predetermined gap in the intersecting direction.

3. The inspection device according to claim 1 , wherein the imaging device is disposed above the inspection device with the predetermined gap in the intersecting direction.

Images