Product Inspection Equipment

Abstract

To provide an article inspection device that can correctly evaluate the characteristics of an object to be inspected even in long-term inspection.SOLUTION: An article inspection device comprises: an outside conveying unit 12 that stores a tablet W to be inspected in a storage groove 12B and conveys it to an article inspection position P5; a light source 31 that irradiates the tablet W conveyed to the article inspection position P5 with light; a light receiving unit 32 that detects light transmitted through the tablet W; an article inspection unit 3 that inspects the quality of the tablet W based on the spectral characteristics of the light detected by the light receiving unit 32; a light detection unit 41 that converts the light from the light source 31 into a signal and outputs the signal; and a light quantity variation light receiving unit 42 that detects a variation in the quantity of light from the light source 31 from the signal output by the light detection unit 41, and adjusts the quantity of light of the light source 31 according to the amount of variation in the light quantity. The article inspection device can avoid erroneous detection due to the light quantity variation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a tablet inspection device that irradiates a tablet with light from a light source and inspects the quality of the tablet according to the spectral characteristics of the transmitted light that has exited from one point on the tablet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-60536 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When inspecting an article using light from a light source in this way, a halogen lamp or the like is used as the light source.

[0005] However, the light intensity of the light source changes over time, and when used for a long period of time, the light intensity may temporarily fluctuate due to factors such as filament deterioration, which may prevent accurate evaluation of the characteristics of the object being inspected.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an article inspection apparatus that can correctly evaluate the characteristics of an object to be inspected even during a long inspection period. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The article inspection device of the present invention includes a conveying unit that rotates and conveys articles for inspection to an article inspection position while aligning them one by one, a light source that irradiates light in a wide band onto the articles that are rotated and conveyed while aligned one by one at the article inspection position, and a light receiving unit that detects light transmitted through or reflected by the articles, and inspects the quality of the articles based on the spectral characteristics of the light detected by the light receiving unit. Judgment on whether it is OK or notand an article inspection unit for detecting a change in the light intensity of the light source when the light source is configured as a lamp having a filament, the light source comprising: a light detection unit for converting light from the light source into a signal and outputting the signal; and a light intensity fluctuation light receiving unit for detecting a change in the light intensity of the light source from the signal output by the light detection unit and adjusting the light intensity of the light source by feedback control in accordance with a feedback amount derived from the change in the light intensity, wherein the article inspection unit determines that an article whose spectral characteristics have been measured when the change in the light intensity of the light source exceeds a predetermined threshold is an article for which inspection has not been completed. The products judged as non-defective are collected separately from the products. Exclusion Put out The light intensity fluctuation determination unit is provided.

[0008] With this configuration, the light intensity of the light source is adjusted by feedback control in accordance with the feedback amount derived from the fluctuation of the light intensity of the light source. This makes it possible to keep the light intensity of the light source constant, enabling accurate evaluation of the characteristics of the object under inspection even over long periods of time. In addition, an item whose spectral characteristics are measured when the fluctuation in the light intensity of the light source exceeds a predetermined threshold is considered to be an item for which inspection has not been completed. and discharged to a designated collection point, separate from the items that have been judged to be good or bad. Therefore, it is possible to exclude inspection objects that have been measured when the light intensity of the light source temporarily fluctuates and the characteristics of the object cannot be evaluated correctly, and to obtain measurement results only for those objects whose characteristics can be evaluated correctly, thereby enabling the characteristics of the object to be evaluated correctly.

[0009] In the article inspection device of the present invention, the light intensity fluctuation light receiving unit detects the light intensity of the light source by averaging the light intensity values ​​of the light source. The feedback amount This is to calculate the following.

[0010] This configuration allows the average value of the light source's light intensity to be calculated. Feedback Amount Therefore, the light intensity of the light source is adjusted based on data that does not include sudden fluctuations, and sudden changes in the light intensity of the light source can be suppressed.

[0011] In the article inspection apparatus of the present invention, the light intensity fluctuation light receiving unit receives a filtered value of the light intensity of the light source. The feedback amount This is to calculate the following.

[0012] This configuration allows the light intensity value of the light source to be filtered. Feedback Amount Therefore, the light intensity of the light source is adjusted based on data that does not include sudden fluctuations, and sudden changes in the light intensity of the light source 31 can be suppressed.

[0013] In the article inspection apparatus of the present invention, the light intensity fluctuation light receiving unit detects the light intensity fluctuation based on a statistically processed value of the light intensity of the light source. The feedback amount This is to calculate the following.

[0014] This configuration allows the light intensity of the light source to be statistically processed. Feedback Amount Therefore, the light intensity of the light source is adjusted based on data that does not include sudden fluctuations, and sudden changes in the light intensity of the light source 31 can be suppressed.

[0015] In the article inspection device of the present invention, a mechanism for ejecting the article for which the inspection has not been completed is provided. A collection department is provided Discharge position and inspection completed The pass / fail judgment is made To sort the inspected items according to the results of the inspection. There are sections for collecting defective products and collecting acceptable products. The sorting positions are arranged side by side in the direction of rotation of the conveying section.

[0016] This configuration allows for the removal of items that have not yet been inspected. A collection department is provided Discharge position and inspection completed and judged to be good or bad. To sort the inspected items according to the results of the inspection. There are sections for collecting defective products and collecting acceptable products. The sorting position and the sorting position are arranged side by side in the rotation direction of the conveyor unit. Therefore, it is possible to exclude items that have not been inspected and obtain measurement results only for cases where the characteristics of the inspection object can be correctly evaluated, thereby enabling the characteristics of the inspection object to be correctly evaluated. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] The present invention can provide an article inspection device that can correctly evaluate the characteristics of an object to be inspected even during a long inspection period. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of an article inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a supply container of an article inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention, taken along the line II-II in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the groove and the storage section of the outer transport device of the object inspection apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross section taken along the VV direction in FIG. 3, viewed obliquely from above. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an article inspection unit provided at an article inspection position of an article inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the change over time in the light output of the light source when a light source abnormality occurs due to the lamp life or the like of the article inspection unit of the article inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, an article inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0020] In Figure 1, an item inspection device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention aligns items to be inspected and transports them individually while irradiating them with light at a predetermined item inspection position, and inspects the quality of the items based on the spectral characteristics of the light that passes through the items as this light is irradiated.

[0021] The items to be inspected are small-diameter items in which the light irradiation area is relatively close to the diameter of the irradiation port that irradiates the item to be inspected, and include items with an outer diameter φ of several mm to several tens of mm that can be transported individually without packaging, bite-sized items, as well as items and molded products of a predetermined shape manufactured using existing manufacturing equipment or manufacturing equipment without inspection functions, and especially items whose shape does not change during transportation.

[0022] Examples of such articles include pharmaceutical preparations such as tablets, capsules, lozenges, and drops, as well as candy and chocolate. The following description will be given taking as an example an article to be inspected a tablet W that is circular in plan view, has a height (thickness) smaller than its diameter, and is approximately cylindrical in side view. The tablet W in this embodiment constitutes the article.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1, the item inspection device 1 includes an item conveying device 2 that conveys tablets W along a circular conveying course, and an item inspection unit 3 that inspects the tablets W at an item inspection position P5 along the conveying course.

[0024] 2, the supply container 10 is formed in a circular shape with an open top and a cross-sectional area that gradually decreases from the top downward. The supply container 10 is a horizontal annular flange provided with a predetermined width around the entire circumference of an opening 10a on the top surface, and is equipped with an outer conveying section 12 that serves as a conveying path for the tablets W, a circular bottom wall 13 that has a through-hole 13b in part and has a smaller diameter than the outer conveying section 12, and a cylindrical side wall 14 that connects the outer conveying section 12 and the bottom wall 13.

[0025] In this embodiment, the inner conveying section 11 is provided radially inward of the outer conveying section 12. In other words, the outer conveying section 12 is provided radially outward of the inner conveying section 11 so as to surround the periphery of the inner conveying section 11 when viewed from above the item conveying device 2.

[0026] Supply container 10 is rotatably attached to a main body frame (not shown). The rotation axis of supply container 10 passes through the center of bottom wall 13 and coincides with a line perpendicular to bottom wall 13. An annular internal gear 10b is fixed to the underside of bottom wall 13 of supply container 10, with its center coincident with bottom wall 13.

[0027] A first motor 21 is attached to the main body frame, and a pinion 22 provided on a drive shaft 21a of the first motor 21 meshes with an internal gear 10b. When the first motor 21 is driven, the supply container 10 (outer conveying section 12) rotates around its central axis of rotation in a rotation direction A (see FIG. 1). In this embodiment, the rotation direction A of the supply container 10 is counterclockwise when the article conveying device 2 is viewed from above.

[0028] 1 and 2, inner conveying section 11 is disposed at an angle inside supply container 10. The diameter of inner conveying section 11 is larger than the diameter of bottom wall 13 of supply container 10, so inner conveying section 11 can be accommodated at an angle inside supply container 10. That is, supply container 10 is formed in a circular shape with an open top and a cross-sectional area that decreases from the top toward bottom wall 13, so inner conveying section 11 can be accommodated at an angle inside supply container 10.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the upper end 11b of the inner conveying section 11 in the inclined direction faces the upper edge of the side wall 14 of the supply container 10, and the lower end 11c of the inclined direction, which is located 180° opposite the upper end 11b in the circumferential direction of the inner conveying section 11, faces the lower edge of the side wall 14 of the supply container 10.

[0030] That is, the lower end 11c of the inclined direction of the inner conveying section 11 is lowest at the portion facing the lower edge of the side wall 14 of the supply container 10, and the upper end 11b of the inclined direction of the inner conveying section 11 is highest at the portion facing the upper edge of the side wall 14 of the supply container 10. A drive shaft 11a (see FIG. 2) is fixed perpendicular to the inner conveying section 11 at the center of the lower surface of the inner conveying section 11, and the drive shaft 11a is inserted in an inclined state through a through-hole 13b in the bottom wall 13 of the supply container 10 and connected to a second motor 23 (see FIG. 2).

[0031] Second motor 23 is attached to a main body frame that supports supply container 10, and when second motor 23 is driven, inner conveying section 11 rotates around drive shaft 11a in rotation direction B (see FIG. 1) inside supply container 10. Rotation direction B of inner conveying section 11 and rotation direction A of outer conveying section 12 are the same direction.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 1, the article conveying device 2 includes an article supply section 24, which is installed above the article conveying device 2. When tablets W, which are molded products manufactured by existing manufacturing equipment or manufacturing equipment without an inspection function, are input, the article supply section 24 accumulates the input tablets W and discharges the accumulated tablets W from the discharge port 24a to the article input position P1, and supplies them to the inner conveying section 11 at the article input position P1.

[0033] The article supply unit 24 transports the tablets W that have been inserted to the inner transport unit 11, and is composed of, for example, a linear feeder or a conveyor.

[0034] The article supply unit 24 has the function of supplying tablets W in accordance with the capacity of the inner conveying unit 11 and the outer conveying unit 12 to convey tablets W. In other words, the article supply unit 24 sets the amount of tablets W to be supplied to the inner conveying unit 11 in accordance with the capacity of the article conveying device 2 to convey tablets W (for example, the number of tablets W conveyed per unit time).

[0035] In the article conveying device 2, while tablets W are fed from the article supply section 24 into the inner conveying section 11, the first motor 21 and the second motor 23 are driven in the same direction at the same speed or at different speeds, and the inner conveying section 11 and the supply container 10 are rotated at the same speed in rotation directions A and B, respectively.The tablets W that fall to the lowest part of the article supply section 24 (towards the lower end 11c in the inclined direction) move to the highest part of the inner conveying section 11 (towards the upper end 11b in the inclined direction) as the inner conveying section 11 rotates, and are placed on the outer conveying section 12.

[0036] 1 and 3, the outer conveying section 12 is provided with a groove 12A and a storage groove 12B. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the groove 12A is recessed downward from the upper surface 12a of the outer conveying section 12 and extends in the radial direction of the outer conveying section 12. In this embodiment, the storage groove 12B constitutes a storage section.

[0037] The grooves 12A are arranged in a row at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the outer conveying section 12, and these grooves 12A are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the outer conveying section 12 with the upper surface 12a of the outer conveying section 12 in between.

[0038] 3, the groove 12A is formed so that its circumferential width gradually narrows from the inner end 12n to the outer end 12m in the radial direction of the outer conveying section 12. The circumferential width of the inner end 12n of the groove 12A is formed smaller than the width when two tablets W are lined up in the circumferential direction, that is, smaller than twice the width of the diameter of the tablets W (or smaller than the width when two tablets W are lined up in the circumferential direction, one vertically and the other horizontally), and is formed into a shape that makes it difficult for two tablets W to enter at the same time.

[0039] The tablet W that has been pushed onto the outer conveying section 12 by the rotation of the inner conveying section 11 enters the groove section 12A from the radial inner end 12n of the groove section 12A, and is guided from the groove section 12A to the storage groove 12B by the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the outer conveying section 12 and the article guide section 27 described later, and is stored in the storage groove 12B.

[0040] 3 and 4, the storage groove 12B is located radially outward of the groove portion 12A on the outer conveying portion 12. The storage groove 12B is formed in a circular shape that is slightly larger than the tablet W in a plan view, and is recessed below the bottom surface 12b of the groove portion 12A, or may be at the same height as the groove portion 12A.

[0041] Specifically, the storage groove 12B has a bottom wall 12C with an annular mounting surface 12d located below the bottom surface 12b of the groove portion 12A. The bottom wall 12C has a circular opening 12c located inside the mounting surface 12d and through which inspection light passes. That is, the mounting surface 12d is provided radially outward from the circular opening 12c so as to surround the opening 12c, and the tablet W is placed on the annular mounting surface 12d so as to close the opening 12c from above.

[0042] The storage groove 12B extends upward from the bottom wall 12C and has a peripheral wall 12D surrounding the outer peripheral side surface Wa of the tablet W, and the tablet W is stored in a fitted state in the storage groove 12B.

[0043] Specifically, the peripheral wall 12D of the storage groove 12B is formed by the step between the bottom surface 12b of the groove portion 12A and the mounting surface 12d of the storage groove 12B, and the step between the top surface 12a of the groove portion 12A and the mounting surface 12d of the storage groove 12B.

[0044] The opening 12c is formed with a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the tablet W when viewed in a plane of the outer conveying section 12, so that when the tablet W is stored in the storage groove 12B, the opening 12c cannot be seen from above, preventing the tablet W from falling through the opening 12c.

[0045] The distance from the central axis of rotation of the outer conveying unit 12 to the center of all of the storage grooves 12B is the same, and when the tablets W are stored in the storage grooves 12B, the tablets W are aligned in a line in the rotation direction of the outer conveying unit 12. In other words, a line connecting the centers of the storage grooves 12B (centers of the openings 12c) in the rotation direction forms a circle. As a result, when the outer conveying unit 12 rotates, the tablets W stored in the storage grooves 12B are aligned in a line in the rotation direction of the outer conveying unit 12.

[0046] Furthermore, when the tablet W is contained in the containing groove 12B, the gap between the outer peripheral side surface Wa of the tablet W and the peripheral wall 12D becomes extremely small. This prevents light from leaking out from the gap between the tablet W and the peripheral wall 12D and light from entering the gap between the tablet W and the peripheral wall 12D. That is, the peripheral wall 12D blocks light incident on the light receiving unit 32 (described later) from the outer peripheral side surface Wa of the tablet W. In this embodiment, the peripheral wall 12D constitutes a light-shielding portion, and the outer peripheral side surface Wa of the tablet W constitutes the outer peripheral side surface of the article.

[0047] The condition is that the gap between the outer peripheral side Wa of the tablet W and the peripheral wall 12D and the gap between the outer peripheral side Wa of the tablet W and the bottom wall 12C are set to a size that can prevent light from leaking from the outer peripheral side Wa of the tablet W or light from entering from the outer peripheral side Wa by the peripheral wall 12D, and that allows the tablet W to be securely accommodated in the accommodation groove 12B.

[0048] As shown in Figure 4, when tablet W is contained in storage groove 12B, the height dimension a of tablet W, i.e., the dimension a from mounting surface 12d of storage groove 12B to the upper surface of tablet W, is larger than the height dimension b from mounting surface 12d of storage groove 12B to the upper surface 12a of groove portion 12A.

[0049] As a result, when the tablet W is contained in the containing groove 12B, the upper surface of the tablet W protrudes above the upper surface 12a of the groove portion 12A.

[0050] In addition, when the tablet W is accommodated in the accommodation groove 12B, the height dimension a of the tablet W may be smaller than the height dimension b from the placement surface 12d of the accommodation groove 12B to the upper surface 12a of the groove portion 12A. In this case, when the tablet W is accommodated in the accommodation groove 12B, the upper surface of the tablet W is located below the upper surface 12a of the groove portion 12A.

[0051] 1, the article conveying device 2 is provided with an article regulating section 25. The article regulating section 25 regulates the number of tablets W to be supplied so that only one tablet W is supplied to the groove section 12A, and aligns the tablets W in a single row in the rotation direction of the outer conveying section 12.

[0052] The item control section 25 is composed of a guide plate that extends curvedly at a certain length in the rotation direction of the outer conveying section 12 and also extends in the vertical direction, and is fixed to the main body frame that supports the supply container 10.

[0053] The article regulating section 25 is provided at a regulating position P2 downstream of the article input position P1 in the rotation direction of the outer conveying section 12. In other words, the article input position P1 is located upstream of the article regulating section 25 in a plan view of the article conveying device 2. Here, the rotation direction of the outer conveying section 12 and the conveying direction of the tablets W are the same direction.

[0054] When one tablet W is supplied from the inner conveying section 11 to the groove section 12A through the radial inner end 12n of the groove section 12A, the radial outer end of the tablet W comes into contact with the article regulating section 25. That is, the radial dimension of the outer conveying section 12 at the article regulating section 25 and the inner end 12n of the groove section 12A is set to the same dimension as the diameter of the tablet W, a dimension slightly larger than the diameter of the tablet W, or a dimension slightly smaller than the diameter of the tablet W so that the tablet W does not fall from the groove section 12A into the inner conveying section 11. As a result, the article regulating section 25 regulates the number of tablets W to be supplied so that only one tablet W is supplied to the groove section 12A.

[0055] Furthermore, the tablet W supplied alone to the groove portion 12A is restricted from moving radially outward of the outer conveying portion 12 by the article restricting portion 25, and is conveyed toward the article inspection position P5 while aligned in a row in the rotation direction of the outer conveying portion 12. The outer conveying portion 12 of this embodiment constitutes a conveying portion.

[0056] The article conveying device 2 is provided with an article adjustment unit 26. The article adjustment unit 26 is provided at an article adjustment position P3 downstream of the article regulating unit 25 in the rotation direction of the outer conveying unit 12, and returns tablets W that are not positioned in the correct orientation in the groove 12A to the correct orientation in the groove 12A, and removes tablets W that protrude from the groove 12A from the groove 12A. Here, the correct orientation of the tablets W is, for example, an orientation in which the tablets W can be smoothly moved from the groove 12A to the storage groove 12B and stored sideways in the storage groove 12B.

[0057] The article adjustment section 26 is composed of a brush, air, an exclusion plate, etc., and when a tablet W supplied to the groove section 12A rides up on the upper surface 12a of the outer conveying section 12, it adjusts the tablet to a normal position in the groove section 12A or excludes it from the groove section 12A.

[0058] Furthermore, when one tablet W is in a bad position (vertical orientation), the tablet W is removed from the groove portion 12A. The tablet W removed from the groove portion 12A is returned to the inside conveying portion 11.

[0059] Specifically, when a tablet W is positioned above the upper surface of the tablet W that would normally be in the groove portion 12A, the item adjustment unit 26 adjusts (corrects or removes) the tablet W that is in a poor position by supplying air above the upper surface of the tablet W or by operating an exclusion plate.

[0060] The article conveying device 2 is provided with an article guide section 27. The article guide section 27 is provided at an article guide position P4 downstream of the article adjustment section 26 in the rotation direction of the outer conveying section 12, and guides tablets W supplied to the groove section 12A along the groove section 12A to the storage groove 12B. The article guide section 27 is configured from a guide plate that extends curvedly at a certain length in the rotation direction of the outer conveying section 12 and also extends in the vertical direction, and is fixed to a main body frame that supports the supply container 10.

[0061] The article guide section 27 is composed of a guide plate that extends a certain length from the inner end 12n of the groove section 12A toward the outer end 12m in the vertical direction in the rotational direction of the outer conveying section 12. The upstream end 27a of the article guide section 27 is located closer to the inner conveying section 11 than the inner end 12n of the groove section 12A in the radial direction of the outer conveying section 12, and the downstream end 27b is located closer to the inner end 12n of the groove section 12A than the storage groove 12B in the radial direction of the outer conveying section 12, and is located near the outer end 12m of the groove section 12A.

[0062] The article guide section 27 moves the tablets W aligned in a row in the rotational direction of the outer conveying section 12 on the inner end 12n side of the storage groove 12B at the regulating position P2 along the groove section 12A toward the storage groove 12B as the outer conveying section 12 rotates, and stores them in the storage groove 12B.

[0063] The tablets W accommodated in the accommodation grooves 12B are transported to the article inspection unit 3 by the rotation of the outer transport unit 12. As shown in FIG. 1, the article inspection unit 3 is provided at an article inspection position P5 downstream of the article guiding position P4 in the rotation direction of the outer transport unit 12.

[0064] The item transport device 2 is provided with an item blocking section 28. The item blocking section 28 is provided from midway in the rotation direction of the outer transport section 12 of the item guide section 27 to downstream of the item inspection position P5 in the rotation direction of the outer transport section 12.

[0065] The item blocking section 28 is composed of a guide plate that curves in the rotation direction of the outer conveying section 12, extends a certain length, and extends in the vertical direction, and is fixed to the main frame that supports the supply container 10.

[0066] The article blocking portion 28 blocks the tablets W accommodated in the accommodation groove 12B by the article guiding portion 27 from moving radially outward from the accommodation groove 12B due to centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the outer conveying portion 12.

[0067] As shown in Figure 6, the item inspection unit 3 is composed of a light source 31, a light receiving unit 32, a measurement unit 33, a normal measurement determination unit 34, a light detection unit 41, a light intensity fluctuation light receiving unit 42, a light intensity fluctuation value accumulation unit 43, and a light intensity fluctuation determination unit 44.

[0068] The light source 31 is configured by, for example, a halogen lamp, in order to irradiate the tablet W to be inspected with light of a wide band.

[0069] The light receiving section 32 separates the light transmitted through the tablet W into light components and outputs a signal representing the spectral characteristics. The measuring unit 33 processes the signal of the spectral characteristics output from the light receiving unit 32 and outputs it.

[0070] The normal measurement determination unit 34 determines whether the quality of the tablets W is good or bad based on the results processed by the measurement unit 33.

[0071] The light detection unit 41 detects a portion of the output light of the light source 31, converts it into an electrical signal, etc., and outputs it. The light detection unit 41 outputs, for example, a signal indicating the amount of light from the light source 31. This enables the light detection unit 41 to output a relative value of the light output of the light source 31.

[0072] The light amount fluctuation light receiving section 42 detects fluctuations in the light amount of the light source 31 from the signal output from the light detection section 41 . The light quantity fluctuation value storage unit 43 stores the fluctuation value of the light quantity detected by the light quantity fluctuation light receiving unit 42 .

[0073] The light quantity fluctuation determination unit 44 determines whether there is an abnormality in the fluctuation amount of the light quantity based on the fluctuation values ​​of the light quantity accumulated in the light quantity fluctuation value accumulation unit 43, based on the thresholds stored in the fluctuation tolerance threshold 45 and the light quantity limit value 46.

[0074] As shown in Figure 1, downstream of the item inspection position P5 in the rotation direction of the outer conveying section 12 are a NG item recovery section 35, a full item recovery section 36, and a OK item recovery section 37, which are arranged at a predetermined interval in the rotation direction of the outer conveying section 12.

[0075] When the article inspection unit 3 determines that a tablet W is a defective product (NG product), the article conveying device 2, when the tablet W determined to be a defective product is conveyed to an NG product sorting position P6 downstream in the rotation direction of the outer conveying unit 12 relative to the article inspection unit 3, blows air onto the tablet W from the radially inner side of the outer conveying unit 12, and discharges the tablet W from the storage groove 12B to the NG product collecting unit 35. Note that the tablet W may also be sucked from the radially outer side of the outer conveying unit 12 at the NG product sorting position P6 and discharged from the storage groove 12B to the NG product collecting unit 35.

[0076] On the other hand, when the product inspection unit 3 determines that the tablet W is a normal product (OK product), when the tablet W determined to be a normal product is transported from the NG product sorting position P6 to the OK product sorting position P7, air is blown onto the tablet W from the radially inner side of the outer conveying unit 12, and the tablet W is discharged from the storage groove 12B to the OK product recovery unit 37. Note that the tablet W may also be sucked from the radially outer side of the outer conveying unit 12 at the OK product sorting position P7, and discharged from the storage groove 12B to the OK product recovery unit 37.

[0077] The complete collection section 36 is provided at a complete discharge position P8 between the defective product sorting position P6 and the acceptable product sorting position P7 in the rotation direction of the outer conveying section 12.

[0078] The all-item recovery section 36 recovers tablets W that could not be inspected properly or failed to be discharged, such as tablets W that were not successfully discharged when the item inspection device 1 starts operating, after a recovery operation following an emergency stop, or tablets W that failed to be discharged.For example, air is blown onto the tablets W from the radially inside of the outer conveying section 12, and the tablets W are discharged from the storage groove 12B to the all-item recovery section 36.

[0079] At the full discharge position P8, the tablets W may be sucked from the radially outer side of the outer conveying section 12 and discharged from the storage grooves 12B to the full recovery section .

[0080] Furthermore, a confirmation sensor 38 may be provided at a confirmation position P9 downstream of the defective product recovery section 35 in the rotation direction of the outer conveying section 12, and the confirmation sensor 38 may confirm whether or not a defective product has been discharged at the defective product sorting position P6. This can improve the reliability of defective product sorting.

[0081] In this embodiment, the light intensity of the light source 31 of the article inspection unit 3 changes over time. Furthermore, when used for a long period of time, the light intensity may temporarily fluctuate (around 0.6 [min] in the figure) due to deterioration of the filament, as shown in Fig. 7, and the quality of the tablet W may not be determined correctly.

[0082] The article inspection unit 3 of this embodiment monitors the light intensity of the light source 31 and adjusts the light intensity of the light source 31 so that the light intensity of the light source 31 remains constant. Specifically, when the light intensity fluctuation light receiving unit 42 detects fluctuations in the light intensity of the light source 31, it adjusts the light intensity of the light source 31 according to the amount of fluctuation in the light intensity.

[0083] Since the fluctuation in the light intensity of the light source 31 occurs slowly, the detected fluctuation in the light intensity is fed back to the light source 31 so as to change slowly. If this is not done, the fluctuation in the light intensity while measuring the tablet W will become too large, and the light intensity fluctuation light receiving unit 42 will detect the fluctuation in the light source 31 due to the fluctuation in the measurement conditions.

[0084] The light intensity used to determine the feedback amount is based on data that does not contain sudden fluctuations, using values ​​derived through averaging, filtering, and statistical processing. The light intensity fluctuation light receiving unit 42 uses feedback to correct the voltage of the halogen lamp, which serves as the light source 31, using techniques such as PID (Proportional-Integral-Differential) control.

[0085] Furthermore, the light receiving section 32 may correct the measurement results in accordance with the amount of fluctuation in the amount of light detected by the light amount fluctuation light receiving section 42 .

[0086] For example, if the light intensity of the light source 31 decreases, the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 32 also decreases, so the light receiving unit 32 corrects for the decrease and outputs the result to the measuring unit 33.

[0087] In this way, the influence of fluctuations in the light intensity of the light source 31 on the measurement results of the spectral characteristics input to the measurement unit 33 can be suppressed.

[0088] In the product inspection unit 3 of this embodiment, when the fluctuation of the light intensity is large, the tablets W measured during that period are rejected or re-measured as undetermined products due to fluctuations in measurement conditions, based on the threshold of the light intensity. The threshold of the light intensity may be an absolute value or a relative value such as a fluctuation range or ratio from the start of measurement.

[0089] Specifically, the light intensity fluctuation judgment unit 44 compares the light intensity fluctuation value accumulated in the light intensity fluctuation value accumulation unit 43 with the threshold value stored in the fluctuation tolerance threshold 45, and classifies the tablet W measured when the light intensity fluctuation value of the light source 31 exceeds the threshold value as an undetermined product.

[0090] In addition, the light quantity fluctuation judgment unit 44 classifies the tablet W measured when the light quantity value accumulated in the light quantity fluctuation value accumulation unit 43 exceeds the limit value stored in the light quantity limit value 46 as an undetermined product.

[0091] The values ​​stored in the fluctuation tolerance threshold 45 and the light amount limit value 46 may be upper and lower limit values, or may be stored as absolute values.

[0092] Undetermined products are collected, for example, by the all-product collection unit 36 ​​(see FIG. 1) or an undetermined product collection unit (not shown). In this way, it is possible to avoid a normal product being judged as defective when the light intensity fluctuates because it is indistinguishable from a defective product due to a quality abnormality.

[0093] As described above, in the embodiment described above, the light intensity fluctuation light receiving section 42 detects fluctuations in the light intensity of the light source 31 from the signal output by the light detection section 41, and adjusts the light intensity of the light source 31 according to the amount of fluctuation in the light intensity.

[0094] This allows the light intensity of the light source 31 to be adjusted according to the amount of fluctuation in the light intensity of the light source 31. Therefore, the light intensity of the light source 31 can be kept constant, and the characteristics of the object to be inspected can be correctly evaluated even during long-term inspection.

[0095] The light amount fluctuation light receiving unit 42 also calculates the amount of fluctuation in the light amount from an average value of the light amount of the light source 31 .

[0096] As a result, the amount of fluctuation in the light intensity is calculated using an average value of the light intensity of the light source 31. Therefore, the light intensity of the light source 31 is adjusted using data that does not include sudden fluctuations, and sudden changes in the light intensity of the light source 31 can be suppressed.

[0097] Furthermore, the light amount fluctuation light receiving unit 42 calculates the amount of fluctuation in the light amount from a value obtained by filtering the value of the light amount of the light source 31.

[0098] As a result, the amount of fluctuation in the light intensity is calculated using a value obtained by filtering the value of the light intensity of the light source 31. Therefore, the light intensity of the light source 31 is adjusted using data that does not include sudden fluctuations, and sudden changes in the light intensity of the light source 31 can be suppressed.

[0099] The light quantity fluctuation light receiving unit 42 calculates the fluctuation amount of the light quantity from a value obtained by statistically processing the value of the light quantity of the light source 31.

[0100] As a result, the amount of fluctuation in the light intensity is calculated from values ​​obtained by statistically processing the values ​​of the light intensity of the light source 31. Therefore, the light intensity of the light source 31 is adjusted using data that does not include sudden fluctuations, and sudden changes in the light intensity of the light source 31 can be suppressed.

[0101] Furthermore, the light quantity fluctuation determining unit 44 determines that the tablet W measured when the fluctuation value of the light quantity of the light source 31 exceeds a predetermined threshold value is an undetermined product.

[0102] As a result, tablets W measured when the fluctuation value of the light intensity of the light source 31 exceeds a predetermined threshold value are determined to be undetermined products. Therefore, it is possible to exclude test objects measured when the light intensity of the light source 31 temporarily fluctuates and the characteristics of the test object cannot be correctly evaluated, and to obtain measurement results only for cases where the characteristics of the test object can be correctly evaluated, thereby enabling the characteristics of the test object to be correctly evaluated.

[0103] In this embodiment, the case where light from the light source 31 is transmitted through the tablet W and the quality of the tablet W is inspected based on the spectral characteristics of the transmitted light is shown, but the present invention can also be applied to the case where light from the light source 31 is reflected by the tablet W and the quality of the tablet W is inspected based on the spectral characteristics of the reflected light.

[0104] 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]

[0105] 1. Item inspection equipment 2. Item transport device 3. Goods Inspection Department 12 Outer conveying section (conveying section) 12B Receiving groove 31 Light source 32 Light receiving part 33 Measuring part 34 Normal measurement judgment section 41 Light detection unit 42 Light intensity fluctuation receiving unit 43 Light intensity fluctuation value storage unit 44 Light intensity fluctuation determination unit 45 Fluctuation Tolerance Threshold 46 Light Limit

Claims

1. a conveying unit (12) that rotates and conveys the inspection items (W) one by one in an aligned state to an item inspection position (P5); An article inspection device (1) including a light source (31) that irradiates broadband light onto the articles that are rotationally conveyed while aligned one by one at the article inspection position, and an article inspection unit (3) that has a light receiving unit (32) that detects light that has passed through or been reflected by the articles, and that inspects the quality of the articles and determines whether they are good or bad based on the spectral characteristics of the light detected by the light receiving unit, the light source comprises a lamp having a filament; a light detection unit (41) that converts light from the light source into a signal and outputs the signal; a light intensity fluctuation light receiving unit (42) that detects fluctuations in the light intensity of the light source from the signal output by the light detection unit and adjusts the light intensity of the light source by feedback control in accordance with a feedback amount derived from the fluctuation amount of the light intensity, The item inspection device includes a light intensity fluctuation judgment unit (44) that distinguishes the item whose spectral characteristics are measured when the fluctuation in the light intensity of the light source exceeds a predetermined threshold from the item whose inspection has been judged to be pass / fail as an item whose inspection has not been completed, and discharges it into a predetermined collection unit.

2. 2. The object inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the light intensity fluctuation light receiving unit calculates the feedback amount based on an average value of the light intensity values ​​of the light source.

3. 2. The object inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the light intensity fluctuation light receiving unit calculates the feedback amount based on a value obtained by filtering the value of the light intensity of the light source.

4. 2. The object inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the light intensity fluctuation light receiving unit calculates the feedback amount based on a value obtained by statistically processing the value of the light intensity of the light source.

5. An item inspection device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a discharge position (P8) in which a full item recovery section (36) is provided for discharging items for which the inspection has not been completed, and a sorting position (P6, P7) in which a NG item recovery section (35) and an OK item recovery section (37) are provided for sorting items for which the inspection has been completed and determined to be good or bad according to the results of the inspection, are arranged side by side in the rotation direction of the conveying section.

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