Product inspection device

Abstract

To provide an article inspection device which inspects the quality of an article on the basis of spectral characteristics of transmitted light and which can be easily added to an existing conveyance part.SOLUTION: An article inspection device irradiates a tablet W as an inspection object in a constant attitude with light when the conveyed tablet W reaches an inspection position, so as to inspect the quality of the tablet W on the basis of spectral characteristics of transmitted light which has been transmitted by the tablet W in association with the irradiation with the light. The article inspection device includes: a light source part 2 for irradiating the tablet W with the light; and a light reception part 3 for receiving the transmitted light. The light source part 2 is arranged at a position of applying the light from the side of the tablet W in the constant attitude. The light reception part 3 is arranged in a vertical direction of the tablet W in the constant attitude.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In Patent Document 1, tablets are conveyed by a conveyor belt, printing is performed on the tablets conveyed by the conveyor belt by a printing head device, the printing state of the tablets is confirmed on the downstream side of the printing head device in the conveying direction of the tablets conveyed by the conveyor belt, the position of the ejection failure nozzle in the printing head device is specified based on the result, printing using the ejection failure nozzle by the printing head device is prohibited, and a tablet printing device that performs printing without using the ejection failure nozzle by the printing head device is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, for articles such as molded products like tablets, in order to ensure quality, light is irradiated on the article that has been transported to the inspection position, and based on the spectral characteristics of the transmitted light from the article, whether the components of the article are appropriate, whether there are foreign substances mixed in the article, whether there are chips on the surface of the article, etc., a quality inspection for inspecting the quality of the article may be performed.

[0005] When performing a quality inspection based on the spectral characteristics of transmitted light, at least a light source and a light receiver are required. For example, for an article conveyed along a horizontal plane, the light source and the light receiver are arranged so as to face each other in the vertical direction with the article on the conveyance path sandwiched therebetween.

[0006] These inspection devices require holes or other means to allow light to pass through the conveyor belt in order to receive the light that is emitted from the light source and passes through the items with a light receiver. Therefore, they cannot be added to existing manufacturing or inspection lines later, and must be built in from the beginning.

[0007] For example, if an inspection device that performs quality inspection based on the spectral characteristics of transmitted light is to be added to the tablet printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 above, it is necessary to make modifications such as providing the required holes in the conveyor belt, which is not an easy task.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above, and aims to provide an article inspection device that inspects the quality of articles based on the spectral characteristics of transmitted light, and that can be easily added to an existing conveying unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The article inspection apparatus according to the present invention is With the sides being sucked into the suction port The subjects being transported for examination molding When the item reaches the inspection point, With the side surface being sucked into the suction hole The aforementioned in a fixed position molding The product is irradiated with light, and in conjunction with this irradiation of light, the above molding Based on the spectral characteristics of the transmitted light that passes through the product, molding An article inspection device for inspecting the quality of goods, the aforementioned molding The device comprises a light source unit that irradiates the product with the aforementioned light, and a light receiving unit that receives the transmitted light, wherein the light source unit is in the aforementioned fixed position. molding product On the opposite side of the suction hole, with the suction hole in between. The light receiving unit is positioned to irradiate the light from the side, and the light receiving unit is in the constant position. molding It has a configuration that is positioned on one side in the vertical direction of the product.

[0010] With this configuration, the article inspection device according to the present invention has a light source unit With the sides being sucked into the suction port. In a fixed posture molding product On the opposite side of the suction hole, with the suction hole in between. It is positioned to emit light from the side, and the light receiving part is in a fixed position. moldingSince it is configured to be arranged on one side in the vertical direction of the product, it is useful as an article inspection device that can be easily added to the existing conveyance unit without performing special processing or the like on the existing conveyance unit.

[0013] The article inspection device according to the present invention is in the above-mentioned fixed posture molding in the vertical direction of the product, and molding is arranged on the opposite side of the light receiving unit across the product, and molding from the other side in the vertical direction of the product, molding it is preferable to further include another light source unit that irradiates the product with light.

[0014] With this configuration, the article inspection device according to the present invention is in the vertical direction of the product in a fixed posture molding and is arranged on the opposite side of the light receiving unit across the product, molding and further includes another light source unit that irradiates the product with light from the other side in the vertical direction of the product. molding Therefore, the amount of transmitted light received by the light receiving unit can be increased, and the inspection accuracy can be further improved. molding

[0017] The article inspection device according to the present invention is With the top or bottom surface being sucked into the suction port an article inspection device that irradiates light on a product to be inspected that is conveyed molding when the product reaches the inspection position, With the upper or lower surface being sucked into the suction hole inspects the quality of the product based on the spectral characteristics of the transmitted light that has passed through the product along with the irradiation of this light, molding and includes a light source unit that irradiates the product with the light and a light receiving unit that receives the transmitted light. The light source unit is arranged at a position where the light is irradiated from the side of the product in the above-mentioned fixed posture molding and the light receiving unit is arranged on the opposite side of the light source unit across the product in the above-mentioned fixed posture molding of the product. molding molding With this configuration, in the article inspection device according to the present invention, the light source unit is molding arranged at a position where the light is irradiated from the side of the product in a fixed posture, and the light receiving unit is arranged on the opposite side of the light source unit across the product in a fixed posture

[0018] With the top or bottom surface being sucked into the suction hole. in a fixed posture molding and is arranged on the opposite side of the light source unit across the product. molding Since it is configured to be disposed on the side opposite to the light source unit with the article sandwiched therebetween, it is useful as an article inspection device that can be easily added to the existing conveyance unit without performing special processing or the like on the existing conveyance unit.

[0019] In the article inspection device according to the present invention, between the light source unit and the molding article, it is preferable that a slit member having a slit through which the light irradiated from the light source unit passes is provided.

[0020] With this configuration, in the article inspection device according to the present invention, the slit member having the slit through which the light irradiated from the light source unit passes is provided between the light source unit and the molding article, so that stray light can be removed by the slit.

[0021] The article inspection device according to the present invention , Preliminary measures the change in the amount of light obtained as a result of inspecting the sample article to be inspected a plurality of times It further includes an input section for displaying the data as a graph. which is preferable.

[0022] With this configuration, in the article inspection device according to the present invention , Preliminary measures the change in the amount of light obtained as a result of inspecting the sample article to be inspected a plurality of times It further includes an input section for displaying the data as a graph. therefore When a user refers to the graph, an optimal exposure time can be set and an optimal exposure start timing can be set. Thereby, even when the article inspection device is added to the existing conveyance unit, a highly accurate inspection can be performed.

Advantages of the Invention

[0023] According to the present invention, there is provided an article inspection device for inspecting the quality of an article based on the spectral characteristics of transmitted light, which can be easily added to an existing conveyance unit.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an article inspection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a diagram showing the arrangement of a light source unit and a light receiving unit of an article inspection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a partial cross-sectional view and (b) is a side view. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram of the exposure time in an article inspection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a graph relating to the setting of exposure time in an article inspection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the light source and light receiving unit when the article inspection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is added to an existing conveyor belt. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the light source and light receiving unit when an article inspection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is added to an existing transport disk different from that shown in Figure 6. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of the light source unit and the light receiving unit of an article inspection apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the light source and light receiving unit when an article inspection device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is added to an existing conveyor belt. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of the light source unit and the light receiving unit of an article inspection apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the light source and light receiving unit when an article inspection device according to the third embodiment of the present invention is added to an existing conveyor belt. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the light source and light receiving unit when an article inspection device according to a third embodiment of the present invention is added to an existing transport disk different from that shown in Figure 11. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of the light source unit and the light receiving unit of an article inspection apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the light source and light receiving unit when an article inspection device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is added to an existing conveyor belt. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the light source and light receiving unit when an article inspection device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is added to an existing conveyor belt different from that shown in Figure 14. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of the light source unit and the light receiving unit of an article inspection apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] Figure 16 shows modified examples of the slit member in the article inspection device according to each embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0025] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an article inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described using the first to fifth embodiments as examples.

[0026] [First Embodiment] An article inspection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6.

[0027] The article inspection device according to this embodiment is an article inspection device that can be easily added to an existing conveying unit that aligns and transports articles to be inspected towards a predetermined inspection position without making any special modifications to the conveying unit.

[0028] In this embodiment, when an item to be inspected, which is being transported individually along a transport path by an existing transport unit, reaches a predetermined inspection position, the inspection device irradiates light onto the item, which is in a fixed position, and inspects the quality of the item based on the spectral characteristics of the transmitted light that passes through the item as a result of the irradiation of this light (also called irradiated light).

[0029] Existing transport units include, for example, transport belts, transport discs, and transport chutes, which are configured to align and transport individual items. In this embodiment, an example is described in which a transport belt 10 (see Figure 5) having a horizontal transport surface 10a is used as the existing transport unit.

[0030] The items to be inspected are small-diameter items whose light irradiation area is relatively close to the diameter of the irradiation port that irradiates the item to be inspected. These include items with an outer diameter of several millimeters to several tens of millimeters that can be transported individually without packaging, bite-sized items, as well as items of a predetermined shape or molded products manufactured with existing manufacturing equipment or manufacturing equipment without inspection functions, and especially items whose shape does not change during the transport process.

[0031] Examples of items subject to inspection include pharmaceutical preparations such as tablets, capsules, lozenges, and drops, as well as candies and chocolates. Below, we will explain using a tablet W as an example of an item subject to inspection. It is important to note that the inspection is not limited to items that are circular in plan view; items of various shapes, such as elliptical or polygonal shapes, can also be used.

[0032] As shown in Figure 1, the article inspection device 1 according to this embodiment is composed of a light source unit 2, a light receiving unit 3, and an inspection unit 4. In Figure 1, the transport surface 10a of the transport belt 10 is the transport path for the tablets W, and this transport path extends in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 1.

[0033] (Light source part) The light source unit 2 is configured to irradiate the tablet W at inspection position P1 (see Figure 3) with broadband light. The light source unit 2 is positioned to irradiate light from the side of the tablet W, which is in a fixed position. That is, the light source unit 2 is configured to be positioned to the side of the transport path of the transport belt 10 so as to irradiate light onto the tablet W from the side along the transport surface 10a on which the tablet W is placed. In this embodiment, "tablet W in a fixed position" refers to a tablet W in a position where its circular end face is facing up and down.

[0034] Specifically, when the article inspection device 1 according to this embodiment is added to an existing conveyor belt 10, the vertical position of the light source unit 2 relative to the conveyor belt 10 is adjusted so that the light source unit 2 is positioned to the side of the conveyor path of the conveyor belt 10.

[0035] For example, the light source unit 2 is housed together with the light receiving unit 3 in a housing case 6, and the relative position of the light source unit 2 with respect to the conveyor belt 10 is adjusted by adjusting the relative position of the housing case 6 with respect to the conveyor belt 10. The housing case 6 is attached, for example, to a member that supports the conveyor belt 10 or to other members that constitute the conveyor line via a bracket (not shown). Instead of the housing case 6, a mounting member that supports both the light source unit 2 and the light receiving unit 3 may be used.

[0036] The light source unit 2 may not be housed in the housing case 6, but may be directly attached to a member supporting the conveyor belt 10 via a support member (not shown), or to other members constituting the conveyor line.

[0037] The light source unit 2 is configured to allow adjustment of the irradiation angle of the light irradiated onto the tablet W, that is, the angle of incidence of light onto the tablet W. Specifically, the light source unit 2 is configured to adjust the angle θ of the central axis A of the light with respect to the vertical plane by an angle variable mechanism (not shown).

[0038] This allows light to be directed onto the object being inspected at a suitable angle of incidence, depending on the type of object being inspected. Furthermore, it can address stray light if it occurs.

[0039] As shown in Figure 2(a), the light source unit 2 includes a light source 2a, a light guide 2b, and a focusing lens 2c.

[0040] The light source 2a is composed of a broadband light source, such as a halogen lamp, to irradiate the tablet W to be inspected with broadband light. It is provided at a predetermined position as a light source unit, which is integrally assembled with a case having a lamp holding means and heat dissipation fins, and is connected to a power supply unit (neither of which are shown).

[0041] Broadband light refers to visible light and near-infrared to terahertz light (light including terahertz waves). Note that the wavelength of the irradiated light does not need to cover all of these ranges; for example, the 400-2500nm wavelength band is suitable because it easily penetrates objects such as tablets and is less likely to cause damage from ultraviolet light. Therefore, it may be limited to this wavelength band or the near-infrared band within this range. Furthermore, if the absorption spectrum of the component to be measured is known, only the wavelength band corresponding to the absorption spectrum may be used.

[0042] The light guide 2b is made up of many bundles of glass optical fibers and guides the light from the light source 2a to the focusing lens 2c, which focuses the light.

[0043] The focusing lens 2c focuses the light from the light guide 2b onto the tablet W at the inspection position P1 (see Figure 3) (the side of the tablet W in the example in Figure 2).

[0044] The light source unit 2 emits broadband light from light source 2a to the focusing lens 2c via light guide 2b, and adjusts the magnification of the focusing lens 2c (positions of focusing lens 2c, light source 2a, and tablet W) so that the focusing lens 2c covers the entire side surface of the tablet W at inspection position P1, thereby efficiently irradiating the tablet W at inspection position P1 with light from light source 2a.

[0045] In this embodiment, a slit member 7 is provided between the light source unit 2 and the tablet W at the inspection position P1, that is, between the light source unit 2 and the transport path of the transport belt 10. The slit member 7 has a rectangular slit 7a through which the light emitted from the light source unit 2 passes. The opening area and shape of the slit 7a are appropriately set according to the size and shape of the object to be inspected.

[0046] The slit member 7 allows light from the light source unit 2 to pass through the slit 7a, thereby blocking unwanted light that does not enter the tablet W, such as light scattered in the vertical direction, and preventing stray light from entering the light receiving unit 3.

[0047] The slit member 7 may be housed in the aforementioned housing case 6, or it may be held in the housing case 6 via a holding means (not shown). Alternatively, it may be supported separately from the light source unit 2 via a bracket (not shown).

[0048] (Light receiving part) The light-receiving unit 3 comprises an optical fiber 3a and a spectrometer 3b, and these are assembled together as a single photodetection unit.

[0049] The light-receiving unit 3 is configured to be positioned on one side (in this embodiment, the upper side) of the tablet W in a fixed position in the vertical direction. In other words, the light-receiving unit 3 is configured to be positioned in the vertical direction of the tablet W in a fixed position, on the side opposite to the transport surface 10a (in this embodiment, the upper side) with the tablet W in between.

[0050] Specifically, when the article inspection device 1 according to this embodiment is added to an existing conveyor belt 10, the horizontal position of the light-receiving unit 3 relative to the conveyor belt 10 is adjusted so that the light-receiving unit 3 is positioned above the conveyor path of the conveyor belt 10.

[0051] For example, the light-receiving unit 3 is housed together with the light-emitting unit 2 in a housing case 6, and its relative position to the transport belt 10 can be adjusted by adjusting the relative position of the housing case 6 to the transport belt 10. Furthermore, its relative position to the light-emitting unit 2 can also be adjusted within the housing case 6.

[0052] The light-receiving unit 3 may not be housed in the housing case 6, but may be directly attached to a member supporting the conveyor belt 10, or to another member constituting the conveyor line, via a support member (not shown).

[0053] The light-receiving unit 3 receives transmitted light that has passed through the tablet W at the inspection position P1 (see Figure 3). The transmitted light is received when it enters from the end face (entry opening) of the incident surface of the optical fiber 3a, passes through the optical fiber 3a, and reaches the spectrometer 3b.

[0054] In this embodiment, by considering the area of ​​the upper surface of the tablet W, the core diameter of the optical fiber 3a, and the numerical aperture of the optical fiber 3a, and by pre-adjusting the position of the optical fiber 3a so that it can receive light irradiated from the side of the tablet W, it becomes possible to receive transmitted light that enters from the side of the tablet W and passes through to the upper surface.

[0055] Spectrometer 3b performs spectroscopy using a grating, for example, by utilizing the difference in diffraction angles depending on the wavelength of light. Specifically, light entering spectrometer 3b is irradiated onto a grating (diffraction grating) and spectrally separated into its individual wavelength components. The spectrally separated light components are then detected one by one by a row of photodetectors. Subsequently, the light intensity for each wavelength component is measured. A grating is an optical element with multiple grooves engraved on its surface.

[0056] As the optical fiber 3a, a tapered optical fiber with a large input diameter and a small output diameter can be used. This allows transmitted light to be incident on the spectrometer 3b more efficiently.

[0057] (Inspection Department) As shown in Figure 1, the inspection unit 4 has a signal processing unit 4a that processes the spectral characteristics obtained by the light receiving unit 3 within a predetermined exposure time, and performs quality inspection of the tablet W, that is, a determination of whether the tablet W is of good or bad quality, based on the results of the signal processing.

[0058] The signal processing unit 4a calculates the spectral characteristics of the absorbance absorbed by the tablet W from the spectral characteristics obtained by the light receiving unit 3. Specifically, the absorbance A at wavelength λ is obtained using the formula A = -log10(I / Ii), which is the common logarithm of the ratio (transmittance) of the light intensity Ii of the incident light and the light intensity I of the transmitted light. The amount of transmission detected when there is no tablet W at the inspection position P1 can be determined as the light intensity Ii of the incident light.

[0059] The inspection unit 4 compares the spectral characteristics of the absorbance of good tablets W, which have been acquired in advance (intensity of each wavelength in the spectrum (including multiple derivatives), waveform shape, information on calibration curves created by extracting the whole or a part of the region, and statistical information), with the spectral characteristics of the absorbance of the tablets W to be inspected, which have been transported to the inspection position, and determines whether the quality of the tablets W is good or bad based on the magnitude of the difference. The inspection unit 4 outputs a sorting signal based on the good or bad result determined by this inspection unit to a sorting unit (not shown) that sorts the tablets W into good and bad products.

[0060] Specifically, the quality of tablet W can be determined by whether the difference amount for each wavelength, determined by calculations using a calibration curve obtained through statistical methods such as statistical calculation results (standard deviation, etc.) or regression, falls within a predetermined range (a range determined based on the results of statistical calculations or the calibration curve). Alternatively, the quality of tablet W can be determined by whether the sum of the intensities of each wavelength falls within a predetermined range. Furthermore, if the components of tablet W are uniform, the quality of tablet W can be determined by whether the intensity in a region other than a specific wavelength exceeds a predetermined threshold set in advance.

[0061] The inspection unit 4 is connected to an operation input unit 5, which is, for example, a touch panel display. The operation input unit 5 is operated by the user to make various settings and display various information.

[0062] The inspection unit 4 and the operation input unit 5 may be configured as a single unit integrated with, for example, the light source unit 2 and the light receiving unit 3, or they may be configured as terminals (for example, personal computers or mobile terminals) provided separately from the light source unit 2 and the light receiving unit 3.

[0063] (Regarding exposure time) Next, the exposure time in the article inspection apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

[0064] As shown in Figure 3, the article inspection apparatus 1 according to this embodiment measures the spectral characteristics of the transmitted light received by the light receiving unit 3 during the exposure time Te, with the period from timing t1 to timing t2 being defined as the exposure time Te, based on timing t1, which is after a delay time Td has elapsed from the timing t0 when the tablet W is detected by the detection sensor 8 located upstream in the transport direction of the inspection position P1.

[0065] In this embodiment, the detection timing t0 is defined as the timing at which the detection sensor 8 detects the leading edge of the tablet W in the transport direction.

[0066] Here, the exposure time Te must be set to an appropriate optimal time according to the specifications of the existing transport unit to which the article inspection device 1 according to this embodiment is added, and the type of object to be inspected. If the exposure time Te is not set to an optimal time, the transmitted light necessary for measurement cannot be obtained, the measurement becomes unstable, and the accuracy of the inspection decreases.

[0067] In this embodiment, even if the article inspection device 1 is added to an existing transport unit, the exposure time Te is set in advance to be the optimal exposure time according to the specifications of the existing transport unit and the inspection object transported by the transport unit.

[0068] Specifically, when the article inspection device 1 according to this embodiment is added to an existing transport unit, the sample items to be inspected are transported multiple times by the existing transport unit, and the sample items are inspected multiple times. The phrase "inspecting the sample items multiple times" includes not only inspecting one sample item multiple times, but also inspecting each of the multiple sample items.

[0069] In the article inspection device 1 according to this embodiment, the change in light intensity obtained by the light receiving unit 3 as a result of inspecting the multiple sample items is displayed on the operation input unit 5 as a graph, for example, as shown in Figure 4. The graph shown in Figure 4 displays the temporal change in light intensity obtained by the light receiving unit 3 with reference to the detection timing t0. In the example shown in Figure 4, the sample items to be inspected are inspected five times. The number of sample items to be inspected is just an example and is not limited to "5".

[0070] In the graph shown in Figure 4, a higher light intensity indicates that more light other than transmitted light is incident on the light-receiving unit 3. Conversely, a lower light intensity indicates that more transmitted light is incident on the light-receiving unit 3.

[0071] The user refers to the graph shown in Figure 4 displayed on the operation input unit 5 and determines the region where the light intensity is low and stable (in the example in Figure 4, the period from timing t1 to timing t2) as the measurement stable region, and sets this measurement stable region as the exposure time Te.

[0072] This measurement stability region is the time period during which, based on the change in light intensity obtained by the light receiving unit 3 after inspecting the sample multiple times, the amount of light obtained can be determined to be transmitted light that has passed through the object being inspected. "The amount of light that can be determined to be transmitted light that has passed through the object being inspected" refers to the amount of light during the period from timing t1 to timing t2 in the example in Figure 4, and means that no light other than transmitted light is received by the light receiving unit 3, or if it is received, it is only a small amount.

[0073] In the example shown in Figure 4, the measurement stability region and the exposure time Te are matched, but as long as the exposure time Te is within the measurement stability region, it is not necessary to match it with the measurement stability region.

[0074] Furthermore, in the graph shown in Figure 4, the period before timing t1 includes a region with high light intensity and a region with large changes in light intensity, and therefore is not used as the exposure time Te. Similarly, the period after timing t2 also includes a region with high light intensity and a region with large changes in light intensity, and therefore is not used as the exposure time Te.

[0075] Furthermore, in the article inspection device 1 according to this embodiment, the user can also set the delay time Td by referring to a graph like the one shown in Figure 4. For example, in the example shown in Figure 4, the user sets the delay time Td based on the timing t1.

[0076] In an inspection device that inspects items in a transport state, as in this embodiment, it is necessary to adjust the timing at which exposure to the item begins (hereinafter referred to as the "exposure start timing") using, for example, an encoder or a sensor for timing. To facilitate this adjustment, the device has a function to delay the start of exposure by providing a delay time after the detection timing.

[0077] In this embodiment as well, the start of exposure is delayed by setting the aforementioned delay time Td. In this embodiment, timing t1 is set as the exposure start timing.

[0078] In the example shown in Figure 4, the exposure time Te was set based on the time from the detection timing t0, but the exposure time Te may also be set based on the distance from the detection position of the detection sensor 8.

[0079] The detection sensor 8 may be integrated with the light source unit 2 and the light receiving unit 3 and housed in the housing case 6, or it may be provided separately from the light source unit 2 and the light receiving unit 3. If the detection sensor 8 is provided separately from the light source unit 2 and the light receiving unit 3, the detection sensor 8 is directly attached to a member supporting the conveyor belt 10 or to another member constituting the conveyor line via a support member (not shown).

[0080] (An example of an existing transport unit) In addition to the conveying belt 10 with a horizontal conveying surface as shown in Figure 5 described in this embodiment, the existing conveying unit to which the article inspection device 1 according to this embodiment can be added may also be a conveying disc 11 as shown in Figure 6.

[0081] As shown in Figure 6, the transport disc 11 is a transport unit configured to transport tablets W in the circumferential direction while rotating laterally by drawing them into suction holes on its outer peripheral surface 11a. In the transport disc 11, tablets W are transported while their top and bottom surfaces are kept horizontal by their sides being drawn into the suction holes. In the example shown in Figure 6, the transport surface is defined as the plane perpendicular to the outer peripheral surface 11a, i.e., the plane on which the bottom surface of the tablet W moves.

[0082] When the article inspection device 1 according to this embodiment is added to the transport disk 11, the light source unit 2 is positioned radially outward on the side opposite to the outer peripheral surface 11a of the transport disk 11, with the tablet W in between, and the light receiving unit 3 is positioned above the transport path of the tablet W, which is held and transported by suction.

[0083] (Effects and Benefits) As described above, the article inspection device according to this embodiment is configured such that the light source unit 2 is positioned to irradiate light from the side of the tablet W in a fixed position, and the light receiving unit 3 is positioned on one side (the upper side in this embodiment) in the vertical direction of the tablet W in a fixed position. Therefore, it is useful as an article inspection device that can be easily added to an existing transport unit without requiring any special processing of the existing transport unit.

[0084] Furthermore, the article inspection device according to this embodiment is configured such that the light-receiving unit 3 is positioned in a direction intersecting the conveying surface 10a of the conveying belt 10 on which the tablets W are placed (for example, in a direction perpendicular to it in this embodiment), and on the opposite side of the conveying surface 10a with the tablets W in between. Therefore, it is useful as an article inspection device that can be easily added to an existing conveying belt 10 without requiring any special processing of the existing conveying belt 10.

[0085] Furthermore, in the article inspection apparatus according to this embodiment, a slit member 7 having a slit 7a through which light emitted from the light source unit 2 passes is provided between the light source unit 2 and the tablet W, so that stray light can be removed by the slit 7a.

[0086] Furthermore, the article inspection device according to this embodiment further includes an inspection unit 4 that inspects the quality of tablets W based on the spectral characteristics of transmitted light received by the light receiving unit 3 within a predetermined exposure time Te. Since the predetermined exposure time Te is set within the time period during which a light amount that can be determined to be transmitted light is obtained based on the change in light amount obtained from inspecting the sample product to be inspected multiple times in advance, even when the article inspection device is added to an existing transport unit, the optimal exposure time Te can be set according to the transport conditions of the transport unit and the type of inspection object being transported by the transport unit, and the optimal exposure start timing can also be set. As a result, even when the article inspection device is added to an existing transport unit, highly accurate inspections can be performed.

[0087] [Second Embodiment] Next, an article inspection apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8.

[0088] This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the light source unit, but the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for components identical to those of the first embodiment, and their explanation is omitted.

[0089] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the article inspection device 21 according to this embodiment has a light source unit consisting of a first light source unit 2A and a second light source unit 2B, and these first light source unit 2A and second light source unit 2B are positioned opposite each other with respect to the tablet W at the inspection position P1. In other words, the first light source unit 2A and the second light source unit 2B are positioned opposite each other in a direction along the transport surface 10a with respect to the transport path of the transport belt 10. Furthermore, slit members 7 are provided between the first light source unit 2A and the second light source unit 2B and the tablet W at the inspection position P1, that is, between them and the transport path of the transport belt 10.

[0090] The first light source unit 2A and the second light source unit 2B both irradiate the tablet W with light from opposite directions through the slit 7a of the slit member 7.

[0091] The first light source unit 2A and the second light source unit 2B are both housed together with the light receiving unit 3 in a housing case 6. Instead of the housing case 6, a mounting member that supports both the first light source unit 2A, the second light source unit 2B, and the light receiving unit 3 may be used.

[0092] Furthermore, neither the first light source unit 2A nor the second light source unit 2B is housed in the housing case 6, but may be directly attached to a member supporting the conveyor belt 10 or to other members constituting the conveyor line via a support member (not shown).

[0093] (Effects and Benefits) As described above, the article inspection apparatus according to this embodiment has a light source unit consisting of a first light source unit 2A and a second light source unit 2B, and the first light source unit 2A and the second light source unit 2B are positioned opposite each other with the tablet W at the inspection position P1 in between. Therefore, the amount of transmitted light received by the light receiving unit 3 can be increased, and the accuracy of the inspection can be further improved.

[0094] [Third Embodiment] Next, an article inspection apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 9 to 11.

[0095] This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the arrangement of the light-receiving unit 3, but the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for components identical to those of the first embodiment, and their explanation is omitted.

[0096] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the article inspection apparatus 31 according to this embodiment is configured such that the light receiving unit 3 is positioned on the opposite side of the light source unit 2, with the tablet W in a fixed position at the inspection position P1 in between.

[0097] Specifically, when the article inspection device 31 according to this embodiment is added to an existing conveyor belt 10, the vertical position of the light-receiving unit 3 relative to the conveyor belt 10 is adjusted so that the light-receiving unit 3 is positioned to the side of the conveyor path of the conveyor belt 10 and on the opposite side from the light source unit 2.

[0098] For example, the light-receiving unit 3 is housed together with the light-emitting unit 2 in a housing case 6, and its relative position to the transport belt 10 can be adjusted by adjusting the relative position of the housing case 6 with respect to the transport belt 10. Furthermore, its relative position to the light-emitting unit 2 can also be adjusted within the housing case 6. Instead of the housing case 6, a mounting member that supports both the light-emitting unit 2 and the light-receiving unit 3 may be used.

[0099] The light-receiving unit 3 may not be housed in the housing case 6, but may be directly attached to a member supporting the conveyor belt 10, or to another member constituting the conveyor line, via a support member (not shown).

[0100] In this embodiment, by considering the area of ​​the side surface of the tablet W when viewed from the side, in other words, half the area of ​​the outer circumference of the tablet W, the core diameter of the optical fiber 3a, and the numerical aperture, and by pre-adjusting the position of the optical fiber 3a so that it can receive light irradiated from the side of the tablet W, it becomes possible to receive transmitted light that enters from the side of the tablet W and passes through to the top surface.

[0101] In addition to the conveying belt 10 with a horizontal conveying surface as shown in Figure 10 described in this embodiment, the existing conveying unit to which the article inspection device 31 according to this embodiment can be added may also be a conveying disc 12 as shown in Figure 11.

[0102] As shown in Figure 11, the transport disc 12 is a transport unit configured to transport tablets W in the circumferential direction while rotating vertically, by drawing them into the suction holes on its outer peripheral surface 12a. In the transport disc 12, tablets W are transported with either their upper or lower surface drawn into the suction holes. The outer peripheral surface 12a constitutes the transport surface.

[0103] When the article inspection device 31 according to this embodiment is added to the transport disk 12, the light source unit 2 is positioned on one side of the disc surface of the transport disk 12 with the tablet W in between, and the light receiving unit 3 is positioned on the other side of the disc surface of the transport disk 12 with the tablet W in between.

[0104] The transport disk 12 can also be fitted with the article inspection device 1 according to the first embodiment and the article inspection device 21 according to the second embodiment.

[0105] (Effects and Benefits) As described above, the article inspection device according to this embodiment is configured such that the light source unit 2 is positioned to irradiate light from the side of the tablet W which is in a fixed position at the inspection position P1, and the light receiving unit 3 is positioned on the opposite side of the tablet W which is in a fixed position at the inspection position P1 from the light source unit 2. Therefore, it is useful as an article inspection device that can be easily added to an existing transport unit without requiring any special processing of the existing transport unit.

[0106] [Fourth Embodiment] Next, an article inspection apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 12 to 14.

[0107] This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it has an additional existing transport unit and also includes another light source unit, but the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for components identical to those of the first embodiment, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0108] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the article inspection device 41 according to this embodiment has a configuration in which an additional light source unit 42 is added to the article inspection device 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0109] Furthermore, an existing conveying unit to which the article inspection device 41 according to this embodiment can be added is, for example, a conveying belt consisting of a conveying belt 40A and a conveying belt 40B arranged parallel to each other with a predetermined gap 40b in between, and configured to convey the tablets W by using air to attract the lower surface of the tablets W to the conveying surface 40a via the predetermined gap 40b. The conveying surface 40a is composed of the upper surface of the conveying belt 40A and the upper surface of the conveying belt 40B.

[0110] Similar to this embodiment, an existing conveyor belt that conveys the tablet W by adsorbing its lower surface to the conveyor surface may be a conveyor belt composed of a single belt with suction holes formed on its conveyor surface.

[0111] The other light source unit 42, like the light source unit 2, has a light source 42a, a light guide 42b, and a focusing lens 42c. The configuration of each of these components is the same as that of the light source unit 2, so a description is omitted.

[0112] The other light source unit 42 is configured to be positioned in the vertical direction of the tablet W, which is in a fixed position at the inspection position P1, and on the opposite side of the tablet W from the light receiving unit 3 (in this embodiment, the lower side). The other light source unit 42 irradiates light onto the tablet W from the other side in the vertical direction of the tablet W (in this embodiment, the lower side) through a predetermined gap 40b while the tablet W is in a fixed position at the inspection position P1.

[0113] Both the light source unit 2 and the other light source unit 42 are housed together with the light receiving unit 3 within the housing case 6. Instead of the housing case 6, a mounting member that supports the light source unit 2, the other light source unit 42, and the light receiving unit 3 together may be used.

[0114] Furthermore, the light source unit 2, the other light source unit 42, and the light receiving unit 3 may not be housed in the housing case 6, but may be directly attached to a member supporting the conveyor belt 10, or to other members constituting the conveyor line, via a support member (not shown).

[0115] In addition to the two conveyor belts 40A and 40B shown in Figures 12 and 13 described in this embodiment, the existing conveyor unit to which the article inspection device 41 according to this embodiment can be added may also be a single conveyor belt 15, as shown in Figure 14, which is arranged so that the conveying surface 15a is parallel to the vertical direction.

[0116] As shown in Figure 14, the conveyor belt 15 is a conveying unit configured such that suction holes 15b are provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction on the conveying surface 15a, and the tablets W are conveyed horizontally by sucking their sides into the suction holes 15b.

[0117] When the article inspection device 41 according to this embodiment is added to the conveyor belt 15, the light source unit 2 is arranged on the back side of the conveyor belt 15 (the side opposite to the conveying surface 15a), with the light receiving unit 3 positioned above and the other light source unit 42 positioned below, sandwiching the tablet W. In the example shown in Figure 14, the light source unit 2 may be provided horizontally on the side opposite to the conveying surface 15a, sandwiching the tablet W.

[0118] (Effects and Benefits) As described above, the article inspection apparatus according to this embodiment further includes, in addition to the light source unit 2, another light source unit 42 positioned in the vertical direction of the tablet W in a fixed position, on the opposite side of the tablet W from the light receiving unit 3, and irradiates light onto the tablet W from the other side in the vertical direction of the tablet W in a fixed position (in this embodiment, the lower side). This makes it possible to increase the amount of transmitted light received by the light receiving unit 3 and further improve the accuracy of the inspection.

[0119] Conventionally, in the case of a conveyor belt that transports tablets W by adsorption to the conveyor surface, the quality of the tablets W was inspected by transmitting light from a light source located below the conveyor belt through the tablets W, and receiving the transmitted light with a light receiving unit located above the conveyor belt.

[0120] However, with this configuration, when viewed from below the conveyor belt, the outer edge of the tablet W and the conveyor belt overlap in the vertical direction, resulting in an uninspected area at the outer edge of the tablet W, which hinders the improvement of inspection accuracy.

[0121] In this embodiment of the article inspection apparatus, in addition to the other light source unit 42 that irradiates light from below, a light source unit 2 that irradiates light onto the tablet W from the side of the transport path is provided, thus eliminating the uninspected areas described above. This improves the accuracy of the inspection.

[0122] In this embodiment, the arrangement of the light receiving unit 3 and the other light source unit 42 may be swapped. That is, the light receiving unit 3 may be placed below the conveyor belts 40A and 40B, and the other light source unit 42 may be placed above the conveyor belts 40A and 40B.

[0123] In this configuration, where the arrangement of the light receiving unit 3 and the other light source unit 42 is swapped, if the light source unit 2 were absent, that is, if the light receiving unit 3 receives only the light emitted from the other light source unit 42, then a portion of the conveyor belts 40A and 40B that overlap the outer edge of the tablet W in the vertical direction would also be included in the inspection area, which could lead to a decrease in inspection accuracy.

[0124] In the article inspection device according to this embodiment, even if the arrangement of the light receiving unit 3 and the other light source unit 42 is swapped, the device is equipped with a light source unit 2 that irradiates light onto the tablet W from the side of the transport path, in addition to the other light source unit 42 that irradiates light from above. This prevents a portion of the transport belt 40A and transport belt 40B that overlap the outer peripheral edge of the tablet W in the vertical direction from being included in the inspection area. This improves the accuracy of the inspection.

[0125] [Fifth Embodiment] Next, with reference to Figure 15, an article inspection apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0126] This embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment in the configuration of the light source unit, but the other configurations are the same as those of the fourth embodiment. In the following description, components identical to those of the fourth embodiment will be referred to by the same reference numerals and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0127] As shown in Figure 15, the article inspection device 51 according to this embodiment has a light source unit consisting of a first light source unit 2A and a second light source unit 2B, and these first light source unit 2A and second light source unit 2B are positioned opposite each other with respect to the tablet W at the inspection position P1. In other words, the first light source unit 2A and the second light source unit 2B are positioned opposite each other in a direction along the transport surface 10a with respect to the transport path of the transport belt 10. Furthermore, slit members 7 are provided between the first light source unit 2A and the second light source unit 2B and the tablet W at the inspection position P1, that is, between them and the transport path of the transport belt 10.

[0128] The first light source unit 2A, the second light source unit 2B, and the other light source unit 42 are all housed together with the light receiving unit 3 in a housing case 6. Instead of the housing case 6, a mounting member that supports the first light source unit 2A, the second light source unit 2B, the other light source unit 42, and the light receiving unit 3 together may be used.

[0129] Furthermore, the first light source unit 2A, the second light source unit 2B, the other light source unit 42, and the light receiving unit 3 may not be housed in the housing case 6, but may be directly attached to a member supporting the conveyor belt 10 or to other members constituting the conveyor line via a support member (not shown).

[0130] In the article inspection apparatus 51 according to this embodiment, the tablet W is illuminated from both sides horizontally by the first light source unit 2A and the second light source unit 2B, and from below by the other light source unit 42.

[0131] (Effects and Benefits) As described above, in addition to the effects and advantages of the fourth embodiment, the article inspection apparatus according to this embodiment can increase the amount of transmitted light received by the light receiving unit 3, thereby further improving the accuracy of the inspection.

[0132] [Differentiation] In addition, in the second, fourth, and fifth embodiments among the embodiments described above, which have multiple light source units, the wavelength or output of the light emitted from each light source unit (including other light source units) may be different.

[0133] Furthermore, in the first to fifth embodiments described above, an example was described in which a slit member 7 having a rectangular slit 7a formed therein was provided as a slit between the light source unit and the tablet W at the inspection position P1. However, a slit member 70 as shown in Figure 16 may be used instead of the slit member 7.

[0134] As shown in Figure 16, the slit member 70 is positioned above the conveying surface 10a of the conveying belt 10, with a small gap between it and the conveying surface 10a. The slit member 70 has a concave slit 70a cut out. Therefore, when viewed from the light source unit 2 side, the slit member 70 has a U-shape with the slit 70a formed at the bottom.

[0135] In the example shown in Figure 16, the slit member 70 is positioned so as to overlap the conveyor belt 10 in the vertical direction. However, the slit member 70 and the conveyor belt 10 may be positioned so as not to overlap in the vertical direction. For example, the slit member 70 may be positioned adjacent to the conveyor belt 10 in the width direction (left-right direction in Figure 16) and such that the lower end of the slit member 70 is at approximately the same height as the conveyor surface 10a.

[0136] While embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. All such modifications and equivalents are intended to be included in the following claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0137] 1, 21, 31, 41, 51 Item inspection device 2 Light source section 2A First light source 2B Second light source 3 Light receiving section 4. Inspection Department 5. Operation Input Section 6 storage cases 7, 70 Slit member 7a, 70a slits 8 detection sensors 10, 15, 40A, 40B conveyor belts 10a, 15a, 40a Conveying surface 11, 12 Transport disks 11a, 12a Outer surface (conveying surface) 40b Gap 42 Other light source section W Tablets (item) P1 Examination location Td delay time Te Exposure time

Claims

1. An article inspection device that, when a molded product (W) to be inspected, which is being transported with its sides sucked into a suction hole, reaches an inspection position (P1), irradiates light onto the molded product, which is in a fixed position with its sides sucked into the suction hole, and inspects the quality of the molded product based on the spectral characteristics of the transmitted light that has passed through the molded product as a result of this irradiation, A light source unit (2) that irradiates the molded product with the light, It comprises a light-receiving unit (3) that receives the transmitted light, The light source is positioned to irradiate the molded product, which is in a fixed position, from the side opposite the suction hole, with the light shining from between them. The light-receiving unit is positioned on one side in the vertical direction of the molded product in the fixed position, and is part of an article inspection device.

2. The article inspection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising another light source unit (42) positioned in the vertical direction of the molded product in the aforementioned fixed posture, on the opposite side of the molded product from the light receiving unit, and irradiating the molded product with light from the other side in the vertical direction of the molded product.

3. An article inspection device that, when a molded product (W) to be inspected, which is being transported with its upper or lower surface sucked into a suction hole, reaches an inspection position (P1), irradiates light onto the molded product, which is in a fixed position with its upper or lower surface sucked into the suction hole, and inspects the quality of the molded product based on the spectral characteristics of the transmitted light that has passed through the molded product as a result of this irradiation, A light source unit (2) that irradiates the molded product with the light, It comprises a light-receiving unit (3) that receives the transmitted light, The light source is positioned to irradiate the molded product, which is in a fixed position, from the side. The light-receiving unit is positioned on the opposite side of the light source unit from the molded product in the fixed position, in the article inspection device.

4. The article inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 2, or 3, wherein a slit member (7) is provided between the light source unit and the molded product, the slit member (7) having a slit (7a) through which light emitted from the light source unit passes.

5. The article inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 2, or 3, further comprising an operation input unit (5) that displays as a graph the change in light intensity obtained as a result of inspecting the sample product to be inspected multiple times in advance.

6. The article inspection apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising an operation input unit (5) that displays as a graph the change in light intensity obtained as a result of inspecting the sample product to be inspected multiple times in advance.

Images