Conveyor-based product inspection apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides a conveyor-based product inspection apparatus that can inspect, with high reliability on the basis of a sensor, the geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, in terms of thickness, length, straightness, perpendicularity, etc., of an object under measurement moving along a conveyor. The apparatus may comprise: a conveyor for conveying an object under inspection; a pressing device that is located above the conveyor and presses the upper surface of the object under inspection being conveyed by the conveyor; a sensing device that is located above the conveyor so as to be adjacent to the pressing device, and senses the object under inspection pressed by the pressing device; and a control device that inspects the object under inspection on the basis of data sensed from the sensing device.

Description

Conveyor-based product inspection device

[0001] The present invention relates to an inspection device. More specifically, it relates to a conveyor-based product inspection device capable of automatically identifying defective products by inspecting geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, such as thickness, length, straightness, and perpendicularity, of a measurement target moving along a conveyor based on a sensor.

[0002] A conveyor is a device used to continuously transport goods such as materials, cargo, concrete, parcel logistics, soil, ore, earth, and sand in various locations including factories, logistics warehouses, construction sites, and mines. Depending on their intended use, conveyors are classified according to the belt material, transport method, and type.

[0003] Recently, beyond simply using conveyors as a means of transport, collaborative systems are being established by combining them with various sensors and robots to work alongside workers, thereby enabling mass production by automating processes while ensuring worker safety.

[0004] Meanwhile, for flat products such as tiles, sheets, and flooring, a process to inspect geometric tolerances (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing), including thickness, length, straightness, and perpendicularity, is essential to determine whether the product falls within the normal range after the manufacturing process. When such inspection processes are performed visually by inspectors, not only is the reliability of the inspection significantly reduced due to decreased concentration and increased fatigue caused by repetitive work, but there is also the problem of the inspection taking a long time.

[0005] To address these issues, inspection devices utilizing sensors that automatically inspect products transported along a conveyor have recently been used. Generally, these inspection devices use sensors located at the top of the conveyor to inspect the thickness, length, and other dimensions of the product based on the distance from the product moving along the upper surface of the conveyor. However, imbalances in the upper surface of the conveyor or the product itself can cause the product to lift off the conveyor. This lifting phenomenon has been a problem as it acts as a factor that reduces the reliability of product inspection.

[0006]

[0007] (Patent Document 1) Republic of Korea Published Patent Application No. 10-2023-0018920, 'Die-cut material inspection device', (Published Feb. 07, 2023)

[0008] One objective of the present invention is to provide a conveyor-based product inspection device capable of inspecting geometric tolerances, such as thickness, length, straightness, and perpendicularity, of a measurement object moving along a conveyor based on a sensor with high reliability.

[0009] The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned technical problems will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0010] To achieve the technical objectives described above, the present invention proposes a conveyor-based product inspection device capable of inspecting geometric tolerances, such as thickness, length, straightness, and perpendicularity, of a measurement object moving along a conveyor based on a sensor with high reliability. The device may include a conveyor for transporting an object to be inspected, a compression device positioned above the conveyor and compressing the upper surface of the object to be inspected being transported by the conveyor, a sensing device positioned above the conveyor adjacent to the compression device and sensing the object to be inspected compressed by the compression device, and a control device for inspecting the object to be inspected based on data sensed from the sensing device.

[0011] The above conveyor is characterized by including a supply conveyor that supplies the test object, an inspection conveyor that provides a space for inspecting the test object supplied from the supply conveyor, and a discharge conveyor that discharges the test object after inspection is completed from the inspection conveyor.

[0012] The inspection conveyor is characterized by having an upper surface positioned in alignment with the upper surfaces of the supply conveyor and the discharge conveyor, and comprising an inspection table having a plurality of holes formed on the upper surface at predetermined intervals, and an inspection roller disposed within the plurality of holes of the inspection table and rotating in the same direction as the rotation direction of the supply conveyor and the discharge conveyor to transfer an object to be inspected supplied from the supply conveyor and transferred to the inspection table to the discharge conveyor.

[0013] The above-described compression device is characterized by comprising a compression roller module installed to face the upper surface of the inspection table and compressing the upper surface of an object to be inspected supplied from the supply conveyor to the inspection table, and a position movement module that raises and lowers the compression roller to adjust the compression strength of the compression roller.

[0014] The above-described pressure roller module is characterized by comprising: a pressure roller positioned on the upper part of the inspection table and rotating in the same direction as the rotation direction of the supply conveyor to press the upper surface of an object to be inspected supplied from the supply conveyor to the inspection table; an elastic member positioned to abut the upper part of the pressure roller to provide elastic force to the pressure roller; and a piezoelectric element that converts the pressure applied to the elastic member by the pressure roller into an electrical signal to generate power.

[0015] The control device lowers the pressure roller in the direction of the test object through the position movement module, estimates the pressure applied to the elastic member by the pressure roller according to the strength of the electrical signal generated from the piezoelectric element, and adjusts the height of the pressure roller according to the estimated pressure, thereby varying the height of the pressure roller according to the type of test object.

[0016] The sensing device is characterized by including a light source unit that irradiates light onto a test object located on the inspection table, and a camera that photographs the test object irradiated by the light source unit.

[0017] The light source unit irradiates a pre-set pattern of light onto the object under inspection, and the control unit identifies the three-dimensional structure of the object under inspection based on the deformed shape of the pattern projected onto the surface of the object under inspection in an image captured by the camera.

[0018] The above camera includes a plurality of cameras that photograph the subject at a plurality of points, and the control device is characterized by acquiring depth information of the subject through the visual disparity between images captured by the plurality of cameras.

[0019] The control device is characterized by identifying the type of the test object based on an image captured by the camera, and controlling the position movement module based on a preset thickness value of the test object according to the identified type of test object to adjust the compression strength of the compression roller.

[0020] The above position movement module is characterized by horizontally moving the compression roller to adjust the compression area of ​​the test subject.

[0021] The above control device is characterized by controlling the horizontal movement module to compress a preset area according to the type of the identified test subject, thereby varying the position of the compression roller.

[0022] Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

[0023] According to embodiments of the present invention, the reliability of product inspection can be ensured by inspecting a measurement object while maintaining its flatness by pressing the upper surface of the measurement object moving along a conveyor.

[0024] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains from the description in the claims.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a product inspection system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a product inspection system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 3 is an illustrative diagram for explaining a compression roller module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 4 is an illustrative diagram for explaining a position movement module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a logical configuration diagram of a control device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 6 is a hardware configuration diagram of a control device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a product inspection method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032]

[0033] It should be noted that technical terms used in this specification are used merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. Furthermore, unless specifically defined otherwise in this specification, technical terms used in this specification should be interpreted in the sense generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, and should not be interpreted in an overly broad or overly narrow sense. Additionally, if a technical term used in this specification is an incorrect technical term that fails to accurately express the spirit of the invention, it should be understood as being replaced by a technical term that can be correctly understood by those skilled in the art. Moreover, general terms used in this invention should be interpreted according to their prior definitions or the context, and should not be interpreted in an overly narrow sense.

[0034] Additionally, singular expressions used in this specification include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, terms such as "composed of" or "have" should not be interpreted as necessarily including all of the various components or steps described in the specification, and should be interpreted as potentially including some of the components or steps, or including additional components or steps.

[0035] Additionally, terms including ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., used herein may be used to describe various components, but said components should not be limited by said terms. Such terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be named the second component, and similarly, the second component may be named the first component.

[0036] When it is stated that one component is "connected" or "connected" to another component, it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, or there may be other components in between. On the other hand, when it is stated that one component is "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0037] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Identical or similar components regardless of drawing symbols are given the same reference number, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known technology may obscure the essence of the present invention, such detailed description will be omitted. Additionally, it should be noted that the attached drawings are intended only to facilitate an easy understanding of the concept of the present invention and should not be interpreted as limiting the concept of the present invention. The concept of the present invention should be interpreted as extending to all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions other than those shown in the attached drawings.

[0038]

[0039] Meanwhile, inspection devices utilizing sensors that automatically inspect products transported along a conveyor have recently been in use. Generally, these inspection devices use sensors located at the top of the conveyor to inspect the thickness, length, and other dimensions of the product based on the distance from the product moving along the upper surface of the conveyor. However, imbalances in the upper surface of the conveyor or the product itself can cause the product to lift off the conveyor. This lifting phenomenon has been a problem as it acts as a factor that reduces the reliability of product inspection.

[0040] To overcome these limitations, the present invention proposes various means to inspect the technical tolerances, such as thickness, length, straightness, and perpendicularity of a measurement object moving along a conveyor, with high reliability based on a sensor.

[0041]

[0042] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a product inspection system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 1, a product inspection system (500) according to one embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a conveyor (100), a compression device (200), a sensing device (300), and a control device (400).

[0044] As such, since the components of the product inspection system (500) according to one embodiment of the present invention merely represent functionally distinct elements, two or more components may be implemented as integrated elements in an actual physical environment, or a single component may be implemented as separated elements in an actual physical environment.

[0045] To describe each component, the conveyor (100) can transport an object to be inspected (10). For example, the object to be inspected (10) can be a flat product such as a tile, sheet, flooring, etc. Such a conveyor (100) may be configured to include a supply conveyor (110), an inspection conveyor (120), and a discharge conveyor (130).

[0046] The supply conveyor (110) can move the incoming inspection object (10) to the inspection conveyor (120). For example, the supply conveyor (110) is illustrated as a belt conveyor, but is not limited thereto, and various types of conveyors capable of moving the inspection object (10), such as a chain conveyor, a trolley conveyor, a screw conveyor, or a roller conveyor, may be used.

[0047] The inspection conveyor (120) can provide a space for inspecting a test object (10) supplied from the supply conveyor (110). Additionally, the inspection conveyor (120) can move the test object (10), which has been sensed by the sensing device (300), to the discharge conveyor (130). Such an inspection conveyor (120) may be configured to include an inspection table (121) and an inspection roller (122).

[0048] The inspection table (121) may have an upper surface in the form of a plate that is aligned with the upper surface of the supply conveyor (110) and the discharge conveyor (130), and a plurality of holes spaced apart at a preset interval may be formed on the upper surface. At this time, the inspection table (121) may be placed in an area that is compressed by the compression device (200). Here, the plurality of holes may form a space where an inspection roller (122) is placed. Here, the inspection table (121) may form a space where the compression device (200) can compress the object to be inspected (10).

[0049] The inspection roller (122) can be placed inside a plurality of holes formed in the inspection table (121) and rotates in the same direction as the rotation direction of the supply conveyor (110) and the discharge conveyor (120) to transfer the object to be inspected (10), supplied from the supply conveyor (110) and transferred to the inspection table (121), to the discharge conveyor (130). Such inspection roller (122) can be placed in an area that is not compressed by the compression device (200).

[0050] The discharge conveyor (130) can discharge the inspected object (10) that has been inspected from the inspection conveyor (120). For example, the discharge conveyor (130) is illustrated as a belt conveyor, but is not limited thereto, and various types of conveyors capable of moving the inspected object (10), such as a chain conveyor, a trolley conveyor, a screw conveyor, or a roller conveyor, may be used.

[0051] In the following configuration, the compression device (200) is positioned on the upper part of the conveyor (100) and can compress the upper surface of the test object (10) being transported by the conveyor (100). Specifically, the compression device (200) is positioned on the upper part of the inspection table (121) and can compress the upper surface of the test object (10) that is sensed by the sensing device (200) on the inspection table (121) to maintain the flatness of the test object (10). Such a compression device (200) may be configured to include a compression roller module (210) and a position movement module (220).

[0052] The pressure roller module (210) is installed to face the upper surface of the inspection table and can press the upper surface of the object to be inspected (10) supplied from the supply conveyor (110) to the inspection table (121). Here, the pressure roller module (210) may include a pressure roller (211) that is positioned on the upper part of the inspection table (121) and presses the upper surface of the object to be inspected (10) supplied from the supply conveyor (110) to the inspection table (121) while rotating in the same direction as the rotation direction of the supply conveyor (110).

[0053] The position moving module (220) can support the pressure roller module (210) on the upper part of the inspection table (121) and can adjust the pressure intensity of the pressure roller module (210) pressing the test object (10) by raising and lowering the pressure roller module (210). That is, if the pressure intensity of the pressure roller module (210) pressing the test object (10) is strong relative to the thickness of the test object (10), there is a risk that the test object (10) will be damaged, and if the pressure intensity is weak relative to the thickness of the test object (10), a problem may arise where the flattening of the test object (10) is not properly achieved. Accordingly, the position moving module (220) can adjust the pressure intensity of the pressure roller module (210) pressing the test object (10) by raising and lowering the pressure roller module (210) according to the thickness of the test object (10) under the control of the control device (400).

[0054] In the following configuration, the sensing device (300) is positioned on the upper part of the conveyor (100) adjacent to the compression device (200) and can sense the test object (10) compressed by the compression device (200). The sensing device (300) can acquire depth information of the test object (10) to inspect geometric tolerances such as thickness, length, straightness, and perpendicularity of the test object (10).

[0055] In one embodiment, the sensing device (300) may be configured to include a light source and a camera. The light source may irradiate light onto a test object (10) located on an inspection table (121). Here, the light may be structured light having a pre-set pattern. As a result, the light may cause a deformation of the pattern according to the surface shape of the test object (10), thereby enabling identification of the three-dimensional structure of the test object (10). For example, the light may be a grid pattern, a dot pattern, etc.

[0056] The camera can generate a three-dimensional image of the object to be tested (10) based on light reflected from the object to be tested (10). Meanwhile, although the camera is described as being provided as a single unit, it is not limited thereto and may be provided in multiple units to detect multiple different lights reflected from the object to be tested (10) in a stereo manner.

[0057] In another embodiment, the sensing device (300) can acquire three-dimensional point cloud data for the object to be inspected (10) when the object to be inspected (10) is positioned at a preset location.

[0058] For example, the sensing device (300) may be configured to include at least one lidar. Here, the lidar may emit a laser pulse toward the object under inspection (10) and detect the light reflected back by the object under inspection (10) to generate three-dimensional point cloud data for the object under inspection (10). Here, the three-dimensional point cloud data may include depth information for the object under inspection (10) and intensity information indicating the degree of reflection.

[0059] In the following configuration, the control device (400) can inspect the object to be inspected (10) based on data sensed from the sensing device (300). Specifically, the control device (400) can inspect geometric tolerances such as thickness, length, straightness, and perpendicularity of the object to be inspected (10). For example, straightness may be a value indicating how much the surface or axis of the object to be inspected (10) deviates from a precise straight line. Perpendicularity may refer to the magnitude of deviation from a perfect right angle of the surface, axis, or intermediate plane of the object to be inspected (10) relative to a datum.

[0060] Meanwhile, specific details regarding the control device (400) will be described later with reference to the drawings below.

[0061] A control device (400) having such characteristics may be any device capable of transmitting and receiving data with a conveyor (100), a pressing device (200), and a sensing device (300), and performing calculations based on the transmitted and received data. For example, the control device (300) may be any one of a fixed computing device such as a desktop, a workstation, or a server, but is not limited thereto.

[0062] The conveyor (100), the pressurizing device (200), the sensing device (300), and the control device (400) can transmit and receive data using a network that combines one or more of a secure line, a public wired communication network, or a mobile communication network that directly connects the devices.

[0063] For example, public wired communication networks may include Ethernet, Digital Subscriber Line (xDSL), Hybrid Fiber Coax (HFC), and Fiber To The Home (FTTH), but are not limited thereto. Additionally, mobile communication networks may include Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), High Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), and 5th generation mobile telecommunication, but are not limited thereto.

[0064]

[0065] Hereinafter, a product inspection system (700) according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0066] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a product inspection system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] Meanwhile, the product inspection system (700) according to another embodiment of the present invention has substantially the same structure as the product inspection system (500) according to one embodiment of the present invention, except for some configurations. Therefore, redundant descriptions are omitted, and the same reference numerals are assigned to identical configurations.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 2, a product inspection system (700) according to one embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a conveyor (100), a compression device (600), a sensing device (300), and a control device (400).

[0069] In particular, a compression device (600) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a compression roller module (610) and a position movement module (620).

[0070] Referring briefly to FIG. 3, a compression roller module (610) according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0071] FIG. 3 is an illustrative diagram for explaining a compression roller module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 3, the compression roller module (610) may be configured to include a compression roller (611), an elastic member (612), a piezoelectric element (613), and a battery (614).

[0073] The pressure roller (611) is positioned on the upper part of the inspection table (121) and rotates in the same direction as the rotation direction of the supply conveyor (110), thereby being able to press the upper surface of the object to be inspected supplied from the supply conveyor (110) to the inspection table (121).

[0074] The elastic member (612) is positioned to be in contact with the upper part of the compression roller (611) and can provide elastic force to the compression roller (611). For example, the elastic member (612) can be a spring. That is, the elastic member (612) is constrained between the compression roller (611) and the piezoelectric element (613), so that when the compression roller module (610) is lowered by the position movement module (620) and compresses the test object (10), it is compressed together with the elastic member (612) to perform a cushioning action.

[0075] The piezoelectric element (613) can generate power by converting the pressure applied to the elastic member (612) by the pressure roller (611) into an electrical signal.

[0076] The battery (614) can store power generated from the piezoelectric element (613). The battery (614) can supply the stored power to the control device (400) or supply power to an output unit that outputs a result indicating whether the test object (10) is a good or defective product, thereby allowing the output unit to operate under the control of the control device (400). For example, the output unit may be composed of an LED (Light Emitting Diode).

[0077] Referring briefly to FIG. 4, a position movement module (620) according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0078] FIG. 4 is an illustrative diagram for explaining a position movement module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0079] Referring to FIG. 4, the position moving module (620) can support the pressure roller module (210) on the upper part of the inspection table (121) and can adjust the pressure intensity of the pressure roller module (610) pressing the test object (10) by raising and lowering the pressure roller module (610). That is, if the pressure intensity of the pressure roller module (610) pressing the test object (10) is strong relative to the thickness of the test object (10), there is a risk that the test object (10) will be damaged, and if the pressure intensity is weak relative to the thickness of the test object (10), a problem may arise where the flattening of the test object (10) is not properly achieved. Accordingly, the position moving module (620) can adjust the pressure intensity of the pressure roller module (610) pressing the test object (10) by raising and lowering the pressure roller module (610) according to the thickness of the test object (10) under the control of the control device (400).

[0080] Additionally, the position moving module (620) can adjust the pressure area of ​​the test object (10) by moving the pressure roller module (610) horizontally. That is, depending on the type of test object, the lifting phenomenon may occur in the center or on both sides. Accordingly, the position moving module (620) can move the pressure roller module (610) horizontally to compress a pre-set area of ​​the test object according to the type of test object.

[0081]

[0082] Hereinafter, a control device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0083] FIG. 5 is a logical configuration diagram of a control device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0084] Referring to FIG. 5, a control device (400) according to one embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a communication unit (405), an input / output unit (410), a pressure strength adjustment unit (415), an inspection unit (420), and a storage unit (425).

[0085] Since the components of the control device (400) are merely functionally distinct elements, two or more components may be implemented as a single integrated unit in an actual physical environment, or a single component may be implemented as a separate unit in an actual physical environment.

[0086] To explain each configuration, the communication unit (405) can transmit and receive data with the conveyor (100), the compression device (200), and the sensing device (300).

[0087] Specifically, the communication unit (405) can transmit a control signal to the conveyor (100) to drive the conveyor (100). The communication unit (405) can receive information regarding the control status from the conveyor (100).

[0088] Additionally, the communication unit (405) can transmit a control signal to the compression device (200) to control the compression device (200). The communication unit (405) can receive information regarding the control status from the compression device (200).

[0089] And, the communication unit (405) can receive image or three-dimensional point cloud data of the object to be inspected (10) sensed from the sensing device (300). The communication unit (405) can transmit a control signal to the sensing device (300) to control the sensing device (300).

[0090] With the following configuration, the input / output unit (410) can receive a signal from a user through a user interface (UI) or output a calculation result to the outside.

[0091] Specifically, the input / output unit (410) can output an image or three-dimensional point cloud data sensed from the sensing device (300). Additionally, the input / output unit (410) can output results analyzed by the inspection unit (420). That is, the input / output unit (410) can display whether there is an abnormality in the object to be inspected (10).

[0092] For example, the input / output unit (410) can output an image or three-dimensional point cloud data of the object to be inspected, and output an inspection result as "OK" or "NG" at a corresponding location on the output image or three-dimensional point cloud data, thereby enabling an administrator to check the inspection result in real time.

[0093] In the following configuration, the pressure intensity adjustment unit (415) can adjust the pressure intensity with which the pressure roller module presses the test object by raising and lowering the pressure roller module through a position movement module according to the type of test object. That is, if the pressure intensity with which the pressure roller module presses the test object is strong relative to the thickness of the test object, there is a risk that the test object will be damaged, and if the pressure intensity is weak relative to the thickness of the test object, a problem may arise where the flattening of the test object is not properly achieved. Accordingly, the pressure intensity adjustment unit (415) can adjust the pressure intensity with which the pressure roller module presses the test object by raising and lowering the pressure roller module according to the thickness of the test object through a position movement module.

[0094] Additionally, the compression strength adjustment unit (415) can adjust the compression area of ​​the test object by horizontally moving the compression roller module through the position movement module. That is, depending on the type of test object, the items that may experience lifting in the center or lifting on both sides may differ. Accordingly, the compression strength adjustment unit (415) can horizontally move the compression roller module through the position movement module to compress a preset area of ​​the test object according to the type of test object.

[0095] In one embodiment, the pressure intensity control unit (415) can identify the type of test object based on an image captured by a camera, and control the position movement module based on a preset thickness value of the test object according to the identified type of test object to control the pressure intensity of the pressure roller. For example, the pressure intensity control unit (415) can identify the type of test object through the RGB (Red, Green, Blue) of the image captured of the test object.

[0096] In another embodiment, the pressure intensity control unit (415) can estimate the pressure applied to the elastic member by the pressure roller according to the strength of the electrical signal generated from the piezoelectric element while lowering the pressure roller in the direction of the test object through a position movement module. Subsequently, the pressure intensity control unit (415) can adjust the height of the pressure roller according to the estimated pressure, thereby varying the height of the pressure roller according to the type of test object. That is, the pressure intensity control unit (415) can estimate the pressure applied to the elastic member through the piezoelectric element without identifying the type of test object, and by estimating the thickness of the test object through the estimated pressure, it can selectively vary the height of the pressure roller according to the thickness of the test object.

[0097] With the following configuration, the inspection unit (420) can inspect geometric tolerances such as thickness, length, straightness, and perpendicularity of the object to be inspected based on an image or three-dimensional point cloud data sensed from a sensing device.

[0098] In one embodiment, the inspection unit (420) can identify the three-dimensional structure of the object based on the deformed shape of the pattern projected onto the surface of the object in an image captured by a camera. That is, when pattern light is irradiated onto the object, deformation of the corresponding pattern may occur according to the three-dimensional structure of the surface of the object. Accordingly, the inspection unit (420) can identify the three-dimensional structure of the object based on information regarding the deformation of the pattern projected onto the surface of the object or the change in the position of feature points, and can inspect geometric tolerances such as thickness, length, straightness, and perpendicularity using the identified three-dimensional structure.

[0099] In another embodiment, the inspection unit (420) can obtain depth information of the object to be inspected through the visual disparity between images captured from a plurality of cameras. That is, the inspection unit (420) obtains depth information of the object to be inspected through a stereo method and can inspect geometric tolerances such as thickness, length, straightness, and perpendicularity using the obtained depth information.

[0100] In another embodiment, the inspection unit (420) can inspect geometric tolerances such as thickness, length, straightness, and perpendicularity of the object to be inspected based on three-dimensional point cloud data obtained from a sensing device.

[0101]

[0102] Below, hardware for implementing the logical components of the control device (400) as described above will be explained in more detail.

[0103] FIG. 6 is a hardware configuration diagram of a control device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0104] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the control device (400) may be configured to include a processor (450), memory (455), transceiver (460), input / output device (465), data bus (470) and storage (475).

[0105] Specifically, the processor (450) can implement the operation and function of the control device (400) based on instructions according to software (480a) that implements a product inspection method residing in memory (455).

[0106] Software (480b) implementing a product inspection method stored in storage (475) can be loaded into memory (455).

[0107] The input / output device (465) can receive signals necessary for the operation of the control device (400) or output calculation results to the outside according to the command of the processor (450).

[0108] The data bus (470) is connected to the processor (450), memory (455), transceiver (460), input / output device (465), and storage (475), respectively, and can serve as a passage for transmitting signals between each component.

[0109] Storage (475) may store an Application Programming Interface (API), library files, resource files, etc., necessary for the execution of software (480a) in which a product inspection method according to embodiments of the present invention is implemented. Storage (475) may also store software (480b) in which a product inspection method according to embodiments of the present invention is implemented.

[0110] According to one embodiment of the present invention, software (480a, 480b) for implementing a product inspection method that resides in memory (455) or is stored in storage (475) may be a computer program recorded on a recording medium to execute the steps of: the processor (450) transporting a test object through a conveyor; the processor (450) pressing the upper surface of the test object transported by the conveyor through a pressing device; the processor (450) sensing the test object being pressed by the pressing device through a sensing device; and the processor (450) inspecting the test object based on the data sensed from the sensing device.

[0111] More specifically, the processor (450) may be configured to include one or more of a Central Processing Unit (CPU), an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a chipset, and a logic circuit, but is not limited thereto.

[0112] The memory (455) may be configured to include one or more of ROM (Read-Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), flash memory, and memory card, but is not limited thereto.

[0113] The input / output device (460) may be configured to include one or more input devices such as a button, switch, keyboard, mouse, and joystick, and output devices such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), LED (Light Emitting Diode), Organic LED (OLED), Active Matrix OLED (AMOLED), printer, and plotter, but is not limited thereto.

[0114] When the embodiments included in this specification are implemented in software, the above-described method may be implemented as modules (processes, functions, etc.) that each perform the above-described function. Each module may reside in memory (455) and be executed by a processor (450). Memory (455) may exist inside or outside the processor (450) and may be connected to the processor (450) by various well-known means.

[0115] Each component illustrated in FIG. 6 may be implemented by various means (e.g., hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof). When implemented by hardware, one embodiment of the present invention may be implemented by one or more ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), DSPs (Digital Signal Processors), DSPDs (Digital Signal Processing Devices), PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices), FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, etc.

[0116] In addition, when implemented by firmware or software, an embodiment of the present invention may be implemented in the form of a module, procedure, function, etc., that performs the functions or operations described above, and may be recorded on a recording medium readable through various computer means. Here, the recording medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, etc., either alone or in combination.

[0117] The program instructions recorded on the recording medium may be those specifically designed and configured for the present invention, or they may be those known and available to those skilled in the art of computer software. For example, the recording medium includes magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes; optical media such as CD-ROMs (Compact Disk Read Only Memory) and DVDs (Digital Video Disks); magneto-optical media such as floptical disks; and hardware devices specifically configured to store and execute program instructions, such as ROM, RAM, and flash memory.

[0118] Examples of program instructions may include machine code, such as that generated by a compiler, as well as high-level language code that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter, etc. Such hardware devices may be configured to operate as one or more software to perform the operation of the present invention, and vice versa.

[0119]

[0120] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a product inspection method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0121] Referring to Fig. 7, in step S100, the control device can transport the test object through a conveyor.

[0122] Next, in step S200, the control device can control the position movement module to press the upper surface of the test object being transported by the conveyor.

[0123] At this time, the control device can adjust the compression intensity of the compression roller module by raising and lowering the compression roller module through a position movement module according to the type of test object.

[0124] In addition, the control device can adjust the compression area of ​​the test subject by horizontally moving the compression roller module through the position movement module. That is, the control device can horizontally move the compression roller module through the position movement module to compress a preset area of ​​the test subject according to the type of test subject.

[0125] In one embodiment, the control device identifies the type of object to be inspected based on an image captured by a camera, and controls a position movement module based on a preset thickness value of the object to be inspected according to the identified type of object to adjust the compression strength of the compression roller.

[0126] In another embodiment, the control device can estimate the pressure applied to the elastic member by the pressure roller according to the strength of the electrical signal generated from the piezoelectric element while lowering the pressure roller in the direction of the test object through a position movement module. Subsequently, the control device can adjust the height of the pressure roller according to the estimated pressure, thereby varying the height of the pressure roller according to the type of test object. That is, the control device can selectively vary the height of the pressure roller according to the thickness of the test object by estimating the pressure applied to the elastic member through the piezoelectric element without identifying the type of test object, and by estimating the thickness of the test object through the estimated pressure.

[0127] Next, in step S300, when the object to be inspected is positioned at a preset location by the conveyor, the control device can acquire sensing data for the object to be inspected through a sensing device placed on the path of the object to be inspected as it moves by the conveyor.

[0128] In addition, at step S400, the control device can check for abnormalities in the test object based on the sensed data.

[0129]

[0130] As described above, preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed in this specification and drawings; however, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that other variations based on the technical spirit of the present invention are possible in addition to the embodiments disclosed herein. Furthermore, although specific terms have been used in this specification and drawings, they are used merely in a general sense to facilitate the explanation of the technical content of the present invention and to aid in understanding the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the detailed description above should not be interpreted restrictively in any respect and should be considered illustrative. The scope of the present invention should be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all modifications within the equivalent scope of the present invention are included within the scope of the present invention.

[0131] (Explanation of symbols)

[0132] 100: Conveyor 200, 600: Pressing device

[0133] 300: Sensing device 400: Control device

[0134] 500, 700: Inspection System

[0135] 405: Communications Unit 410: Input / Output Unit

[0136] 415: Compression intensity adjustment unit 420: Inspection unit

[0137] 425 : Storage

Claims

1. A conveyor for transporting test specimens; A compression device positioned on the upper part of the above conveyor and compressing the upper surface of the test object being transported by the above conveyor; A sensing device positioned on the upper part of the conveyor adjacent to the above-mentioned compression device and sensing the test subject compressed by the above-mentioned compression device; and A conveyor-based product inspection device characterized by including a control device that inspects the object to be inspected based on data sensed from the sensing device.

2. In claim 1, the conveyor A supply conveyor supplying the above-mentioned test specimen; An inspection conveyor providing a space for inspecting a test object supplied from the above-mentioned supply conveyor; and A conveyor-based product inspection device characterized by including: a discharge conveyor for discharging a test subject that has completed inspection from the inspection conveyor.

3. In Paragraph 2, the inspection conveyor An inspection table having an upper surface positioned in alignment with the upper surface of the supply conveyor and the discharge conveyor, and having a plurality of holes formed on the upper surface spaced apart at preset intervals; and A conveyor-based product inspection device characterized by including: an inspection roller disposed inside the plurality of holes of the inspection table and rotating in the same direction as the rotation direction of the supply conveyor and the discharge conveyor to transfer an object to be inspected supplied from the supply conveyor and transferred to the inspection table to the discharge conveyor.

4. In claim 3, the compression device A pressure roller module installed to face the upper surface of the inspection table and to press the upper surface of the object to be inspected supplied from the supply conveyor to the inspection table; and A conveyor-based product inspection device characterized by including a position movement module that raises and lowers the pressure roller to adjust the pressure strength of the pressure roller.

5. In claim 4, the compression roller module A pressure roller positioned on the upper part of the inspection table and rotating in the same direction as the rotation direction of the supply conveyor, while pressing the upper surface of the object to be inspected supplied from the supply conveyor to the inspection table; An elastic member positioned to abut the upper part of the above-mentioned pressure roller and providing elastic force to the above-mentioned pressure roller; and A piezoelectric element that converts pressure applied to the elastic member by the above-mentioned pressure roller into an electrical signal to generate power; comprising The above control device A conveyor-based product inspection device characterized by lowering the pressure roller in the direction of the object to be inspected through the position moving module, estimating the pressure applied to the elastic member by the pressure roller according to the strength of the electrical signal generated from the piezoelectric element, adjusting the height of the pressure roller according to the estimated pressure, and varying the height of the pressure roller according to the type of object to be inspected.

6. In claim 4, the sensing device A light source unit that irradiates light onto a test object located on the above-mentioned test table; and A conveyor-based product inspection device characterized by including a camera that photographs a test object irradiated with light by the light source unit.

7. In claim 6, the light source part A preset pattern of light is irradiated onto the above test subject, and The above control device A conveyor-based product inspection device characterized by identifying the three-dimensional structure of a test object based on the deformed shape of a pattern projected onto the surface of the test object in an image captured by the camera.

8. In claim 6, the camera It includes a plurality of cameras that photograph the test subject at multiple points, and The above control device A conveyor-based product inspection device characterized by acquiring depth information of the object to be inspected through the visual disparity between images captured by the plurality of cameras.

9. In claim 5, the control device A conveyor-based product inspection device characterized by identifying the type of the object to be inspected based on an image captured by the camera, and controlling the position movement module based on a thickness value of the object to be inspected that is preset according to the type of the identified object to be inspected, thereby adjusting the compression strength of the compression roller.

10. In claim 9, the position movement module The above-mentioned compression roller is moved horizontally to adjust the compression area of ​​the test subject, and The above control device A conveyor-based product inspection device characterized by controlling the horizontal movement module to compress a preset area according to the type of the identified test object to vary the position of the compression roller.

Images