JP3569829B2 - Imaging equipment used for granulation and coating equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus for photographing the shape, particle diameter, and the like of particles during granulation or coating in a granulator or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Various types of granulating devices such as a fluidized bed granulating device and a rolling granulating device are known as conventional granulating devices. These granulators differ mainly in the granulator used depending on the purpose of granulation. For example, in a fluidized bed granulator, the shape is often irregular and relatively large in particle size, and in a tumbling granulator, the shape is relatively spherical. However, it has been found that even if the granulation method is constant, the shape, particle size, and the like change within a certain range due to the difference in the granulation conditions.
[0003]
On the other hand, the desired particle shape, the desired particle size, and the like differ depending on the purpose of use of the granulated product, and therefore, a granulation method, a granulation means, and a granulation device suitable for the purpose of use are used. However, in order to obtain the most suitable granulated material as possible, setting granulation conditions becomes a problem even if granulation is performed by a desirable granulation method. Moreover, it is difficult to confirm whether or not the desired granulated product has been obtained. This is the same in the case of coating with a coating device.
[0004]
For the reasons described above, a granulating apparatus and a coating apparatus capable of observing the shape, particle size, and the like of particles during granulation have been desired. However, in the granulation tank in the granulation / coating apparatus, the shape and particle size of each particle during granulation cannot be directly observed by any of the granulation / coating apparatuses.
[0005]
In order to measure the shape, size, and the like of the particles in such granulation and coating, photographing through an observation window provided in a granulation device can be considered. However, good photographing cannot be performed because the photograph is taken through a window glass or the inside of the tank is dark. It is also conceivable to illuminate the inside with a lighting device, but similarly, since the illumination is through a window glass, satisfactory illumination cannot be achieved, and it is difficult to select an irradiation angle. Further, many particles in the granulation or coating are moving while overlapping each other such as right and left and front and rear, so that it is almost impossible to observe or photograph under good illumination while distinguishing the individual particles.
[0006]
Further, as a conventional example in which the shape of a granular material is photographed as in the present invention, JP-A-54-92389, JP-A-59-81535, JP-A-63-266339, JP-A-60-15541, JP-A-57-59143, JP-A-58-73730, JP-A-4-265142 and the like are known.
[0007]
Among these conventional examples, JP-A-54-92389, JP-A-59-81535, JP-A-63-266339 and JP-A-4-265142 all disclose granular materials sent by a belt conveyor or the like. Is dropped, and an image is taken from the side opposite to or perpendicular to the illumination direction. Since these particles cannot be completely separated due to natural fall and overlap with each other, the particle shape cannot be determined accurately. Therefore, they must be separated beforehand when transported on a belt conveyor. Further, the present invention does not take an image of a granulated substance during granulation as in the present invention, and is not applicable to such an apparatus.
[0008]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 57-59143 discloses that a linear sensor camera detects the shape of a granular material sent by a belt conveyor and measures the particle size by frequency analysis, but does not take a photograph. Also, this conventional example does not take an image of a moving granular material as during granulation.
[0009]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58-73730 discloses a method in which a strobe image is taken during mixed granulation, and similarly, the image is not taken in a dispersed state.
[0010]
Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-265142 relates to photographing of particles during granulation, in which a part of a granular material is taken out from a granular material take-out tube and adhered to an adhesive tape, and photographed.
[0011]
As described above, each of the cited examples described above is not preferable as a means for directly photographing in a state where each particle is separated when performing operations such as granulation and coating which are the objects of the present invention.
[0012]
Further, there is a granulating apparatus (Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 5-165932) having an imaging device which can capture a particle shape and a particle diameter during granulation developed as a still image by the inventors of the present invention. It has a configuration as shown in FIG. 6, in which 1 is a granulation tank, 2 is a slit plate rotatable by an appropriate driving means, 3 is a stirring blade rotated by an appropriate driving means, 4 is an air outlet, Is a spray gun for spraying a binder or a coating liquid, 6 is a product outlet, 7 is a moisture meter, and 10 is a photographing device.
[0013]
In this granulating apparatus, the raw material powder or the like is supplied from a raw material supply port (not shown) and the slit plate 2 is rotated by driving the driving means while spraying the binder liquid from the spray gun 5, and further, air is blown from the blowing port 4. Supply. As a result, the raw material moves as indicated by the arrow by the rotation of the slit plate 2 and the air supplied from below, and rotates on the slit plate 2 as a whole. Further, the raw material is moistened by spraying the liquid from the spray gun 5, and granulation is performed by the above movement. As the granulation operation proceeds in this manner, granules are gradually formed.
[0014]
For example, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the photographing device 10 used in this granulating device has its tip 11 fixed to the side wall of the granulation tank 1, its tip is located near the wall surface, and It is installed in a nearby location. For example, a tip of an optical fiber scope 12 is located at the distal end portion 11, and a CCD camera 13 is attached to the other end of the optical fiber. The CCD camera 13 is connected to a particle measurement processing device 26 via a CCU 14 and a still image processing device. The particle measurement processing device 26 includes a VTR 27, an image recognition device 28, a personal computer 29, a printer 30, and color monitors 15 and 31. Observation with a color monitor and still images with a printer are obtained by the photographing device 10, the still image processing device, the particle measurement processing device, and the like. Further, various controls are performed by the granulation coating control device 32 based on the particle measurement by these devices. Reference numeral 16 denotes a purge air supply port, and the air injection port 18 is located at the distal end portion 11 of the photographing apparatus 10 after being heated by the air heater 17. Reference numeral 19 denotes a purge air temperature controller, which controls the air heater 17 so that the temperature at the tip becomes a set temperature based on the temperature at the tip detected by the temperature sensor 20 provided at the tip. Reference numeral 21 denotes a high-speed strobe device. The strobe light source unit 23 emits light in response to a light emission instruction signal from a strobe control unit 24 via a still image processing device 25 from a CCU camera control unit. At the same time, the particles being granulated are photographed.
[0015]
Since the granulating device shown in FIG. 6 includes the photographing device 10 having the above-described configuration, the shape, the particle size, and the like of the granular material during the granulation can be observed on the color monitor 15. In addition, by performing image processing based on the photographed images, it is possible to accurately measure the particle diameter (particle diameter of individual particles, average particle diameter, etc.), and to classify irregular shapes, elliptical shapes, spherical shapes, and the like. Accurate and detailed shape analysis such as roundness is possible.
[0016]
In addition, since the photographing apparatus 10 has the above-described configuration, the supply of the purge air supplies dry air at a constant temperature to a portion to be photographed, so that an atmosphere that is difficult to observe due to moisture changes to a state where observation is possible. This allows clear observation and photographing. In particular, it is possible to completely prevent fogging and adhesion of powder or the like at the tip portion 11 of the photographing device 10 due to moisture, thereby enabling good photographing. Furthermore, it is possible to take pictures in a situation where individual particles are relatively separated by separating particles existing in the range that can be photographed with purge air, and to capture as a still image by instantaneous photography with a high-speed strobe device This makes image processing easy, and accurate analysis of particle size, particle shape, particle size distribution, and the like can be easily performed.
[0017]
According to the photographing apparatus used in the above-mentioned granulating apparatus, an image of particles can be obtained, and the particle size, particle shape, particle size distribution and the like can be obtained by image processing. However, the sharpness of the image is not yet sufficient. In particular, a plurality of particles are often photographed in an overlapping manner, in which case the outer periphery of the particles may be unclear. In such a case, the above-mentioned particle size, particle shape, particle size distribution and the like can be obtained with a certain degree of accuracy by computer processing, but there is a problem that the computer processing is troublesome.
[0018]
To this end, the applicant of the present application has developed a novel photographing apparatus used for a granulating or coating apparatus capable of observing particles in a separated state, and has filed an application as Japanese Patent Application No. 5-288833.
[0019]
This photographing apparatus has a configuration as shown in FIG. 8, and a distal end portion 41 thereof includes a photographing system lens barrel 42 containing a photographing optical system and the like, and a cover 43 covering the same. Has a slight gap 44 formed therein. Reference numeral 45 denotes an end portion of the illumination system, for example, in which an optical fiber bundle 46 whose other end is located at a high-speed strobe light source is arranged, and a slit 47 is formed at the end in a lateral direction. The cover 48 at the front end of the illumination system projects forward from the cover 43 of the optical system, so that the slit 47 is located slightly forward of the front end surface 43a of the cover 43. The optical fiber bundle 46 is disposed in the cover 48 as described above, and a small gap 49 is formed between the cover 48 and the optical fiber bundle 46.
[0020]
Further, air supply ports 51 and 52 are formed at a root portion of the tip portion of the photographing apparatus, and these 51 and 52 are provided with air supply ports to which heated air for air purging is sent. Tubes are connected respectively.
[0021]
When air is supplied through the air supply tube, the photographing apparatus having such a configuration is configured such that when air is supplied through the air supply ports 51 and 52, the air gap 44 around the lens barrel 42 of the photographing system and the optical fiber bundle 46 around the illumination system are respectively provided. One is ejected in the axial direction of the lens barrel 42 and the other is ejected in the direction perpendicular to the axis.
[0022]
At the same time, the light emitted from a stroboscopic light source (not shown) passes through the optical fiber bundle 46 and exits from the slit 47, and at the same time, particles on the object surface of the optical system are photographed. Here, the powder adhering to the tip of the photographing device exposed to the tank that is humid and is filled with the powder or the fine particles having a small diameter is dried by the air purge with the above-described air. As a result, the tip of the photographing apparatus is cleaned so that it does not interfere with photographing. In this way, the powder does not adhere to the tip of the optical system or near the slit.
[0023]
At the same time, an air flow is generated ahead of the tip by the air, and the granules in the vicinity are washed away. This flow is composed of a flow flowing forward in the direction along the axis and a flow flowing in a direction perpendicular to the axis coming out of the slit 47, and is a combined flow of the two flows.
[0024]
In this case, many of the dense particles at the tip of the imaging apparatus are separated from the tip by the airflow in the axial direction from the imaging system, and the particles remaining partially near the tip are of the illumination system. The air flows through the slit to be dispersed and individually separated.
[0025]
As described above, according to the imaging device, the particles near the tip end are sufficiently separated so that they can be individually imaged, and imaging is performed in this state. Images can be obtained. Furthermore, since the illumination is performed by the illumination light from the lateral direction through the slit, a brightly illuminated particle image can be captured in a dark visual field.
[0026]
However, this device has a drawback that the imaging system becomes thicker and larger because the imaging system and the illumination and air supply units are two independent systems.
[0027]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus for granulation, coating, and the like, in which the entire apparatus is reduced in size by reducing the diameter of a tip of the apparatus, particularly an imaging system, an illumination system, and the like.
[0028]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The photographing apparatus of the present invention includes a lens barrel which incorporates a photographing system and is connected to a camera head, an illumination optical fiber arranged to surround the outer periphery of the lens barrel, and a further outer periphery of the optical fiber so as to surround it. An air supply path for purging is provided, and the tip of the optical fiber is illuminated with illumination light so that the tip of the optical fiber is slightly obliquely forward of the lens barrel tip opening. It is configured so that air is injected in almost the same direction as the direction.As in the invention of the earlier application, the particles are sufficiently dispersed so that they can be photographed separately from each other and illuminated. In addition, the diameter can be reduced by arranging the lens barrel, the optical fiber, and the air supply path in a substantially concentric circle centered on the lens barrel.
[0029]
【Example】
Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0030]
FIG. 1 is a view showing a first embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 61 denotes a distal end portion of a photographing apparatus; 62, a lens barrel also serving as an air supply cylinder; and 63, an optical system disposed in the lens barrel 62 ( A photographing system), 64 is a camera head, 65 is an optical fiber for illumination connected to a light source such as a strobe light emitting device, and 66 is an air supply path for air purging.
[0031]
In this embodiment, a part of the air purging air is sent to the outside through the lens barrel 62 through a hole 62b formed in the lens barrel 62. Further, the air for the air purging passing through the air supply path 66 for the air purge is ejected obliquely from the front end opening 61a of the photographing device by directing the air supply path 66a inward, and the granular material located near the front end is a certain amount. Are distributed at intervals.
[0032]
Similarly, the illumination light sent by the optical fiber 65 for illumination is emitted obliquely from the distal end opening 61a of the imaging device by turning the distal end 65a inward. The direction of irradiation by the illumination light substantially coincides with the direction of the air purge, and therefore, a portion where particles dispersed at intervals are present by the air purge.
[0033]
As described above, particles during granulation or coating are dispersed by the air purge, and the dispersed particles are illuminated. This illuminated portion is in front of the opening 62a of the lens barrel 62 as shown in the figure, and is therefore dispersed when photographed by the optical system 63. Photography is possible.
[0034]
FIG. 2 shows a modification of the first embodiment. In the photographing apparatus shown in this figure, the tip of the optical fiber 65 for illumination and the tip of the supply path for air purge air are positioned slightly before the tip opening 62a of the lens barrel, and a cover glass 67 is provided in the opening 62a. ing.
[0035]
According to this modification, it is possible to prevent foreign substances such as powders and granules from entering the lens barrel 62 through the opening 62a. Therefore, it is not possible to supply air into the lens barrel, but there is not much problem even if air is not ejected to the outside through the opening 62b. In these embodiments, the optical fiber for illumination and the air supply path for air purging are arranged along the periphery of the lens barrel 62. In other words, all of them are configured as a cylindrical one, and the overall diameter is (Thickness) becomes small, so that the entire photographing apparatus can be made small.
[0036]
Also, by injecting the air obliquely, it is possible to disperse the particles almost the same as those shown in FIG. 8, and it is possible to take a good image.
[0037]
FIG. 3 is a view showing a second embodiment of the photographing apparatus of the present invention. This embodiment is also the same as the first embodiment in that the optical fiber for illumination and the air supply path for purging are arranged around the lens barrel. However, the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the air supply path for purging is disposed inside (the lens barrel side) and the optical fiber for illumination is disposed outside (outside the air supply path). Is different from
[0038]
That is, in the second embodiment, the lens barrel 62, the optical system 63, and the camera head 64 are provided, and the air supply path 66 for supplying air for purging to the outer periphery of the lens barrel 62 is further provided on the outside thereof for illumination. This is a configuration in which an optical fiber 65 is arranged. A hole 62a is provided in the vicinity of a supply port 66b of an air supply path 66 of the lens barrel 62, and a part of the supplied air flows through the lens barrel 62 and a part of the supplied air serves to clean the surface of the optical system. Is ejected to the outside through the opening 62a through the lens barrel 62.
[0039]
In the second embodiment as well, particles can be dispersed by oblique air injection, and observation and photographing can be performed by irradiating illumination light from almost the same direction.
[0040]
FIG. 4 shows a modification of the second embodiment. In the embodiment shown in this figure, similarly to the modification of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a cover glass 67 is provided at the tip of the lens barrel 62, and powder, particles, etc. enter the lens barrel and observed. And prevent them from interfering with shooting. That is, in this modified example, a lens barrel 62, an optical system 63, a camera head 64, an air supply path 66, and an optical fiber 65 are provided, and a cover glass 67 is disposed in an opening 62a of the lens barrel 62. In this modified example, similarly to the modified example of FIG. 2, the inside of the lens barrel 62 is completely sealed by the cover glass 67, and the intrusion of powder, particles, and the like into the lens barrel is completely prevented. In addition, since air cannot be injected from the lens barrel 62 from the cover glass 67, a hole near the supply port 66b of the air supply path is not formed.
[0041]
In each of the above embodiments, the tip of the optical fiber is bent in the axial direction of the lens barrel. The angle A between the direction in which the tip of the optical fiber faces and the axis of the lens barrel is preferably 30 ° to 90 °. If the angle A is smaller than 30 °, good photographing may not be performed. Most preferably, this angle is between 60 ° and 85 °.
[0042]
Similarly, the purge air supply path is bent at its tip in the axial direction of the lens barrel, and the angle B between the direction (the direction in which air is ejected) and the axial direction of the lens barrel is 30 ° to 90 °. And the most desirable direction is 60 ° to 85 °.
[0043]
The angles A and B are determined in consideration of the degree of dispersion of the particles and good illumination. In particular, the angle B, which determines the degree of dispersion of the particles, differs depending on the particle diameter and the weight (density) of the particles. If the particle diameter is small and light, if the angle B is small, the particles can be easily moved away by air. Move and shooting becomes difficult. However, when the diameter is large and relatively heavy, even if the angle B is small, it can be slightly moved, and there is no problem. Therefore, when the particles are heavy, a satisfactory image can be obtained at 30 ° or more. However, when light particles are included, it is desirable that the angle be 60 ° or more. If it is 60 ° or more, most particles can be imaged.
[0044]
If the angles A and B are 90 °, it is theoretically most desirable. However, in the case of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, there is a problem in manufacturing.
[0045]
As described above, it is preferable that the angles A and B be set within the above ranges according to the purpose of use. Further, the dispersion and movement of the powders and granules differ depending on the flow rate and flow rate of the purge air. Therefore, if the angle A and the angle B are set to appropriate values and the flow rate of the purge air can be adjusted, observation and photographing can be performed in the most desirable state.
[0046]
FIG. 5 shows a cover glass provided on the photographing apparatus described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application No. 5-288833 (shown in FIG. 8 in the present application) to prevent powder, particles, etc. from entering the lens barrel. This is a third embodiment of the present invention. That is, an optical fiber 65 for illumination arranged side by side with the lens barrel 62, the optical system 63, the camera head 64, and the lens barrel 62, and an air supply path 66 that surrounds the optical fiber 65 and supplies air for purging. A cover glass 67 is provided in the opening 62 a of the lens barrel 62.
[0047]
In the third embodiment, the ejection direction of the purge air and the irradiation direction of the illumination light are substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical system.
[0048]
【The invention's effect】
The photographing apparatus of the present invention can reduce the diameter of the front end of the apparatus by arranging the optical fiber for illumination and the air supply path for purging so as to surround the outer circumference of the lens barrel of the optical system. Got none. In particular, since the tip is small, it can be easily placed in a tank such as a granulation tank, so that the tip can be installed in almost any place. It can be installed at the most appropriate position, and the progress of granulation, coating, etc. can be immediately observed on a television monitor or a photograph. Further, by providing a cover glass as in the third embodiment and each of the modifications, it is possible to prevent intrusion of powder, particles, and the like, thereby enabling better observation and photographing.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a modification of the first embodiment; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a distal end portion of a conventional photographing device. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a photographing device according to the present invention.
62 lens barrel 63 imaging system 65 optical fiber 66 air supply path

Claims (5)

A lens barrel having a built-in imaging system and connected to a camera head or an observation unit, and an optical fiber for illumination and an air supply path for supplying air for purging, each of which is arranged so as to surround the outer circumference of the lens barrel, Is directed so as to illuminate the front of the lens barrel obliquely with respect to the axis of the lens barrel with the illumination light from the optical fiber. It is configured to inject air in the same direction, and is further used in a granulating / coating apparatus in which the lens barrel, optical fiber, and air supply path are arranged so as to form concentric circles centering on the lens barrel in their sectional directions. Shooting equipment. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber is disposed on a lens barrel side and the air supply path is located outside the optical fiber. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the air supply path is disposed on the lens barrel side, and the optical fiber is disposed outside the air supply path. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a cover glass is provided at an opening at a tip of the lens barrel. A lens barrel having a built-in imaging system and connected to a camera head or an observation unit; and an illumination optical fiber and a purge air supply path both arranged side by side with the lens barrel, and a tip end of the optical fiber and the air. Each of the distal ends of the supply path protrudes forward from the distal end of the lens barrel, and the distal end of the optical fiber that protrudes forward is bent toward the axial direction of the lens barrel, and forwards the air supply path. An opening facing the axial direction of the lens barrel is formed at the protruding tip, and the illumination light emitted from the optical fiber and the purge air ejected from the opening provided at the tip of the air supply path are substantially the same. Granulation / coating, wherein a cover glass is provided at the tip end opening of the lens barrel. Imaging apparatus to be used in the location.

Images