JP4864565B2 - Accessories inspection system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention inspects the appearance of articles to be inspected (hereinafter referred to as “test objects”) of small articles (tablets, capsules, bags, candies, chocolates, pellets, etc.) (foreign matter inspection, color inspection, shape inspection, The present invention relates to a technique for simultaneously inspecting the front, back, and side surfaces of an object by providing a plurality of reflectors.

  Conventionally, it is important to inspect the appearance of a test object such as a tablet, especially the appearance shape, dimensions, minute holes on the surface, dirt, scratches, dents, breakage, etc. In this case, it is necessary to take images of a total of six surfaces, that is, the front surface, the back surface, and the left and right oblique front and back side surfaces of the test object. Here, the front surface of the inspection object indicates a direct viewing surface facing the imaging apparatus, and the back surface of the inspection object indicates a non-direct viewing surface not facing the imaging apparatus.

  Imaging of the front and back of the test object is relatively simple, but it is difficult to capture the entire side of the test object without any difficulty. A mirror reflection method in which a reflector such as a mirror is installed and the front and both sides are imaged simultaneously with a line sensor (see, for example, Patent Document 1). A direct imaging method that images the entire circumference of the side surface with a line sensor while rotating the specimen (for example, see Patent Document 2), and a special lens system that images the front and side surfaces simultaneously with an area sensor by bringing a lens close to the specimen. (See, for example, Patent Document 3) Dropping method in which a specimen is dropped and two reflectors such as mirrors are installed, and the three surfaces of the back including the front and both sides are simultaneously imaged by an area sensor (for example, patent Reference 4 System, such as has been adopted.

  JP-A-6-317415   JP-A-8-152411   JP 2005-241488 A   JP 2005-172608 A

  In the direct imaging method in which the test object is held in the pocket in the vertical direction and the test object is rotated by a rotating roller, etc., and the entire circumference of the side surface is imaged by a line sensor, a device that changes the posture of the test object in the vertical direction is required In addition, there is a problem that there is a concern that defects such as cracking and chipping may be caused by rubbing the test object directly with a rotating roller or the like.

  In a special lens system in which the front and side surfaces are imaged simultaneously by the area sensor with a lens etc. in close proximity to the test object, the image is distorted if the test object is not at the lens center position. Cannot be used, and there is a problem that the inspection accuracy of the side surface is lowered in the case of a test object having a large thickness.

  In the drop method in which the object to be tested is dropped and two reflectors such as mirrors are installed, and the three surfaces on the back including the front and both sides are imaged simultaneously with the area sensor, only two mirrors are installed. There is a problem that the entire circumference of the side surface cannot be imaged, and in order to image the entire circumference, the test object must be imaged a plurality of times while freely rotating.

  In the mirror reflection method in which reflectors such as 2 to 6 mirrors are installed on the front and rear sides of the test object and imaged using a line sensor, the front and left and right side surfaces of the test object are halved (for example, the front right 45 ° direction). And the left rear diagonal 45 ° direction) 2 planes are imaged, and the back and left and right side surfaces 4 half (for example, right rear diagonal 45 ° direction and left front diagonal 45 ° direction) 2 through the front and back surface conversion device of the test object 2 It captures 3 faces in total and captures a total of 6 faces in the front, back, and side 4 directions, but it is determined whether or not the entire side imaging range has been imaged via the front and back conversion device. The accuracy of the foreign matter inspection and shape inspection of the test object is low. Therefore, in order to reliably image the entire circumference of the test object, it is necessary to configure a complicated optical system by combining reflectors such as a dozen mirrors so far, which increases the product cost. There was a problem that it was inferior in economic efficiency.

  The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and is a visual inspection that uses a simple device to inspect the front, back, and side surfaces of the test object with high accuracy at low cost. An object is to provide an apparatus.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is arranged on a straight line that intersects obliquely with respect to the transport direction of the test object that is transported linearly by the transport device. A pair of first reflectors arranged symmetrically with respect to the transport device so as to sandwich the transport device, and from the first reflector to the other first reflector across the transport device along the straight line. The left and right front-rear relations sandwiching the transport device with respect to the line sensor disposed opposite to the transport device within the imaging range and the pair of first reflectors disposed symmetrically so as to sandwich the transport device on the straight line And a pair of second reflectors arranged symmetrically across the transport device, the pair of first reflectors both face the transport device and the line sensor on the straight line. So that the slant is arranged The pair of second reflectors are disposed so as to face each other across the transport device, and the one second reflector and the one first reflector are disposed in the transport direction on one side in the width direction of the transport device. The other first reflector and the other second reflector are arranged back and forth in the transport direction on the other side in the width direction of the transport device, and are moved along the transport direction of the test object. When approaching one of the first reflectors, one of the first reflectors disposed on the rear side in the transport direction reflects an image of a side surface in the rear oblique direction of the test object toward the line sensor side. The other first reflector and the one second reflector are inclined so as to form an image on a sensor, and the image of the side surface in the front oblique direction of the test object is formed by the one second reflector. After reflecting to the other first reflector side, the line is reflected by the other first reflector. While tilted to reflect on the sensor side and form an image on the line sensor, when the test object attempts to pass through the imaging range of the line sensor by moving along the transport direction of the test object, the other second The two reflectors reflect an image of the rear oblique side surface of the test object to the one first reflector side and reflect the image to the line sensor side by the one first reflector to form an image on the line sensor. And the other first reflector is inclined so as to reflect an image of a front oblique side surface of the test object toward the line sensor and form an image on the line sensor. The present invention relates to an appearance inspection apparatus for small articles.
In the present invention, the invention described in claim 2 is an image formed on the line sensor when the test object approaches the first first reflector by movement along the transport direction. An image of the side surface of the object in the 45 ° oblique direction on the right rear side and an image of the side surface in the 45 ° oblique direction on the right front of the object, and the object to pass through the imaging range of the line sensor by movement along the conveyance direction. In this case, the image formed on the line sensor is an image of a side surface of the test object in a 45 ° diagonal direction on the left rear side and an image of a side surface of the test object in a 45 ° diagonal direction on the left front side. The appearance inspection apparatus for small articles described above may be used.

Further, the invention according to claim 3 of the present invention is directed to the transport path so as to sandwich the transport path on a straight line that intersects obliquely with respect to the transport direction of the object to be transported linearly. A pair of first reflectors arranged symmetrically, and a line arranged opposite to the transport path within the imaging range from one first reflector to the other reflector along the straight line. The sensor and the pair of first reflectors arranged symmetrically so as to sandwich the conveyance path on the straight line are arranged symmetrically across the conveyance path so that the left and right front-rear relations across the conveyance path are different. A pair of second reflectors, and a third reflector having a bent structure capable of copying a conveyance path between the one first reflector and the other first reflector,
Each of the pair of first reflectors is inclined on the straight line so as to face the conveyance path and the line sensor, and the pair of second reflectors are arranged to face each other across the conveyance path. One of the second reflectors and one of the first reflectors are arranged on one side of the conveyance path in the conveyance direction, and the other first reflection is arranged on the other side of the conveyance path. The body and the other second reflector are arranged back and forth in the transport direction, and when the test object approaches the first reflector by movement along the transport direction, the one disposed behind the transport direction The first reflector is tilted so as to reflect an image of the side surface in the oblique direction after the conveyance direction of the test object toward the line sensor and form an image on the line sensor, and with the other first reflector The one second reflector is in front of the direction of conveyance of the test object. An image of the lateral side surface is reflected by the one second reflector toward the other first reflector, and then reflected by the other first reflector toward the line sensor to form an image on the line sensor. While the test object passes through the imaging range of the line sensor along the transport path, the line sensor forms an image of the front surface of the test object on the line sensor side, When the test object tries to pass through the imaging range of the line sensor by moving along the transport direction of the test object, the other second reflector displays an image of the side surface in the oblique direction after the transport direction of the test object. The first reflector is inclined so as to be reflected on the one first reflector side, reflected on the line sensor side by the one first reflector and imaged on the line sensor, and the other first reflector is covered Inspection The third reflector of the bent structure is inclined to reflect the image of the side surface in the oblique direction before the feeding direction to the line sensor and form an image on the line sensor. The present invention relates to an appearance inspection apparatus for small articles, which is inclined so as to reflect an image and form an image on a line sensor.
The invention according to claim 4 of the present invention is characterized in that the conveyance direction of the test object is any one of a falling direction from top to bottom, a diagonally downward direction, a diagonally upward direction, and a horizontal direction. It may be an appearance inspection device for small articles.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, an image formed on the line sensor when the test object approaches the one first reflector by movement along the transport direction is the test object. A right side oblique 45 ° direction image and a right side oblique 45 ° direction side image of the test object,
When the test object tries to pass through the imaging range of the line sensor by movement along the transport direction, an image formed on the line sensor is an image of the side surface of the test object in the 45 ° diagonal direction to the left rear. It may be an appearance inspection apparatus for small articles, characterized in that it is an image of a side surface of the test object in a 45 ° oblique direction to the left front.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the first stage in which the test object approaches the first reflector, the line sensor directly obtains an image of the oblique rear side surface of the test object from the first reflector, and the test object The oblique front side on the same side as the side surface in the transport direction is reflected from the second reflector to the first front reflector on the opposite side opposite the transport direction of the test object, and an image is obtained from the first reflector. Then, in the second step of the test object passes through the imaging range of line sensor, line sensor is obtained directly without passing through the reflector the image of the front of the object of the line sensor side. Next, in the third stage when the test object attempts to pass the imaging range of the line sensor, the oblique front side opposite to the first stage in the transport direction of the test object is imaged from the first reflector. The oblique rear side surface on the opposite side to the first stage in the conveyance direction of the specimen is reflected from the second reflector to the first reflector on one side of the first stage in the conveyance direction of the specimen. An image can be obtained from the reflector.

As described above, the side image of the test object and the front image of the test object can be simultaneously formed on the line sensor. By processing the video signal of the imaging device, the first reflector pair and the second reflector pair of four reflectors can be installed to simultaneously inspect the front surface and the four side surfaces of the test object in total.

In addition, in the front inspection and the rear inspection of the test object, a total of six images of the side surface of the test object can be captured by making the installation configurations of the first reflector and the second reflector opposite to each other. An apparatus with high inspection accuracy can be provided at a low cost without providing a complicated mechanism for rotating the object.

According to the invention of claim 3, a device for conveying for instance is dropped without holding the test object, in a first stage of the test object approaches the first reflector, after oblique specimen A side sensor obtains an image directly from the first reflector, and an oblique front side on the same side as the side surface in the direction in which the test object falls is an oblique front side on one side opposite to the direction in which the test object falls from the second reflector. Reflected by the first reflector, an image is obtained from the first reflector. Then, in the second step of the test object is passing through the imaging range of line sensor, line sensor is obtained directly without passing through the reflector the image of the front of the object of the line sensor side. Next, in the third stage when the test object tries to pass the imaging range of the line sensor, the oblique front side opposite to the first stage in the falling direction of the test object is imaged from the first reflector. The oblique rear side surface opposite to the first stage in the conveyance direction of the test object is reflected from the second reflector to the first reflector on one side of the first stage in the drop direction of the test object. An image can be obtained from the reflector. In the fourth stage, it can be obtained by reflecting the back surface of the test object in the front direction with a third reflector bent at a substantially right angle.

Front image of the above test object, Ru can imaged on the line sensor positioned in the horizontal direction of the back image and a side image simultaneously specimen. By processing the video signal of the imaging device, the first reflector pair, the second reflector pair, and the third reflector are installed, so that a total of six surfaces including the front surface, the back surface, and the four side surfaces of the test object can be obtained. Can be inspected at the same time.

  Accordingly, a necessary image can be acquired by one imaging without having a complicated mechanism such as posture change for rotating and inverting the test object, and the imaging apparatus and the image can be greatly simplified. The processing apparatus can be halved and an inexpensive apparatus can be provided.

  Hereinafter, an example is described based on Drawing 1-Drawing 11 as a desirable embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the invention of claim 1. 2 to 5 are explanatory views of an embodiment of the invention of claim 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the transport device 1, the line sensor 2, the first reflector 3 on the right side in the transport direction, the first reflector 4 on the left side in the transport direction, and the second reflector 5 on the right side in the transport direction, It is comprised from the 2nd reflector 6 of the conveyance direction left side. 2 to 4 indicate the imaging range S of the line sensor 2.

  FIG. 2 shows a position where the right side surface in the conveyance direction of the tablet J (test object) reaches the imaging range S of the line sensor 2 and imaging is started. The image of the side surface of the tablet J in the 45 ° oblique direction on the right rear side is directly reflected in the front direction by the first reflector 3 on the right side in the conveyance direction, and the image on the side surface in the oblique 45 ° front right direction of the tablet J The light is reflected by the first reflector 4 on the left side in the transport direction by the two reflectors 5 and further reflected in the front direction by the first reflector 4 on the left side in the transport direction. The above side image is formed by the upward line sensor 2 of the tablet J.

  FIG. 3 shows a position where the front of the tablet J (test object) reaches the imaging range S of the line sensor 2 and imaging is started. The front image of the tablet J is directly formed by the line sensor 2.

  FIG. 4 shows a position at which the left side surface in the conveyance direction of the tablet J (test object) reaches the imaging range S of the line sensor 2 and imaging is started. The image of the side surface of the tablet J in the 45 ° direction diagonally left front is reflected directly to the front by the first reflector 4 on the left side in the conveyance direction, and the side image in the diagonal direction 45 ° diagonally rear left of the tablet J The light is reflected by the first reflector 3 on the right side in the transport direction by the two reflectors 6 and reflected in the front direction by the first reflector 3 on the right side in the transport direction. The above side image is formed by the upward line sensor 2 of the tablet J.

FIG. 5 is a five-sided image obtained by imaging the tablet J in the three stages of FIGS. That is, a front image J ₁ , a side image J ₂ obliquely 45 ° direction rearward rightward in the transport direction of the tablet J, a side image J ₃ obliquely forward 45 ° direction diagonally forward in the transport direction, a side image J ₄ obliquely forward 45 ° direction diagonally left in the transport direction, and a transport direction left. it can be obtained rear oblique 45 ° direction side face image J _5. This image is inspected by a known image processing means. After the conversion by a device (not shown) for converting the front and back surfaces, the same imaging is repeated. By processing as described above, it is possible to reliably inspect the front surface, the back surface, and the entire side surface of the test object.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the invention of claim 3 . 7 to 11 are explanatory views of an embodiment of the invention of claim 3 . As shown in FIG. 6, the line sensor 2, the first reflector 3 on the right side in the dropping direction, the first reflector 4 on the left side in the dropping direction, the second reflector 5 on the right side in the dropping direction, and the first reflector on the left side in the dropping direction. 2 reflectors 6 and a back third reflector 7. 7 to 10 indicate the imaging range S of the line sensor 2.

  FIG. 7 shows a position where the right side surface in the falling direction of the tablet J (test object) reaches the imaging range S of the line sensor 2 and imaging is started. The image of the side surface of the tablet J in the 45 ° direction diagonally right rearward of the falling direction of the tablet J is directly reflected in the front direction by the first reflector 3 on the right side of the falling direction. It is reflected by the first reflector 4 on the left side in the falling direction by the two reflectors 5 and further reflected in the front direction by the first reflector 4 on the left side in the falling direction. The above side image is formed by the horizontal line sensor 2 of the tablet J.

  FIG. 8 shows a position where the front of the tablet J (test object) reaches the imaging range S of the line sensor 2 and imaging is started. The front image of the tablet J is directly formed by the line sensor 2.

  FIG. 9 shows a position at which the left side surface in the falling direction of the tablet J (test object) reaches the imaging range S of the line sensor 2 and imaging is started. The image of the side surface of the tablet J in the 45 ° direction diagonally to the left in the dropping direction is directly reflected in the front direction by the first reflector 4 on the left side in the dropping direction. The light is reflected by the first reflector 3 on the right side in the dropping direction by the two reflectors 6 and further reflected in the front direction by the first reflector 3 on the right side in the dropping direction. The above side image is formed by the horizontal line sensor 2 of the tablet J.

  FIG. 10 shows a position where the back of the tablet J (test object) reaches the imaging range S of the line sensor 2 and imaging is started. The image on the back surface of the tablet J is reflected in the front direction by the third reflector 7 bent at a substantially right angle. An image on the back of the tablet J is formed by the horizontal line sensor 2 of the tablet J.

FIG. 11 is a six-sided image obtained by imaging the tablet J in four stages of FIGS. That is, the front image J ₁ , the side image J _{2 in} the 45 ° direction diagonally right rear of the drop direction of the tablet J, the side image J _{3 in} the 45 ° direction diagonal front right of the drop direction, the side image J _{4 in} the 45 ° direction diagonal left front of the drop direction, the left in the fall direction. A rear oblique 45 ° side image J ₅ and a rear image J ₆ can be obtained. This image is inspected by a known image processing means. By processing as described above, it is possible to reliably inspect the front surface, the back surface, and the entire side surface of the test object.

In the present embodiment, the flat surface of the test object is the direct viewing surface of the line sensor, but it is also possible to take an image with the flat side surface being the direct viewing surface of the line sensor depending on the characteristics of the test object.
Further, in this embodiment, the test object is dropped, but it is sufficient that the entire surface can be imaged without holding the test object, and the test object may be tilted downward, diagonally upward, or horizontally. A similar effect can be obtained even in a free state in which the specimen is not accelerated and held.

The perspective view which shows the structure of invention of Claim 1 Explanatory drawing which shows the position where the right side surface of the conveyance direction of the tablet J reaches the imaging range S of the line sensor 2, and imaging is started. Explanatory drawing which shows the position where the front of the tablet J reaches the imaging range S of the line sensor 2 and imaging is started Explanatory drawing which shows the position which reaches the imaging range S of the line sensor 2 or the left side surface of the conveyance direction of the tablet J, and starts imaging. Explanatory drawing of the image of 5 sides which imaged tablet J The perspective view which shows the structure of invention of Claim 2 Explanatory drawing which shows the position where the right side surface of the conveyance direction of the tablet J reaches the imaging range S of the line sensor 2, and imaging is started. Explanatory drawing which shows the position where the front of the tablet J reaches the imaging range S of the line sensor 2 and imaging is started Explanatory drawing which shows the position where the left side surface of the conveyance direction of the tablet J reaches the imaging range S of the line sensor 2, and imaging is started. Explanatory drawing which shows the position where the back surface of the tablet J reaches the imaging range S of the line sensor 2 and imaging is started Explanatory drawing of the 6-sided image of tablet J

Explanation of symbols

1 Conveying device 2 Line sensor 3 First reflector (right side of conveying / falling direction)
4 First reflector (left side of transport / drop direction)
5 Second reflector (right side of transport / drop direction)
6 Second reflector (left side of transport / drop direction)
7 3rd reflector J Tablet (test object)
J _1-6 Captured image S Imaging range of line sensor

Claims (5)

A pair of first reflections arranged symmetrically with respect to the conveying device so as to sandwich the conveying device on a straight line that intersects with the conveying direction of the test object conveyed linearly by the conveying device. Body,
  A line sensor disposed opposite to the transport device within the imaging range from one first reflector to the other first reflector along the straight line;
  With respect to the pair of first reflectors arranged symmetrically so as to sandwich the conveying device on the straight line, it is arranged symmetrically across the conveying device so that the left and right front-rear relations sandwiching the conveying device are different. A pair of second reflectors,
  The pair of first reflectors are arranged so as to be opposed to the transfer device and the line sensor on the straight line, and the pair of second reflectors are arranged to face each other across the transfer device. The one second reflector and the one first reflector are arranged back and forth in the transport direction on one side in the width direction of the transport device, and the other second reflector is disposed on the other side in the width direction of the transport device. 1 reflector and the other 2nd reflector are arranged back and forth in the conveyance direction,
  When approaching the first reflector by movement along the transport direction of the test object,
  One of the first reflectors arranged on the rear side in the transport direction is inclined so as to reflect an image of a rear oblique side surface of the test object toward the line sensor and form an image on the line sensor, and
  The other first reflector and the one second reflector reflect an image of a front oblique side surface of the test object to the other first reflector side after the one second reflector reflects the image on the other first reflector side. While being inclined to reflect on the line sensor side by the other first reflector and form an image on the line sensor,
  While the inspection object passes the imaging range of the line sensor by the transport device, the line sensor forms an image of the front surface of the inspection object on the line sensor side,
  When the test object tries to pass through the imaging range of the line sensor by moving along the transport direction,
  The other second reflector reflects an image of a rear oblique side surface of the test object to the one first reflector side, and reflects the image to the line sensor side by the one first reflector. Tilted to form an image, and
  The appearance inspection of a small article, wherein the other first reflector is inclined so as to reflect an image of a side surface in a front oblique direction of a test object toward the line sensor and form an image on the line sensor. apparatus. When the test object approaches the one first reflector by movement along the transport direction, an image formed on the line sensor is an image of a side surface of the test object in a 45 ° direction on the right rear side. It is an image of the side surface of the test object in the direction of the right front diagonal 45 °,
  When the test object tries to pass through the imaging range of the line sensor by movement along the transport direction, an image formed on the line sensor is an image of the side surface of the test object in the 45 ° diagonal direction to the left rear. 2. The appearance inspection apparatus for small articles according to claim 1, wherein the inspection object is an image of a side surface in a 45 ° direction diagonally left front. A pair of first reflectors arranged symmetrically with respect to the transport path so as to sandwich the transport path on a straight line that intersects the transport direction of the test object that is transported in a straight line in an oblique direction;
  A line sensor disposed opposite to the conveyance path within the imaging range from one first reflector along the straight line to the other reflector across the conveyance path;
  The pair of first reflectors arranged symmetrically so as to sandwich the conveyance path on the straight line, and a pair arranged symmetrically across the conveyance path so that the left and right front-rear relations across the conveyance path are different. A second reflector having a folding structure capable of copying a conveyance path between the first reflector and the other first reflector,
  Each of the pair of first reflectors is inclined on the straight line so as to face the conveyance path and the line sensor, and the pair of second reflectors are arranged to face each other across the conveyance path. One of the second reflectors and one of the first reflectors are arranged on one side of the conveyance path in the conveyance direction, and the other first reflection is arranged on the other side of the conveyance path. The body and the other second reflector are arranged back and forth in the transport direction,
  When approaching the first reflector by movement along the transport direction of the test object,
  One of the first reflectors disposed on the rear side in the transport direction is inclined so as to reflect an image of a side surface in the oblique direction after the transport direction of the test object on the line sensor side to form an image on the line sensor, And,
  The other first reflector and the one second reflector reflect the image of the side surface of the test object in the diagonal direction in the transport direction to the other first reflector side by the one second reflector. While being inclined so as to be reflected on the line sensor side by the other first reflector and imaged on the line sensor,
  While the test object passes through the imaging range of the line sensor along the transport path, the line sensor forms an image of the front surface of the test object on the line sensor side,
  When the test object tries to pass through the imaging range of the line sensor by moving along the transport direction of the test object,
  The other second reflector reflects an image of an oblique side surface after the conveyance direction of the test object to the one first reflector side and reflects the image to the line sensor side by the one first reflector. Tilted to image the line sensor, and
  The other first reflector is inclined so as to reflect an image of a side surface in a diagonal direction forward of the test object in the transport direction to form an image on the line sensor.
The appearance inspection apparatus for a small article, wherein the third reflector is inclined so as to reflect an image of a back surface of the small article passing through the conveyance path and form an image on a line sensor. 4. The appearance inspection apparatus for small articles according to claim 3, wherein the conveyance direction of the test object is any one of a drop direction from top to bottom, a diagonally downward direction, a diagonally upward direction, and a horizontal direction. . When the test object approaches the one first reflector by movement along the transport direction, an image formed on the line sensor is an image of a side surface of the test object in a 45 ° direction on the right rear side. It is an image of the side surface of the test object in the direction of the right front diagonal 45 °
  When the test object tries to pass through the imaging range of the line sensor by movement along the transport direction, an image formed on the line sensor is an image of the side surface of the test object in the 45 ° diagonal direction to the left rear. 5. The appearance inspection apparatus for small articles according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the inspection object is an image of a side surface in a 45 ° oblique direction on the left front side.

Images