JP-2026074715-A - Product inspection device

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an item inspection device that can perform efficient image processing without requiring an additional power supply. [Solution] The item inspection device 1 includes an image storage unit 4 that stores inspection images obtained by imaging the item to be inspected W being transported, and a control unit 6 that has a determination unit 6c that performs image processing on the inspection images of the item to be inspected W stored in the image storage unit 4 and determines the quality state of the item to be inspected W from the image processing results. An image processing unit 8 that can be powered by a power supply unit 7 is connected to the connection interface 6a of the control unit 6, and the control unit 6 causes the image processing unit 8 to perform at least a part of the image processing. [Selection Diagram] Figure 1

Inventors

• 山崎 健史
• 中嶌 大貴

Assignees

• アンリツ株式会社

Dates

Publication Date

20260507

Application Date

20241021

Claims (6)

1. An image storage unit (4) stores inspection images obtained by imaging the transported items, In an article inspection device (1), the device comprises a control unit (6) having a determination unit (6c) that performs image processing on the inspection image stored in the image storage unit and determines the quality state of the article from the image processing result, An article inspection apparatus characterized in that an image processing unit (8) is connected via a predetermined interface capable of supplying power, and the control unit causes the image processing unit to perform at least a part of the image processing.
2. The aforementioned image processing includes image processing to which a trained model is applied. The article inspection apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit (6) causes the image processing unit (8) to perform image processing to which the learned model is applied.
3. The aforementioned image processing includes rule-based image processing that applies a predetermined image processing algorithm, The article inspection apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit (6) causes the image processing unit (8) to perform the rule-based image processing.
4. The image processing unit (8) comprises a first image processing unit (8A) which includes image processing to which a trained model is applied as the image processing, and a second image processing unit (8B) which includes rule-based image processing to which a predetermined image processing algorithm is applied as the image processing. The article inspection apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit (6) causes the first image processing unit to perform image processing to which the trained model is applied, and causes the second image processing unit to perform rule-based image processing.
5. The article inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the control unit (6) disconnects the power supply to the image processing unit (8) that is not used for inspecting the quality state of the article.
6. The article inspection apparatus according to claim 2 or 4, characterized in that the learned model is one of the following: foreign matter, missing parts, or shape defects.

Description

This invention relates to an article inspection device that images an article being transported for inspection, and then performs image processing on the inspection image of the article obtained from the imaging to inspect the quality of the article. In recent years, in image processing inspection functions, more advanced inspection methods using AI (Artificial Intelligence) have been adopted, as disclosed in, for example, Patent Documents 1-3 below. Because AI requires more computation than conventional rule-based image processing, in inspections where short processing times are required, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) with higher processing power may be used instead of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), as disclosed in Patent Document 3 below. Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-114828Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-148486Patent No. 7373840 This is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of a first embodiment of the article inspection device according to the present invention.This is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of a second embodiment of the article inspection device according to the present invention.This is a block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of a third embodiment of the article inspection device according to the present invention. The embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. [First Embodiment] A first embodiment of the article inspection device according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 1. As shown in Figure 1, the article inspection device 1 (1A) of the first embodiment takes an image of the item to be inspected W (article to be inspected) being transported, and performs image processing on the inspection image of the item to be inspected W obtained by the imaging to inspect the quality of the item to be inspected W (foreign matter, defects, etc.). It is generally configured to include a transport unit 2, an imaging unit 3, an image storage unit 4, a display operation unit 5, a control unit 6, a power supply unit 7, and an image processing unit 8. The conveying unit 2 sequentially conveys the object to be inspected W at predetermined intervals relative to the conveying direction A. For example, a conveyor is constructed by winding a loop-shaped conveying belt 2a around multiple conveying rollers 2b, and supporting this conveyor, supported by an unillustrated housing, which allows the object to be inspected W to be sequentially conveyed in the conveying direction A (rightward in Figure 1) via the upper section 2c of the conveying belt 2a. The conveying rollers 2b are rotationally driven by a motor (unillustrated) and controlled by a control unit 6 to achieve a predetermined conveying speed. The imaging unit 3 acquires inspection images of the object W being transported by the transport unit 2. It comprises an X-ray generator 3a positioned at a predetermined height above an inspection space (not shown) along the transport unit 2, and an X-ray detector 3b positioned within the transport unit 2, facing the X-ray generator 3a. The X-ray generator 3a generates X-rays of wavelength and intensity corresponding to the tube current and tube voltage using a known X-ray tube. It also irradiates the object to be inspected W or samples (good workpieces, foreign objects, etc.) on the conveyor belt 2a with a fan-beam-shaped X-ray beam perpendicular to the conveying direction A of the conveying unit 2 through the X-ray window of an enclosure (not shown). The tube current and tube voltage of the X-ray tube are preferably adjusted according to the material and size of the object W under inspection (especially the dimensions in the direction of X-ray transmission). For new models, the settings are determined or selected through test imaging using the object W or a sample to obtain appropriate contrast. The X-ray detector 3b includes an X-ray line sensor (not shown) containing a scintillator and a photodiode array. It converts X-rays into light using the scintillator, and then converts this light into an electrical signal using the photodiode array to output an X-ray image based on X-ray transmission data. The image storage unit 4 temporarily stores the X-ray image obtained from the X-ray transmission data received from the X-ray detector 3b of the imaging unit 3 as the inspection image of the object W under inspection. The display operation unit 5 is operated to switch the power supply, transport unit 2, and imaging unit 3 on/off, and to perform various settings and displays necessary when inspecting the quality of the object W under inspection. The control unit 6, including the image processing unit 8, provides comprehensive control over all parts of the item inspection device 1 (transport unit 2, imaging unit 3, image storage unit 4, and display operation unit 5). It comprises a connection interface 6a, an image processing unit 6b, and a de