ARTICLE INSPECTION VERIFICATION SYSTEM

There is provided an article inspection verification system provided in an article inspection line including a plurality of article inspection devices that determine whether an inspection target article is a non-defective product or a defective product. The article inspection verification system includes physical effect generators that generate a physical effect that causes the inspection target article to be determined to be the defective product while the inspection target article passes through inspection sections corresponding each of article inspection devices, and a physical effect control unit that stores generation conditions of the physical effect by the physical effect generators and drives the physical effect generators in accordance with the generation conditions during an operation of the article inspection line.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an article inspection verification system, and more particularly to an article inspection verification system suitable for periodically verifying whether or not a defect detection function and a defect sorting function by an article inspection are normal.

BACKGROUND ART

In an article inspection device or an article inspection system that includes the article inspection device that inspects a conveyed article and a rejection device that operates in accordance with the article inspection result, conventionally, the reliability of quality management by an article inspection is ensured in a manner that it is checked whether or not the normal defect detection function is maintained at required detection sensitivity or accuracy, by periodic operation verification using a pseudo-defective sample (referred to as a pseudo-defective product below) using a defective sample and a so-called test piece that affect an inspection unit in the article inspection device.

For example, in an X-ray inspection device, a metal detection device, a weighing device, an appearance inspection device, and other various article inspection devices installed in inspection lines for fresh foods and manufacturing lines for processed foods and pharmaceuticals, or various article inspection systems including both such an article inspection device and a post-stage device that rejects a conveyance destination of an inspection target article or sorts and discharges a defective product to the outside of the manufacturing line in accordance with the inspection result, at the start of the manufacturing line, during an operation, at the end of the manufacturing line, and the like, verification work, for example, in which the pseudo-defective product is caused to flow through the manufacturing line, and it is checked whether or not a detection operation of the pseudo-defective product or an operation of the post-stage device, which is required to be operated at the time of defect detection, has an abnormality, and the operation check result is recorded is performed.

As the conventional article inspection device and article inspection system that perform such verification work, for example, there is known an article inspection device that sets a trial operation check mode (so-called test mode) in which the defect detection function of the article inspection device and the operation of the post-stage device at the time of defect detection can be checked, in addition to a normal operation mode in which an article inspection is performed by using, as the inspection target article, articles sequentially conveyed, and enables mode switching to the test mode during the verification work to facilitate the verification work (see Patent Document 1, for example).

Further, there is known an article inspection device in which, by attaching a plurality of types of test pieces tp1and tp2as foreign matter samples to a product102to produce a pseudo-defective product, transition to a test mode in which whether or not functions of identifying the foreign matter samples tp1and tp2and detecting a plurality of types of foreign matters with required sensitivity in accordance with the product type of the inspection target article are correctly exhibited can be performed based on the detection signal of a foreign matter detection device100when passing through the pseudo-defective product, and accurate operation check and the result output can be performed, as illustrated inFIG.11(see Patent Document 2, for example).

There is known an article inspection device that enables check and correction of changes in weighing sensitivity over time due to adhesive objects and deposits from an inspection target article without stopping the manufacturing line in a weighing sorting machine installed in a manufacturing line (see Patent Documents 3 and 4).

In addition, there is known an article inspection device in which, in a metal detector that detects a metallic foreign matter in an inspection object by detecting fluctuations in the magnetic field in an inspection region, by opening and closing the loop circuit to fluctuate the magnetic field, a pseudo-metal detection signal is generated without using a foreign matter sample or a predetermined foreign matter sample is inserted into the inspection region by an actuator, and, in this manner, the performance check of an inspection device is performed without human intervention (see Patent Documents 5 and 6).

RELATED ART DOCUMENT

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Problem that the Invention is to Solve

However, in the conventional article inspection device and article inspection system as described above, in a case where the defect detection function of the article inspection device and the operation of the post-stage device at the time of defect detection are checked, there are problems that it is necessary to perform a trial operation check operation in a state where a pseudo-defective product is produced, or to perform a trial operation check operation by switching the mode to the test mode, and the normal operation of the manufacturing line is forced to stop.

Therefore, in particular, in a large number of manufacturing lines in which article inspection devices are disposed, in a case where the defect detection function of the article inspection device in each manufacturing line and the operation of the post-stage device at the time of defect detection are verified with relatively high frequency, for example, in a case where the defect detection operation corresponding to the pseudo-defective product flowing through an article inspection section and a rejection operation at the subsequent stage are checked at short intervals of about 1 hour, there is also a problem that not only the operating rate of the manufacturing line decrease, but the work burden of the verification work became very large.

Further, many manufacturing lines are provided with a plurality of article inspection devices with different inspection functions and inspection performance, and it is not realistic to upgrade all article inspection devices to have an operation check function and a verification function at the same time. In addition, it is very difficult to update the software when the manufacturer and the year of manufacture are different. In addition, such an operation check function and a verification function are usually installed in each article inspection device, and it is not possible to cooperate between devices. Thus, it is necessary to stop the operation, perform the verification work is performed, and then record the result, and organize the records. Accordingly, there is a concern that the finding of the problem is delayed.

In a case where the verification work of each article inspection device is sequentially performed in an inspection process of a manufacturing line in which a plurality of types of article inspection devices are disposed in series, the operation of a sorting process at the subsequent stage is determined by whether any article inspection device detects a defective product. There is also a problem that, in order to perform verification including the sorting process, the verification work is required to be performed in not so-called test mode but the normal operation mode under an actual operation condition. Consequently, the overall verification work for an inspection and sorting process has difficulty.

An object of the present invention is to provide an article inspection verification system that prevents a reduction in operating rate associated with verification work of a defect detection function of an article inspection device and reduces a burden of the verification work. Another object of the present invention is to reliably and efficiently realize verification work in an inspection and sorting process of a manufacturing line configured by a plurality of types of article inspection devices.

Means for Solving the Problem

In order to achieve the above objects, according to a first aspect of the present invention, an article inspection verification system is provided in an article inspection line including an article inspection device that inspects a quality state of an inspection target article passing through an inspection section on an article conveyance path and determines whether the inspection target article is a non-defective product or a defective product based on a predetermined determination condition. The article inspection verification system includes a physical effect generator that generates a physical effect that causes the article inspection device to determine that the inspection target article passing through the inspection section is the defective product, and a physical effect control unit that stores a generation condition for the physical effect by the physical effect generator and drives the physical effect generator during an operation of the article inspection line in accordance with the generation condition.

With this configuration, in the article inspection verification system according to the first aspect of the present invention, the physical effect generator is driven by the physical effect control unit during the operation of the article inspection line, so that the physical effect that causes the inspection target article passing through the inspection section to be determined to be a defective product is generated in this section. Therefore, it is possible to generate a pseudo-defective product by a control from the article inspection verification system during the operation of the article inspection line without affecting the inspection target article passing through the inspection section, and to verify whether or not a defect detection operation of the article inspection device on the inspection target article made to be the defective product at this time is normal.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the article inspection verification system in the first aspect further includes a verification information storage unit that stores verification information indicating whether or not a defect detection operation of the article inspection device is normal, when the article inspection device determines the inspection target article passing through the inspection section within a specific period during the operation to be the defective product by the physical effect generator driving based on the generation condition.

In this case, when the inspection target article passing through the inspection section within a specific period during the operation of the article inspection line is determined to be the defective product, the verification information storage unit stores the verification information indicating whether or not the defect detection operation of the article inspection device is normal, to be able to be recorded and output. Thus, the verification work of checking the periodic defect detection operation and recording the result is greatly facilitated.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the article inspection verification system in the first aspect, the article inspection line includes, on a downstream side of the inspection section on the article conveyance path, a defective product rejection mechanism that moves the inspection target article determined to be the defective product in a direction away from a conveyance route of the non-defective product on the article conveyance path, and the article inspection verification system further includes a return conveyance mechanism that moves the inspection target article between the inspection section and a defective product rejection section by the defective product rejection mechanism to an upstream side of the article conveyance path while bypassing the inspection section, the inspection target article being determined to be the defective product by the physical effect from the physical effect generator when passing through the inspection section.

In this case, by providing the return conveyance mechanism that moves, to the upstream side of the article conveyance path, the inspection target article determined to be the defective product when passing through the inspection section, between the inspection section of the article inspection line and the defective product rejection section by the defective product rejection mechanism on the downstream side of the inspection section while bypassing the inspection section, it is possible to return an article that is made to be an uninspected article used for a pseudo-defective product, that is, a pseudo-defective product, and in which the normal inspection result is not obtained, to the upstream side and to perform a normal inspection again, for example.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the article inspection verification system in the second aspect, the article inspection line includes, on a downstream side of the inspection section on the article conveyance path, a defective product rejection mechanism that moves the inspection target article determined to be the defective product in a direction away from a conveyance route of the non-defective product on the article conveyance path, and the article inspection verification system further includes a return conveyance mechanism that moves the inspection target article between the inspection section and a defective product rejection section by the defective product rejection mechanism to an upstream side of the article conveyance path while bypassing the inspection section, the inspection target article being determined to be the defective product by the physical effect from the physical effect generator when passing through the inspection section.

In this case, by providing the return conveyance mechanism that moves, to the upstream side of the article conveyance path, the inspection target article determined to be the defective product when passing through the inspection section, between the inspection section of the article inspection line and the defective product rejection section by the defective product rejection mechanism on the downstream side of the inspection section while bypassing the inspection section, it is possible to return an article that is made to be an uninspected article used for a pseudo-defective product, that is, a pseudo-defective product, and in which the normal inspection result is not obtained, to the upstream side and to perform a normal inspection again, for example.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the article inspection verification system in the first aspect, the article inspection line includes a first article inspection device and a second article inspection device having a plurality of different inspection types, as the article inspection device.

With this configuration, the article inspection line includes the first article inspection device and the second article inspection device having a plurality of different inspection types, and a plurality of types of physical effect generators corresponding to the inspection types of the first and second article inspection devices are provided. Thus, it is possible to continuously verify a plurality of types of article inspection and rejection function on the same inspection object in the same article inspection line.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the article inspection verification system in the second aspect, the article inspection line includes a first article inspection device and a second article inspection device having different inspection types, as the article inspection device.

With this configuration, the article inspection line includes the first article inspection device and the second article inspection device having a plurality of different inspection types, and a plurality of types of physical effect generators corresponding to the inspection types of the first and second article inspection devices are provided. Thus, it is possible to continuously verify a plurality of types of article inspection and rejection function on the same inspection object in the same article inspection line.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the article inspection verification system in the third aspect, the article inspection line includes a first article inspection device and a second article inspection device having different inspection types, as the article inspection device.

With this configuration, the article inspection line includes the first article inspection device and the second article inspection device having a plurality of different inspection types, and a plurality of types of physical effect generators corresponding to the inspection types of the first and second article inspection devices are provided. Thus, it is possible to continuously verify a plurality of types of article inspection and rejection function on the same inspection object in the same article inspection line.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the article inspection verification system in the fifth aspect, the physical effect control unit drives the physical effect generator with respect to at least one of the first article inspection device and the second article inspection device for a specific inspection target article.

With this configuration, when the article inspection line includes the first article inspection device and the second article inspection device having a plurality of different inspection types, it is possible to verify an overall operation of an article inspection system1when any one or both article inspection devices detect a defect, by exhaustive combinations.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the article inspection verification system in the sixth aspect, the physical effect control unit drives the physical effect generator with respect to at least one of the first article inspection device and the second article inspection device for a specific inspection target article.

With this configuration, when the article inspection line includes the first article inspection device and the second article inspection device having a plurality of different inspection types, it is possible to verify an overall operation of an article inspection system1when any one or both article inspection devices detect a defect, by exhaustive combinations.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the article inspection verification system in the fifth aspect further includes a first defective product rejection mechanism that moves an inspection target article determined to be a defective product by the first article inspection device in a direction away from a conveyance route of the non-defective product on the article conveyance path, and a second defective product rejection mechanism that moves an inspection target article determined to be a defective product by the second article inspection device in the direction away from the conveyance route of the non-defective product on the article conveyance path, the first defective product rejection mechanism and the second defective product rejection mechanism being provided on a downstream side of the inspection section on the article conveyance path, and an operation detection sensor that detects operation states of the first defective product rejection mechanism and the second defective product rejection mechanism.

With this configuration, the first and second defective product rejection mechanisms that move the inspection target article determined to be the defective product by the first and second article inspection devices in the direction away from a non-defective product conveyance route are provided on the downstream side of the inspection section on the article conveyance path. Thus, it is possible to detect an operation state of a rejection mechanism in a sorting device at the subsequent stage for an article determined to be defective by any one or a plurality of article inspection devices among the plurality of types of article inspection devices. In addition, it is possible to also verify whether this article is rejected to a correct discharge destination.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the article inspection verification system in the first aspect, the article inspection device includes a metal detection device that detects a metal component in the inspection target article, and the physical effect generator includes a magnetic field fluctuation generator that fluctuates a magnetic field in the inspection section in accordance with a control signal from the physical effect control unit.

In this case, by generating a magnetic field fluctuation that affects the metal detection device, it is possible to automatically generate a pseudo-defective product for the metal detection device during the operation of the article inspection line without affecting the inspection target article passing through the inspection section for metal detection. In addition, it is possible to verify whether or not a defect detection operation of the metal detection device on the inspection target article made to be the defective product at this time is normal.

The magnetic field fluctuation generator can use an element capable of affecting the magnetic field generated by the metal detection device, such as a coil, which can be switched in one turn or within a predetermined number of turns to change the impedance.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the article inspection verification system in the second aspect, the article inspection device includes a metal detection device that detects a metal component in the inspection target article, and the physical effect generator includes a magnetic field fluctuation generator that fluctuates a magnetic field in the inspection section in accordance with a control signal from the physical effect control unit.

In this case, by generating a magnetic field fluctuation that affects the metal detection device, it is possible to automatically generate a pseudo-defective product for the metal detection device during the operation of the article inspection line without affecting the inspection target article passing through the inspection section for metal detection. In addition, it is possible to verify whether or not a defect detection operation of the metal detection device on the inspection target article made to be the defective product at this time is normal.

The magnetic field fluctuation generator can use an element capable of affecting the magnetic field generated by the metal detection device, such as a coil, which can be switched in one turn or within a predetermined number of turns to change the impedance.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the article inspection verification system in the first aspect, the article inspection device includes a weighing device that weighs the inspection target article, and the physical effect generator includes a loading/unloading mechanism that adds or/and removes a weight load to or/and from a weight of the inspection target article in the inspection section in accordance with a control signal from the physical effect control unit.

In this case, by a loading/unloading operation of a load, which affects a weighed value, it is possible to automatically generate a pseudo-defective product for the weighing device during the operation of the article inspection line without affecting the inspection target article passing through a weighing inspection section. In addition, it is possible to verify whether or not a defect detection operation of the weighing device on the inspection target article made to be the defective product at this time is normal.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the article inspection verification system in the second aspect, the article inspection device includes a weighing device that weighs the inspection target article, and the physical effect generator includes a loading/unloading mechanism that adds or/and removes a weight load to or/and from a weight of the inspection target article in the inspection section in accordance with a control signal from the physical effect control unit.

In this case, by a loading/unloading operation of a load, which affects a weighed value, it is possible to automatically generate a pseudo-defective product for the weighing device during the operation of the article inspection line without affecting the inspection target article passing through a weighing inspection section. In addition, it is possible to verify whether or not a defect detection operation of the weighing device on the inspection target article made to be the defective product at this time is normal.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the article inspection verification system in the first aspect, the article inspection device includes an X-ray inspection device that irradiates an inspection target article passing through the inspection section on the article conveyance path with X-rays, and performs article inspection based on rejection of transmitted X-ray amount, and the physical effect generator includes a test piece movement mechanism that enters and retreats a test piece having a predetermined X-ray transmission characteristic into and from the inspection section in accordance with a control signal from the physical effect control unit.

In this case, by taking the test piece affecting an X-ray inspection in and out from the inspection section, it is possible to automatically generate a pseudo-defective product for the X-ray inspection device during the operation of the article inspection line without affecting the inspection target article passing through an X-ray inspection section. In addition, it is possible to verify whether or not a defect detection operation of the X-ray inspection device on the inspection target article made to be the defective product at this time is normal.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the article inspection verification system in the second aspect, the article inspection device includes an X-ray inspection device that irradiates an inspection target article passing through the inspection section on the article conveyance path with X-rays, and performs article inspection based on rejection of transmitted X-ray amount, and the physical effect generator includes a test piece movement mechanism that enters and retreats a test piece having a predetermined X-ray transmission characteristic into and from the inspection section in accordance with a control signal from the physical effect control unit.

In this case, by taking the test piece affecting an X-ray inspection in and out from the inspection section, it is possible to automatically generate a pseudo-defective product for the X-ray inspection device during the operation of the article inspection line without affecting the inspection target article passing through an X-ray inspection section. In addition, it is possible to verify whether or not a defect detection operation of the X-ray inspection device on the inspection target article made to be the defective product at this time is normal.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the article inspection verification system in the eleventh aspect, the physical effect control unit variably sets an output condition for the control signal to the physical effect generator in accordance with a type of the inspection target article.

With this configuration, it is possible to generate an accurate physical effect in the inspection section in accordance with the product type and to perform more effective verification work for article inspection.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the article inspection verification system in the thirteenth aspect, the physical effect control unit variably sets an output condition for the control signal to the physical effect generator in accordance with the type of the inspection target article.

With this configuration, it is possible to generate an accurate physical effect in the inspection section in accordance with the product type and to perform more effective verification work for article inspection.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the article inspection verification system in the fifteenth aspect, the physical effect control unit variably sets an output condition for the control signal to the physical effect generator in accordance with a type of the inspection target article.

With this configuration, it is possible to generate an accurate physical effect in the inspection section in accordance with the product type and to perform more effective verification work for article inspection. [Advantage of the Invention]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an article inspection verification system in which it is possible to automatically generate a pseudo-defective product for each article inspection device during the operation of the article inspection line without affecting the inspection target article passing through the inspection section and to verify whether or not the defect detection operation of the article inspection device is normal, and it is possible to prevent a reduction in operating rate associated with verification work and greatly reduces a verification work burden.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

One Embodiment

FIGS.1A to8illustrate an article inspection verification system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

First, the overall schematic configuration of the present embodiment will be described.

As illustrated inFIGS.1A,1B and2, one embodiment of the present invention is configured as an article inspection verification system5capable of periodically verifying whether or not a defect detection function of an article inspection system1is normal under an operating state of the article inspection system1constituting an article inspection line. Although the details will be described later, in the article inspection system1, an article P being conveyed on an article conveyance path10on the downstream side of an article manufacturing line is sequentially inspected, and the article P determined to be a defective product is sorted and discharged from a normal product conveyance path of the article conveyance path10.

As illustrated inFIGS.1A and1B, the article inspection system1includes a metal detection device2, a weighing device3, and an X-ray inspection device4(also referred to as a plurality of types of article inspection devices2to4below) as a plurality of article inspection devices arranged along the article conveyance path10. The plurality of types of article inspection devices2to4inspect a quality state of each inspection target article P (simply referred to as an article P below) passing through a plurality of inspection sections Z1, Z2, and Z3 on the article conveyance path10by inspection methods different for the inspection sections Z1, Z2, and Z3, and determine whether the article is an OK product (that is, a non-defective product) or an NG product (that is, a defective product) based on a predetermined determination condition corresponding to each inspection section Z1, Z2, or Z3.

The article inspection system1may include other article inspection devices, such as an appearance inspection device that detects a defect in the shape of the product or in the sealing portion of a packaging bag. In addition, the article P is, for example, food (fresh food or processed food) or medicine that is ingested by humans or animals, or is manufactured as a product that is attached to or touched by humans or animals. The article P is not limited to a specific article.

The article inspection system1includes the plurality of types of article inspection devices2to4arranged in order from the upstream side along the article conveyance path10as illustrated inFIG.1Aand a sorting device20located on the downstream side of the article inspection devices2to4as illustrated inFIGS.1B and2. A control unit (details not illustrated) of each of the article inspection devices2,3, and4is network-connected to a management PC40LAN-connected, and can transmit and receive inspection-related information and various control signals.

The plurality of types of article inspection devices2to4have conveyors11,12, and13, respectively, and form a portion of the article conveyance path10.

The sorting device20includes a plurality of conveyors17,18, and19forming the article conveyance path10following a relay conveyor16provided on the downstream side of the article inspection devices2to4. The conveyor17on the upstream side is used as a dropout type sorting conveyor, and the sorting device20further includes a plurality of stages of flipper type rejection mechanisms27and28that performs a rejection operation to a conveyance path width side on the conveyor18continuing the downstream side. The relay conveyor16may be integrated with the conveyor13of the article inspection device4.

The conveyor17functioning as the dropout type sorting conveyor does not reject articles P associated with the inspection results of the plurality of types of article inspection devices2to4in the article inspection system1, and collects the article P that is associated with a verification operation of the article inspection verification system5and is used for verification, through a return conveyance route (described later) without discharging such an article P to the conveyor18on the downstream side. Therefore, in the present embodiment, in a case of being viewed from the plurality of types of article inspection devices2to4in the article inspection system1, the conveyor17simply functions as a conveyance conveyor.

The components of the article inspection system1(article inspection line), which are similar to those in the related art are assumed here to be configured in substantially the similar manner to an inspection line disclosed in JP-A-2019-212234, for example. The detailed configuration description of a management system that outputs inspection result information to the plurality of types of article inspection devices2to4and to a host computer connected to each of the article inspection devices2to4via a computer network will be omitted except for portions described later. However, the plurality of types of article inspection devices2to4are not limited to specific types.

That is, the article inspection verification system5is also characterized in that conventionally known and existing article inspection devices can be used as the plurality of article inspection devices2to4constituting the article inspection system1. That is, as illustrated inFIGS.1A,1B and2, an inspection and sorting function by the article inspection devices2to4are independent of a verification function by the article inspection verification system5.

For example, the metal detection device2may include a detection unit that detects fluctuation in the magnetic field in an inspection region when the article P passes through an inspection section (see JP-A-2018-200197). In addition, the weighing device3may have a configuration of an electromagnetic balance scale or a configuration of an electric resistance wire scale (load cell) (see JP-A-2016-205846, JP-A-2020-122677, and the like). Furthermore, the X-ray inspection device4may be configured as, for example, an X-ray foreign matter detection device (see Patent Documents 1 and 2, and the like), and the content of image processing and quality determination processing may differ depending on an inspection target.

The article conveyance path10may include a plurality of belt conveyor type return conveyance conveyors21and22that form a dedicated return conveyance route for returning an article P used for verification of the plurality of types of article inspection devices2to4and the sorting device20to the upstream side, in addition to the plurality of belt conveyor type conveyors11,12, and13that pass through the inspection sections Z1, Z2, and Z3 of the plurality of types of article inspection devices2to4and are driven at substantially the predetermined same conveyance speed, and the plurality of belt conveyor type conveyors16,17,18, and19that pass through a sorting section by the sorting device20and spaces before and after the sorting section and are driven at substantially the same conveyance speed as the plurality of conveyors11to13. In the conveyor17as a sorting conveyor, a pair of rollers for supporting an endless conveyor belt are supported by a common shaft support frame. A sorting drive actuator for swinging the shaft support frame up and down is interposed between the shaft support frame and the support of the conveyor17. A swing drive mechanism of such a drop-down type sorting conveyor may be configured in the similar manner to that disclosed in JP-A-2018-150130, for example.

Further, as illustrated inFIG.2, a pair of flipper arms27A and27B and a pair of flipper arms28A and28B are arranged on both sides of the conveyor18of the sorting device20to constitute the rejection mechanisms27and28. The articles P are rejected in accordance with whether the articles P are carried straight in a conveyance direction of the article conveyance path10or discharged sideways. Such a flipper-type sorting conveyor may be configured in the similar manner to that disclosed in JP-A-2019-001591, for example.

As illustrated inFIGS.1A and1B, the article inspection verification system5includes a magnetic field fluctuation generator51(may also be a metal piece insertion mechanism), a weight position controller52attached to the weighing device3, and a test piece insertion controller53attached to the X-ray inspection device4, as a plurality of types of physical effect generators that generate a physical effect that causes an article P to be determined to be a defective product, in each of the plurality of inspection sections Z1, Z2, and Z3. The magnetic field fluctuation generator51generates pulse-shaped magnetic field fluctuation (one type of noise from the metal detection device2) in an inspection magnetic field of the metal detection device2. The magnetic field fluctuation generator51, the weight position controller52, and the test piece insertion controller53are also collectively referred to as a plurality of types of physical effect generators51,52, and53.

In addition, the article inspection verification system5includes a PLC (programmable logic controller)55as a physical effect control unit. As illustrated inFIG.1A, the article inspection verification system5may include a tablet type information terminal56that functions as a programming tool and a setting input switcher for the PLC55in cooperation with the management PC40.

The management PC40here can execute a program that can sequentially receive inspection-related information representing inspection results of the plurality of types of article inspection devices2to4, and can execute an analysis program for performing various analyzes in combination with various types of data output from the PLC55, in addition to functioning as a data recording unit that stores the received inspection data in a storage medium.

The PLC55is configured to store, as a program list for sequence control in advance, generation conditions for physical effects by the plurality of physical effect generators51,52, and53, that is, the control procedure for each of the physical effect generators51,52, and53, and to enable causing the article inspection devices2,3, and4to determine the article P passing through the inspection sections Z1, Z2, and Z3 within a specific period during the operation to be defective products, by driving the physical effect generators51to53during the operation of the article inspection system1in accordance with the respective generation conditions.

The specific period during the operation referred to here is, for example, time when the inspection line is started, when the inspection line is in operation, and when the inspection line is ended. Specifically, the specific period is a period corresponding to a period during a predetermined inspection time at the start of inspection as the start of the inspection line or during an inspection within a predetermined number of inspections, within a predetermined inspection time for each predetermined time elapse after the start of the inspection, and within a predetermined inspection time at the end of the inspection as the end of the inspection line. Each predetermined time elapse after the start of the inspection is preferably every hour after the start of the inspection.

Even within such a specific period during the operation, the plurality of types of article inspection devices2to4in the article inspection system1continue the normal article inspection without receiving a setting change operation such as switching the operation mode.

The PLC55has functions to set an article P as a verification target article based on a detection signal when an article detection sensor15detects the article P carried in within the specific period during the operation of the article inspection system1at the entrance side of the article inspection system1, to drive and control any one of the physical effect generators51to53in accordance with a timing when the verification target article passes through the respective inspection sections Z1 to Z3 of the plurality of types of article inspection devices2to4, and to generate verification data as an operation record.

At this time, how to drive and control the physical effect generators51to53corresponding to any of the plurality of types of article inspection devices2to4may be set in the PLC55in advance as a verification schedule. Alternatively, the verification schedule may be received as data from the management PC40. Further, a plurality of verification patterns (PT01, P102, and the like) may be stored in the PLC55, and the verification pattern to be executed may be designated from the plurality of stored verification patterns in the verification schedule. When the verification patterns are set, verification record can be easily kept which one of the verification patterns has been applied.

The timing when the article P as an inspection target passes through the inspection sections Z1, Z2, and Z3 is set in advance based on the detection signal from the article detection sensor15that detects the carrying-in of the article P to the article inspection system1. Article detection sensors66,75, and83(may be 84 inFIGS.9A to9D) capable of detecting the carrying-in into each of the inspection sections Z1, Z2, and Z3 are provided near the upstream side of each of the inspection sections Z1 to Z3, so as to reduce the effects of the shift in a conveyance timing of the article P that may occur on the article conveyance path10and fluctuations in the conveyance speeds of the conveyors11to13.

In addition, the PLC55may be able to verify the operation of the sorting device20in the article inspection system1by receiving a monitoring image of a camera23that inputs a line monitoring image to the management PC40, pieces of detection information of a plurality of operation detection sensors31,33, and34that detect the operation state of the dropout type sorting conveyor17of the sorting device20and the operation states of the plurality of stages of flipper type rejection mechanisms27and28, detection information of a return article detection sensor32that detects the article P sorted out in a dropout manner, detection information of a non-defective product passage detection sensor35, and the like in addition to the detection signals of the article detection sensors15,66,75, and83(84) for carrying-in detection and determination result information from the plurality of types of article inspection devices2to4.

Specifically, as illustrated inFIG.2, the PLC55executes, for example, a sequence control program rewritable by a programming tool in the order of step numbers in a program list. The PLC55includes a CPU unit55athat is an arithmetic control unit for program execution, a memory unit55bconfigured by various memories that readably store a circuit programs and commands including various command words and devices (operands) in order of step number, an input unit55cthat takes in input information from an external sensor, switches, or the like, an output unit55dthat outputs an arithmetic result from the CPU unit55ato the outside, a communication I/F55ethat is an interface for enabling communication connection to the plurality of types of physical effect generators51,52, and53, the higher management PC40, and the tablet type information terminal56, and a power source unit55f.

In a case where the article inspection verification system5is retrofitted to the existing article inspection system1, a management system is constructed using a management PC for taking in and recording the detection signal of the article detection sensor15for detection carrying-in described above, the determination result information of the plurality of types of article inspection devices2to4, and the like. Thus, in the article inspection verification system5, the PLC55may mainly perform the control of the verification operation of each article inspection device and the generation of the operation record while cooperating with the management system that has already been constructed, and the verification data may be output to the management PC40.

The PLC55referred to here is a preferred example of a unit including a port capable of inputting and outputting a control signal and a microprocessor that executes the related control programs, and the like, for realizing each function in the embodiment of the present invention. The specific device configuration is not specified.

As illustrated inFIGS.3A and4, the magnetic field fluctuation generator51attached to the metal detection device2can switch ON/OFF of a loop coil61that affects the inspection section Z1 or the vicinity thereof by the metal detection device2by a relay circuit62via a driver64in accordance with a predetermined control signal RJ0-t1 from the PLC55that is a physical effect control unit, and can adjust a variable resistor63for impedance adjustment. As a result, as illustrated inFIG.3B, the magnetic field fluctuation generator51can disturb the magnetic field formed by a transmission coil of the metal detection device2to a state close to that when a metallic foreign matter, for example, a sample (test piece) of the metallic foreign matter is contained into the article P, and cause level fluctuation of the detection signal. In addition,FIG.3Billustrates detected waveforms when magnetic field fluctuations corresponding to two types of metal balls are generated as pulse-shaped noise signals at different timings. Further, a detection signal is taken into the PLC55from the article detection sensor66near the upstream end as the entrance of the inspection section Z1 of the metal detection device2.

The loop coil61is made of, for example, a one-turn magnet wire (copper wire) and is formed in a planar shape. By fixing a coil case in which the loop coil61is fixed and enclosed by fasteners (not illustrated), the loop coil61can be stably and easily attached to the vicinity of the inspection section Z1 of the metal detection device2. The loop coil61may have the number of turns, multistage switching of the number of turns, or switching among a plurality of types of coils (61,61, and the like (not illustrated)) having different loop diameters.

A separate component box containing the variable resistor63, the relay circuit62and the driver64is connected to the coil case in which the loop coil61is enclosed, with a flexible cable, and thus the degree of freedom of the installation location of the loop coil61is secured.

Also, the case in which the loop coil61is enclosed is preferably made of non-magnetic resin. In order to improve the environmental resistance so as to withstand the cleaning and washing of the manufacturing line, the case can also be formed of a metal plate of stainless steel exhibiting weak magnetism or the like.

By adopting such a form, as illustrated inFIG.3A, the loop coil61can be installed near the detection unit (inspection section) in the metal detection device2already existing. A separate box containing the relay circuit62, the variable resistor63, and the driver64can be installed on the leg of the metal detection device2. Thus, it is easy to install the article detection sensor66near the conveyor11.

Further, ON/OFF of a predetermined control signal RJ0-t1, an operation holding/cancellation command for switching the relay circuit62by the driver64in accordance with the type of the article P as the inspection target, and a circuit program such as a register that defines the resistance value of the variable resistor63are stored in a portion of the memory unit55bin the PLC55.

Here, the variable resistor63is configured by a plurality of resistors that enable ON/OFF control by an electric signal. The variable resistor63may determine the impedance of the loop coil in accordance with a combination of resistors constituting the circuit, and set the DC (direct current) impedance when the relay circuit62is turned ON, and a closed circuit is formed together with the loop coil61. The DC impedance of the loop coil61is correlated with the strength of the magnetic field fluctuation effect acting on the metal detection device2, that is, the level of the detection signal, and a verification function equivalent to operation verification is realized by variously changing the size of a sample (test piece) of the metallic foreign matter.

In described above, the physical effect generator51for the metal detection device2can be configured to be unitized as the magnetic field fluctuation generator51by the loop coil61and the relay circuit62that opens and closes the loop coil61. By setting the impedance of the loop coil61, the effect level can be adjusted.

Furthermore, the magnetic field fluctuation generator51exhibits an electromagnetic action on the metal detection device2and has no moving portions in appearance. Thus, a monitor circuit that monitors the state of the relay circuit62may be provided, and the reliability may be improved by detecting an unintended disconnection or the like.

FIG.3Billustrates a time chart showing the relationship between the detection waveform of the passing article P detected by the metal detection device2and the operation of the magnetic field fluctuation generator51in response to the article detection by the article detection sensor66.

The metal detection device2determines that there is metal when the level of the detected waveform exceeds the determination limit.

Thus, the article inspection verification system5needs to operate the magnetic field fluctuation generator51while the article P is passing through the inspection section Z1 of the metal detection device2, so as to determine that the article P contains metal.

Next, regarding the verification operation of the article inspection verification system5, the operation for using the article P carried into the metal detection device2as the verification target article, and determining that the article P contains metal will be described.

The PLC55operates the magnetic field fluctuation generator51such that the metal detection device2determines that the article P contains metal when the article detection sensor66detects that the article P has been carried in.

As illustrated inFIG.3B, the article detection sensor66switches the detection signal from an H level to an L level when detecting the article P approaching the inspection section Z1. The same applies to other article detection sensors75and83(84).

In the PLC55, when the article detection sensor66detects that the article P has approached the inspection section Z1, two first and second timers (not illustrated) incorporated in the PLC55are activated, and the resistance value of the variable resistor63is set in the magnetic field fluctuation generator51. When the first timer ends at a set time (TD1or TD1′ inFIG.3B), a control signal is output, the relay circuit62is turned ON to form a closed circuit by the loop coil61. When the second timer ends at a set time (TD2inFIG.3B), the relay circuit62is turned OFF, and a pulse-shaped noise signal is generated. Here, the set time (TD1or TD1′) of the first timer and the set time (TD2) of the second timer are set to timings at which the pulse-shaped noise signal described above is superimposed on the detection signal output by the metal detection device2while the article P is passing through.

The metal detection device2outputs a detection signal corresponding to the magnetic field fluctuation caused by the influence of moisture, salt content, and the like even for an article P that does not contain metal. Since the level of the detection signal is affected by the material, the temperature, the shape, the packaging material, and the like of the article P and does not reach a predetermined level, it is preferable to set a plurality of generation timings (TD1, TD1′, and the like) for magnetic field fluctuation (pulse-shaped noise signal) caused by the magnetic field fluctuation generator51such that the relative position in the detection signal to the article P changes. By sequentially switching and applying the plurality of generation timings, it is preferable to handle as if the change in position at which a metal piece is attached on the article P.

As illustrated inFIGS.5A to7, the weighing device3includes a weighing scale71, a weighing stand72interposed between the weighing scale71and the conveyor12, and a mass calculation circuit (not illustrated) that calculates the mass of an article from the load obtained by subtracting the weight of the conveyor12and the weighing stand72from the load applied to the weighing scale71, based on the output signal of the weighing scale71.

As illustrated inFIGS.6A and6B, the weighing stand72is configured by a conveyor frame72A that directly supports the conveyor12and a weight holding table72B. The weight holding table72B is attached to a portion of the conveyor frame72A with fasteners (not illustrated). The load of a weight Wt (Wt1, Wt2) placed on the weight holding table72B is caused to act on the weighing scale71together with the load of the article P on the conveyor12through the conveyor frame72A.

The weight holding table72B is a space under the conveyor12and a region having a side portion surrounded by the conveyor frame72A. The weight holding table72B is disposed outside the weighing scale71, and can be attached to the weighing device3already provided, without the large change in structure.

The weight holding table72B is provided with two weight placement holes on the same surface, and conical weights Wt1 and Wt2 are stably held in contact with the tapered surfaces.

In addition, the weight position controller52attached to the weighing device3includes a loading/unloading mechanism73, a photoelectric sensor75for article detection, and a drive circuit. The loading/unloading mechanism73operates two different weight loads or three different weight loads to be loaded on or unloaded from the weighing stand72by raising or lowering one or both of the two weights Wt1 and Wt2 having the same mass. The photoelectric sensor75for article detection includes a light projection portion75aand a light reception portion75bwith the conveyor12interposed therebetween. The drive circuit operates the loading/unloading mechanism73in accordance with the detection signal of the photoelectric sensor75. As a driving method of the loading/unloading mechanism73and a specific weight operation mechanism, types as follows are considered: a type that is a screw mechanism fixed to a motor shaft and raises and lowers a lifting member with a weight hook, a type in which a cam is driven by a motor to drive a weight lifting lever up and down, a type using another actuator, and the like. Such a driving method and operation mechanism are not particularly limited. The above loading/unloading mechanism can be configured similar to a loading/unloading mechanism and loading/unloading mechanism control means disclosed in Patent Document 4, for example. In either configuration, a gap is provided so that the weight with a load applied to the weighing stand72does not come into contact with a portion of the loading/unloading mechanism.

By driving the loading/unloading mechanism73through a drive circuit in accordance with a predetermined control signal RJ0-t4/t5 from the PLC55that is the physical effect control unit, the loading/unloading mechanism73of the weight position controller52changes a load applied to the weighing scale71through the weighing stand72to be increased or decreased. Thus, it is possible to switch the state to any one of three different weighing states illustrated inFIGS.7A,7B, and7C.

Specifically, the three different weighing states includes a normal zero-set state where the weight of one of the two weights Wt1 and Wt2, for example, only the weight Wt2 is applied to the weighing scale71through the weighing stand72as illustrated inFIG.7A, a −NG side state, that is, a light side state where none of the two weights Wt1 and Wt2 is applied to the weighing scale71through the weighing stand72as illustrated inFIG.7B, and a +NG side state, that is, an excessive side state where both of the two weights Wt1 and Wt2 are applied to the weighing scale71through the weighing stand72as illustrated inFIG.7C.

FIG.5Billustrates a time chart showing the relationship between weighing of the article P in the weighing device3and the operation of the weight position controller52in response to the article detection by the photoelectric sensor75.

First, regarding the weighing operation of the weighing device3, the portions related to the verification operation of the article inspection verification system5will be briefly described.

When the weighing device3detects that the article P has approached the conveyor12, the weighing device3zero-sets the weighing scale71at this time. The weighing device3acquires a weighed value after a predetermined time has elapsed from transfer of the article P onto the conveyor12, and determines whether the weighed value is within a reference range formed by an upper limit value and a lower limit value. At this time, when the weighed value is greater than the upper limit value, the weighing device3performs determination to be excessive (+NG). When the weighed value is smaller than the lower limit value, the weighing device3performs determination to be light (−NG).

Next, regarding the verification operation of the article inspection verification system5, the operation for using the article P carried into the weighing device3as the verification target article and determining the article P to be light (−NG) or excessive (+NG) will be described.

First, the case of causing the weighing device3to determine to be light (−NG) will be described.

When the article detection sensor75detects carrying-in of the article P, the PLC55controls the weight position controller52to cause load fluctuation to act on the weighing scale71so that the weighing device3determines the article P to be light (−NG).

As illustrated inFIG.5B, when the article detection sensor75detects that the article P has approached the inspection section Z2, two third and fourth timers (not illustrated) incorporated in the PLC55are activated. When the third timer ends at a set time (TD2A inFIG.5B), a control signal is output to the weight position controller52, the weight Wt2 placed on the weight holding table72B is retreated and held to the upper position, and a light weight state is caused. Here, the set time (TD2A) of the third timer is a delay time for operating the weight position controller52after zero-setting of the weighing scale71. The operation time required for an operation of loading or unloading the weight is added. In addition, the operation of the weight Wt2 is completed before the weighing device3obtains the weighed value for determination on the article P.

In the light weight state, the weighing device3outputs a light weight (−NG) determination on the article P.

When the fourth timer ends at a set time (TD2B inFIG.5B), the PLC55outputs a control signal to the weight position controller52to lower the weight Wt2 that has been retreated to the upper position, to a lower position, and then causes the weight Wt2 to be placed on the weight holding table72again. The set time (TD2B) of the fourth timer is a delay time for operating the weight position controller52after the weighing device3obtains the weighed value for determination. The operation of the weight Wt2 is completed before the next article P is carried in.

Next, the case of causing the weighing device3to determine to be excessive (+NG) will be described.

When the article detection sensor75detects carrying-in of the article P, the PLC55controls the weight position controller52to cause load fluctuation to act on the weighing scale71so that the weighing device3determines the article P to be excessive (+NG).

As illustrated inFIG.5B, when the article detection sensor75detects that the article P has approached the inspection section Z2, two third and fourth timers (not illustrated) incorporated in the PLC55are activated. When the third timer ends at a set time (TD2A), a control signal is output to the weight position controller52, the weight Wt1 retreated to the upper position is lowered to the lower position and placed on the weight holding table72B, and an excessive weight state is caused. Here, the set time (TD2A) of the third timer is a delay time for operating the weight position controller52after zero-setting of the weighing scale71. The time required for an operation of loading or unloading the weight is added. In addition, the operation of the weight Wt1 is completed before the weighing device3obtains the weighed value for determination on the article P.

In the excessive weight state, the weighing device3outputs an excessive weight (+NG) determination on the article P.

When the fourth timer ends at the set time (TD2B), the PLC55outputs a control signal to the weight position controller52to retreat the weight Wt1 placed on the weight holding table72B to the upper position again. The set time (TD2B) of the fourth timer is a delay time for operating the weight position controller52after the weighing device3obtains the weighed value for determination. The operation of the weight Wt1 is completed before the next article P is carried in.

The two weights Wt1 and Wt2 do not necessarily have the same mass, and each may have any mass such that the two weights Wt1 and Wt2 make the states on the light weight side and the excessive weight side within a weighable range of the weighing scale71.

For example, since the masses of the weights Wt1 and Wt2 operated by the weight position controller52becomes the effect level of the load fluctuation action on the weighing scale71through the weighing stand72by loading or unloading each weight, each of the two weights could be set to have a weight value so that the weighed value of the article P is determined to be excessive (+NG) or light (−NG) in accordance with the loading/unloading operation of each weight.

Specifically, when the effective weighing range of the weighing scale71is 20 to 500 g, the assumed mass distribution of the plurality of articles P that are sequentially put in is 280 g to 310 g, and the reference upper limit and the reference lower limit are 310 g and 290 g, respectively, the minimum mass of the weight to generate an excessive weight (+NG) for an article P of 280 g by the article inspection verification system5is 30 g. Similarly, the minimum mass of the weight to generate a light weight (−NG) for an article P of 310 g is 20 g. In practice, there are weighing errors of the weighing scale71and mass fluctuation that exceeds the assumed range of the article P. Therefore, in this example, weights of approximately 35 g to 40 g and 25 g to 30 g may be used, respectively. When the weight is set to 35 g to 40 g of the same mass, it is possible to reliably generate an excessive weight (+NG) and a light weight (−NG) for any article P within the effective weighing range of the weighing scale71without using an unnecessarily heavy weight and regardless which one of the two weights to be loaded or unloaded.

As described above, it is preferable to set the masses (40 g) of the weights Wt1 and Wt2 exemplified in the present embodiment in consideration of a combination of the effective weighing range of the weighing scale71, the mass distribution of the article P, the upper limit value and the lower limit value as the reference for the excessive weight (+NG) and the light weight (−NG), which are set in the weighing device3, the weighing performance of the weighing device3, and the like.

As illustrated inFIGS.8A and8B, the X-ray inspection device4includes an X-ray irradiation unit81including an X-ray tube or the like and an X-ray detection unit82including an X-ray line sensor82athat extends in a direction perpendicular to an article conveyance direction. In addition, although not illustrated, the X-ray inspection device4further includes an image generation unit and a foreign matter detection unit. The image generation unit generates data of an X-ray transmission image based on X-ray transmission data of the X-ray detection unit82for each predetermined time during an inspection period in which the article P passes on the X-ray line sensor82aof the X-ray detection unit82. The foreign matter detection unit specifies a part at which the transmission amount changes rapidly in the X-ray transmission image, and detects foreign matters.

An inspection space ZX is formed in the X-ray inspection device4as a region for irradiating the article P with X-rays, and X-ray leakage to the outside is prevented by covering the inspection space ZX with a metal housing, a shield, and the like. As the shield, a shielding curtain85may be hung in the inspection space ZX, or a tunnel-like shielding cover (not illustrated) may be installed before and after the inspection space ZX. The shield is selected in accordance with the shape of the article P and conveyance characteristics.

The test piece insertion controller53is provided in the upper portion of the inspection space ZX of the X-ray inspection device4, and a test piece tp is moved to a position of blocking X-rays emitted from the X-ray irradiation unit81to the X-ray detection unit82.

The test piece insertion controller53attached to the X-ray inspection device4includes a test piece stand53a, a foreign matter test piece tp supported on the test piece stand53a, a linear motion guide rod53bjoined to the test piece stand53a, a compression spring53d, and an insertion drive mechanism and a drive circuit (not illustrated). The test piece stand53acan pass over the X-ray line sensor82aof the X-ray detection unit82at a moving speed equivalent to the conveyance speed of the article P by the conveyor13on the article conveyance path10. The bracket53csupports the linear motion guide rod53bto be movable parallel to the article conveyance direction. The compression spring53dbiases the linear motion guide rod53bwith respect to the bracket53cto the left side inFIGS.8A to8Cbeing the opposite direction of the article conveyance direction and biases the test piece tp on the test piece stand53ato be moved away from an irradiation X-ray region from the X-ray irradiation unit81. The insertion drive mechanism moves the test piece stand53aagainst a biasing force of the compression spring53din the article conveyance direction to insert the test piece tp into the irradiation X-ray region.

The insertion drive mechanism referred to here is configured by a motor and a linear/rotational motion conversion mechanism, for example. In such an insertion drive mechanism, rotational drive of the motor through the drive circuit and switching of the rotation direction are performed in accordance with the predetermined control signal RJ0-t2 from the PLC55. Thus, the test piece insertion controller53inserts the foreign matter test piece tp into the irradiation X-ray region at a timing that matches the article inspection period.

The test piece stand53amay support, as the test piece tp, a reference sample defined by a user as a quality control reference for the article P, or may support a plurality of foreign matter test pieces (tp, tp, . . . ) having different materials and shapes.

FIG.8Cillustrates the detected values (attenuation equivalent values) of an X-ray amount detected by the X-ray detection unit82in a state where the article P is conveyed to pass over the X-ray line sensor82aof the X-ray detection unit82, and the foreign matter test piece tp is inserted into the irradiation X-ray region.FIG.8Cillustrates the detected values as a distribution diagram in the width direction that is a detection element arrangement direction of the X-ray line sensor82a.

The management PC40is configured by an industrial PC or the like that is LAN-connected to the control units of the plurality of types of article inspection devices2to4and the PLC55in a predetermined wired or wireless bus manner. The management PC40has functions of overall setting in the article inspection system1and the article inspection verification system5, recording of the operation history of both systems1and5, creation and an output of a report in a predetermined format, and a display output of such setting, recording, a report, and the like to a screen41.

The management PC40includes, for example, a CPU being a processor with a built-in cache, a RAM, a ROM, an input/output interface circuit, a storage device such as an SSD and an HDD, a plurality of control programs and various types of setting information (including control parameters) stored in the ROM and the storage device, and the like. The CPU executes the predetermined control program based on various types of sensor information, setting information, and the like, and thereby exhibiting the above-described functions and operating as a plurality of functional units as described next.

That is, the management PC40includes a verification information storage unit42that stores and retains verification information indicating whether or not the defect detection operation of each of the article inspection devices2to4is normal, to be able to be recorded and output, when any or all of the article inspection devices2to4determine the article P passing through the inspection sections Z1 to Z3 to be a defective product during a specific period during the operation of the article inspection system1, for example, within a predetermined period at the start of the line described above, during the line operation, and at the end of the line (seeFIG.2).

However, the verification operations of the plurality of types of article inspection devices2to4in the article inspection verification system5are sequentially performed in accordance with the conveyance timing of the article P. Since the delay (latency) occurs in the direct control from the LAN-connected management PC40, from a viewpoint of securing the certainty of the verification operation, it is preferable to perform reception of the detection signal from each of the article detection sensors15,66,75, and83(84) requiring real-time performance, and transmission and reception of the control signal and the like to and from each of the physical effect generators51,52, and53(may be the physical effect generator54inFIGS.9A to9D), by using control commands by serial communication including a voltage level (high level/low level) of the signal and bus connection as the control unit that mainly includes the PLC55installed near each article inspection line.

The sorting device20includes a sorting and discharge drive circuit25. The sorting and discharge drive circuit25enables the flipper type rejection mechanism27(27A or27B) to perform a sorting and discharging operation in accordance with either of sorting commands RJ1 and RJ2 that are defect detection signals from the metal detection device2and the X-ray inspection device4that can detect foreign matters among the plurality of types of article inspection devices2to4, and enables the flipper type rejection mechanism28(28A or28B) to perform a sorting and discharging operation in accordance with either of sorting commands RJ4 and RJ5 that are defect detection signals from the weighing device3capable of detecting excess or deficiency of contents (+NG, −NG) among the plurality of types of article inspection devices2to4.

When a sorting command RJ0 that is an article discharge signal for verification from the PLC55is input, the sorting and discharge drive circuit25enables the dropout type sorting conveyor17to perform the sorting and discharging operation in accordance with the sorting command RJ0.

Specifically, the dropout type sorting conveyor17and the flipper type rejection mechanisms27and28can perform the respective sorting and discharging operations in a manner that the linear motion outputs from air cylinders CYL1, CYL2, and CYL3 are converted into rotary motion by the corresponding linear/rotational motion conversion mechanisms Mc1, Mc2, and Mc3such as ring-lever mechanisms.

Here, the dropout type sorting conveyor17is disposed on the downstream side of the conveyors11,12, and13(14) provided with the inspection sections Z1, Z2, and Z3 on the article conveyance path10and is disposed on the upstream side of the conveyors18and19provided with the rejection mechanisms27and28for discharging the article P determined to be the defective product in the direction away from the article conveyance path10. The dropout type sorting conveyor17can lower the downstream side thereof until an inclined posture in the direction away from the article conveyance path10, for example, the inclined posture indicated by the virtual line inFIG.2is obtained, and can be held at a posture at which the article P can be conveyed to the downstream side, for example, at a horizontal posture indicated by the solid line inFIG.2.

More specifically, the flipper type rejection mechanisms27and28include pairs of flippers (27A and27B, and28A and28B) disposed on both sides in the belt width direction of the conveyor18following the sorting conveyor17, the air cylinders CYL2 and CYL3 corresponding to flippers, and the linear/rotational motion conversion mechanisms Mc2and Mc3. The flipper type rejection mechanisms27and28can perform the predetermined sorting and discharging operation of supporting, for example, the base end portion of each flipper on the downstream side by a rotary shaft and entering the tip end portion thereof on the upstream side at a predetermined crossing angle on the conveyor18. During a period in which either the sorting command RJ1 or RJ2 is input to the sorting and discharge drive circuit25, the corresponding one of the pair of flippers of the flipper type rejection mechanism27performs the predetermined sorting and discharging operation. During a period in which either the sorting command RJ4 or RJ5 is input to the sorting and discharge drive circuit25, the corresponding one of the pair of flippers of the flipper type rejection mechanism28performs the predetermined sorting and discharging operation.

Each of the air cylinders CYL1, CYL2, and CYL3 can supply compressed air (supply pressure indicated by the circle inFIG.2) to a pressure chamber on one side of the expansion/contraction direction, while discharging residual air from a pressure chamber on the other side (indicated by x inFIG.2), by the corresponding air feeding and discharge control valves V1, V2, or V3 connected to a pair of air feeding and discharge ports. With the switching control between the plurality of air feeding and discharge control valves V1, V2, and V3, the dropout type sorting conveyor17and the flipper type rejection mechanisms27and28can perform the sorting and discharging operation, and return from the operation position thereof to the normal operation position in accordance with ON/OFF of the sorting commands RJ0, RJ1, RJ2, RJ4, and RJ5, respectively.

The sorting and discharge drive circuit25can receive a plurality of sorting commands for a certain article P, and the sorting priority as to which sorting command the article P is to be discharged at this time is set in advance.

For example, in a case where a defect due to metal detection in the metal detection device2and a defect due to the light weight or excessive weight in the weighing device3together occur for a certain article P, the article P is set to be discharged as the defect due to the metal detection.

Furthermore, for example, in a case where a defect due to metal detection in the metal detection device2and a defect due to foreign matter detection in the X-ray inspection device4together occur for a certain article P, the article P is set to be discharged as the defect due to the foreign matter detection.

As described above, when a plurality of defects occur in a specific article P, the article P is rejected to a specific discharge destination based on the preset sorting priority.

The article inspection verification system5is for verifying the operation of the article inspection system1, and, there is no sorting priority between the sorting command RJ0 being the article discharge signal for verification, and the other sorting commands RJ1, RJ2, RJ4, and RJ5.

As a result, in response to the defect determination caused by the article inspection verification system5, the article P as the verification target article can be discharged from the non-defective product conveyance route10by the sorting conveyor17, and the rejection mechanism can be operated based on the sorting command in response to the defect determination as if the article P is a normal defective product. As described above, in a case where the sorting conveyor17is not provided, the article P as the verification target article is rejected to any discharge destination based on the sorting command.

In the sorting device20, a return conveyance mechanism that moves the article P as the verification target article discharged from the sorting conveyor17to the upstream side of the article conveyance path10is provided as the return conveyance conveyors21and22.

The return conveyance conveyors21and22are disposed below the conveyors16,17, and18in the vertical direction in correspondence with the sorting and discharging operation posture of the sorting conveyor17here. By setting sorting and discharge directions from the article conveyance path10to be different, the return conveyance conveyors21and22can be disposed at any positions. The return conveyance conveyor21is a conveyor for receiving an article P, which is used as a pseudo-defective product for verification and is actually not inspected, from the sorting conveyor17, and sending and delivering the article P to the return conveyance conveyor22. The posture of the conveyor21may be an inclined posture suitable for the delivery, or may be changed. The return conveyance conveyor22can convey the article P to a product stock stand on the upstream side, a conveyor for accumulation, or the like (not illustrated).

A return article detection sensor32that detects an article P, which is used as the pseudo-defective product for verification and is not inspected, when this article P is discharged from the dropout type sorting conveyor17is provided on the return conveyance conveyor21. When the article detection sensor32detects the article P discharged as the verification target article, the return conveyance conveyors21and22are driven in a return conveyance direction.

Further, the sorting and discharging operation of each flipper can be detected based on detection information of each of the operation detection sensors33and34that detect rotation of the rotation support shaft of each flipper in the flipper type rejection mechanisms27and28. The non-defective product passage detection sensor35is disposed between the conveyor18on which the flipper type rejection mechanisms27and28are disposed and the conveyor19on the downstream side of the conveyor18, and detects the passage of the article P to the subsequent stage.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the article inspection system1includes not only a first article inspection device2or4and a second article inspection device3, which have a plurality of different inspection types as the article inspection devices2,3, and4, but also the flipper type rejection mechanism27being a first defective product rejection mechanism that moves an article P of an NG product determined to be a defective product by the first article inspection device2or4in the direction away from the conveyors16to19as the non-defective product conveyance route on the article conveyance path10, and the flipper type rejection mechanism28being a second defective product rejection mechanism that moves an article P of an NG product determined to be a defective product by the second article inspection device3in the direction away from the conveyors16to19as the non-defective product conveyance route on the article conveyance path10, the first defective product rejection mechanism and the second defective product rejection mechanism being provided on the downstream side of the inspection sections Z1, Z2, and Z3 on the article conveyance path10.

Here, the detection signal of the operation detection sensor31that detects the operation state of the dropout type sorting conveyor17, and the detection signals output from the operation detection sensors33and34that detects the operation states of the flipper type rejection mechanisms27(27A and27B) and28(28A and28B) and the non-defective product passage detection sensor35are input to the PLC55constituting the article inspection verification system5. In a case where all of the detection signals of the operation detection sensors33and34for the flipper type rejection mechanisms27and28and the detection signal of the non-defective product passage detection sensor are input to the article inspection system1, the management PC40can verify the overall operation. Thus, it is not necessary to change a connection destination to input the detection signal to the PLC55or to branch the detection signal to be input even to the PLC55. That is, it is possible to construct the article inspection verification system5without changing the functions of the existing article inspection system1and article inspection devices2to4, or changing the connection destinations of various sensors.

Also, the plurality of types of article inspection devices in the article inspection system1include the metal detection device2that detects metal components in the article P, and the physical effect generator51in the article inspection verification system5includes the magnetic field fluctuation generator that changes the magnetic field in the inspection section in accordance with the control signal (RJ0-t1) requiring magnetic field fluctuation generation for verification from the physical effect control unit55.

Further, the plurality of types of article inspection devices in the article inspection system1include the weighing device3that weighs an article P, and the physical effect generator52in the article inspection verification system5includes the loading/unloading mechanism73that adds and removes a weight load to and from the weight of an inspection object P in the inspection section Z2 in accordance with the control signal (RJ0-t4/t5) for weight load increase/decrease from the physical effect control unit55.

In addition, the plurality of types of article inspection devices2to4in the article inspection system1include the X-ray detection device4that irradiates an article P passing in the inspection section Z3 on the article conveyance path10with X-rays and performs article inspection based on the transmitted X-ray amount distribution, and the physical effect generator53in the article inspection verification system5is configured as a test piece movement mechanism that inserts and retreats the test piece tp having predetermined X-ray transmission characteristic into and from the irradiation X-ray region over the X-ray line sensor82ain the inspection section Z3 in accordance with the control signal (RJ0-t2) for test piece insertion require from the physical effect control unit55.

Since the PLC55in the present embodiment executes the sequence control program rewritable by the programming tool in the order of the step numbers in the program list, the physical effect control unit that can variably set the output conditions of the control signal (RJ0-t1), (RJ0-t4/t5), (RJ0-t2)) to the physical effect generators51,52, and53in accordance with the product type of the article P.

Such an article inspection verification system5in the present embodiment is provided in the article inspection system1including the plurality of article inspection devices2to4that inspect the quality state of the article P passing through the inspection sections Z1, Z2, and Z3 on the article conveyance path10, and determines whether the article is a non-defective product or a defective product, based on predetermined determination conditions. The article inspection verification system5includes the physical effect generators51,52, and53that generate a physical effect causing the article P in the inspection sections Z1 to Z3 to be determined to be a defective product, and the PLC55as the physical effect control unit that stores, in advance, the generation conditions of the physical effect by the physical effect generators51,52, and53, and drives the physical effect generators51,52, and53during the operation of the article inspection system1in accordance with the generation conditions, and thereby causing the plurality of types of article inspection devices2,3, and4to determine the article P passing through the inspection sections Z1, Z2, and Z3 within the specific period during the operation to be a defective product.

In other words, under the control of the PLC55, the physical effect generators51,52, and53each causes the physical effect to act on the corresponding one article inspection device among the article inspection devices2to4, and causes the physical effect not to act on the other article inspection devices. Thus, it is possible to determine a specific article P to be defective in any combination of the plurality of types of article inspection devices2to4.

Further, in such a configuration in the present embodiment, the article inspection system1includes not only the first article inspection devices2and4and the second article inspection device3, which have a plurality of different inspection types, but also the rejection mechanism27as the first defective product rejection mechanism that moves an article P of an NG product determined to be a defective product by the first article inspection device2or4in the direction away from the conveyors16to19as the non-defective product conveyance route on the article conveyance path10, and the rejection mechanism28as the second defective product rejection mechanism that moves an article P of an NG product determined to be a defective product by the second article inspection device3in the direction away from the conveyors16to19as the non-defective product conveyance route on the article conveyance path10, the first defective product rejection mechanism and the second defective product rejection mechanism being provided on the downstream side of the inspection sections Z1, Z2, and Z3 on the article conveyance path10.

Operation data generated in the PLC55by the article inspection verification system5will be described.

As illustrated in the columns of the article detection sensor and the magnetic field fluctuation generator inFIG.10, when the article P is detected by the detection signal of the article detection sensor66, and when the first timer ends and the relay circuit62that forms the loop coil61is turned ON for the time defined by the second timer, the PLC55generates operation data related to this. The operation data here may include, for example, a time point (time stamp), a device ID, an event code, a setting value, and the like.

In verification data generated by the PLC55, time point information is added to an identification ID of the article detection sensor66, an ID of the formed loop coil61or an ID of the ON-operated relay element, the resistance value of the variable resistor63, the information of a register in which the resistance value is set, and the like. The verification data is recorded as a series of data together with header information for identifying the verification condition.

In a case where the relay circuit62includes a monitor circuit, monitor information indicating that the relay circuit62has operated is also recorded.

As illustrated in the columns of the weight position controller and the like inFIG.10, the PLC55generates verification operation data when the article P is detected by the detection signal of the article detection sensor75, and when the loading/unloading operation of the weight Wt1 is performed when each of the third and fourth timers ends.

In the verification operation data generated by the PLC55, time point information is added to an identification ID of the article detection sensor75, an ID of the loaded/unloaded weight Wt1 or an ID of the motor that has performed the loading/unloading operation, information indicating the direction in which the weight Wt1 is loaded/unloaded, and the like. The verification operation data is recorded as a series of data together with the header information for identifying the verification condition.

Further, as illustrated in the columns of the test piece insertion controller and the like inFIG.10, when the article P is detected by the detection signal of the article detection sensor83(84), the PLC55generates operation data when the fifth timer ends, and the operation of inserting test piece stand53a(54a) is performed.

In the verification operation data generated by the PLC55, time point information is added to the identification ID of the article detection sensor83(84), the identification ID of the test piece insertion controller53(54) that performs an operation of inserting the test piece, and the like. The verification operation data is recorded as a series of data together with the header information for identifying the verification conditions.

The PLC55is programmed to output the data set of each verification operation to the management PC40communicatively connected, in a predetermined data communication procedure and a predetermined data format.

Next, the actions will be described.

In the present embodiment configured as described above, the physical effect generators51,52, and53are sequentially driven within the specific period during the operation of the article inspection system1by the verification control signals (RJ0-t1), (RJ0-t4/t5), and (RJ0-t2) from the PLC55being the physical effect control unit. Thus, the physical effect causing the article P passing through the inspection sections Z1, Z2, and Z3 to be determined to be a defective product is generated within the corresponding section in a form of magnetic field effect noise, increase or decrease in weight load, insertion of a test piece, or the like. Therefore, regardless of whether the article P passing through each of the inspection sections Z1, Z2, and Z3 is actually a non-defective product or a defective product, it is possible to generate a pseudo-defective product under the control of the article inspection verification system5during the operation of the article inspection system1. In addition, it is possible to verify whether or not the defect detection operation of the article inspection device on the article P made to be a defective product at this time is normal.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the article P passing through the inspection sections Z1, Z2, and Z3 within the specific period during the operation of the article inspection system1is determined to be a defective product, the verification information indicating whether the defect detection operation of each of the article inspection devices2,3, and4is normal is stored and retained in the verification information storage unit42to be able to be recorded and output. Therefore, the verification work of periodically checking the defect detection operation of each of the article inspection devices2,3, and4and recording the results is greatly facilitated.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the flipper type rejection mechanisms27and28are disposed on the downstream side of the inspection sections Z1 to Z3 on the article conveyance path10. In addition, the return conveyance conveyors21and22that moves the article P of an NG product determined to be a defective product when passing through the inspection sections Z1 to Z3 to the upstream side of the article conveyance path10while bypassing the inspection sections Z1 to Z3 are provided between defective product rejection section Zrj½ and Zrj⅘ by the rejection mechanisms27and28for defective product rejection and the inspection sections Z1 and Z3 on the upstream side. Therefore, it is possible to return the article P that is made to be a pseudo-defective product and of which a normal inspection result is not obtained, to the upstream side of the article conveyance path10while bypassing the inspection sections Z1 to Z3, between the inspection sections Z1 to Z3 of the article inspection system1and the defective product rejection section Zrj½ and Zrj⅘ by the defective product rejection mechanisms27and28on the downstream side of the inspection sections Z1 to Z3. Thus, it is possible to perform the normal inspection again, for example.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the article inspection system1includes not only the first article inspection device2or4and the second article inspection device3having a plurality of different inspection types, and but also includes the first rejection mechanism27for defective product rejection, that moves the article P determined to be a defective product by the first article inspection device2or4in the direction away from the conveyors16to19serving as the non-defective product conveyance route on the article conveyance path10, and the second rejection mechanism28for defective product rejection, that moves the article P determined to be a defective product by the second article inspection device3in the direction away from the conveyors16to19, the first rejection mechanism27and the second rejection mechanism28being provided on the downstream side of the inspection sections Z1 to Z3 on the article conveyance path10. Therefore, by providing the plurality of types of physical effect generators51and52corresponding to the inspection types of the first and second article inspection devices2and3, it is possible to continuously perform a plurality of types of article inspection and rejection functions for the same article P in the same article inspection system1.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when the article inspection system1includes the plurality of article inspection devices2to4having a plurality of different inspection types, the physical effect control unit55in the article inspection verification system5can be configured to drive the physical effect generator corresponding to one or both of the first article inspection device and the second article inspection device for a specific inspection target article. Therefore, when the article inspection line includes the first article inspection device and the second article inspection device having a plurality of different inspection types, it is possible to verify an overall operation of an article inspection system1when any one or both article inspection devices detect a defect, by exhaustive combinations.

Further, in the present embodiment, the operation detection sensor that detects the operation states of the first defective product rejection mechanism and the second defective product rejection mechanism can be further provided. Therefore, it is possible to detect the operation state of the rejection mechanism in the sorting device20in the subsequent stage for the article P determined to be defective by any one or a plurality of article inspection devices among the plurality of types of article inspection devices2to4, and to verify whether the article P is rejected to the correct discharge destination.

In addition, the article inspection system1in the present embodiment includes the metal detection device2that detects the metal component in the article P as the article inspection device, and the physical effect generator51attached to the metal detection device2generates magnetic field fluctuation that changes a magnetic field in the inspection section Z1, in accordance with the control signal RJ0-t1 from the PLC55. Therefore, without affecting the article P passing through the inspection section Z1, it is possible to cause the metal detection device2to automatically generate a pseudo-defective product during the operation of the article inspection system1, and to easily and accurately verify whether the defect detection operation of the metal detection device2on the article P made to be a defective product at this time is normal.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the physical effect generator52attached to the weighing device3as the article inspection device includes the loading/unloading mechanism73that adds or removes a weight load to the weighing scale71from the weighing stand72for the weight of the article P in the inspection section Z2 in accordance with the control signal from the PLC55. Therefore, by adding or removing a load that affects the weighed value, without affecting the article P that passes through the inspection section Z2, it is possible to cause the weighing device3to automatically generate a pseudo-defective product during the operation of the article inspection system1, and to easily and accurately verify whether the defect detection operation of the weighing device3for the article P made to be a defective product at this time is normal.

In the present embodiment, as the article inspection device, the X-ray inspection device4that irradiates the article P passing in the inspection section Z3 on the article conveyance path10with X-rays and performs article inspection based on the detected value distribution of the transmitted X-ray amount, and the physical effect generator53attached to the X-ray inspection device4constitutes the test piece movement mechanism that enters and retreats the test piece tp having predetermined X-ray transmission characteristic in accordance with the control signal RJ0-t2 from the PLC55. Therefore, by taking the test piece tp into and out of the inspection section Z3, which affects the X-ray inspection, without affecting the article P that passes through the inspection section Z3, it is possible to cause the X-ray inspection device4to automatically generate a pseudo-defective product during the operation of the article inspection system1and to verify whether or not the defect detection operation of the X-ray inspection device4for the article P made to be a defective product at this time is normal.

Further, in the present embodiment, the PLC55which is the physical effect control unit variably sets the output conditions of the control signals (RJ0-t1), (RJ0-t4/t5), and (RJ0-t2) for the physical effect generators51,52, and53in accordance with the product type of the article P. Thus, it is possible to generate a physical effect accurate for the product type in the inspection sections Z1, Z2, and Z3, and to perform the verification work effective for the article inspection.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, without affecting the article P passing through the inspection sections Z1 to Z3, it is possible to cause each of the article inspection devices2,3, and4to automatically generate a pseudo-defective product during the operation of the article inspection system1and to verify whether or not the defect detection operation of the article inspection devices2,3, and4is normal. In addition, it is possible to provide an article inspection verification system capable of preventing a reduction in operating rate of the article inspection system1associated with the verification work and greatly reduces a work burden of the verification work.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

FIGS.9A to9Dillustrate an article inspection verification system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated inFIGS.9A to9D, the present embodiment is similar to the above-described embodiment in that an article inspection verification system5capable of periodically verifying whether or not the defect detection function of the article inspection system1is normal under the operation state of the article inspection system1.

In addition, the present embodiment is similar to the above-described embodiment in that the article inspection verification system5includes a magnetic field fluctuation generator51for an inspection magnetic field, which is attached to a metal detection device2and a weight position controller52attached to a weighing device3, as a plurality of types of physical effect generators that generate a physical effect causing an article P to be determined to be a defective product, in each of a plurality of inspection sections Z1 and Z2.

However, the article inspection verification system5in the present embodiment is different from that in the above-described embodiment, that includes the linear motion type test piece insertion controller53, in that the article inspection verification system5includes a swing type test piece insertion controller54attached to an X-ray inspection device4, as a plurality of types of physical effect generators that generate a physical effect causing the article P to be determined to be a defective product, in another inspection section Z3.

The test piece insertion controller54in the present embodiment, which is attached to the X-ray inspection device4, includes a test piece stand54a, a foreign matter test piece tp supported on the test piece stand54a, a swing rod54b, a motor54c, and an insertion drive mechanism and a drive circuit (not illustrated). The test piece stand54acan pass over an X-ray line sensor82aof an X-ray detection unit82at the movement speed equivalent to the conveyance speed of the article P by the conveyor13of the article conveyance path10. The swing rod54bis joined to the test piece stand54aand integrally supported at the upper end with respect to the main shaft of the above-described motor54c. The motor54ccan swing the swing rod54bin a direction parallel to the article conveyance direction. The insertion drive mechanism moves the test piece stand54ain a direction substantially parallel to the article conveyance direction and selectively inserts the test piece tp into the irradiation X-ray region over the X-ray line sensor82aof the X-ray detection unit82.

There are more restrictions than the embodiment illustrated inFIGS.8A to8Cin that a curtain-shaped shielding member is hung in the inspection space ZX of the X-ray inspection device4illustrated inFIGS.9A to9D, and a space in which the test piece insertion controller54can be disposed is limited to being inside the curtain-shaped shielding member. However, because of a configuration in which the test piece stand54ais joined to the swing rod54b, and the swing rod is driven by the motor54c, it is possible to reduce the size and easily add this configuration to the known X-ray inspection device4.

Other components are similar to those of the above-described embodiment, and substantially the similar effects to those of the above embodiment can also be expected in the present embodiment.

In addition, in the present embodiment, in the insertion drive mechanism, by the reciprocating rotation of the motor54cin response to, for example, the predetermined control signal RJ0-t2 from the PLC55, rotational drive of the motor54cand switching control of a rotation direction are performed through the drive circuit. Thus, the test piece insertion controller53can insert the foreign matter test piece tp into the irradiation X-ray region at a predetermined height position at a timing matching the article inspection period.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the height of the test piece stand54amay be changed by changing the position at which the test piece stand54ais supported by the swing rod54b, which is advantageous in that it is possible to adjust the installation heights of the test piece stand54aand the test piece tp in accordance with the height of the article P. In this case, it is preferable to adjust the rotational speed of the motor54cin accordance with the distance from the main shaft of the motor54c, and to match the movement speed of the test piece stand54awhen passing through the X-ray irradiation position with the conveyance speed of the article P. In addition, since the components of the test piece insertion controller53in the present embodiment are small and lightweight, it is possible to make the motor54cdisplaceable in the article conveyance direction or the height direction and to easily adjust the attachment position.

In the above-described embodiment, the noise generator51for the inspection magnetic field in the metal detection device2has been described as the plurality of types of physical effect generators that generate a physical effect in the plurality of inspection sections Z1, Z2, and Z3 in the article inspection system1, respectively. Instead of the noise generator51, a mechanism that puts a metal piece into the inspection region may be provided, or it is conceivable to use a different noise generator together. Also, the weight position controller52attached to the weighing device3applies one of two weights having the same mass to the weighing scale71and the weighing stand72under the normal operation state. It is also conceivable to apply one or a plurality of weights among three or more weights of a plurality of types having different mass under the normal state, and to change the weights by a plurality of different weights to finely or greatly increase or decrease. Furthermore, as the test piece insertion controller53attached to the X-ray inspection device4, it is conceivable to change the height of a horizontally rotating or horizontally sliding test piece stand by a height adjust mechanism of a support bracket of the test piece stand. In each of the embodiments, it is assumed that the rejection mechanisms27and28discharge a defective product from the article conveyance path to the outside. It is sufficient that the defective product rejection mechanism in the present invention rejects a defective product to a route separate from the non-defective product conveyance route.

As described above, in the article inspection verification system in the present invention, it is possible to provide an article inspection verification system that prevents a decrease in the operating rate associated with the verification work of the defect detection function of the article inspection device and reduces the burden in the verification work. Furthermore, in the inspection and sorting process of a manufacturing line configured by a plurality of types of article inspection devices, it is possible to reliably and efficiently realize the verification work. The present invention is useful for overall article inspection verification systems suitable for periodically verifying whether or not the defect detection function by article inspection is normal.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS AND SIGNS