Patent Description:
As a conventional X-ray inspection apparatus, a device described in <CIT>, for example, is known. The X-ray inspection apparatus described in <CIT> includes: a ventilation channel for guiding heat generated from an X-ray emitter (X-ray generator) to outside; a board forming part of the ventilation channel and sealing the X-ray emitter; and a cooling fin provided so as to penetrate the board and configured to transmit heat generated in the X-ray emitter to the ventilation channel. In the X-ray inspection apparatus described in <CIT>, the X-ray emitter can be cooled. <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> disclose an X-ray inspection apparatus comprising: an X-ray emitter configured to emit an X-ray; an X-ray detector configured to detect the X-ray; an air-guiding unit configured to guide air to at least part of the X-ray detector; a conveyance unit configured to convey an article along a conveying direction from a carry-in port; a controller configured to control operation of each component of the X-ray inspection apparatus; and a housing accommodating the conveyance unit, the X-ray emitter, the X-ray detector and the controller. <CIT> discloses an X-ray inspection apparatus provided with a cooling unit. The cooling unit supplies cold air to the space in which an X-ray emitter is arranged. The cold air flows diagonally upward to hit air which is warmed up by the X-ray emitter.

The X-ray inspection apparatus includes an X-ray detector such as a line sensor configured to detect an X-ray emitted by the X-ray emitter. In such an X-ray detector, problems such as increased noises under the influence of heat, for example, may occur, which may lead to deterioration of detection accuracy. Thus, the temperature of the X-ray detector is preferably maintained as constant as possible. In the conventional X-ray inspection apparatus described above, the X-ray emitter can be cooled, but temperature change in the X-ray detector cannot be suppressed.

In view of this, it is an object of one aspect of the present invention to provide an X-ray inspection apparatus that can suppress temperature change in the X-ray detector.

An X-ray inspection apparatus according to the present invention is defined by claim <NUM>. The X-ray inspection apparatus includes:.

In the X-ray inspection apparatus thus configured, the X-ray detector can be cooled and warmed with air guided by the air-guiding unit. Thus, temperature change in the X-ray detector can be suppressed.

In the X-ray inspection apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the X-ray detector may have a plurality of sensors provided to correspond to a plurality of energy bands. In the X-ray inspection apparatus thus configured, for example, a transmission image that can be acquired with an X-ray in a relatively high energy band and a transmission image that can be acquired with an X-ray in a relatively low energy band can be obtained simultaneously.

In the X-ray inspection apparatus according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the X-ray detector may be formed integrally as a unit with a control board configured to control the X-ray detector, and the air-guiding unit may guide air to at least part of the unit. In the X-ray inspection apparatus thus configured, even when the control board in which a larger amount of heat is generated is formed integrally with the X-ray detector, temperature change in the X-ray detector can be suppressed.

In the X-ray inspection apparatus according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the air-guiding unit may include: a ventilation channel serving as a flow passage for the air; and at least one of a fan configured to draw the air into the ventilation channel and a fan configured to discharge the air from the ventilation channel. By this configuration, air can be guided to the X-ray detector more effectively.

In the X-ray inspection apparatus according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ventilation channel and the at least one of the fans may be connected to each other with a seal member interposed therebetween. In the X-ray inspection apparatus thus configured, the ventilation channel and the fans can be connected to each other in an airtight manner, whereby air can be guided to the X-ray detector more effectively.

The X-ray inspection apparatus according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention may further include a cold-air blower configured to supply cold air to the ventilation channel, wherein the ventilation channel may have a branching portion, and the air-guiding unit is configured such that cold air supplied by the cold-air blower may be guided to the X-ray detector and the X-ray emitter through the branching portion. In the X-ray inspection apparatus thus configured, cold air can be supplied to the X-ray emitter. Thus, the cold-air blower can be used for cooling the X-ray emitter.

In the X-ray inspection apparatus according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, one end of the ventilation channel from which air is discharged may be open toward the air inlets from which air is drawn in the cold-air blower. In the X-ray inspection apparatus thus configured, the X-ray detector can be cooled effectively between the cold-air blower and the ventilation channel.

According to the present invention, temperature change in the X-ray detector can be suppressed.

A preferred embodiment of one aspect of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the description of the drawings, like or equivalent elements are designated by like numerals, and duplicate description is omitted. In <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the directions of "up", "down", "left", "right", "front", and "rear" are defined for convenience of description. However, the embodiment is not limited to these directions.

As depicted in <FIG>, an X-ray inspection apparatus <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>, support legs <NUM>, a conveyance unit <NUM>, an X-ray emitter <NUM>, an X-ray detector <NUM>, a display-operation unit <NUM>, and a controller <NUM>. The X-ray inspection apparatus <NUM> generates an X-ray transmission image of an article G while conveying the article G, and performs inspection (e.g., examination of the number of accommodated articles, foreign-matter contamination check, missing part check, chipping and cracking check) of the article G on the basis of the X-ray transmission image. An article G before the inspection is carried into the X-ray inspection apparatus <NUM> by a carry-in conveyor (not depicted). An article G after the inspection is carried out from the X-ray inspection apparatus <NUM> by a carry-out conveyor (not depicted). An article G that has been determined to be a defective product by the X-ray inspection apparatus <NUM> is sorted outside a production line by a sorting device (not depicted) disposed downstream of the carry-out conveyor. An article G that has been determined to be a conforming product by the X-ray inspection apparatus <NUM> passes through the sorting device without being processed.

The housing <NUM> accommodates the conveyance unit <NUM>, the X-ray emitter <NUM>, the X-ray detector <NUM>, and the controller <NUM>. The housing <NUM> is formed of stainless steel that blocks X-rays, and prevents X-rays from leaking outside. Inside the housing <NUM>, an inspection area R where an article G is inspected with an X-ray is provided. In the housing <NUM>, a carry-in port 4a through which an article G is conveyed into the inspection area R and a carry-out port 4b through which the article G is carried out from the inspection area R are formed. An article G before the inspection is carried from the carry-in conveyor into the inspection area R through the carry-in port 4a. An article G after the inspection is carried out from the inspection area R to the carry-out conveyor through the carry-out port 4b. The carry-in port 4a and the carry-out port 4b are each provided with an X-ray blocking curtain 4c for preventing X-rays from leaking.

The support legs <NUM> support the housing <NUM>. The conveyance unit <NUM> conveys an article G along a conveying direction A from the carry-in port 4a to the carry-out port 4b via the inspection area R. The conveyance unit <NUM> is, for example, a belt conveyor that runs between the carry-in port 4a and the carry-out port 4b.

The X-ray emitter <NUM> emits an X-ray onto the article G conveyed by the conveyance unit <NUM>. The X-ray emitter <NUM> includes an X-ray tube (not depicted) configured to emit the X-ray, an accommodation unit 6a in which the X-ray tube is immersed in insulating cooling oil, and a collimator 6b disposed below the accommodation unit 6a and configured to widen the X-ray emitted from the X-ray tube in a fan shape in a plane perpendicular to the conveying direction A. On outer peripheral surfaces of the accommodation unit 6a, cooling fins (not depicted) vertically extending are formed. On an upper surface of the accommodation unit 6a, a fan 6c configured to form an air passage upward from below the accommodation unit 6a is provided.

The X-ray detector <NUM> includes a first line sensor <NUM> and a second line sensor <NUM>. The first line sensor <NUM> and the second line sensor <NUM> each include X-ray detecting elements that are arranged linearly along a horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction A. The first line sensor <NUM> detects an X-ray, in a low-energy band, that has been transmitted through an article G and a conveyance belt of the conveyance unit <NUM>. The second line sensor <NUM> detects an X-ray, in a high-energy band, that has been transmitted through the article G, the conveyance belt of the conveyance unit <NUM>, and the first line sensor <NUM>.

The X-ray detector <NUM> includes the first line sensor <NUM> and the second line sensor <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the X-ray detector is configured as an X-ray detection unit <NUM> in which a control board <NUM> is added to the first line sensor <NUM> and the second line sensor <NUM>. The X-ray detection unit <NUM> is accommodated in an accommodation unit <NUM>. The accommodation unit <NUM> is a housing that covers the X-ray detector <NUM> from the upper, lower, front, rear, right, and left directions. In an upper surface of the accommodation unit <NUM>, a slit through which an X-ray emitted from the X-ray emitter <NUM> passes is formed.

As depicted in <FIG>, the accommodation unit <NUM> includes a first flow passage (ventilation channel) <NUM>, a second flow passage (ventilation channel) <NUM>, and a disposition portion <NUM>. The first flow passage <NUM> is disposed so as to face at least part 70a of the X-ray detection unit <NUM>, and extends from one end 61a thereof to the other end 61b thereof. In the present embodiment, the one end 61a and the other end 61b are open toward a door 2a (see <FIG>) that is closed. The first flow passage <NUM> is formed in a U-shape in plan view when viewed from the vertical direction. Similarly to the first flow passage <NUM>, the second flow passage <NUM> is disposed so as to face at least part 70a of the X-ray detection unit <NUM>, and extends from one end 62a thereof to the other end 62b thereof. In the present embodiment, the one end 62a and the other end 62b are open toward the door 2a that is closed. The second flow passage <NUM> is formed in a U-shape in plan view when viewed from the vertical direction. The disposition portion <NUM> is a portion on which the X-ray detection unit <NUM> is disposed.

At the other end 61b of the first flow passage <NUM> and the other end 62b of the second flow passage <NUM>, a bracket <NUM> supporting discharge fans <NUM> and <NUM> is provided. The other end 61b of the first flow passage <NUM> and the other end 62b of the second flow passage <NUM> are connected to the bracket <NUM> with a gasket (seal member) <NUM> interposed therebetween. Alternatively, the other end 61b of the first flow passage <NUM> and the other end 62b of the second flow passage <NUM> may be connected to the bracket <NUM> by welding, for example. The bracket <NUM> is formed such that a surface 65a thereof to which the discharge fans <NUM> and <NUM> are attached is orthogonal to an obliquely rearward and upward direction. In other words, the other end 61b of the first flow passage <NUM> and the other end 62b of the second flow passage <NUM> are open so as to be orthogonal to the obliquely rearward and upward direction. When viewed from the discharge fans <NUM> and <NUM>, in the obliquely rearward and upward direction, air inlets <NUM> of a cold-air blower <NUM> are positioned.

As depicted in <FIG>, the display-operation unit <NUM> is provided to the housing <NUM>. The display-operation unit <NUM> displays various types of information and receives inputs for various conditions. The display-operation unit <NUM> is a liquid crystal display, for example, and displays an operation screen as a touch panel. In this case, an operator can input various conditions with the display-operation unit <NUM>.

As depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>, the controller <NUM> is disposed inside the housing <NUM>. The controller <NUM> controls operation of each component of the X-ray inspection apparatus <NUM>. The controller <NUM> includes a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), and a random access memory (RAM). To the controller <NUM>, a detection result of an X-ray in the low-energy band is input from the first line sensor <NUM> (see <FIG>) of the X-ray detector <NUM>, and also a detection result of an X-ray in the high-energy band is input from the second line sensor <NUM> (see <FIG>) of the X-ray detector <NUM>. Based on the detection result of the X-ray in the low-energy band and the detection result of the X-ray in the high-energy band, the controller <NUM> functions as a processing unit configured to determine whether foreign matter is contained in the article G.

As depicted in <FIG>, on a rear side of the X-ray inspection apparatus <NUM>, the cold-air blower <NUM> is disposed. The cold-air blower <NUM> draws air inside the housing <NUM> and outside the housing <NUM> from the air inlets <NUM>, exchanges heat of the drawn air with a heat exchanger (not depicted), and supplies the air (cold air) cooled by this heat exchange from a supply port <NUM> into the housing <NUM> through a duct (ventilation channel) <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the cold-air blower <NUM> is attached to the door 2a with which the housing <NUM> can be opened and closed. The door 2a is provided with a bracket <NUM> supporting a lower end of the cold-air blower <NUM>.

The duct <NUM> includes: a first duct <NUM> extending in a front-and-rear direction when the door 2a is closed; and two branch ducts <NUM> and <NUM> into which the first duct <NUM> branches off via a branching portion <NUM> and that vertically extend. The first duct <NUM> has openings on one end 51a thereof and the other end 51b thereof, and between the one end 51a and the other end 51b, the branching portion <NUM> branching into the branch duct <NUM> and the branch duct <NUM> is provided. The one end 51a of the first duct <NUM> is connected to the supply port <NUM>. The other end 51b of the first duct <NUM> is open forward when the door 2a is closed. In other words, when the door 2a is closed, the other end 51b is open toward a space in which the collimator 6b is disposed below the accommodation unit 6a.

The branch duct <NUM> has openings on one end 52a thereof and the other end 52b thereof. The one end 52a of the branch duct <NUM> is connected to the branching portion <NUM>. The other end 52b of the branch duct <NUM> is positioned so as to face and be close to the one end 61a of the first flow passage <NUM> when the door 2a is closed (see <FIG>). The branch duct <NUM> has openings on one end 53a thereof and the other end 53b thereof. The one end 53a of the branch duct <NUM> is connected to the branching portion <NUM>. The other end 53b of the branch duct <NUM> is positioned so as to face and be close to the one end 62a of the second flow passage <NUM> when the door 2a is closed (see <FIG>).

The following describes flows of cold air supplied by the cold-air blower <NUM>. In the present embodiment, an air-guiding unit configured to guide air to at least part of the X-ray detector <NUM> includes the cold-air blower <NUM>, the first flow passage <NUM>, the second flow passage <NUM>, and the discharge fans <NUM> described above. As depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>, cold air supplied by the cold-air blower <NUM> is supplied from the supply port <NUM> of the cold-air blower <NUM> into the first duct <NUM>. The cold air supplied to the first duct <NUM> flows through the branching portion <NUM> into the branch duct <NUM> and the branch duct <NUM>. The cold air flowing into the branch duct <NUM> is discharged from the other end 52b of the branch duct <NUM>. The cold air flowing into the branch duct <NUM> is discharged from the other end 53b of the branch duct <NUM>.

As depicted in <FIG>, when the door 2a is closed, the cold air discharged from the other end 52b of the branch duct <NUM> flows into the first flow passage <NUM> from the one end 61a of the first flow passage <NUM>. The cold air flowing into the first flow passage <NUM> flows forward from the rear side of the accommodation unit <NUM>, and then flows rearward from the front side thereof as indicated by arrows in <FIG>. The cold air flowing through the first flow passage <NUM> facing part of the X-ray detection unit <NUM> takes heat away from the X-ray detection unit <NUM>. The air the temperature of which has increased (warm air) is discharged from the other end 61b of the first flow passage <NUM> by the corresponding discharge fan <NUM>. The warm air discharged from the discharge fan <NUM> is discharged toward the air inlets <NUM> of the cold-air blower <NUM> as depicted in <FIG>. Thus, the warm air is drawn from the air inlets <NUM> of the cold-air blower <NUM>, and is then supplied as cold air again from the supply port <NUM>.

As depicted in <FIG>, the cold air discharged from the other end 53b of the branch duct <NUM> flows into the second flow passage <NUM> from the one end 62a of the second flow passage <NUM>. The cold air flowing into the second flow passage <NUM> flows forward from the rear side of the accommodation unit <NUM>, and then flows rearward from the front side thereof as indicated by arrows in <FIG>. The cold air flowing through the second flow passage <NUM> facing part of the X-ray detection unit <NUM> takes heat away from the X-ray detection unit <NUM>. The air the temperature of which has increased (warm air) is discharged from the other end 62b of the second flow passage <NUM> by the corresponding discharge fan <NUM>. The warm air discharged from the discharge fan <NUM> is discharged toward the air inlets <NUM> of the cold-air blower <NUM> as depicted in <FIG>. Thus, the warm air is drawn from the air inlets <NUM> of the cold-air blower <NUM>, and is then supplied as cold air again from the supply port <NUM>.

As indicated by arrows in <FIG>, the cold air discharged from the other end 51b of the first duct <NUM> is discharged toward the space in which the collimator 6b is disposed below the accommodation unit 6a. The cold air discharged toward the space in which the collimator 6b is disposed is guided (the flow is guided) upward by the fan 6c. At this time, the air is guided along the cooling fins formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the accommodation unit 6a, whereby heat is taken away from the cooling fins. The air the temperature of which has increased is guided toward the air inlets <NUM> of the cold-air blower <NUM> by the fan 6c. Thus, the air is drawn from the air inlets <NUM> of the cold-air blower <NUM>, and is then supplied as cold air again from the supply port <NUM>.

In the X-ray inspection apparatus <NUM> of the embodiment, as depicted in <FIG>, by air guided through the first flow passage <NUM> and the second flow passage <NUM>, the first line sensor <NUM> and the second line sensor <NUM> can be cooled. Thus, temperature change in the first line sensor <NUM> and the second line sensor <NUM> can be suppressed.

In the X-ray inspection apparatus <NUM> of the embodiment, as depicted in <FIG>, because the X-ray detection unit <NUM> faces the first flow passage <NUM> (second flow passage <NUM>) extending from the one end 61a (one end 62a) to the other end 61b (the other end 62b), heat (warm air) generated in the X-ray detection unit <NUM> can be guided outside the accommodation unit <NUM>, or cold air can be guided from the outside of the accommodation unit <NUM> into the X-ray detection unit <NUM>. Consequently, temperature change in the X-ray detection unit <NUM> can be suppressed.

In the X-ray inspection apparatus <NUM> of the embodiment, the X-ray detection unit <NUM> includes sensors (the first line sensor <NUM> and the second line sensor <NUM>) configured to detect X-rays in a plurality of energy bands. In the X-ray inspection apparatus <NUM> thus configured, for example, a transmission image that can be acquired with an X-ray in a relatively high energy band and a transmission image that can be acquired with an X-ray in a relatively low energy band can be obtained simultaneously. Thus, accuracy in detecting foreign matter, for example,
can be increased. Furthermore, even if the X-ray inspection apparatus includes sensors configured to detect X-rays in a plurality of energy bands in which these sensors generate a larger amount of heat than common sensors do, temperature change in the X-ray detection unit <NUM> can be suppressed.

In the X-ray inspection apparatus <NUM> of the embodiment, at the other end 61b of the first flow passage <NUM> and the other end 62b of the second flow passage <NUM>, the discharge fans <NUM> and <NUM> configured to discharge air are provided. Thus, more effectively, heat generated in the X-ray detection unit <NUM> can be guided outside the accommodation unit <NUM>, or cold air can be guided from the outside of the accommodation unit <NUM> into the X-ray detection unit <NUM>.

In the X-ray inspection apparatus <NUM> of the embodiment, the other ends <NUM> b and 62b of the first flow passage <NUM> and the second flow passage <NUM> and the bracket <NUM> on which the discharge fans <NUM> and <NUM> are arranged are connected to each other with the gasket <NUM> interposed therebetween. Thus, airtightness of the first flow passage <NUM> and the second flow passage <NUM> is enhanced, whereby, more effectively, heat generated in the X-ray detection unit <NUM> can be guided outside the accommodation unit <NUM>, or cold air can be guided from the outside of the accommodation unit <NUM> into the X-ray detection unit <NUM>.

In the X-ray inspection apparatus <NUM> of the embodiment, the X-ray detector <NUM> is configured as the X-ray detection unit <NUM> including the first line sensor <NUM> and the second line sensor <NUM> together with the control board <NUM>, and the first flow passage <NUM> and the second flow passage <NUM> are disposed so as to face at least the parts 70a and 70a of the X-ray detection unit <NUM>. In the X-ray inspection apparatus <NUM> thus configured, even when the control board <NUM> in which a larger amount of heat is generated is formed integrally with the first line sensor <NUM> and the second line sensor <NUM>, temperature change in the first line sensor <NUM> and the second line sensor <NUM> can be suppressed.

The X-ray inspection apparatus <NUM> of the embodiment includes the cold-air blower <NUM> configured to supply cold air to the first flow passage <NUM> and the second flow passage <NUM>, and thus the temperature of the X-ray detection unit <NUM> can be prevented from increasing.

In the X-ray inspection apparatus <NUM> of the embodiment, the duct <NUM> for supplying cold air to the X-ray detection unit <NUM> includes the branching portion <NUM> such that the cold air is guided also to the X-ray emitter <NUM>. In the X-ray inspection apparatus <NUM> thus configured, the temperature of the X-ray emitter <NUM> can be prevented from increasing.

In the X-ray inspection apparatus <NUM> of the embodiment, the discharge fans <NUM> disposed at the other end 61b of the first flow passage <NUM> and the other end 62b of the second flow passage <NUM> are open toward the air inlets <NUM> from which air is drawn in the cold-air blower <NUM>. In the X-ray inspection apparatus <NUM> thus configured, between the cold-air blower <NUM> and each of the first flow passage <NUM> and the second flow passage <NUM>, the X-ray detection unit <NUM> can be effectively cooled.

In the foregoing, one embodiment has been described. However, one aspect of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of protection defined by the appended claim <NUM>.

In the embodiment, an example of what is called a dual energy sensor has been described in which the first line sensor <NUM> and the second line sensor <NUM> are included as the X-ray detector <NUM>. However, an X-ray detector <NUM> including one line sensor may be used instead.

In the embodiment and the modification above, an example has been described in which the X-ray detector <NUM> is configured as the X-ray detection unit <NUM> that is integrally formed including the control board <NUM>. However, sensors such as the first line sensor <NUM> and the second line sensor <NUM> and the control board <NUM> may be disposed at positions different from each other. In this case, a configuration for cooling the sensors such as the first line sensor <NUM> and the second line sensor <NUM> is indispensable, and cooling also the control board <NUM> is preferable.

In the embodiment and the modifications above, an example has been described in which the discharge fans <NUM> and <NUM> are disposed at the other end 61b of the first flow passage <NUM> and the other end 62b of the second flow passage <NUM>. However, instead of or in addition to this configuration, intake fans may be disposed at the one end 61a of the first flow passage <NUM> and the one end 62a of the second flow passage <NUM>.

In the embodiment and the modifications above, an example has been described in which the discharge fans <NUM> and <NUM> provided at the other end 61b of the first flow passage <NUM> and the other end 62b of the second flow passage <NUM> discharge warm air toward the cold-air blower <NUM>. However, the discharge fans may be configured to discharge the warm air outside the housing <NUM>.

In the embodiment and the modifications above, an example has been described in which cold air supplied by the single cold-air blower <NUM> is guided to both the X-ray emitter <NUM> and the X-ray detection unit <NUM>. However, without providing the branching portion <NUM>, for example, the cold-air blower <NUM> may be used in a dedicated manner for the X-ray detection unit <NUM>. In this case, the branching portion <NUM>, for example, does not have to be provided, and the cold-air blower <NUM> may supply cold air to the X-ray detection unit <NUM> through a duct, or may supply the cold air directly to the first flow passage <NUM> and the second flow passage <NUM>.

In the embodiment and the modifications above, an example has been described in which the cold-air blower <NUM> is provided to the door 2a with which the inside of the housing <NUM> can be opened or closed. However, the cold-air blower may be disposed inside the housing <NUM>. Alternatively, from the cold-air blower <NUM> disposed outside the housing <NUM>, cold air may be supplied to the first flow passage <NUM> and the second flow passage <NUM> through a duct, for example.

In the embodiment and the modifications above, an example has been described in which the X-ray inspection apparatus includes the cold-air blower <NUM> to supply cold air to the first flow passage <NUM> and the second flow passage <NUM> that face the X-ray detector <NUM>. However, a reference example of another X-ray inspection apparatus not forming part of the claimed invention may include a heater, for example instead of the cold-air blower <NUM>, to supply warm air to the first flow passage <NUM> and the second flow passage <NUM>. In this case, even when the X-ray inspection apparatus is used in a place such as outdoors where the temperature is low, cold air near the X-ray detector <NUM> can be guided to outside, or warm air (heat) can be guided from outside to the X-ray detector <NUM>. Consequently, temperature change in the X-ray detector <NUM> can be suppressed.

In the embodiment and the modifications above, an example has been described in which the X-ray inspection apparatus includes the cold-air blower <NUM> or the heater, for example, to supply cold air or warm air to the first flow passage <NUM> and the second flow passage <NUM>. However, further another reference example of further another X-ray inspection not forming part of the claimed invention does not necessarily have to include the cold-air blower <NUM> and the heater, for example. If the first flow passage <NUM> and the second flow passage <NUM> are provided so as to face part of the X-ray detector <NUM>, air circulates by natural convection, whereby temperature change in the X-ray detector <NUM> can be suppressed.

In the embodiment and the modifications above, an example has been described in which the first flow passage <NUM> and the second flow passage <NUM> are provided. However, without providing the first flow passage <NUM> and the second flow passage <NUM>, further another reference example of further another X-ray inspection apparatus not forming part of the claimed invention may include only at least one of the cold-air blower <NUM> and a fan. Even in this case, wind is guided to the first line sensor <NUM> and the second line sensor <NUM> or the X-ray detection unit <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An X-ray inspection apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
an X-ray emitter (<NUM>) configured to emit an X-ray;
an X-ray detector (<NUM>) configured to detect the X-ray; and
an air-guiding unit (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) configured to guide air to at least part of the X-ray detector (<NUM>);
a conveyance unit (<NUM>) configured to convey an article (G) along a conveying direction (A) from a carry-in port (4a) to a carry-out port (4b) via an inspection area (R);
a controller (<NUM>) configured to control operation of each component of the X-ray inspection apparatus (<NUM>);
a housing (<NUM>) accommodating the conveyance unit (<NUM>), the X-ray emitter (<NUM>), the X-ray detector (<NUM>), and the controller (<NUM>);
wherein
the X-ray inspection apparatus (<NUM>) is configured to generate an X-ray transmission image of the article (G) while conveying the article (G), and perform inspection of the article (G) on the basis of the X-ray transmission image;
inside the housing (<NUM>), an inspection area (R) where the article (G) is inspected with the X-ray is provided, and the carry-in port (4a) through which the article (G) is conveyed into the inspection area (R) and the carry-out port (4b) through which the article (G) is carried out from the inspection area (R) are formed;
the air-guiding unit (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) includes a cold-air blower (<NUM>) and a flow passage (<NUM>, <NUM>); and
the cold-air blower (<NUM>) is configured to:
draw air inside the housing (<NUM>) and outside the housing (<NUM>) from air inlets (<NUM>),
exchange heat of the drawn air with a heat exchanger, and
supply the air cooled by the heat exchanger from a supply port (<NUM>) into the housing (<NUM>);
characterized in that
the air-guiding unit (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) guides the air such that the cold air discharged from the cold-air blower (<NUM>) flows into the flow passage (<NUM>, <NUM>) facing part of the X-ray detector (<NUM>).