JP2011069774A - Method and apparatus for inspecting foreign substances floating on liquid surface - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for inspecting foreign substances floating on liquid surface Download PDF

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JP2011069774A
JP2011069774A JP2009222642A JP2009222642A JP2011069774A JP 2011069774 A JP2011069774 A JP 2011069774A JP 2009222642 A JP2009222642 A JP 2009222642A JP 2009222642 A JP2009222642 A JP 2009222642A JP 2011069774 A JP2011069774 A JP 2011069774A
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container
liquid surface
liquid
light
foreign matter
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JP5655190B2 (en
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Yasuhiko Morizaki
泰彦 森崎
Yuko Shindo
裕子 進藤
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Omron Kirin Techno System Co Ltd
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Kirin Techno System Co Ltd
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Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and an apparatus for detecting foreign substances floating on a liquid surface, capable of detecting the foreign substances floating at a part plumped by a contact of the liquid surface with the inner surface of a vessel in a liquid surface resting state without moving the liquid surface of a liquid filling the vessel. <P>SOLUTION: An inspection method for detecting the foreign substances floating on or near the liquid surface of the liquid filling the vessel 1 includes the steps of lighting inside the vessel 1 from the bottom surface 1a side of the vessel by a lighting fixture 2 disposed below the vessel 1, condensing light incident into the vessel 1 from the lighting fixture 2 to the liquid surface, partly entering the light condensed to the liquid surface into the plumped part of the liquid surface where the liquid surface comes into contact with the inner surface of the vessel, reflecting this incident light from an interface of the liquid surface of the plumped part and a gas, and imaging the reflected light from the interface with a CCD camera 4 disposed lateral to the vessel. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は、液面浮遊異物検査方法及び装置に係り、特に容器内に充填された液体の液面付近に浮遊した異物を検出する液面浮遊異物検査方法及び装置に関するものである。   The present invention relates to a liquid level floating foreign matter inspection method and apparatus, and more particularly to a liquid level floating foreign matter inspection method and apparatus for detecting foreign matters floating near the liquid level of a liquid filled in a container.

ガラス壜に飲料等の液体を充填した製品について液面付近に浮遊した異物をカメラで撮像して検出する異物検査システムが知られている。例えば、特開２００５−１７００４号公報（特許文献１）に開示されたガラス瓶の異物検査システムにおいては、液体が充填されているガラス瓶（実瓶）をロータリー式検査テーブルの載置部によって円環状の経路に沿って高速で搬送することにより、遠心力で液面が斜めにせり上がって来ると共に、液面のせり上がりに遅れて、液面浮遊異物が液面の低い部分から高い部分に移動（及び傾斜前に高い部分に存在した異物が低い方へ移動）する状態となり、投光手段を、検査テーブルの載置部より内側に配置すると共に、撮像手段を、実瓶を介して投光手段の反対側に配置して、高速で搬送されて来る実瓶の傾斜した液面の上方へ移動する液面浮遊異物を捉えるようにしている。   2. Description of the Related Art A foreign matter inspection system that detects a foreign matter floating near the liquid surface with a camera for a product in which a glass bottle is filled with a liquid such as a beverage is known. For example, in the foreign matter inspection system for glass bottles disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-17004 (Patent Document 1), a glass bottle (actual bottle) filled with liquid is formed into an annular shape by a placement part of a rotary inspection table. By conveying at high speed along the path, the liquid level rises obliquely due to centrifugal force, and the liquid surface floating foreign material moves from a low part to a high part with a delay in the rise of the liquid level ( And the foreign matter existing in the high part before the inclination moves to the lower side), and the light projecting means is arranged on the inner side of the mounting portion of the inspection table, and the image pickup means is projected through the actual bottle. It is arranged on the opposite side to capture the liquid surface floating foreign matter that moves above the inclined liquid surface of the actual bottle that is being conveyed at high speed.

また、特開平７−１２８２５７号公報（特許文献２）においても実壜の液面浮遊異物を検査する検査装置が開示されており、この検査装置は、壜を挟むように照明装置と撮像装置とを配置するとともに壜を傾斜させる傾斜機構を設け、泡と異物とが壜の一方から他方へ移動するように壜を正立状態から徐々に傾斜させて傾斜倒立状態にして、泡が壜の一方から他方へ移動した直後に、壜の胴部を透過照明により撮像し、撮像した画像から異物の有無を判定するようにしている。   Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-128257 (Patent Document 2) also discloses an inspection device for inspecting actual liquid surface floating foreign matter. This inspection device includes an illuminating device and an imaging device so as to sandwich the eyelid. And a tilting mechanism for tilting the heel, and gradually tilting the heel from the upright state so that the foam and the foreign object move from one side of the heel to the other. Immediately after moving from one to the other, the torso body is imaged with transmitted illumination, and the presence or absence of foreign matter is determined from the captured image.

特開２００５−１７００４号公報JP 2005-17004 A 特開平７−１２８２５７号公報JP-A-7-128257

特許文献１および２に開示されているように、従来の液面浮遊異物検査装置においては、壜を円環状の搬送経路を搬送したり又は壜を傾斜させることにより、液面を移動させるとともに液面浮遊異物を移動させて異物を撮像するようにしている。そのため、ロータリー式検査テーブルや傾斜機構を必須の構成とし、機構が極めて複雑になるという問題がある。   As disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, in the conventional liquid level floating foreign matter inspection apparatus, the liquid level is moved and the liquid is moved by conveying the bag along an annular transfer path or by tilting the bottle. The surface floating foreign material is moved to image the foreign material. For this reason, there is a problem that the rotary inspection table and the tilting mechanism are indispensable components, and the mechanism becomes extremely complicated.

そこで、本発明者らは、ガラス壜等の容器内の液体の液面を移動させることなく、液面付近に浮遊した異物を検出することができる検査方法及び装置について鋭意研究を行ったものである。
まず、本発明者らは、特許文献１および２に開示されているように、液体を充填した容器を挟むように照明装置と撮像装置とを設置し、容器を静止した状態で透過照明により異物が浮遊した液面を撮像する実験を繰り返し行った。この実験の結果、液面付近に浮遊した異物を検査する際、液体の表面張力及び液体と容器壁面との付着力の影響で液面と容器内面が接触する部位で液面が急激に盛り上がり、この盛り上がった箇所が暗い画像になり、この盛り上がった箇所で容器内面に付着した異物をどうしても検出できないという現象を見出したものである。 Therefore, the present inventors have conducted intensive research on an inspection method and apparatus that can detect foreign matter floating near the liquid surface without moving the liquid surface of the liquid in a container such as a glass bottle. is there.
First, as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the present inventors installed an illuminating device and an imaging device so as to sandwich a container filled with a liquid. The experiment was conducted repeatedly to image the liquid surface where the liquid floated. As a result of this experiment, when inspecting foreign matter floating near the liquid surface, the liquid surface suddenly swells at the site where the liquid surface and the container inner surface contact due to the influence of the surface tension of the liquid and the adhesive force between the liquid and the container wall surface, The raised portion becomes a dark image, and a phenomenon has been found in which the foreign matter attached to the inner surface of the container cannot be detected by any means at the raised portion.

図６は、容器の側面からの透過照明で液面付近を撮影した画像である。図６に示すように、液面と容器内面が接触して盛り上がった箇所が暗い画像になっている。本発明者らは、この現象を解明した結果、以下の理由であることを見出したものである。
容器１の側面から光を照射した場合には、図７に示すように、光はガラス製の容器壁面を通過し容器内に入射する。容器内に入射した光の一部は、ガラス壁面にせり上がった液体部分に入射し、液体及び液体に接触しているガラス壁面を通過し、容器壁面から空気中へ出る。容器内の空気中から液体に入射するときは入射角（θ１）が屈折角（θ２）より大きいため、光は図７に示すように下方に屈折する。液体及びガラス壁面の屈折率はわずかな差であるので液体及びガラス壁面中では光は直進に近い光路をとる。ガラス壁面から空気中に出るときには、ガラス壁面における入射角（θ３）より空気中に出るときの屈折角（θ４）の方が大きいため、容器１を出た光はさらに下方に進み、カメラ４には入射しない。この結果、液面付近に浮遊した異物を検査する際、液面と容器内面が接触する部位で液面が急激に盛り上がり、この盛り上がった箇所が暗い画像になり、この盛り上がった箇所で容器内面に付着した異物を検出することができない。 FIG. 6 is an image obtained by photographing the vicinity of the liquid level with transmitted illumination from the side surface of the container. As shown in FIG. 6, a dark image is formed at a location where the liquid surface and the container inner surface come into contact with each other and rise. As a result of elucidating this phenomenon, the present inventors have found that the reason is as follows.
When light is irradiated from the side surface of the container 1, as shown in FIG. 7, the light passes through the glass container wall surface and enters the container. Part of the light incident on the container enters the liquid portion rising on the glass wall surface, passes through the liquid and the glass wall surface in contact with the liquid, and exits from the container wall surface into the air. When incident on the liquid from the air in the container, the incident angle (θ1) is larger than the refraction angle (θ2), so that the light is refracted downward as shown in FIG. Since the refractive index of the liquid and the glass wall surface is a slight difference, light takes an optical path close to going straight in the liquid and glass wall surface. When exiting into the air from the glass wall surface, the refraction angle (θ4) when exiting into the air is greater than the incident angle (θ3) at the glass wall surface. Does not enter. As a result, when inspecting foreign matter floating near the liquid level, the liquid level suddenly rises at the part where the liquid level and the inner surface of the container contact, and this raised part becomes a dark image. The attached foreign matter cannot be detected.

本発明は、上述の事情に鑑みなされたもので、容器内に充填された液体の液面を移動させることなく液面が静止した状態において、液面と容器内面が接触して盛り上がった箇所にある異物を検出することができる液面浮遊異物検出方法及び装置を提供することを目的とする。   The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in a state where the liquid surface is stationary without moving the liquid surface of the liquid filled in the container, the liquid surface and the container inner surface are in contact with each other and are raised. It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid level floating foreign object detection method and apparatus capable of detecting a certain foreign substance.

上述の目的を達成するため、本発明の液面浮遊異物検査方法の第１の態様は、容器内に充填された液体の液面又は液面付近に浮遊した異物を検出する検査方法において、容器の下方に配置された照明によって容器内を容器底面側から照明し、前記照明から容器内に入射した光を液面に集光させ、前記液面に集光した光の一部を液面と容器内面が接触する部位で液面が盛り上がった箇所に入射させ、この入射光を前記盛り上がった箇所の液面と気体との界面で反射させ、前記界面で反射した反射光を容器の側方に配置されたＣＣＤカメラにより撮像することを特徴とするものである。   In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a first aspect of the liquid level floating foreign matter inspection method of the present invention is a container in an inspection method for detecting foreign matters floating in or near the liquid level of a liquid filled in the container. Illuminates the inside of the container from the bottom side of the container by illumination disposed below the light, condenses the light incident on the container from the illumination on the liquid surface, and a part of the light condensed on the liquid surface as the liquid surface The incident surface is incident on a portion where the liquid level rises at the site where the inner surface of the container comes into contact. An image is picked up by a CCD camera arranged.

本発明によれば、容器の下方に配置された照明によって容器内を容器底面側から照明すると、容器内に入射した光は液面に集光し、液面に集光した光の一部は液面と容器内面が接触して盛り上がった箇所に入射し、この入射光が前記盛り上がった箇所の液面と気体との界面で反射し、この反射光がＣＣＤカメラに入射して撮影されるため、盛り上がった箇所が明るい画像部分になり、この盛り上がった箇所に異物が存在する場合には、異物は明るい背景の中に暗い影となって映り、この暗い影を判別することにより、異物を検出することができる。   According to the present invention, when the inside of the container is illuminated from the bottom side of the container by illumination arranged below the container, the light incident on the container is condensed on the liquid surface, and a part of the light collected on the liquid surface is Because the liquid surface and the inner surface of the container come into contact with each other and enter the raised area, and this incident light is reflected at the interface between the liquid surface and the gas at the raised area, and this reflected light is incident on the CCD camera and photographed. When the raised part becomes a bright image part, and there is a foreign object at this raised part, the foreign object appears as a dark shadow on a bright background, and the foreign object is detected by determining this dark shadow. can do.

本発明の好ましい態様は、前記照明から容器内に入射した光を、直接または容器内面で反射させて液面に集光させることを特徴とする。
本発明の好ましい態様は、容器を挟んで前記ＣＣＤカメラの反対側に配置された照明によって容器内を容器側面側から照明することを特徴とする。
本発明の好ましい態様は、前記盛り上がった箇所に存在する異物を前記界面で反射した反射光とともに前記ＣＣＤカメラにより撮像することを特徴とする。
本発明の好ましい態様は、前記異物が遮光性異物である場合には、前記ＣＣＤカメラにより得られた画像中では、反射光による画像部分が明るく、異物による画像部分が暗くなることを特徴とする。
本発明の好ましい態様は、前記異物が透過性異物である場合には、前記ＣＣＤカメラにより得られた画像中では、反射光による画像部分と比べて、異物による画像部分が異物内部の屈折により暗くなるか、または集光効果により周囲よりさらに明るくなることを特徴とする。 In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the light incident on the container from the illumination is reflected directly or on the inner surface of the container to be condensed on the liquid surface.
In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the interior of the container is illuminated from the side of the container by illumination disposed on the opposite side of the CCD camera with the container interposed therebetween.
In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the foreign matter present at the raised portion is imaged by the CCD camera together with the reflected light reflected at the interface.
In a preferred aspect of the present invention, when the foreign matter is a light-shielding foreign matter, an image portion due to reflected light is bright and an image portion due to the foreign matter is dark in an image obtained by the CCD camera. .
In a preferred aspect of the present invention, when the foreign matter is a transmissive foreign matter, in the image obtained by the CCD camera, the image portion due to the foreign matter is darker due to refraction inside the foreign matter than the image portion due to the reflected light. Or it becomes brighter than the surroundings due to the light collecting effect.

本発明の液面浮遊異物検査装置の第１の態様は、容器内に充填された液体の液面又は液面付近に浮遊した異物を検出する検査装置において、容器の下方に配置され、容器内を容器底面側から照明する照明と、容器の側方に配置されたＣＣＤカメラとを備え、前記照明によって容器内を容器底面側から照明し、前記照明から容器内に入射した光を液面に集光させ、前記液面に集光した光の一部を液面と容器内面が接触する部位で液面が盛り上がった箇所に入射させ、この入射光を前記盛り上がった箇所の液面と気体との界面で反射させ、前記界面で反射した反射光を前記ＣＣＤカメラにより撮像することを特徴とするものである。
本発明の好ましい態様は、前記照明から容器内に入射した光を、直接または容器内面で反射させて液面に集光させることを特徴とする。 A first aspect of the liquid level floating foreign matter inspection device of the present invention is an inspection device that detects a foreign matter floating in or near the liquid level of the liquid filled in the container, and is disposed below the container, And a CCD camera arranged on the side of the container. The interior of the container is illuminated from the container bottom side by the illumination, and the light incident on the container from the illumination is applied to the liquid surface. A portion of the light collected and condensed on the liquid surface is incident on a portion where the liquid surface is raised at a site where the liquid surface and the inner surface of the container are in contact, and this incident light is incident on the liquid surface and gas at the raised portion. The reflected light reflected by the interface is imaged by the CCD camera.
In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the light incident on the container from the illumination is reflected directly or on the inner surface of the container to be condensed on the liquid surface.

本発明によれば、容器の下方に配置された照明によって容器内を容器底面側から照明すると、容器内に入射した光は直接または容器内面で反射して液面に集光し、液面に集光した光の一部は液面と容器内面が接触して盛り上がった箇所に入射し、この入射光が前記盛り上がった箇所の液面と気体との界面で反射し、この反射光がＣＣＤカメラに入射して撮影されるため、盛り上がった箇所が明るい画像部分になり、この盛り上がった箇所に異物が存在する場合には、異物は明るい背景の中に暗い影となって映り、この暗い影を判別することにより、異物を検出することができる。
したがって、容器内に充填された液体の液面を移動させることなく液面が静止した状態において、液面と容器内面が接触して盛り上がった箇所にある異物を検出することができる。 According to the present invention, when the inside of the container is illuminated from the bottom surface side of the container by illumination disposed below the container, the light incident on the container is reflected directly or on the inner surface of the container and is condensed on the liquid surface. A part of the collected light is incident on the raised portion where the liquid surface and the inner surface of the container come into contact, and this incident light is reflected at the interface between the liquid surface and the gas at the raised portion, and this reflected light is reflected by the CCD camera. Since the image is incident and photographed, the raised part becomes a bright image part, and if there is a foreign object at this raised part, the foreign object appears as a dark shadow in the bright background. By determining, a foreign object can be detected.
Therefore, in a state where the liquid level is stationary without moving the liquid level of the liquid filled in the container, it is possible to detect a foreign object at a location where the liquid level and the inner surface of the container come into contact with each other.

図１は、液面浮遊異物検出方法を用いた例を示す正面図である。FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example using the liquid level floating foreign object detection method. 図２は、底面照明のみを点灯してＣＣＤカメラにより容器を撮影した画像である。FIG. 2 is an image obtained by photographing the container with a CCD camera with only the bottom illumination turned on. 図３は、底面照明と側面照明を同時に点灯してＣＣＤカメラにより容器を撮像した画像である。FIG. 3 is an image of the container imaged by the CCD camera with the bottom illumination and the side illumination turned on simultaneously. 図４は、底面照明からの光が容器に入射して、特に容器内面で反射して液面に集光される状態を示す図である。FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which light from the bottom illumination is incident on the container and is reflected on the inner surface of the container and is collected on the liquid surface. 図５は、液面と容器内面が接触して盛り上がった箇所に底面照明からの光が入射し、この入射光が盛り上がった箇所の界面で反射してカメラに入射する場合の光路を示す図である。FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an optical path when light from the bottom illumination is incident on a raised portion where the liquid surface and the inner surface of the container come into contact, and the incident light is reflected at the interface of the raised portion and enters the camera. is there. 図６は、容器の側面からの透過照明で液面付近を撮像した画像である。FIG. 6 is an image obtained by imaging the vicinity of the liquid level with transmitted illumination from the side surface of the container. 図７は、容器側面から容器に光を照射した場合の光路を示す図である。FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an optical path when light is applied to the container from the side surface of the container.

以下、本発明に係る液面浮遊異物検査方法及び装置の実施形態について図１乃至図５を参照して説明する。図１乃至図５において、同一または相当する構成要素には、同一の符号を付して重複した説明を省略する。
図１は、液面浮遊異物検査方法を実施する装置構成を示す正面図である。図１に示すように、容器１は、無色透明又は有色透明のガラス壜からなっており、飲料等の液体Ｌが充填されている。容器１の下方には、容器１内を容器底面側から照明する底面照明２が配置されている。底面照明２は、容器底面と同程度の面積をもった円板または平板であり、多数のＬＥＤを配列することにより構成されている。底面照明２は、容器１に拡散光を投光し、投光された拡散光は容器１の底面を透過して容器１内を照明するようになっている。 Hereinafter, embodiments of a liquid surface floating particle inspection method and apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an apparatus configuration for carrying out a liquid level floating foreign substance inspection method. As shown in FIG. 1, the container 1 is made of a colorless transparent or colored transparent glass bottle and filled with a liquid L such as a beverage. Below the container 1, a bottom illumination 2 for illuminating the inside of the container 1 from the container bottom side is disposed. The bottom illumination 2 is a circular plate or a flat plate having the same area as the bottom surface of the container, and is configured by arranging a large number of LEDs. The bottom illumination 2 projects diffused light onto the container 1, and the projected diffused light passes through the bottom of the container 1 to illuminate the inside of the container 1.

また、容器１の一側には、容器１内を容器側面側から照明する側面照明３が配置されている。側面照明３は、概略矩形の平板状をなし、多数のＬＥＤを縦横に配置することにより構成されている。側面照明３は、容器１の側面に拡散光を投光し、投光された拡散光は容器１の側面を透過して容器１内を照明するようになっている。容器１の他側には、ＣＣＤカメラ４が配置されている。すなわち、容器１を挟むように、側面照明３とＣＣＤカメラ４とが配置されている。ＣＣＤカメラ４の光軸４ｘは、容器１内の液体Ｌの液面Ｌｅと概略一致している。ＣＣＤカメラ４は、容器１を透過した透過光を容器１の側面から撮影するように構成されている。ＣＣＤカメラ４は、画像を処理する画像処理装置（図示せず）に接続されている。   Further, a side illumination 3 that illuminates the inside of the container 1 from the side of the container is disposed on one side of the container 1. The side illumination 3 has a substantially rectangular flat plate shape, and is configured by arranging a large number of LEDs vertically and horizontally. The side illumination 3 projects diffuse light onto the side surface of the container 1, and the diffused light thus projected passes through the side surface of the container 1 to illuminate the inside of the container 1. A CCD camera 4 is disposed on the other side of the container 1. That is, the side illumination 3 and the CCD camera 4 are arranged so as to sandwich the container 1. The optical axis 4x of the CCD camera 4 substantially coincides with the liquid level Le of the liquid L in the container 1. The CCD camera 4 is configured to photograph the transmitted light that has passed through the container 1 from the side surface of the container 1. The CCD camera 4 is connected to an image processing device (not shown) that processes images.

次に、図１に示すように構成された液面浮遊異物検査装置の作用を説明する。
まず、底面照明２のみを点灯し、側面照明３を消灯した場合について説明する。
底面照明２からの拡散光は、容器１の底面１ａに入射し、底面１ａを透過して容器１内に入射する。容器１内に入射した光の一部は、容器内面で反射を繰り返し、液面に集光される、また容器１内に入射した光の一部は、直接に液面に到達する。この場合、液体の表面張力および液体と容器壁面との付着力の影響で液面と容器内面が接触する部位で液面が急激に盛り上がるが、この盛り上がった箇所にも集光した光が到達し、到達した光の一部は円弧状の界面（液体と気体の境界の面）で反射し、反射光は容器１を透過してＣＣＤカメラ４に入射する。すなわち、液面と容器内面が接触して盛り上がった箇所に底面照明２からの光が入射し、この盛り上がった箇所で反射した反射光がＣＣＤカメラ４により撮影される。したがって、盛り上がった箇所がほぼ均一に明るい画像部分になる。 Next, the operation of the liquid level floating foreign substance inspection apparatus configured as shown in FIG. 1 will be described.
First, a case where only the bottom illumination 2 is turned on and the side illumination 3 is turned off will be described.
The diffused light from the bottom illumination 2 enters the bottom surface 1a of the container 1, passes through the bottom surface 1a, and enters the container 1. A part of the light incident on the container 1 is repeatedly reflected on the inner surface of the container and collected on the liquid surface, and a part of the light incident on the container 1 directly reaches the liquid surface. In this case, the surface of the liquid suddenly rises at the site where the liquid surface and the inner surface of the container come into contact due to the surface tension of the liquid and the adhesive force between the liquid and the wall of the container, but the condensed light reaches this raised area. A part of the reached light is reflected by an arc-shaped interface (a boundary surface between the liquid and gas), and the reflected light passes through the container 1 and enters the CCD camera 4. That is, the light from the bottom surface illumination 2 enters the portion where the liquid surface and the inner surface of the container are raised, and the reflected light reflected by the raised portion is photographed by the CCD camera 4. Therefore, the raised portion becomes a substantially uniformly bright image portion.

図２は、底面照明２のみを点灯してＣＣＤカメラ４により容器１を撮影した画像である。図２に示すように、盛り上がった箇所が明るい画像部分になっている。したがって、この盛り上がった箇所に異物（例えば、黒っぽい異物等の遮光性異物）が存在する場合には、異物は明るい背景の中に暗い影となって映る。図２には、明るい背景の中に小さい暗い影が明瞭に映っている。画像処理装置により、この暗い影を判別することにより、異物を検出することができる。   FIG. 2 is an image obtained by photographing the container 1 with the CCD camera 4 with only the bottom illumination 2 turned on. As shown in FIG. 2, the raised portion is a bright image portion. Therefore, when there is a foreign matter (for example, a light-shielding foreign matter such as a blackish foreign matter) at the raised portion, the foreign matter appears as a dark shadow on a bright background. FIG. 2 clearly shows a small dark shadow in a light background. A foreign object can be detected by discriminating this dark shadow by the image processing apparatus.

次に、底面照明２と側面照明３を同時に点灯した場合について説明する。
底面照明２からの光が容器１内の液面に集光し、この集光した光の一部が液面と容器内面が接触して盛り上がった箇所に入射し、この入射光が盛り上がった箇所で反射した反射光がＣＣＤカメラ４に入射して撮像されることは、上述したとおりである。
一方、側面照明３からの拡散光は、容器１の側面１ｂを透過して容器１内に入射する。容器１内に入射した光は、所定の屈折率で、液面上の空気中及び液面中を通過し、容器の外に出る。このため底面照明２だけでは暗かった部分、すなわち液面と容器内面が接触して盛り上がった部分の下側も側面照明３により明るく照らされる。 以上のように、底面照明２と側面照明３を調光することで、液面と容器内面が接触して盛り上がった部分から、その下側の液中部分までを同じように明るくすることができるため、液面とその付近にある異物の画像処理も容易となる。 Next, the case where the bottom illumination 2 and the side illumination 3 are turned on simultaneously will be described.
The light from the bottom illumination 2 is condensed on the liquid surface in the container 1, and a part of the collected light is incident on the raised portion where the liquid surface and the inner surface of the container are in contact, and the incident light is raised. As described above, the reflected light reflected by the laser beam enters the CCD camera 4 and is imaged.
On the other hand, the diffused light from the side illumination 3 passes through the side surface 1 b of the container 1 and enters the container 1. The light that has entered the container 1 passes through the air on the liquid surface and the liquid surface with a predetermined refractive index, and exits the container. For this reason, the side illumination 3 also brightly illuminates the portion that was dark only with the bottom illumination 2, that is, the lower side of the portion where the liquid level and the container inner surface contacted and raised. As described above, by dimming the bottom surface illumination 2 and the side surface illumination 3, the liquid surface and the inner surface of the container are in contact with each other and can be brightened in the same manner from the liquid portion below the liquid surface. Therefore, the image processing of the liquid surface and the foreign matter in the vicinity thereof is also facilitated.

図３は、底面照明２と側面照明３を同時に点灯してＣＣＤカメラ４により容器１を撮像した画像である。図３に示すように、盛り上がった箇所の明るさは図２のものより減少しているが、他の部分よりは明るくなっている。この盛り上がった箇所に異物（例えば、黒っぽい異物等の遮光性異物）が存在する場合には、異物は明るい背景の中に暗い影となって映る。図３には、明るい背景の中に小さい暗い影が明瞭に映っている。画像処理装置により、この暗い影を判別することにより、異物を検出することができる。   FIG. 3 is an image of the container 1 captured by the CCD camera 4 with the bottom illumination 2 and the side illumination 3 turned on simultaneously. As shown in FIG. 3, the brightness of the raised portion is reduced from that of FIG. 2, but is brighter than the other portions. When foreign matter (for example, light-shielding foreign matter such as black foreign matter) is present at the raised portion, the foreign matter appears as a dark shadow on a bright background. FIG. 3 clearly shows a small dark shadow in a light background. A foreign object can be detected by discriminating this dark shadow by the image processing apparatus.

図４は、底面照明２からの光が容器１内に入射して、特に容器内面で反射して液面に集光される状態を示す概略図である。
図４に示すように、底面照明２からの拡散光は、容器１の底面１ａを透過して容器１内に入射する。容器１内の液体に入射した光は、容器内面（容器壁面）で反射を繰り返し、また直進して液面に集光される。 FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which light from the bottom illumination 2 enters the container 1 and is reflected by the inner surface of the container and condensed on the liquid surface.
As shown in FIG. 4, the diffused light from the bottom illumination 2 passes through the bottom surface 1 a of the container 1 and enters the container 1. The light incident on the liquid in the container 1 is repeatedly reflected on the inner surface (container wall surface) of the container and travels straight and is collected on the liquid surface.

図５は、液面と容器内面が接触して盛り上がった箇所に底面照明２からの光が到達し、この盛り上がった箇所で反射した光がＣＣＤカメラ４により撮影される場合の光路を示す図である。
図５に示すように、液面と容器内面が接触する部位では液面が急激に盛り上がっているが、この盛り上がった箇所にも集光した光が到達し、その光の一部は円弧状の界面（液体と気体の境界の面）で反射し、反射光は容器１を透過してＣＣＤカメラ４に入射する。すなわち、液面と容器内面が接触して盛り上がった箇所に底面照明２からの光が入射し、この盛り上がった箇所で反射した光がＣＣＤカメラ４により撮影され、撮像画面上では、盛り上がった箇所が明るい画像部分になる。 FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an optical path when light from the bottom surface illumination 2 reaches a place where the liquid surface and the inner surface of the container are raised and the light reflected from the raised place is photographed by the CCD camera 4. is there.
As shown in FIG. 5, the liquid level suddenly rises at the site where the liquid level and the inner surface of the container are in contact with each other, but the collected light also reaches this raised location, and a part of the light has an arc shape. Reflected at the interface (surface of the boundary between liquid and gas), the reflected light passes through the container 1 and enters the CCD camera 4. That is, the light from the bottom surface illumination 2 is incident on a portion where the liquid surface and the inner surface of the container are raised, and the light reflected by the raised portion is photographed by the CCD camera 4, and the raised portion is displayed on the imaging screen. Brighter image area.

底面照明２および側面照明３は、白色光等の可視光であってもよいし、赤外光であってもよい。
また、図２および図５では、黒い遮光性異物を撮像する場合を例示したが、液面と容器内面が接触して盛り上がった箇所に透過性異物がある場合も撮像することができる、この場合、透過性異物は、盛り上がった箇所が明るくなった画像部分と比べて、異物内部の屈折により暗い画像部分として映るか、または集光効果によりさらに明るい画像部分として映る。
さらに、検出対象の異物によっては、カラーＣＣＤカメラを用いてもよい。異物が薄い黄色などの場合には、コントラストの違いでの判別が困難であるため、白黒カメラよりもカラーカメラが有効である。また、照明の色、明るさを適宜調整することなども背景と異物の間にコントラストをつけるために有効である。 The bottom illumination 2 and the side illumination 3 may be visible light such as white light or infrared light.
2 and 5 exemplify the case of imaging a black light-shielding foreign material, but it is also possible to image even when there is a transmissive foreign material at a location where the liquid surface and the inner surface of the container come into contact with each other. The transparent foreign matter appears as a dark image portion due to refraction inside the foreign matter, or as a brighter image portion due to the light collecting effect, as compared to an image portion where the raised portion becomes bright.
Furthermore, a color CCD camera may be used depending on the foreign object to be detected. When the foreign matter is light yellow or the like, it is difficult to discriminate due to the difference in contrast, so a color camera is more effective than a monochrome camera. In addition, adjusting the color and brightness of the illumination as appropriate is also effective for providing a contrast between the background and the foreign object.

これまで本発明の実施形態について説明したが、本発明は上述の実施形態に限定されず、その技術思想の範囲内において、種々の異なる形態で実施されてよいことは勿論である。   Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described so far, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that the present invention may be implemented in various different forms within the scope of the technical idea.

１ 容器
１ａ 容器の底面
１ｂ 容器の側面
２ 底面照明
３ 側面照明
４ ＣＣＤカメラ
４ｘ 光軸
Ｌ 液体
Ｌｅ 液面 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Container 1a Bottom surface of container 1b Side surface of container 2 Bottom illumination 3 Side illumination 4 CCD camera 4x Optical axis L Liquid Le Liquid surface

Claims (8)

容器内に充填された液体の液面又は液面付近に浮遊した異物を検出する検査方法において、
容器の下方に配置された照明によって容器内を容器底面側から照明し、
前記照明から容器内に入射した光を液面に集光させ、
前記液面に集光した光の一部を液面と容器内面が接触する部位で液面が盛り上がった箇所に入射させ、この入射光を前記盛り上がった箇所の液面と気体との界面で反射させ、
前記界面で反射した反射光を容器の側方に配置されたＣＣＤカメラにより撮像することを特徴とする液面浮遊異物検査方法。 In the inspection method for detecting foreign matter floating near or near the liquid level of the liquid filled in the container,
Illuminate the inside of the container from the bottom side of the container by illumination arranged below the container,
The light incident on the container from the illumination is condensed on the liquid surface,
A part of the light condensed on the liquid surface is incident on a portion where the liquid surface is raised at a portion where the liquid surface and the inner surface of the container are in contact, and this incident light is reflected at the interface between the liquid surface and the gas at the raised portion. Let
A liquid surface floating foreign matter inspection method, wherein the reflected light reflected at the interface is imaged by a CCD camera disposed on the side of the container. 前記照明から容器内に入射した光を、直接または容器内面で反射させて液面に集光させることを特徴とする請求項１記載の液面浮遊異物検査方法。   2. The liquid level floating foreign matter inspection method according to claim 1, wherein light incident on the container from the illumination is reflected directly or on the inner surface of the container to be condensed on the liquid surface. 容器を挟んで前記ＣＣＤカメラの反対側に配置された照明によって容器内を容器側面側から照明することを特徴とする請求項１又は２記載の液面浮遊異物検査方法。   3. The liquid level floating foreign substance inspection method according to claim 1, wherein the inside of the container is illuminated from the side surface of the container by illumination disposed on the opposite side of the CCD camera with the container interposed therebetween. 前記盛り上がった箇所に存在する異物を前記界面で反射した反射光とともに前記ＣＣＤカメラにより撮像することを特徴とする請求項１乃至３のいずれかに一項に記載の液面浮遊異物検査方法。   4. The liquid level floating foreign matter inspection method according to claim 1, wherein the foreign matter existing at the raised portion is imaged by the CCD camera together with reflected light reflected at the interface. 5. 前記異物が遮光性異物である場合には、前記ＣＣＤカメラにより得られた画像中では、反射光による画像部分が明るく、異物による画像部分が暗くなることを特徴とする請求項４記載の液面浮遊異物検査方法。   5. The liquid surface according to claim 4, wherein, when the foreign matter is a light-shielding foreign matter, an image portion due to reflected light is bright and an image portion due to the foreign matter is dark in an image obtained by the CCD camera. Floating foreign substance inspection method. 前記異物が透過性異物である場合には、前記ＣＣＤカメラにより得られた画像中では、反射光による画像部分と比べて、異物による画像部分が 異物内部の屈折により暗くなるか、または集光効果により周囲よりさらに明るくなることを特徴とする請求項４記載の液面浮遊異物検査方法。   In the case where the foreign matter is a transmissive foreign matter, in the image obtained by the CCD camera, the image portion due to the foreign matter becomes darker due to refraction inside the foreign matter or the light collecting effect than the image portion due to the reflected light. The liquid level floating foreign substance inspection method according to claim 4, wherein the liquid surface becomes brighter than the surroundings. 容器内に充填された液体の液面又は液面付近に浮遊した異物を検出する検査装置において、
容器の下方に配置され、容器内を容器底面側から照明する照明と、
容器の側方に配置されたＣＣＤカメラとを備え、
前記照明によって容器内を容器底面側から照明し、
前記照明から容器内に入射した光を液面に集光させ、
前記液面に集光した光の一部を液面と容器内面が接触する部位で液面が盛り上がった箇所に入射させ、この入射光を前記盛り上がった箇所の液面と気体との界面で反射させ、
前記界面で反射した反射光を前記ＣＣＤカメラにより撮像することを特徴とする液面浮遊異物検査装置。 In the inspection device that detects foreign matter floating near or near the liquid level of the liquid filled in the container,
Illumination that is arranged below the container and illuminates the inside of the container from the bottom side of the container;
A CCD camera disposed on the side of the container,
Illuminate the inside of the container from the bottom side of the container by the illumination,
The light incident on the container from the illumination is condensed on the liquid surface,
A part of the light condensed on the liquid surface is incident on a portion where the liquid surface is raised at a portion where the liquid surface and the inner surface of the container are in contact, and this incident light is reflected at the interface between the liquid surface and the gas at the raised portion. Let
An apparatus for inspecting a liquid surface floating foreign matter, wherein reflected light reflected at the interface is imaged by the CCD camera. 前記照明から容器内に入射した光を、直接または容器内面で反射させて液面に集光させることを特徴とする請求項７記載の液面浮遊異物検査装置。   8. The liquid level floating foreign substance inspection apparatus according to claim 7, wherein light incident on the container from the illumination is reflected directly or on the inner surface of the container to be condensed on the liquid surface.
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CN104848918A (en) * 2015-06-06 2015-08-19 长春工业大学 CCD-based essential oil filling measurement method

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