Line array camera scanning real-time focusing system

Abstract

The utility model relates to industrial camera focusing technical field especially a kind of linear array camera scanning real-time focusing system, including mobile module, mobile support, linear array camera, lens, fixed support and height sensor;Mobile support is set in the drive end of mobile module, linear array camera is set on mobile support, lens is installed on linear array camera, fixed support is set in the fixed end of mobile module, and it is located below lens, height sensor is set on fixed support, for obtaining the height variation of measured target, to adjust the distance between linear array camera and lens and measured target by mobile module.The utility model real-time monitoring the height variation of measured target by height sensor, and linkage control mobile module, effectively overcome the imaging fuzzy problem caused by the inconsistent or undulation of target plane height, ensure that image always remains clear in the whole scanning process, greatly improve image acquisition quality and stability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of industrial camera focusing technology, and in particular to a real-time focusing system for a line scan camera. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of industrial vision inspection, line scan camera systems are widely used in high-speed, high-precision surface quality inspection, dimensional measurement, and 3D contour reconstruction. However, in practical applications, the surface of the target object often exhibits unevenness, undulations, or flexible deformation, causing dynamic changes in the distance between the target and the camera lens. This results in the imaging area deviating from the depth of field, leading to image blurring and loss of detail, severely impacting inspection accuracy and reliability. Traditional focusing methods often employ pre-calibrated fixed focal lengths or manual adjustments, which are ill-suited to real-time requirements with varying heights. Especially during high-speed scanning, they cannot dynamically compensate for positional deviations, limiting the system's effectiveness in complex operating conditions.

[0003] While existing focusing methods based on image sharpness evaluation functions exist, they are computationally intensive and have slow response times, making them unsuitable for online detection with high real-time requirements. Furthermore, in conventional structural layouts, coupling vibrations or installation errors exist between the sensor and the moving parts of the camera, further increasing control complexity and measurement uncertainty. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a linear array camera focusing system capable of real-time response, high-precision positioning, and stable imaging to improve adaptability and detection efficiency in variable-distance scenarios. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the aforementioned issues, this invention achieves high-precision real-time dynamic focusing. By using a height sensor to monitor changes in the height of the target object in real time and coordinating with the movement module, the line scan camera and lens are driven to perform precise vertical displacement. This effectively overcomes the imaging blurring caused by inconsistent or undulating target plane heights, ensuring that the image remains clear throughout the scanning process. This significantly improves the image acquisition quality and stability of the line scan camera real-time focusing system.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by this utility model is: a real-time focusing system for a line scan camera, including a moving module, a moving bracket, a line scan camera, a lens, a fixed bracket, and a height sensor; the moving bracket is set at the driving end of the moving module, the line scan camera is set on the moving bracket, the lens is mounted on the line scan camera, the fixed bracket is set at the fixed end of the moving module and located below the lens, and the height sensor is set on the fixed bracket to acquire the height change of the target being measured, so as to adjust the distance between the line scan camera and the lens and the target being measured by the moving module.

[0006] A further improvement to the above solution is that the moving module is a linear module, the moving module includes a transmission element and a driving element, the moving bracket is mounted on the driving element, and the driving element is used to drive the transmission element to move the moving bracket.

[0007] A further improvement to the above solution is that the driving element is a servo motor.

[0008] A further improvement to the above solution is that the movable support includes a support plate, an adjustment component, and a fixed frame. The support plate is disposed on the movable module, the adjustment component is disposed on the support plate, and the fixed frame is disposed on the adjustment component. The adjustment component is used to adjust the lateral position of the fixed frame, and the line scan camera is disposed on the fixed frame and fixed by the fixed frame.

[0009] A further improvement to the above solution is that the fixed frame includes an upper fixed frame and a lower fixed frame, which are respectively disposed at the upper and lower ends of the fixed frame and are used to fix the upper and lower ends of the line scan camera.

[0010] A further improvement to the above solution is that the adjustment component is provided with a reinforcing rib, and the two ends of the reinforcing rib are respectively connected to an upper fixing frame and a lower fixing frame.

[0011] A further improvement to the above solution is that the lens is mounted on the camera end of the line scan camera, the camera end of the lens faces the fixed bracket, the fixed bracket is provided with a through groove, and the through groove faces the lens.

[0012] A further improvement to the above scheme is that a light source is provided on the outer periphery of the through groove for supplementing light to the target being measured.

[0013] A further improvement to the above scheme is that two height sensors are provided, with the two height sensors located on opposite sides of the light source.

[0014] A further improvement to the above solution is that the fixed bracket is an L-shaped bracket.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0016] Compared to existing camera scanning and focusing systems, this invention achieves high-precision real-time dynamic focusing. By using a height sensor to monitor changes in the height of the target in real time and coordinating with the moving module, it drives the linear array camera and lens to perform precise vertical displacement. This effectively overcomes the imaging blurring caused by inconsistent or undulating target plane heights, ensuring that the image remains clear throughout the scanning process and significantly improving image acquisition quality and stability. The height sensor enables the system to actively respond to changes in target height without manual intervention or pre-calibration, making it particularly suitable for uneven surfaces, flexible materials, or objects with three-dimensional deformation characteristics. This significantly expands the system's application range while improving detection efficiency and reliability. The coordinated layout of the moving module, moving support, and fixed support ensures both the stability and accuracy of camera movement and keeps the height sensor fixed close to the target position, reducing measurement errors and improving the real-time performance and accuracy of feedback control. This invention has significant application value in industrial visual inspection, material surface quality analysis, and three-dimensional contour measurement, effectively improving the accuracy and automation of online inspection and reducing labor costs. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the real-time focusing system for the line scan camera of this utility model.

[0018] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A stereoscopic diagram of a real-time focusing system using a mid-line array camera from another perspective;

[0019] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A side view of a real-time focusing system for a central line array camera.

[0020] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Moving module; 11. Transmission element; 12. Driving element; 2. Moving bracket; 21. Support plate; 22. Adjustment component; 221. Reinforcing rib; 23. Fixed frame; 231. Upper fixed frame; 232. Lower fixed frame; 3. Linear scan camera; 4. Lens; 5. Fixed bracket; 51. Through slot; 52. Light source; 6. Height sensor. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To facilitate understanding of this utility model, a more complete description will be given below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Preferred embodiments of this utility model are shown in the drawings. However, this utility model can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to provide a more thorough and complete understanding of the disclosure of this utility model.

[0022] It should be noted that when a component is said to be "fixed to" another component, it can be directly attached to the other component or there may be an intervening component. When a component is said to be "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or there may be an intervening component.

[0023] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Figures 1-3 As shown, in one embodiment of this utility model, a real-time focusing system for a line scan camera is disclosed, comprising a moving module 1, a moving support 2, a line scan camera 3, a lens 4, a fixed support 5, and a height sensor 6. The moving support 2 is disposed at the driving end of the moving module 1, the line scan camera 3 is disposed on the moving support 2, the lens 4 is mounted on the line scan camera 3, the fixed support 5 is disposed at the fixed end of the moving module 1 and located below the lens 4, and the height sensor 6 is disposed on the fixed support 5 for acquiring the height change of the target being measured, so as to adjust the distance between the line scan camera 3 and the lens 4 and the target being measured by the moving module 1. This embodiment achieves high-precision real-time dynamic focusing. By monitoring the height change of the target being measured in real time by the height sensor 6 and controlling the moving module 1 in conjunction, the line scan camera 3 and the lens 4 are driven to perform precise vertical displacement, effectively overcoming the imaging blurring problem caused by inconsistent or undulating target plane height, ensuring that the image remains clear throughout the scanning process, and significantly improving the image acquisition quality and stability. The integration of height sensor 6 enables the system to proactively respond to changes in target height without manual intervention or pre-calibration. This is particularly suitable for uneven surfaces, flexible materials, or objects with three-dimensional deformation characteristics, significantly expanding the system's application range while improving detection efficiency and reliability. The coordinated arrangement of the moving module 1, moving support 2, and fixed support 5 ensures both the stability and accuracy of camera movement, while keeping height sensor 6 fixed close to the target position, reducing measurement errors and improving the real-time performance and accuracy of feedback control. This embodiment has significant application value in industrial visual inspection, material surface quality analysis, and three-dimensional contour measurement, effectively improving the accuracy and automation of online inspection while reducing labor costs.

[0024] The moving module 1 is a linear module, comprising a transmission element 11 and a drive element 12. The moving support 2 is mounted on the drive element 12, which drives the transmission element 11 to move the moving support 2. Specifically, the drive element 12 is a servo motor. In this embodiment, high-precision and high-response position control is achieved. The servo motor possesses superior control accuracy, fast response characteristics, and good torque stability. It can accurately receive the height signal fed back by the height sensor 6 and quickly and smoothly drive the moving support 2 to make micro or large adjustments via the transmission element 11 (such as a lead screw or synchronous belt), thereby maintaining the optimal focusing distance between the lens 4 and the target in real time. This system overcomes the problems of lag and insufficient accuracy in traditional manual or stepper motor adjustments, and is especially suitable for maintaining stable imaging under high-speed scanning conditions. It enhances the rigidity and motion stability of the system. The linear module itself has high rigidity, low friction, and good guiding performance. The combination of the servo motor and the linear module further ensures no jitter or deviation during movement, effectively avoiding image blurring or focus misalignment caused by mechanical vibration, and improving imaging consistency and measurement repeatability. Servo motors can be efficiently integrated with control systems, support closed-loop control, adapt to complex and ever-changing working environments and scenarios with sudden changes in target height, reduce the difficulty of debugging and maintenance of the overall system, and provide a reliable guarantee for continuous, stable, and high-quality image acquisition in industrial settings.

[0025] The movable support 2 includes a support plate 21, an adjustment component 22, and a fixed frame 23. The support plate 21 is mounted on the movable module 1, the adjustment component 22 is mounted on the support plate 21, and the fixed frame 23 is mounted on the adjustment component 22. The adjustment component 22 is used to adjust the lateral position of the fixed frame 23. The line scan camera 3 is mounted on the fixed frame 23 and fixed by the fixed frame 23. Specifically, the fixed frame 23 includes an upper fixed frame 231 and a lower fixed frame 232, which are respectively mounted at the upper and lower ends of the fixed frame 23 and used to fix the upper and lower ends of the line scan camera 3. The adjustment component 22 is provided with a reinforcing rib plate 221, and the two ends of the reinforcing rib plate 221 are respectively connected to the upper fixed frame 231 and the lower fixed frame 232. In this embodiment, the stability of camera installation and the accuracy of position adjustment are improved. Through the layout of the upper and lower double fixed frames, the constraint on the line scan camera 3 along the optical axis is more uniform, effectively suppressing the swaying or offset caused by vibration or movement, and ensuring the stability of the imaging optical path. The adjustment component 22 allows for fine-tuning in the lateral direction, facilitating flexible calibration of the camera's field of view or alignment of the scan path according to actual applications, enhancing system adaptability and assembly tolerance. It also strengthens the overall structural rigidity and resistance to deformation. The reinforcing ribs 221 form a stable connection between the upper and lower fixing frames 232, significantly improving the bending and torsional strength of the fixing frame 23, preventing frame deformation due to the camera's own weight or high-speed movement, and further ensuring camera pose accuracy. Especially in long-term continuous operation or high-frequency adjustment scenarios, this structure can maintain high mechanical stability, avoiding focusing errors caused by structural slack.

[0026] Lens 4 is mounted on the imaging end of line array camera 3, with the imaging end of lens 4 facing fixed bracket 5. Fixed bracket 5 has a through slot 51 facing lens 4. A light source 52 is arranged around the outer periphery of through slot 51 for supplemental lighting of the target. Specifically, two height sensors 6 are provided, located on opposite sides of the light source 52. In this embodiment, uniform and stable illumination is achieved, effectively eliminating imaging interference. The ring light source 52 layout around through slot 51 can form a shadowless, low-reflection, uniform diffuse light field on the surface of the target, overcoming the problems of shadows, uneven brightness, or specular reflection that are easily caused by unidirectional illumination, and improving image contrast and feature recognition. In conjunction with the through slot 51 structure, stray light interference with the field of view of lens 4 can be avoided, and the light path and illumination can be ensured to not block each other, making it suitable for clear imaging of highly reflective, dark, or complex textured targets. The symmetrical arrangement of the two height sensors 6 improves ranging accuracy and fault tolerance. Two sensors, located on either side of the light source 52, can simultaneously acquire height data from different positions on the target surface. Through fusion processing, errors caused by local unevenness or tilt in single-point measurements can be eliminated, and the effects of installation deviations or environmental vibrations can be compensated for. This enhances adaptability to irregular surfaces or dynamic targets, providing more reliable height feedback for real-time focusing. The integrated design of the through-slot 51 and the light source 52 saves space and facilitates assembly, while avoiding interference from moving parts by additional illumination modules. The symmetrical configuration of the dual sensors not only facilitates data calibration but also improves the system's response consistency and stability during high-speed scanning, making it particularly suitable for demanding applications such as industrial online inspection.

[0027] The fixed bracket 5 is an L-shaped bracket. In this embodiment, the L-shaped bracket creates a more optimized spatial layout and optical path stability. By setting the through slot 51 and the light source 52 on the vertical arm of the L-shape, while the horizontal arm is fixed to the body, a stable orthogonal relationship is formed between the optical axis of the lens 4, the center of the through slot 51, and the plane of the target being measured, effectively reducing optical path offset caused by structural deformation or assembly errors. This layout achieves tight integration of the light source 52, sensor, and imaging components within a limited space, avoiding mutual interference and improving overall mechanical stability, making it particularly suitable for vibration resistance requirements under high-speed scanning conditions.

[0028] The above embodiments only illustrate several implementation methods of this utility model, and their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of this utility model patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this utility model, and these all fall within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A real-time focusing system for a line scan camera, characterized in that: The device includes a mobile module, a mobile support, a line scan camera, a lens, a fixed support, and a height sensor. The mobile support is located at the drive end of the mobile module, the line scan camera is mounted on the mobile support, the lens is mounted on the line scan camera, the fixed support is located at the fixed end of the mobile module and below the lens, and the height sensor is located on the fixed support. The sensor is used to acquire the height change of the target being measured, so as to adjust the distance between the line scan camera and the lens and the target being measured by the mobile module.

2. The real-time focusing system for a line scan camera according to claim 1, characterized in that: The moving module is a linear module, which includes a transmission element and a drive element. The moving bracket is mounted on the drive element, and the drive element is used to drive the transmission element to move the moving bracket.

3. The real-time focusing system for a line scan camera according to claim 2, characterized in that: The driving element is a servo motor.

4. The real-time focusing system for a line scan camera according to claim 1, characterized in that: The movable support includes a support plate, an adjustment component, and a fixed frame. The support plate is mounted on the movable module, the adjustment component is mounted on the support plate, and the fixed frame is mounted on the adjustment component. The adjustment component is used to adjust the lateral position of the fixed frame. The line scan camera is mounted on the fixed frame and fixed by the fixed frame.

5. The real-time focusing system for a line scan camera according to claim 4, characterized in that: The fixed frame includes an upper fixed frame and a lower fixed frame, which are respectively disposed at the upper and lower ends of the fixed frame and are used to fix the upper and lower ends of the line scan camera.

6. The real-time focusing system for a line scan camera according to claim 5, characterized in that: The adjustment assembly is provided with a reinforcing rib plate, and the two ends of the reinforcing rib plate are respectively connected to an upper fixing frame and a lower fixing frame.

7. The real-time focusing system for a line scan camera according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lens is mounted on the camera end of the line scan camera, with the camera end of the lens facing the fixed bracket. The fixed bracket is provided with a through groove, which faces the lens.

8. The real-time focusing system for a line scan camera according to claim 7, characterized in that: A light source is provided on the outer periphery of the through groove to provide supplemental lighting to the target being tested.

9. The real-time focusing system for a line scan camera according to claim 8, characterized in that: Two height sensors are provided, and the two height sensors are located on both sides of the light source.

10. The real-time focusing system for a line scan camera according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixed bracket is an L-shaped bracket.

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