A washing machine appearance defect detection device

Abstract

The embodiment of the application provides a washing machine appearance defect detection device, comprising: a rack; a rotary drive assembly located below the rack, the rotary drive assembly being used for clamping a washing machine inner drum and driving the washing machine inner drum to rotate along its own axis; an image acquisition assembly located above the rack, the image acquisition assembly being used for image acquisition of appearance defects of the washing machine inner drum; and a control assembly connected with the rotary drive assembly and the image acquisition assembly respectively, the control assembly being used for controlling the rotary drive assembly and the image acquisition assembly to act respectively. The rotary drive assembly is arranged on the rack, the washing machine inner drum is driven to rotate around its own central axis, the surface of the cylinder is exposed to the detection field of view through rotation, manual overturning is not needed, and full-circumferential automatic detection is realized; the detection coverage is high, and a blind area is avoided; the image acquisition assembly implements shooting on the appearance image of the surface of the washing machine cylinder, and provides data for subsequent defect identification.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of product defect detection technology, and more specifically, to a device for detecting appearance defects in a washing machine. Background Technology

[0002] For front-loading washing machines, the inner drum is secured by a multi-layered structure with high-strength screws, bearing immense centrifugal force during high-speed spin-drying. If screws are missing, loose, or lack sufficient torque, it can lead to inner drum imbalance, abnormal noises, and even structural cracking, directly impacting the washing machine's lifespan and user safety. Especially in high-end models (such as washer-dryer combos), failed inner drum screws can also cause hot air leakage during drying, posing a fire hazard. Therefore, the integrity of screw assembly is a critical safety indicator for washing machine quality control.

[0003] Relying on traditional manual visual inspection methods, the inspection time for a single item is too long (typically ≥30 seconds), forming a bottleneck in the production line cycle time and causing an overall decrease in production efficiency of 20%-30%.

[0004] High labor costs: Each production line requires 2-3 full-time quality inspectors, and the daily labor cost exceeds 3,000 yuan based on three shifts. In addition, there is the risk of repeated investment in training costs due to staff turnover.

[0005] Uncontrollable quality management: Test results heavily rely on worker experience, and the rate of missed detection varies greatly among different operators, making it impossible to establish a unified judgment standard.

[0006] Significant losses in after-sales quality: The market defect rate due to human error in inspection is as high as 1.8%-3.5%, and the annual after-sales repair cost for a single model exceeds 2 million yuan, with a significant risk of damage to brand reputation. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This application provides a washing machine appearance defect detection device to solve the problems of long time consumption and low production efficiency of existing manual visual inspection.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides the following technical solution:

[0009] A device for detecting appearance defects in a washing machine, comprising:

[0010] frame;

[0011] A rotary drive assembly is located below the frame. The rotary drive assembly is used to clamp the inner tub of the washing machine and drive the inner tub of the washing machine to rotate along its own axis.

[0012] An image acquisition component, located above the frame, is used to acquire images of external defects in the inner drum of the washing machine.

[0013] A control component is connected to the rotation drive component and the image acquisition component respectively, and is used to control the operation of the rotation drive component and the image acquisition component respectively.

[0014] In one alternative embodiment, a support frame is also included, located laterally below the frame;

[0015] The rotation drive assembly includes:

[0016] A rotating clamping disc is used to clamp the outer bottom of the inner tub of the washing machine;

[0017] The rotary drive component is connected at one end to the support frame and at the other end to the rotary clamping disk, thereby driving the rotary clamping disk to rotate.

[0018] In one alternative embodiment, it further includes:

[0019] A shifting clamping fixture is located on the support frame along its length, and the shifting clamping fixture is used to move the inner tub of the washing machine on the support frame.

[0020] In one optional embodiment, the shifting clamping fixture includes two sets of shifting clamping assemblies symmetrically arranged in the vertical direction, each of the shifting clamping assemblies comprising:

[0021] The shifting clamping plate is composed of a first arc surface and a first alignment plane. The first arc surface is used to support the inner wall of the bottom circumferential outer edge of the washing machine. The two first arc surfaces and the two second arc surfaces form a circular structure.

[0022] In one alternative embodiment, the shifting clamping assembly further includes:

[0023] A push-drive component, one end of which is connected to the shifting clamping plate, drives the shifting clamping plate to move laterally along the support frame;

[0024] A linear motion component is connected at one end to the support frame and at the other end to the push drive component, for driving the push drive component to move along the length direction of the support frame.

[0025] In one alternative embodiment, the linear motion component includes:

[0026] A linear slide rail is located on the support frame along its length;

[0027] A sliding member is located on the linear slide rail and moves along the linear slide rail. The sliding member is fixedly connected to the push drive member via a mounting base.

[0028] In one alternative embodiment, it further includes:

[0029] A marking component, located above the frame, is used to mark the inner tub of the washing machine; the marking component is connected to the control component.

[0030] In one alternative embodiment, the marking component and the image acquisition component are disposed opposite each other at both ends of the width direction of the frame.

[0031] In one alternative embodiment, the rotary drive assembly comprises at least two sets, spaced apart along the length of the support frame.

[0032] In one alternative embodiment, it further includes:

[0033] A display screen assembly, connected to the control assembly, is used to display the detection results.

[0034] This application provides a washing machine appearance defect detection device, comprising: a frame; a rotation drive assembly located below the frame, the rotation drive assembly being used to clamp the inner tub of the washing machine and drive the inner tub of the washing machine to rotate along its own axis; an image acquisition assembly located above the frame, used to acquire images of appearance defects of the inner tub of the washing machine; and a control assembly connected to the rotation drive assembly and the image acquisition assembly respectively, used to control the operation of the rotation drive assembly and the image acquisition assembly respectively.

[0035] The washing machine appearance defect detection device provided in this application embodiment has the following technical advantages compared with the prior art:

[0036] This application features a rotary drive assembly mounted on a frame, which rotates the inner drum of the washing machine around its central axis. This rotation exposes the drum surface 360° to the inspection field of view, eliminating the need for manual flipping and achieving fully circumferential automatic inspection. It boasts high inspection coverage, avoiding blind spots. An image acquisition assembly captures images of the washing machine drum surface, providing data for subsequent defect identification. By automating the process to replace human judgment, the inspection speed is fast, the results are objective and repeatable, and it is unaffected by operator experience or fatigue. This reduces reliance on skilled quality inspectors, lowering labor costs. Simultaneously, it avoids missed inspections and misjudgments due to human error, improving the yield rate of finished products. Attached Figure Description

[0037] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of this application and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments and are used to explain this application, but do not constitute an undue limitation of this application. In the drawings:

[0038] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the working structure of a washing machine appearance defect detection device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0039] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a washing machine appearance defect detection device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Front view structural diagram;

[0041] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A magnified schematic diagram of a local structure;

[0042] Figure 5 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the rear view structure.

[0043] The following labels are shown in the attached diagram:

[0044] 1. Frame; 2. Rotary drive assembly; 3. Image acquisition assembly; 4. Shifting and clamping assembly; 5. Marking assembly; 6. Washing machine inner drum;

[0045] Support frame 11;

[0046] Rotary clamping plate 21;

[0047] The components include a shifting clamping plate 41, a first arc surface 411, a push-drive component 42, a linear movement assembly 43, a linear slide rail 431, and a sliding component 432. Detailed Implementation

[0048] This invention discloses a device for detecting defects in the appearance of washing machines, in order to solve the problems of long time consumption and low production efficiency of existing manual visual inspection.

[0049] To make the technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the exemplary embodiments of this application will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not an exhaustive list of all embodiments. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of this application can be combined with each other.

[0050] Please see Figure 1-5 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the working structure of a washing machine appearance defect detection device provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a washing machine appearance defect detection device provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 3 for Figure 2 Front view structural diagram; Figure 4 for Figure 2 A magnified schematic diagram of a local structure; Figure 5 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the rear view structure.

[0051] Example 1

[0052] In one specific embodiment, the washing machine appearance defect detection device provided in this application includes a frame 1, a rotation drive assembly 2, an image acquisition assembly 3, and a control assembly; the rotation drive assembly 2 is located below the frame 1 and is used to clamp the inner tub 6 of the washing machine and drive the inner tub 6 to rotate along its own axis; the image acquisition assembly 3 is located above the frame 1 and is used to acquire images of appearance defects of the inner tub 6; the control assembly is connected to the rotation drive assembly 2 and the image acquisition assembly 3 respectively and is used to control the operation of the rotation drive assembly 2 and the image acquisition assembly 3 respectively.

[0053] The frame 1 serves as the supporting structure for the entire device and is typically constructed by welding or assembling profiles (such as aluminum profiles or steel structures). It is used to fix and support other functional modules (rotary drive components, image acquisition components 3, etc.), ensuring system rigidity and stability, and reducing the impact of vibration on image acquisition accuracy.

[0054] The rotary drive assembly 2 is located below the frame 1, positioning, clamping, and rotating the inner tub 6 of the washing machine from the bottom. It can be configured as a lifting clamping mechanism, a central positioning cone, or a V-block to ensure the coaxiality of the inner tub. After the inner tub 6 is clamped, it can rotate at a constant speed or in steps, so that the entire outer surface passes through the detection area in sequence, achieving 360° full coverage detection. Through rotation, the entire circumferential surface can be scanned without a multi-angle camera. It improves detection efficiency: compared with manual flipping or fixed photography, automated rotation significantly shortens the cycle time. It ensures detection consistency: the rotation speed and position are controllable, avoiding missed detections or repeated detections. It is compatible with multiple models: the clamping mechanism can be designed to be adjustable, compatible with inner tubs of different diameters / heights.

[0055] Image acquisition component 3 is installed on the top of the frame 1 or the upper crossbeam, facing the outer surface of the rotating inner barrel. It can be configured as an industrial camera, lens, or light source system, etc. Specifically, the camera can be a continuous shooting area scan camera or a line scan camera combined with rotational motion to stitch images, thereby achieving high-precision imaging. A dedicated optical system can identify micron-level defects. Non-contact detection is used to avoid secondary damage caused by mechanical contact. Each product has an image record, supporting quality backtracking and SPC analysis. Flexible configuration: the light source or camera can be replaced according to the defect type to adapt to different detection needs.

[0056] The control components may include an industrial computer, a PLC, and a motion controller; they control the start and stop, speed, and rotation angle of the rotary drive component 2, and trigger the camera to take pictures at specific positions or time points; ensuring that the camera is triggered in the optimal position to avoid image blurring or misalignment, and achieving high-precision synchronous control: the entire process from feeding → rotation → taking pictures → analysis → sorting is completed automatically, realizing automated closed-loop detection.

[0057] The specific workflow includes: the operator or robotic arm places the inner tub 6 of the washing machine onto the rotation drive assembly; the clamping mechanism automatically positions and clamps the inner tub; the control assembly starts the servo motor, driving the inner tub to rotate at a uniform speed; simultaneously, the image acquisition assembly 3 takes pictures at a preset frequency to acquire continuous surface images; the vision system in the control assembly analyzes the images in real time to determine whether there are defects such as scratches, dents, rust, and oil stains; after inspection, the inner tub is released, OK products flow into the next process, and NG products are alarmed or rejected. It can automatically rotate and continuously image, with an inspection cycle of 10–30 seconds per piece, far exceeding manual inspection; it can identify defects at the 0.1mm level, with high repeatability and no fatigue error; it replaces 2–3 visual inspection workers, reducing labor costs and management difficulty; standardized judgment eliminates subjective differences and improves the factory pass rate; it supports image storage, defect classification statistics, and quality trend analysis.

[0058] The washing machine appearance defect detection device provided in this application embodiment has the following technical advantages compared with the prior art:

[0059] This application features a rotary drive assembly mounted on a frame, which rotates the inner drum of the washing machine around its central axis. This rotation exposes the drum surface 360° to the inspection field of view, eliminating the need for manual flipping and achieving fully circumferential automatic inspection. It boasts high inspection coverage, avoiding blind spots. An image acquisition assembly captures images of the washing machine drum surface, providing data for subsequent defect identification. By automating the process to replace human judgment, the inspection speed is fast, the results are objective and repeatable, and it is unaffected by operator experience or fatigue. This reduces reliance on skilled quality inspectors, lowering labor costs. Simultaneously, it avoids missed inspections and misjudgments due to human error, improving the yield rate of finished products.

[0060] In one embodiment, a support frame 11 is also included, which is located laterally below the frame 1;

[0061] Rotary drive assembly 2 includes:

[0062] Rotary clamping disc 21 is used to clamp the outer bottom of the washing machine;

[0063] The rotary drive unit is connected at one end to the support frame 11 and at the other end to the rotary clamping disk 21, which drives the rotary clamping disk 21 to rotate.

[0064] The rotating clamping disc 21 can be configured as a disc-shaped fixture, installed at the output end of the rotating drive component; its upper surface is equipped with a positioning structure, such as a central positioning cone and a ring-shaped support lamp; it can stably support and clamp the bottom of the inner barrel, preventing shaking, eccentricity or falling off during rotation; through central positioning and clamping, it ensures that the rotation axis of the inner barrel coincides with the ideal detection axis, avoiding image distortion; even at high speeds (such as above 60 rpm), the inner barrel will not slip or fly off; the clamping disc can be modularly replaced to adapt to inner barrels of different diameters or bottom structures (such as with or without reinforcing ribs); the contact surface can be fitted with soft materials (such as polyurethane) to avoid damaging the barrel body.

[0065] The rotary drive can be configured as a servo motor and reducer, and integrates a coupling and other structures. Its fixed end is mounted on the support frame 11, and its output end is connected to the rotary clamping plate 21. During operation, the rotary drive outputs torque, which drives the clamping plate and the inner barrel to rotate uniformly or stepwise around their own axis.

[0066] The servo system can achieve constant speed rotation, fixed-point stop, and angle synchronous triggering for taking pictures; the drive components are external, which is convenient for maintenance or replacement; it works in conjunction with the shifting system: the support frame 11 serves as a common base, enabling the shifting clamping fixture and the rotary drive components to operate in a coordinated manner in space, avoiding interference.

[0067] Furthermore, the rotating clamping disc 21 is composed of Y-shaped grooves to cooperate with the protruding ribs at the bottom of the washing machine inner tub to clamp the washing machine inner tub.

[0068] The support frame 11 is the load-bearing mechanism of the frame 1, and is usually a linear guide platform or a roller conveyor frame, etc. The support frame 11 is arranged horizontally below the frame 1 to provide a running track for the shifting clamping tool. The support frame 11 is perpendicular to the axis of the inner tub 6 of the washing machine and is usually consistent with the production line flow direction. This ensures that the inner tub does not shake or deviate during the conveying process, provides a stable moving base, and utilizes the unused space below the frame 1 to simplify the spatial structure.

[0069] In one embodiment, the shifting clamping fixture is located on the support frame 11 along the length direction, and the shifting clamping fixture is used to drive the inner tub 6 of the washing machine to move on the support frame 11.

[0070] The shifting clamping fixture, including the clamping mechanism, drive unit, and guide system, moves back and forth on the support frame 11 to complete the process of picking up the material, feeding it into the detection position, and sending it out after detection. It does not require manual intervention and realizes full automation of "placing the bucket → detection → picking up the bucket". Servo control can repeatedly position the inner bucket to the clamping center of the rotary drive component with an error of ≤±0.1mm. Shifting and rotary detection can be partially parallelized, which can improve cycle efficiency.

[0071] Furthermore, the shifting clamping fixture includes two sets of shifting clamping assemblies 4 arranged symmetrically in the vertical direction, each shifting clamping assembly 4 including:

[0072] The shifting clamping plate 41 is composed of a first arc surface 411 and a first alignment plane. The first arc surface 411 is used to support the inner wall of the bottom circumferential outer edge of the washing machine.

[0073] The shifting clamping fixture adopts a symmetrical double-clamping wall structure, providing support from the inside to the outside of the inner barrel on both sides to ensure force balance and prevent tilting; it also ensures stable clamping, avoiding unilateral force that could cause the inner barrel to skew, thus improving repeatability accuracy. The shifting clamping plate 41 directly contacts the tooling surface of the inner barrel, providing local support and positioning, and together with the rotating clamping plate 21, completes full-circumference support.

[0074] The first arc surface 411 of the shifting clamping plate 41 matches the curvature of the outer wall of the inner barrel, providing radial support; the first alignment plane and the second alignment plane are aligned, so that the two first arc surfaces 411 and the two second arc surfaces form a circular structure. The first arc surface 411 applies clamping force radially outward from the outside, so that the inner barrel is stably supported. Its clamping is reliable and can adapt to vibration and the impact of rotation start and stop. No internal support is required, and it avoids obstructing the surface to be inspected. The two shifting clamping plates 41 provide two first arc surfaces 411 on the top and bottom, and the rotating clamping plate 21 provides two second arc surfaces on the left and right. The four arcs together form a complete circular inner cavity. This effectively avoids local stress concentration and reduces deformation; the four-point circular positioning ensures that the rotation axis of the inner barrel coincides with the ideal axis; the shifting side is responsible for conveying and initial positioning, and the rotating side is responsible for fine positioning and driving, with clear division of labor.

[0075] In one embodiment, the shifting clamping assembly 4 further includes:

[0076] The push drive component 42 is connected at one end to the shifting clamping plate 41. The push drive component 42 drives the shifting clamping plate 41 to move laterally along the support frame 11.

[0077] The linear motion component 43 is connected at one end to the support frame 11 and at the other end to the push drive component 42, which is used to drive the push drive component 42 to move along the length direction of the support frame 11.

[0078] The push drive component 42 is typically a cylinder, electric cylinder, or servo push rod; its output end is connected to the shift clamping plate 41. Two sets of symmetrically arranged shift clamping components 4 support the inner wall of the inner barrel from the upper and lower sides in the vertical direction, that is, clamp the inner barrel radially from the inside to the outside; drive the shift clamping plate 41 to extend or retract laterally along the support frame 11 to realize the forward and backward clamping action. When extended, the shift clamping plate 41 approaches the inner barrel and completes the clamping. When the shift clamping plate 41 retracts, it releases the inner barrel and avoids the rotating drive component; it can independently control the push action, does not depend on the overall transfer, and can finely adjust the push position; it can be driven by pneumatic or electric power, the clamping or releasing time is short, and it retracts when not in the working position to avoid collision with the rotating clamping plate 21.

[0079] The linear motion component 43 is a linear module, including a guide rail and slider, or a servo motor and ball screw, etc. The linear motion component 43 is mounted on the support frame 11 and is set along the length direction of the support frame 11. The load end is connected to the entire push drive component 42, which drives it to move along the length direction of the support frame 11 to realize the transfer of the inner barrel between different work stations. The clamped inner barrel is transported from the loading position, the detection position and the unloading position along the production line direction.

[0080] Understandably, when the inner tub 6 of the washing machine needs to be moved, the push-pull drive component 42 extends laterally along the support frame 11 until the shifting clamping plate 41 supports the inner wall of the bottom circumferential outer edge of the inner tub. The shifting clamping plates 41 on both the upper and lower sides push and support the inner tub 6 from the rotating clamping plate 21, thus clamping the inner tub 6. The linear movement component 43 drives the push-pull drive component 42 and the shifting clamping plate 41 to move along the length of the support frame 11 to the next work station, thus achieving work station switching. The linear movement component 43 bears the weight of the entire clamping mechanism and the inner tub. It adopts a servo linear module arranged along the length of the support frame 11, which has good rigidity, long service life, and accurate positioning.

[0081] Furthermore, the linear motion component 43 includes:

[0082] Linear slide rail 431 is located on support frame 11 along its length;

[0083] The sliding member 432 is located on the linear slide rail 431 and moves along the linear slide rail 431. The sliding member 432 is fixedly connected to the push drive member 42 via the mounting base.

[0084] The linear slide rail 431 is a high-precision rolling linear guide pair, composed of a fixed guide rail and a movable slider; it is installed on the top or side wall of the support frame 11, with its axis along the length direction of the support frame 11; it provides a guiding foundation with high rigidity, low friction and high repeat precision for the entire transfer mechanism. The straightness error is ≤0.02mm / m to ensure the transfer trajectory is straight; it can bear the dynamic load of the clamping mechanism plus the inner barrel (including the inertial force during start and stop); it adopts rolling friction without crawling phenomenon, so as to avoid vibration interfering with image acquisition; long service life and maintenance-free: the sealed slider can prevent dust, which is suitable for industrial sites.

[0085] The sliding member 432 is usually a slider matching the linear slide rail 431, or a mobile platform / sliding table integrated with a slider; it is mounted on the linear slide rail 431 and can slide freely; it is firmly connected to the pushing driving member 42 (such as an air cylinder or an electric cylinder) through a rigid mounting seat (such as a steel plate bracket or an aluminum alloy connecting plate); the other end of the pushing driving member 42 is connected to the displacement clamping disk 41 for clamping the inner barrel. The sliding member 432 and the mounting seat are of standard interfaces, which are convenient for assembly and replacement; they avoid posture offset caused by flexible connection and ensure clamping stability; the control logic is clear; strong adaptability: the mounting seat can be customized and is compatible with different models of the pushing driving member 42.

[0086] Embodiment 2

[0087] In one embodiment, the system further comprises:

[0088] A marking assembly 5, located above the frame 1, configured to mark the washing machine inner barrel 6; the marking assembly 5 is connected to the control assembly.

[0089] The marking assembly 5 is located on the top of the frame 1 or on the cantilever structure, directly facing the detection station of the washing machine inner barrel 6 below; the marking assembly 5 is preferably a laser marking machine, which can mark two-dimensional codes, pass / fail symbols, defect position codes, etc. The idle space above the frame 1 is utilized to improve the space utilization rate; high alignment precision: fixed installation, coaxial or adjacent to the image acquisition field of view, which facilitates coordinate mapping; non-contact operation: avoiding secondary damage caused by mechanical contact. Marking is performed according to the detection result, for example: marking "OK" or a serial number on a qualified product; marking "NG" or a defect type code (such as "SCRATCH-03") on an unqualified product; defect positioning marking: dotting or coding near the defect to facilitate rework positioning.

[0090] Each product has a unique identifier, supporting quality traceability; automatic marking avoids missed or incorrect marking; marking information can be linked to the MES system, achieving end-to-end data integration. After image analysis, the control components (such as an industrial computer + PLC) determine whether the inner drum is qualified; if marking is required, they generate marking instructions (content, position, timing); and send a signal to marking component 5; marking component 5 triggers marking when the inner drum rotates to a specified angle (must be synchronized with rotation). The marking action is strictly synchronized with rotation and inspection; the marking content can be dynamically adjusted according to product model and defect type; external equipment is avoided, improving the overall machine's intelligence level.

[0091] Based on the above embodiments, the rotary drive assembly 2 consists of at least two sets, which are spaced apart along the length of the support frame 11.

[0092] The number of rotary drive components 2 can be set according to the needs of the production line stations. For example, in this embodiment, there are two sets of rotary drive components 2, which are set opposite to each other at both ends along the length of the support frame 11. Station 1: rough inspection / initial inspection + marking (qualified products); Station 2: re-inspection / fine inspection / NG product confirmation / positioning before rework; (optional) Station 3: final inspection after cleaning or special inspection for different models.

[0093] Specifically, the shifting clamping fixture picks up the inner barrel 1 from the loading position and sends it to station A; the rotation drive component of station A is activated to complete the inspection and marking; at the same time, the next inner barrel 2 is sent to station B for simultaneous inspection; after station A is completed, the shifting fixture removes the inner barrel 1 and sends it into the unloading area; after station B is completed, the shifting fixture removes the inner barrel 2; the system always has at least one station working, with no idle waiting.

[0094] It significantly improves testing efficiency, supports tiered testing and quality control, enhances system flexibility and fault tolerance, and allows the shifting and clamping fixture to move only a short distance between adjacent workstations; it reduces long-stroke round trips, lowers mechanical wear and energy consumption; and it can adopt "shuttle" or "multi-arm collaborative" transfer strategies to further improve efficiency. Cycle time is reduced by 40% to 100%, meeting high-capacity demands; it supports workstation-level data acquisition and quality analysis; and a single device can replace multiple single-workstation devices, saving space and costs.

[0095] In one embodiment, the marking component 5 and the image acquisition component 3 are positioned opposite each other at both ends of the width direction of the frame 1. This means that the marking component 5 and the image acquisition component 3 are located at both ends of the length direction of the support frame 11. Image acquisition requires an unobstructed field of view free from strong light interference. Laser marking generates strong light, smoke, or instantaneous light spots. If these are on the same side as the camera, it can easily lead to camera overexposure or image noise; lens contamination (smoke deposition); and triggering false detections. The relative arrangement isolates the two components spatially, preventing interference. The outer wall of the washing machine inner tub 6 typically has reinforcing ribs, drain holes, mounting bosses, and other structures. Placing the marking area and the detection area on opposite sides avoids marking critical structural areas. A flat, well-visible area is selected as the marking position to ensure clear marking without affecting product assembly.

[0096] Meanwhile, the rotation drive component 2 consists of two sets: the first station corresponds to the marking component 5, and the second station corresponds to the image acquisition component 3. The shifting clamping fixture drives the inner tub 6 of the washing machine to reciprocate between the first and second stations. At the first station, when the inner tub rotates to the marking angle (e.g., 300°), the marking component 5 triggers the laser to mark a QR code at the designated position. The shifting clamping fixture drives the inner tub 6 of the washing machine to move from the first station to the second station. The inner tub is sent into the second station (e.g., station A). The rotation drive component is activated, and the inner tub rotates at a constant speed. The image acquisition component 3 continuously captures surface images and uploads them to the control component for analysis. The control component then determines the result.

[0097] In one embodiment, it further includes:

[0098] The display screen assembly, connected to the control assembly, is used to display the test results.

[0099] The display unit is typically an industrial-grade touchscreen (HMI), LCD monitor, or integrated industrial PC screen; it connects to control components (such as PLC, industrial PC, vision controller) via communication interfaces (e.g., Ethernet, RS485, USB, or HDMI); installation location: fixed to the front or side of the rack for easy operator observation. The control component directly pushes processing results to the display; standardized interfaces facilitate installation and upgrades. Display content may include single-item results, defect location diagrams, statistical information, and equipment status; operators can monitor the current product quality status without logging into the backend; and the inspection records of the most recent N products can be reviewed.

[0100] In one embodiment, the specific working process includes:

[0101] Step 1: The worker places the inner cylinder onto the machine and fixes it in place for inspection from a top-down view; after manually clicking the start button, the equipment will automatically run the inspection.

[0102] Step 2: The laser marking machine marks the inner cylinder;

[0103] Step 3: The conveyor belt delivers the inner cylinder to the camera position and fixes it in place;

[0104] Step 4: Take a picture of the inner cylinder with the camera, rotate it 120° and take another picture, repeating this process twice.

[0105] Step 5: The control component performs target detection and judgment on the screws on the outer surface of the inner cylinder, and provides feedback through the display and three-color lights;

[0106] Step 6: If the test result is qualified, the three-color light will turn green to indicate that the inner cylinder is flowing normally, and the next inner cylinder will enter the testing equipment to perform the above steps.

[0107] Step 7: If the test result is abnormal, the three-color alarm light will turn red to indicate that the inner cylinder needs to be repaired and confirmed.

[0108] Although preferred embodiments of this application have been described, those skilled in the art, upon learning the basic inventive concept, can make other changes and modifications to these embodiments. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including the preferred embodiments as well as all changes and modifications falling within the scope of this application.

[0109] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A device for detecting appearance defects in a washing machine, characterized in that, include: frame; A rotary drive assembly is located below the frame. The rotary drive assembly is used to clamp the inner tub of the washing machine and drive the inner tub of the washing machine to rotate along its own axis. An image acquisition component, located above the frame, is used to acquire images of external defects in the inner drum of the washing machine. A control component is connected to the rotation drive component and the image acquisition component respectively, and is used to control the operation of the rotation drive component and the image acquisition component respectively.

2. The washing machine appearance defect detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a support frame, which is located laterally below the frame; The rotation drive assembly includes: A rotating clamping disc is used to clamp the outer bottom of the inner tub of the washing machine; The rotary drive component is connected at one end to the support frame and at the other end to the rotary clamping disk, thereby driving the rotary clamping disk to rotate.

3. The washing machine appearance defect detection device according to claim 2, characterized in that, Also includes: A shifting clamping fixture is located on the support frame along its length, and the shifting clamping fixture is used to move the inner tub of the washing machine on the support frame.

4. The washing machine appearance defect detection device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The shifting clamping fixture includes two sets of shifting clamping assemblies arranged symmetrically along the vertical direction, each of the shifting clamping assemblies including: The shifting clamping plate includes a first arc surface, which is used to support the inner wall of the bottom circumferential outer edge of the inner tub of the washing machine.

5. The washing machine appearance defect detection device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The shifting clamping assembly further includes: A push-drive component, one end of which is connected to the shifting clamping plate, drives the shifting clamping plate to move laterally along the support frame; A linear motion component is connected at one end to the support frame and at the other end to the push drive component, for driving the push drive component to move along the length direction of the support frame.

6. The washing machine appearance defect detection device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The linear motion component includes: A linear slide rail is located on the support frame along its length; A sliding member is located on the linear slide rail and moves along the linear slide rail. The sliding member is fixedly connected to the push drive member via a mounting base.

7. The washing machine appearance defect detection device according to claim 2, characterized in that, Also includes: A marking assembly, located above the frame, is used to mark the inner tub of the washing machine. The marking component is connected to the control component.

8. The washing machine appearance defect detection device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The marking component and the image acquisition component are positioned opposite each other at both ends of the width direction of the frame.

9. The washing machine appearance defect detection device according to any one of claims 2-8, characterized in that, The rotary drive assembly consists of at least two sets, which are spaced apart along the length of the support frame.

10. The washing machine appearance defect detection device according to claim 9, characterized in that, Also includes: A display screen assembly, connected to the control assembly, is used to display the detection results.

Images