Device for creating an image of a component and method for creating an image of a component

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for creating a component image (2) of a component (3), comprising a substantially spherical hollow body (4), a light source (6), a component holder (8), at least one camera (9), and a computing unit (12), wherein, during operation, the component holder (8) is arranged inside the hollow body (4), and wherein the hollow body (4) has at least one component opening (11), via which the component (3) can be introduced into the interior of the hollow body (4), such that, in the operating state, the component (3) is arranged in the component holder (8) inside the hollow body (4), wherein the camera (9) is designed and arranged in such a way that it captures at least one component (3) arranged in the component holder (8) in the operating state and creates a plurality of component captures during operation and wherein the camera (9) is connected to the computing unit (12). The object of the invention is to provide a device which allows the creation of a component image of a component with particularly high quality. This is achieved in that the hollow body (4) and / or the component holder (8) are rotatably mounted such that the at least one camera (9) can capture the component (3) from different sides by rotating the hollow body (4) and / or the component capture (8) and thus create a plurality of component captures.

Description

[0001] DEVICE FOR CREATING AN IMAGE OF A COMPONENT AND METHOD FOR CREATING AN IMAGE OF A COMPONENT

[0002] The invention relates to a device for creating a component image, in particular a digital component image, of a component, comprising a substantially spherical hollow body, a light source, a component holder, at least one camera and a computing unit, wherein the component holder is arranged in the interior of the hollow body during operation, and wherein the hollow body has at least one component opening through which the component can be inserted into the interior of the hollow body, so that in the operating state the component is arranged in the component holder in the interior of the hollow body, wherein the camera is designed and arranged such that it captures at least one component arranged in the component holder during the operating state and creates a plurality of component images during operation, and wherein the at least one camera is connected to the computing unit.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for creating a component image of a component, in particular a digital component image, using a device according to the invention.

[0004] The creation of component models is known from the prior art. The present invention does not concern the design of a model of a component, but rather the creation of a representation of a component in order to measure and / or examine the component or the representation of the component particularly easily and accurately, especially automatically.

[0005] One way to create an image of a component is to take numerous images of the component from different sides and then combine these images into a model, such as a 3D model, using a processing unit. It is difficult to obtain good images of highly reflective objects, especially those containing metal parts. Interfering reflections often reduce the quality of the images.

[0006] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device that enables the creation of a component image of a component with particularly high quality. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a method for creating a component image of a component with particularly high quality.

[0007] According to a first teaching of the present invention, the aforementioned problem is solved by a device described at the outset in that the hollow body and / or the component holder are rotatably mounted, so that the at least one camera can, by rotating the hollow body and / or the component holder during operation, capture the component from different sides and thus create a plurality of component images. Preferably, the axis of rotation of such a possible rotation of the hollow body and / or the component holder is the longitudinal axis of the component holder.

[0008] A component scan can encompass the entire component or just a portion of it. Furthermore, the component image created by the processing unit can be two-dimensional or three-dimensional.

[0009] According to the invention, it was recognized that for creating a component image, the arrangement of the component in such a hollow body is particularly advantageous, since component images of particularly high quality can be created using this arrangement according to the invention, so that as a result the component image also has a particularly high quality.

[0010] The hollow body is designed so that its inner walls diffusely scatter the light from the light source. This allows even highly reflective components to be illuminated very evenly, significantly reducing or even completely eliminating shadows. When photographs of components are taken from different sides by rotating the hollow body and / or the component itself, it is advantageous to ensure uniform illumination so that the images taken from different angles maintain consistently high quality. Particularly good light diffusion is achieved when the inner wall of the hollow body is white.

[0011] A component according to the invention is, for example, a plug or connector, or a metallic component, in particular a spring element, a screw element, or a union nut. In particular, the component is manufactured by means of a stamping or casting process.

[0012] During operation, the component is positioned inside the hollow body within a component holder. The component holder can be permanently installed within the hollow body. Alternatively, the component holder can also be inserted into the hollow body together with the component.

[0013] When it is stated that the hollow body is essentially spherical, this means that the surface of the hollow body may deviate slightly from a spherical shape. For example, the hollow body may have the shape of an Archimedean solid. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the hollow body is designed as a hollow sphere. In particular, the hollow body is designed as an integrating sphere.

[0014] A substantially spherical design of the hollow body also includes the possibility that at least one area of ​​the hollow body, for example the area in which the component opening is located, may be flattened.

[0015] It is particularly preferred if the hollow body is manufactured using a 3D printing process. Such a manufacturing process makes it particularly easy to produce a hollow body adapted to a specific component size. Preferably, the radius of the hollow sphere or hollow body is determined by the required distance between the component and the lens of the at least one camera and the radius or length of the component. Overall, the hollow body, the at least one camera, and the component are coordinated such that the component is positioned in the focus of the at least one camera during operation.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment, the device has at least two cameras, preferably at least three cameras, or preferably at least four cameras, preferably arranged on a circumferential line of the hollow body. By using a plurality of cameras, which are particularly arranged on a circumferential line of the hollow body, the component can be captured from different angles. If the cameras are rotated around the component during operation, so that all cameras create a plurality of component images, a particularly large amount of information is available for creating a component image. Consequently, the quality of the component image is particularly high.

[0017] It is particularly advantageous if the cameras are arranged on a circumferential line such that they form a circular arc with a central angle β between 20° and 120°, preferably between 45° and 90°. For example, four cameras are arranged on a circumferential line of the hollow body such that they define a circular arc with a central angle β of 120°. The circular arc lies in the plane of the longitudinal section through the device. According to this configuration, the four cameras create component images from different angles, resulting in a particularly accurate representation of the component overall. Especially when the cameras are rotated relative to the component during operation, so that they create component images from different sides of the component, a particularly large amount of information is available for creating the component image. The quality of the component image produced in this way is exceptionally high.

[0018] The majority of cameras can, of course, also be arranged on the hollow body in such a way that they are not, or only partially, positioned on a circumferential line of the hollow body. If at least two cameras are positioned on the hollow body in such a way that they capture the component from two different sides, complete capture of the component can be achieved even with a rotation of the hollow body and / or the component holder by less than 360°.

[0019] Another embodiment of the device is characterized in that the hollow body and / or the component holder are connected to a drive element, in particular a motor, wherein the drive element can rotate the hollow body and / or the component holder by a definable step size. According to this embodiment, the cameras arranged on the hollow body can automatically create a plurality of component images from different sides of the component, with the hollow body and / or the component holder rotating by at least one step size in each step size. For example, one step size corresponds to a rotation by an angle between 5° and 45°, preferably between 5° and 25°, and particularly preferably between 5° and 10°. The smaller the step size, the more component images can be generated with a rotation of the hollow body or the component holder by a total of 360°.If the step size corresponds, for example, to a rotation of 10°, the hollow body can perform 36 steps to achieve a 360° rotation around the component. Preferably, each camera takes a component image after each rotation step. All component images are forwarded to the processing unit, which generates a component image from them. Such a component image can then be examined with particular precision for production defects and / or measured with regard to geometric dimensions. In one embodiment, the drive element is connected to the hollow body and rotates the hollow body by a defined step size during operation. In another embodiment, the drive element is connected to the component holder and rotates the component holder, and thus the component, by a defined step size during operation.In another embodiment, the drive element is connected to both the hollow body and the component holder, so that in the operating state the drive element rotates both the hollow body and the component holder. The drive element preferably rotates the component holder and the hollow body in opposite directions, so that after each rotation the at least one camera captures a different side of the component.

[0020] To ensure particularly uniform illumination, the light source is designed and arranged in such a way that, during operation, the component is illuminated exclusively indirectly. This design has the advantage that shadows within the hollow body can be particularly effectively avoided.

[0021] The light source is preferably designed as a ring light, preferably with the ring light surrounding the component holder or a camera. The ring light design has the advantage that the hollow body is illuminated particularly evenly and rotationally symmetrically. If the ring light surrounds the component holder and the hollow body is rotated around the component during operation, then every viewing angle of the camera(s) to the component will have the same illumination of the component. This makes the component images particularly suitable for creating the component image.

[0022] According to a further embodiment, the device has a diffuser, the diffuser being arranged in the interior of the hollow body in such a way that, during operation, the diffuser scatters the light from the light source diffusely towards the inner wall of the hollow body. Such an embodiment has the advantage that uniform illumination within the hollow body can be ensured with particular reliability.

[0023] It is particularly preferred if the diffuser is designed as a screen, wherein the screen has an opening angle α of at least 30°, preferably an opening angle α between 30° and 90°, particularly preferably an opening angle α between 40° and 60°, and further particularly preferably an opening angle of approximately 45°. When the screen is positioned between the component and the light source during operation, it prevents direct illumination of the component by the light source. The opening angle is designed such that the light from the light source is scattered towards the inner wall of the hollow body.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the diffuser is at least partially transparent. When the diffuser is positioned between the light source and the component during operation, some of the light is transmitted through the diffuser and some is scattered towards the inner wall of the hollow body.

[0025] According to a further embodiment, the screen has a curved surface and is designed as a parabolic screen.

[0026] According to a second teaching of the invention, the aforementioned problem is solved by a method for creating a component image with one of the devices described above, as described above, by the method comprising the following steps:

[0027] - Arranging a component in the component holder inside the hollow body,

[0028] - Creating an initial component image using at least one camera,

[0029] - Rotation of the hollow body and / or rotation of the component holder by a defined step size,

[0030] - Creating a second component image using at least one camera,

[0031] - optionally at least one further rotation of the hollow body and / or rotation of the component holder by a defined step size and creation of at least one further component image by the at least one camera,

[0032] - Forwarding the component images to the processing unit,

[0033] - The processing unit combines the component images into a component image.

[0034] The above steps do not define a fixed sequence. In particular, the transmission of the component images to the processing unit can occur after each individual rotation of the hollow body or the component holder. The method according to the invention has the advantage that a component image, especially of a highly reflective component, can be created with particularly high quality. Such a component image is particularly well suited for further, especially automated, examination and / or for, especially automated, measurement of the component image and thus of the component itself.

[0035] With regard to the design of the device that carries out the method according to the invention, reference is made to all the above statements.

[0036] According to an advantageous embodiment, the rotation step size of the hollow body and / or the component holder can be varied. For example, the rotation step size of the hollow body and / or the component holder is selected depending on the component to be captured. According to a further embodiment, the step size can be varied during the capture of a component. This is particularly advantageous when only certain areas or certain sides or views of the component are to be inspected or measured.

[0037] According to another embodiment of the method, the step size of the rotation of the hollow body and / or the component holder during the clamping of a component is constant. For example, one step size corresponds to a rotation of the hollow body or the component holder by 5° or by 10°.

[0038] A method according to the invention is particularly applicable in the development of new components. Using the method according to the invention, a newly manufactured component can be examined and measured to verify whether the specified component characteristics are met.

[0039] For this purpose, the processing unit, according to one configuration, examines the component image or parts thereof for component defects such as surface defects like scratches, streaks, shiny spots, undermolding, or casting shrinkage. For example, the processing unit compares the component image with a reference of non-defective components or component areas stored within the unit. Furthermore, the processing unit can also be trained, using an AI-based method, to recognize when a component defect is present. During operation, the processing unit can then detect a component defect it has been trained to recognize in the component image.

[0040] Furthermore, according to another embodiment, the processing unit measures the geometric dimensions of the component image or parts thereof and compares the measured values ​​with requirement values ​​for the component stored in the processing unit. Geometric dimensions include, for example, lengths and / or angles and / or the contour of the component.

[0041] If the processing unit detects component defects or registers deviations between the measured values ​​and the geometric requirements, the component fixture used to manufacture the component can be optimized, taking into account the component defects and / or geometric deviations detected by the processing unit. In a subsequent step, a component model of the component manufactured using the optimized component fixture can be created using the device according to the invention, and this component model can then be examined, measured, and evaluated again by the processing unit.

[0042] The method according to the invention can therefore be used particularly advantageously, especially inline, for process optimization in the design of new components. In particular, the setting of component fixtures for the production of components can be checked particularly well and precisely, especially automatically, using the method according to the invention. As a result, the quality of the manufactured components can also be improved.

[0043] There are now numerous possibilities for designing and further developing the device and method according to the invention. Reference is made in this regard to the claims subordinate to the independent claims and to the following exemplary embodiments together with the drawing.

[0044] The drawing shows:

[0045] Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a device according to the invention,

[0046] Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the component opening area of ​​another embodiment of a device,

[0047] Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment of the component opening area of ​​another embodiment of a device,

[0048] Fig. 4 shows another embodiment of a device,

[0049] Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment of a device and Fig. 6 shows a first embodiment of a method according to the invention.

[0050] Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a device 1 for creating a component image 2 of a component 3 in longitudinal section through the device. The device 1 has a spherical hollow body 4 in the form of a hollow sphere 5. The hollow sphere 5 has white inner walls, which cause a particularly diffuse scattering of the light from the light source.

[0051] A light source 6 in the form of a ring light 7 is arranged inside the hollow sphere 5. The ring light design 7 has the advantage of providing particularly uniform illumination of the hollow sphere 5. Furthermore, a diffuser 13 in the form of a screen 15 is present, the screen 15 having an opening angle α of approximately 45°. The screen 15 is positioned between the ring light 7 and the component 3, thus preventing the component from being directly illuminated by the ring light 7. Additionally, the surface of the screen 15 reflects at least some of the light from the ring light towards the inner wall of the hollow sphere 5.

[0052] The component 3 to be detected is arranged in a component holder 8. In the illustrated embodiment, the component 3 is designed as a connector located at the end of a cable. Furthermore, the component holder 8 is permanently located in the hollow sphere 5 and is not replaced with each new component 3.

[0053] Furthermore, four cameras 9 are provided, arranged on a circumferential line 10 of the hollow sphere 5 such that they capture the component 3 from different angles and thus create component images from different angles during operation. In the illustrated embodiment, the cameras 9 define a circular arc with a central angle β of approximately 120°.

[0054] The component holder 8 is arranged inside the hollow sphere 5. Furthermore, the hollow sphere 5 has a component opening 11 through which the component 3 can be inserted into the interior of the hollow sphere 5, so that in the operating state the component 3 is arranged in the component holder 8 inside the hollow sphere 5.

[0055] The hollow sphere 5 and / or the component holder 8 are rotatably mounted. The axis of rotation for such a rotation corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the component holder 8. By rotating the hollow sphere 5 with the cameras 9 and / or the component holder 8, the cameras 9 can capture the component 3 from different sides and thus create multiple component images from different angles.

[0056] In the illustrated embodiment, the cameras 9 capture the component 3 from a first side. After rotating the hollow sphere 5 by, for example, 10° about the axis of rotation, the cameras 9 capture the component 3 from a second side. After a further rotation of the hollow sphere by another 10°, the cameras 9 capture the component 3 from a third side, and so on.

[0057] The cameras 9 are connected to a computing unit 12, which in the operating state creates a component image 2 of the component 3 from the majority of component images.

[0058] Due to the advantageous arrangement of component 3 in the hollow sphere 5, so that this component 3 is illuminated particularly evenly, component images of particularly high quality can be produced, which means that the component image 2 generated from these component images also has a particularly high quality.

[0059] Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the component opening 11 area of ​​another embodiment of a device 1 for creating a component image 2 of a component 3. The embodiment has a component holder 8 arranged in the area of ​​the component opening 11. A diffuser 13 in the form of a parabolic screen 14 is arranged around the component holder 8. The parabolic screen 14 is positioned between the component holder 8 and the component 3 arranged in the component holder 8 in such a way that it prevents direct illumination of the component 3 by the ring light 7. In particular, the surface of the parabolic screen 14 scatters the light from the ring light 7 onto the inner wall of the hollow body 4. This prevents shadows from being cast inside the hollow body 4, ensuring that the component 3 is illuminated evenly from different angles and sides.In particular, highly reflective components 3, for example metallic components 3, can be detected with this arrangement with particular accuracy.

[0060] Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment of the component opening 11 area of ​​a device 1 for creating a component image 2 of a component 3. In contrast to the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the diffuser 13 arranged around the component holder 8 is designed as a screen 15, which has an opening angle α of approximately 10°. Such a screen 15 also prevents direct illumination of the component and continues to scatter the light from the ring light 7 towards the inner wall of the hollow sphere 5 during operation.

[0061] Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment of a device 1 for creating a component image 2 of a component 3, comprising a hollow body 4, wherein the component 3 to be captured is arranged in the hollow body 4. Four cameras 9 are arranged on the hollow body 4 such that they capture the component 3 from different angles and thus create component images from different angles during operation. For rotation around the component 3, the hollow body 4 is rotatably mounted and is also connected to a motor 16. The angle by which the cameras 9 or the hollow body 4 are rotated in each rotation step, i.e., the step size, is adjustable in the illustrated embodiment. For example, the hollow body 4 can be rotated around the component 3 in 5° increments or in 10° increments.

[0062] The cameras 9 are connected to a processing unit 12, which combines the majority of component images into a three-dimensional component model 2 of the component 3. Due to the high quality of the individual component images resulting from the particularly uniform component illumination, the 3D model also exhibits particularly high quality, so that the component model can be measured particularly well and / or checked with regard to other properties.

[0063] Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment of a device 1 for creating a component image 2 of a component 3, wherein the component 3 is arranged within a hollow body 4 designed as a hollow sphere 5. A camera 9 is arranged on the hollow sphere 5 to capture the component 3. The hollow sphere 4 is also connected to a motor 16, which allows the hollow sphere 5 to be rotated around the component 3 in definable increments during operation. To create a component image 2, the camera 9 takes a plurality of component images, which it transmits to the processing unit 12. The processing unit 12 is designed such that, during operation, it combines the plurality of component images into a three-dimensional component image 2.

[0064] Fig. 6 shows a first embodiment of a method 17 for creating a component image 2 of a component 3 with a device 1 as shown in Fig. 4.

[0065] Method 17 comprises the following steps: - Arranging 18 a component 3 in the component holder 8 in the interior of the hollow body 4,

[0066] - Creating 19 of a first component image using at least one camera 9,

[0067] - Rotation 20 of the hollow body 4 and / or rotation of the component holder 8 by a defined step size,

[0068] - Creating 21 of a second component image using at least one camera,

[0069] - optionally at least one further rotation 20 of the hollow body 4 and / or rotation of the component holder 8 by a defined step size and creation 21 of at least one further component image by the at least one camera 9,

[0070] - Forward 22 of the component recordings to the computing unit 12 and

[0071] - Combining 23 of the component images into a component image 2 by the computing unit 12.

[0072] The described method has the advantage that the component image 2 is of particularly high quality. Advantageously, the quality of component 3 can therefore be evaluated by analyzing component image 2 using the processing unit 12.

[0073] For example, the computing unit 12 can determine geometric dimensions, such as lengths or angles or the contour of the component, and compare them with requirement values ​​stored in the computing unit 12.

[0074] Furthermore, the computing unit can examine the component image, at least in certain areas, with regard to component defects such as surface defects like scratches, streaks, glossy spots, undermolding or casting shrinkage.

[0075] If at least one deviation is detected, the setting of a component device for manufacturing the component can be optimized.

[0076] Overall, the device and method according to the invention can ensure high quality of the detected component or optimize the quality of a component based on feedback from the computing unit. Reference numeral

[0077] 1 Device

[0078] 2 Component image

[0079] 3 hollow bodies

[0080] 4 hollow spheres

[0081] 5 light sources

[0082] 6 ring lights

[0083] 7 Component holder

[0084] 8 Camera

[0085] 9 Circumference line

[0086] 10 Component opening

[0087] 11 Calculation unit

[0088] 12 Diffuser

[0089] 13 Parabolic umbrella

[0090] 14 umbrella

[0091] 15 engine

[0092] 16 methods for creating a digital model

[0093] 17. Arranging a component in the component holder

[0094] 18 Creating an initial component scan

[0095] 19 Rotation of the hollow body and / or rotation of the component holder

[0096] 20 Creating a second component image

[0097] 21 Forwarding the component recordings to the processing unit

[0098] 22. Combining the component shots into a 3D model

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device (1) for creating a component image (2) of a component (3), comprising a substantially spherical hollow body (4), a light source (6), a component holder (8), at least one camera (9) and a computing unit (12), wherein the component holder (8) is arranged in the interior of the hollow body (4) during operation, and wherein the hollow body (4) has at least one component opening (11) through which the component (3) can be inserted into the interior of the hollow body (4), such that in the operating state the component (3) is arranged in the component holder (8) in the interior of the hollow body (4), wherein the camera (9) is designed and arranged such that it detects at least one component (3) arranged in the component holder (8) during operation and creates multiple component images during operation, and wherein the camera (9) is connected to the computing unit (12), characterized in thatthat the hollow body (4) and / or the component holder (8) are rotatably mounted, so that the at least one camera (9) can capture the component (3) from different sides by rotating the hollow body (4) and / or the component holder (8) and thus create a plurality of component images.

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the device has at least two cameras (9), preferably at least three cameras (9) or preferably at least four cameras (9), preferably wherein the cameras (9) are arranged on a circumferential line (10) of the hollow body (4).

3. Device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the cameras (9) are arranged on a circumferential line (10) such that the cameras (9) form a circular arc with a central angle β between 20° and 90°, preferably between 45° and 90°.

4. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the hollow body (4) and / or the component holder (8) are connected to a drive element, wherein the drive element drives the hollow body (4) and / or the component holder (8) can be rotated by a specified step size.

5. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the light source (6) is designed and arranged such that in the operating state the component (3) is illuminated exclusively indirectly.

6. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the light source (6) is designed as a ring light (7), preferably wherein the ring light (7) surrounds the component holder (8).

7. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the device (1) has a diffuser (13), wherein the diffuser (13) is arranged in the interior of the hollow body (4) such that, in the operating state, the diffuser (13) diffuses the light from the light source (6) in the direction of the inner wall of the hollow body (4).

8. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the diffuser (13) is designed as a screen (15), wherein the screen (15) has an opening angle a of at least 30°, preferably an opening angle a between 30° and 90°, particularly preferably an opening angle a between 40° and 60° and further particularly preferably an opening angle of approximately 45°.

9. Device (1) according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the diffuser (13) is at least partially transparent.

10. Device (1) according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the screen has a curved surface and is designed as a parabolic screen (14) is trained.

11. Method (17) for creating a component image (2) of a component (3) with a device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the method (17) comprises the following steps: - Arranging (18) a component (2) in the component holder (3) inside the hollow body (4), - Creating (19) a first component image using at least one camera (9), - Rotation (20) of the hollow body (4) and / or rotation of the component holder (8) by a specified step size, - Creating (21) a second component image using at least one camera (9), - optionally at least one further rotation (20) of the hollow body and / or rotation of the component holder (8) by a defined step size and creation (21) of at least one further component image by the at least one camera (9), - Forwarding (22) the component recordings to the computing unit (12), - Combining (23) the component images into a component image (2) by the computing unit (12).

12. Method (17) according to claim 11, characterized in that the step size of the rotation of the hollow body (4) and / or the component holder (8) can be varied.

13. Method (17) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the computing unit (12) geometrically measures the component image (2) at least in certain areas and compares the measured values ​​with requirement values ​​stored in the computing unit (12).

14. Method (17) according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the computing unit (12) examines the component image (2) at least in certain areas with regard to component defects such as surface defects, such as scratches, streaks, glossy spots, undermolding or casting shrinkage.

15. Method according to one of claims 13 to 14, characterized in that the setting of a component device for manufacturing the component (3) is optimized depending on the verification of the component image (2) by the computing unit (12).

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