Air Knife Coanda Effect Vision System Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Machine vision systems in harsh, contaminant-rich environments face challenges with debris and vapors obstructing the optical path, leading to temporary or permanent degradation of image quality.
Innovation Solution
An air knife assembly is employed to direct airflow along the optical axis, utilizing the Coanda effect to create a strong air curtain that prevents contaminants from entering the optical path, effectively multiplying airflow to block infiltration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an air knife assembly is used to direct airflow along the optical axis to prevent contaminant infiltration, then protection of optics from contamination is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air knife assembly is divided into a housing, air source, and air distribution system with multiple nozzles positioned at different locations and angles to create targeted airflow patterns that protect the optical path without requiring a complete enclosure
Solution Approach 2:
A气流屏障 (airflow barrier) is introduced as an intermediary element between the contaminant-rich environment and the optical components, using directed airflow to prevent direct contact between contaminants and optics while maintaining system openness
2Reliability
If airflow is directed to block contaminants from entering the optical path, then image quality is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Airflow is directed specifically at critical areas around the optical path where contaminant infiltration is most likely, rather than providing uniform protection throughout the entire system, reducing overall air consumption while maintaining image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a relatively low-power air source that provides sufficient airflow only when and where needed to prevent contaminant accumulation on optics, rather than maintaining continuous high-volume airflow throughout the system
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The air knife assembly significantly reduces contamination and occlusion of the optics, maintaining image quality in harsh environments by using a low-cost and efficient airflow mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing the Coanda effect to create a strong air curtain that prevents contaminants from entering the optical path
Data Source
AI summary
This invention provides a mechanism for clearing debris and vapors from the region around the optical axis of a vision system that employs a directed airflow in the region. The airflow is guided by an air knife that surrounds a viewing gap placed in front of the camera optics. The air knife delivers airflow in a manner that takes advantage of the Coanda effect to generate an airflow that prevents infiltration of debris and contaminants into the optical path. Illustratively, the air knife defines a geometry that effectively multiplies the delivered airflow approximately fifty times (twenty-five times on each of two air-knife sides) that of the supplied compressed air. This provides an extremely strong air curtain along the scan direction that essentially blocks infiltration of environmental contamination to the optics of the camera.