Coating Thickness Inspection Using Annular Light Beams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inspection apparatuses cannot determine whether a coating layer has an appropriate thickness, despite being able to assess the presence or absence of coating.
Innovation Solution
An inspection apparatus and method that utilize a plurality of light emitters emitting light beams with annular cross-sections onto the coating layer, an imaging unit to capture reflected light, and a counter to determine the thickness based on the number of annular light beam images per unit area, with a thickness determination unit assessing if the coating layer's thickness is acceptable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If black light irradiation and camera imaging are used to inspect coating presence, then coating presence/absence can be determined, but coating thickness cannot be determined
Solution Approach 1:
The light beam is segmented into multiple annular cross-sections arranged in a specific pattern. By dividing the illumination into discrete annular regions, the system can measure thickness at multiple locations simultaneously while maintaining a relatively simple optical setup. The segmentation of light enables thickness determination without requiring complex multi-angle or multi-wavelength imaging systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the illumination parameter from conventional point or uniform area light sources to annular cross-section light beams. This parameter change in light geometry enables the measurement of coating thickness through analysis of reflected light patterns, allowing thickness determination while keeping the overall device complexity manageable.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional inspection methods are used, then the apparatus structure remains simple, but the ability to determine coating thickness is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes changes in light reflection characteristics (analogous to color changes) when annular light beams reflect off the coating layer. By analyzing the reflected light patterns from multiple annular sections, the system can determine coating thickness with high accuracy. The different reflection patterns provide measurable information about thickness without requiring complex measurement instrumentation.
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
Enables accurate inspection of coating layer thickness, regardless of surface irregularities, by counting annular light beam images and comparing them to a threshold, effectively determining if the thickness is acceptable or defective.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging unit configured to take an image of a light beam reflected on the coating layer
Data Source
AI summary
An inspection apparatus for inspecting an inspection object having a coating layer includes: multiple light emitters configured to emit light beams each having an annular cross-section onto the coating layer; an imaging unit configured to take an image of a light beam reflected on the coating layer; a counter configured to count the number of annular light beam images per unit area in the image taken by the imaging unit; and a thickness determination unit configured to determine whether or not the thickness of the coating layer is acceptable, based on the number of the annular light beam images counted by the counter.