Augmented Reality Flange Specification Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for identifying flange specifications are inefficient, requiring disassembly and manual measurement, leading to work stoppages and potential safety hazards, especially in industries with uninterrupted fluid requirements, as they rely on fixed viewing angles and are prone to occlusions.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing an augmented reality interface on a handheld electronic device to identify flange specifications without disassembly, allowing operators to process images from different angles, create a virtual flange model, and adjust parameters like outer diameter, pitch circle diameter, and thickness, with database searching based on these parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual measurement and disassembly methods are used to identify flange specifications, then measurement accuracy can be achieved, but work stoppages occur and operational efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflange specification measurement accuracyVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement tools with an optical recognition system using a handheld electronic device. The device captures images of the flange and automatically identifies specifications through image processing and pattern recognition, eliminating the need for physical contact and manual measurement while maintaining accuracy and enabling identification without disassembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a digital copy of the flange by capturing its image with the electronic device. This optical copy is then processed to extract specification information, replacing the need for physical measurement and disassembly. The system identifies specifications by analyzing visual features in the captured image rather than through direct physical interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Loss of information

If flange disassembly is performed to obtain dimensional parameters, then complete measurement can be achieved, but work stoppages and safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of dimensional parametersVSAvoidoperational safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical disassembly operations with optical imaging and digital analysis. The system captures images of the flange in its installed state and uses image processing to extract all necessary dimensional parameters without physical contact, eliminating safety risks associated with disassembly while maintaining complete measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from physical-space measurement to digital-space analysis by capturing the flange in two-dimensional images and processing them to extract three-dimensional dimensional parameters. This dimensional transformation allows complete measurement without physical disassembly, as the optical domain provides access to all surfaces without mechanical interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If fixed viewing angle measurement is used, then measurement process is simplified, but occlusions prevent complete parameter acquisition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement process simplicityVSAvoidvisibility of flange parameters

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic image capture where the operator can move the handheld device to capture images from multiple angles and positions. The system processes multiple dynamic views to reconstruct complete dimensional parameters, combining the simplicity of handheld operation with the completeness of multi-angle observation to overcome occlusion issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11703992B2Method of identifying flange specification based on augmented reality interface

Publication Date: 2023.07.18 NATIONAL TSING HUA UNIVERSITY

AI summary

A method of identifying a flange specification based on an augmented reality interface includes steps of: providing a first interface, through which an operator picks real-time images of a flange at different viewing angles, and creating a virtual flange surface according to the real-time images; providing a second interface, through which the operator picks three circumferential points corresponding to the flange, and creating a virtual flange model having a virtual outer diameter; providing a third interface, through which the operator adjusts a virtual pitch circle diameter of the virtual flange model; providing a fourth interface, through which the operator adjusts a virtual thickness of the virtual flange model; providing a fifth interface, through which the operator inputs a count of bolts; and searching a database according to the virtual outer diameter, the virtual pitch circle diameter and the virtual thickness of the virtual flange model to obtain searched results.