Automobile Dent Detection Booth Using Reflected Geometric Patterns
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for locating dents on automobiles, such as paintless dent repair, are time-consuming and inconvenient as they require technicians to manually move lighting instruments to assess the entire vehicle, making the process inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a booth with a support structure, wall sections, and a geometric repeating pattern that reflects off the vehicle's surface to identify defects through a reflected pattern, allowing for efficient detection of dents and scratches within the enclosed space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If technicians use manual PDR reading instruments to locate dents, then dent detection accuracy is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection methods with an automated optical system. A camera captures images of the vehicle surface, and image processing algorithms automatically detect dents and defects, eliminating the need for technicians to manually move PDR reading instruments while maintaining detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy of the vehicle surface through camera imaging. Instead of physically moving inspection instruments across the surface, the system captures a visual copy and processes it computationally to identify dents, significantly reducing inspection time while preserving detection precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If technicians move PDR reading instruments to assess the entire vehicle, then complete coverage is improved, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated imaging system replaces the mechanical process of moving inspection instruments throughout the vehicle. A single camera setup can capture the entire vehicle surface, and software processing provides complete coverage without requiring technician movement or complex manual operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it captures images of the entire vehicle, processes the images to detect various types of defects (dents, scratches, creases), and provides comprehensive coverage all through a single automated system, eliminating the need for multiple manual inspection procedures.
3Productivity
If traditional manual dent detection methods are used, then equipment cost is reduced, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces labor-intensive manual inspection with an automated computer vision system. The camera and image processing algorithms work together to automatically detect dents, dramatically improving inspection productivity despite the increased complexity of the automated 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
Enables quick and accurate identification of minor damages on an automobile's surface by illuminating the booth to reflect the pattern, reducing the time and expense associated with traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
illuminating the booth to cause the first geometric repeating pattern of the booth to reflect off a surface of said automobile
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for finding dents on an automobile is described herein. The system, in one embodiment, can be a booth that has a support structure, a plurality of wall sections, a roof, and interior surface defined at least in part by the wall sections and the roof, and a first geometric repeating pattern on a first region of the interior space. The method in one embodiment, can be receiving an automobile within the booth described above, illuminating the booth to cause the first geometric repeating pattern of the booth to reflect off a surface of said automobile; and identifying presence of defects using a reflected pattern, the reflected pattern a reflected image of the first geometric repeating pattern on the automobile.