Catoptric Imaging Device for Non-Contact Drill Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drill measurement techniques are inefficient and unreliable, particularly in the aircraft industry, as they require manual contact and multiple movements, leading to increased time and cost, especially when dealing with drills of varying sizes and materials like aluminum, titanium, and composite materials.
Innovation Solution
A catoptric imaging device with laser guiding means, an imaging unit, and a catoptric assembly featuring conical and frustoconical surfaces that allow for non-contact measurement of a complete drill cross-section by reflecting a cone beam onto an annular cross-section, enabling simultaneous illumination and capture of optical information without axial movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual contact measurement with bushings is used, then measurement can be performed on drills of various sizes, but measurement time increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical contact measurement with bushings with an optical measurement system using laser beams and catoptric assemblies. The laser guiding means project a laser beam along the measuring axis, and the catoptric assembly reflects the beam onto the drill cross-section, allowing non-contact optical measurement that is both faster and more reliable than manual methods
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging unit captures an optical image of the drill cross-section illuminated by the laser beam, creating a visual copy of the measurement target. This optical copy is then processed to determine drill diameter, eliminating the need for physical contact while maintaining measurement accuracy
2Measurement precision
If optical technology is used for drill measurement, then measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catoptric assembly serves multiple functions: it reflects the laser beam onto the drill cross-section, directs the reflected light to the imaging unit, and works with various drill sizes without requiring adjustment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each measurement task, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the imaging unit directly face the drill, the patent uses the catoptric assembly to invert the optical path by reflecting the laser beam onto the drill and directing the reflected light to the imaging unit. This inverted configuration allows compact arrangement of components while maintaining measurement accuracy
3Reliability
If manual sizing is performed on large numbers of drills, then complete inspection is achieved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The laser guiding means continuously project the laser beam along the measuring axis, and the imaging unit continuously captures images of drill cross-sections as they pass through. This continuous optical measurement process eliminates the intermittent nature of manual measurement, enabling high-speed inspection of large numbers of drills while maintaining complete inspection coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The optical measurement system is self-aligning along the measuring axis, with the laser beam and imaging unit automatically positioned to measure drills as they pass through. This self-service capability eliminates the need for operator intervention and repositioning for each drill, dramatically increasing productivity while ensuring complete inspection
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
This solution significantly reduces measurement time and enhances accuracy by allowing for non-contact, comprehensive drill profiling, suitable for various drill sizes and materials, while simplifying the measurement process and avoiding physical contact.
Implementation Method 1
laser guiding means (2) for guiding a laser beam (24)
Implementation Method 2
a first conical surface (3)...arranged relative to the laser guiding means (2) to reflect a cone beam (9) onto an annular cross section of the drill (6)
Implementation Method 3
a second surface (4) arranged below the first surface (3)...comprising a frustoconical surface...to receive the cone beam reflections (10), and reflect them towards the imaging unit (7)
Implementation Method 4
an imaging element (25) configured to photoelectrically convert an optical image into image information
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention refers to a catoptric imaging device (1) for drill measuring comprising laser guiding means (2); an imaging unit (7) for converting optical image into image information, and processing said image information to obtain a drill measure; a catoptric assembly (12) comprising a first conical surface (3), and a second surface comprising a frustoconical surface (4), wherein the first surface (3) is arranged relative to the laser guiding means (2) to reflect a cone beam (9) onto an cross section of the drill (6) to be measured, and wherein the smallest diameter of the frustoconical surface (4) is larger than the largest diameter of the first surface (3) to receive the cone beam reflections (10) and reflect them towards the imaging unit (7); and wherein the imaging unit (7) is arranged to receive an optical image from the frustoconical surface reflections (11) to obtain a drill measure.