Coil Spring Imaging Measurement with Free-Hanging Posture Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional measuring devices face inaccuracies due to support members being reflected or hidden in images, leading to erroneous recognition and incomplete measurement of workpiece dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A measuring device with a guide bar and camera system that stabilizes the posture of a coil spring during imaging, using a guide pipe for support and a telecentric lens for clear differentiation, and performs image processing to accurately measure dimensions and matching degrees with a master workpiece.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a support member is used to hold the workpiece during imaging, then the workpiece can be properly positioned, but the support member may be reflected in the image or hide part of the workpiece, causing measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The workpiece is extracted from the support member during imaging by allowing the workpiece to hang freely in air under gravity, separating the measurement object from the supporting structure to eliminate interference in the image
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of supporting the workpiece from below during imaging as in conventional methods, the workpiece is suspended from above and allowed to hang freely in air, inverting the support approach to eliminate support member visibility in the image
2Measurement precision
If the workpiece is held by a support member during measurement, then the workpiece position can be stabilized, but the support member may be erroneously recognized as part of the workpiece
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is extracted from the measurement scene by allowing the workpiece to hang freely in air, so only the workpiece is captured in the image without any supporting structure that could cause erroneous recognition or boundary confusion
3Measurement precision
If the workpiece posture is not stabilized during imaging, then the imaging setup can be simpler, but the workpiece may be imaged at arbitrary angles making accurate measurement difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The workpiece is allowed to hang freely in air under gravity, utilizing the gravitational field to naturally stabilize the workpiece in a vertical posture without requiring complex positioning mechanisms or multiple cameras, achieving simple yet effective posture control
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 solution ensures accurate measurement by preventing support member interference and stabilizing the coil spring posture, facilitating efficient and precise dimension measurement and quality control.
Implementation Method 1
a camera configured to image, in air, the coil spring in a vertical posture freely falling from the guide bar
Data Source
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AI summary
A measuring device (20A) according to the present embodiment includes a camera (24) configured to image, in air, a compression coil spring (91) that is formed by a forming machine (10A). Then, an image processing unit (62A) performs image processing on the image of the compression coil spring (91) captured by the camera (24), to measure a dimension of the compression coil spring (91).