Container Inspection Lighting Zones for Consistent Multi-Angle Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container inspection methods fail to provide consistent and comprehensive quality control due to varying illumination and viewing angles, leading to inconsistent defect detection and dimensional measurement, particularly when containers are oriented differently during inspection.
Innovation Solution
A method and device utilizing a first and second inspection station with controlled light sources and multiple image sensors positioned to ensure consistent illumination and viewing angles, allowing for symmetrical lighting zones and synchronized image acquisition to capture images from different directions, ensuring uniform image rendering regardless of container orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple light source panels and cameras are added to increase the number of views, then inspection completeness is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light source panel is divided into multiple independently controllable light source groups, where each group corresponds to a specific viewing angle. This segmentation allows selective activation of only the necessary light source groups for each inspection task, reducing the need for multiple complete inspection stations while maintaining comprehensive inspection coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically controls the intensity and activation state of different light source groups based on the container's position and the required inspection angle. By adjusting light source intensity dynamically rather than using fixed multiple panels, the system achieves flexible multi-angle inspection without proportionally increasing device size.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If light source panels are positioned to illuminate container sides, then defect detection capability is improved, but illumination uniformity deteriorates due to edge effects
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the light source panel are assigned different functional qualities: central light source groups provide uniform illumination for general inspection, while edge light source groups are optimized for detecting defects near container edges. Each light source group's intensity and spectral characteristics are independently adjusted to match the specific inspection requirements of its corresponding container region.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes illumination parameters (intensity, color temperature, activation state) of different light source groups based on the inspection requirements. By dynamically adjusting these parameters rather than using fixed uniform illumination, the system achieves both edge defect detection capability and uniform illumination where needed.
3Device complexity
If inspection stations are configured with fixed light source and camera positions, then device simplicity is maintained, but inspection consistency deteriorates due to container orientation variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor container position and orientation during transit through the inspection station. Based on this feedback, the control system dynamically adjusts which light source groups are activated and at what intensity levels, ensuring consistent inspection quality regardless of container orientation variations while maintaining a relatively simple fixed physical configuration.
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
Ensures reliable and consistent detection of defects and dimensional measurements by providing uniform illumination and multiple viewing angles, enhancing the quality of container inspection without increasing device size.
Implementation Method 1
a first light source (L1) illuminating the containers (1) along a first side of the trajectory, comprising an emitting surface (S1) following a concave curve... The emitting surface (S1) is composed of a plurality of elementary light sources controlled so as to define at least three lighting zones
Implementation Method 2
at least three image sensors... to acquire by each of said image sensors, when a moving container is successively substantially centered on an observation direction of each of the image sensors, at least one image of the container illuminated by the associated lighting zone
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~3A
Figure 3B~3C
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for inspecting containers, consisting: - in providing a first source of light illuminating the containers, said source being composed of a plurality of elementary light sources that are controlled so as to define at least three illumination regions (S11); - in providing at least three image sensors (C11, C12, C13); - in acquiring at least one image of the container illuminated by an associated illumination region, the elementary light sources of the illumination regions (S11) being controlled so that: * the at least three illumination regions (S11) associated with the image sensors have identical angular widths (L11); * the at least three illumination regions (S11) associated with the image sensors have symmetric angular widths (L11); * and at least two angularly neighbouring illumination regions possess a common illumination portion (S112).