Convex Hull Filtration for Internal Workpiece Features

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for filtering measurement data sets to verify internal features of workpieces, such as bores, lack a unified filtration approach that can effectively eliminate outliers and smooth deviations, unlike the convex hull-based method used for external features.

Innovation Solution

A method involving mirroring measurement points of an internal feature onto an auxiliary feature's boundary, determining a convex hull, projecting onto it, and mirroring back to generate a filtered data set, allowing for the application of a convex hull-based filtration method to both internal and external features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a convex hull based filtration method is used for outer features, then outliers are eliminated and outermost points are kept, but this method cannot be directly applied to inner features

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplicability of filtration methodVSAvoidfiltering accuracy for inner features
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies inversion by mirroring measurement points of inner features onto an auxiliary feature's boundary, transforming them into outer feature points. This allows the convex hull method (designed for outer features) to be applied to inner features by inverting the problem space, then mirroring back the filtered results to obtain the final filtered inner feature points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an auxiliary feature as an intermediary element. Measurement points of the inner feature are mirrored onto the auxiliary feature's boundary, which serves as a mediator that enables the application of convex hull filtration. The auxiliary feature acts as a temporary reference frame that facilitates the transformation and filtering process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If different filter types are used for inner and outer features, then each feature type can be filtered appropriately, but the filtration process becomes complex and non-unified

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltering effectivenessVSAvoidfiltration process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves universality by creating a single unified filtration approach that works for both inner and outer features. By mirroring inner feature points onto an auxiliary boundary and applying convex hull filtration, the same mathematical method (convex hull) serves multiple purposes - filtering both inner and outer features through a unified process rather than requiring separate filter types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The inversion technique transforms the inner feature filtering problem into an outer feature problem, allowing the standard convex hull method to be universally applied. This eliminates the need for completely different filter types for inner versus outer features, simplifying the overall filtration process while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If morphological filters are used for inner features, then outliers can be eliminated, but the filter does not preserve innermost points as effectively as convex hull for outer features

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutlier eliminationVSAvoidpreservation of innermost points
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By mirroring inner feature points onto the auxiliary boundary (inverting the problem), the patent transforms the filtering task into one where convex hull naturally preserves the most relevant points (analogous to outermost points in outer feature filtering). When mirrored back, these correspond to the innermost points of the original inner feature, thus preserving them effectively while eliminating outliers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP3933339B1Method and computer program product for filtering a measurement data set usable for specifying and/or verifying an internal feature of a workpiece
Publication Date: 2024.03.20 MITUTOYO CORP
  • EP3933339B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP3933339B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3933339B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for filtering a measurement data set which is usable for specifying and/or verifying an internal feature (10) of a workpiece (100), the method comprising: - providing a measurement data set comprising a plurality of measurement points (P) of the internal feature (10); - providing an auxiliary feature (30) which represents an ideal estimate for the internal feature (10) of the workpiece (100); - mirroring each measurement point (P) of the measurement data set on a boundary element of the auxiliary feature, thereby generating a first modified data set comprising a plurality of first modified measurement points (P'); - determining a convex hull (H) of the first modified measurement points (P') and projecting the first modified measurement points (P') onto the determined convex hull (H), thereby generating a second modified data set comprising a plurality of second modified measurement points (P"); and - mirroring each second modified measurement point (P") on the boundary element of the auxiliary feature (30), thereby generating a filtered measurement data set comprising a plurality of filtered measurement points (P'").