Corrosion Inspection Probe With Image-Linked Electrolyte Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing corrosion inspection apparatuses are not suitable for use by mechanics at maintenance shops to reliably predict or detect corrosion in coated metal plates of automobiles, as they lack visibility and reliability in measurement, and cannot ensure consistent inspection across varying environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
A portable measurement apparatus with a contact section holding aqueous electrolyte material and an electrode connected to a surface-treated film, accompanied by a camera for image capture and output section for correlating measured values with captured images, ensuring accurate and reliable corrosion inspection by maintaining contact and wet state, and allowing remote verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing corrosion inspection apparatuses are used in maintenance shops, then corrosion evaluation can be performed, but reliability and visibility of measurement are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a camera as an intermediary device to capture images of the measurement process. The camera records visual information about the contact section's position and state, providing transparent evidence of the measurement being performed correctly. This intermediary system bridges the gap between the measurement apparatus and the observer, enabling remote verification and improving both reliability and visibility simultaneously.
2Adaptability or versatility
If corrosion inspection is performed at maintenance shops with varying environmental conditions, then field inspection capability is improved, but measurement consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The camera provides visual feedback about the measurement conditions and contact section state. This feedback mechanism allows operators to verify that proper contact is established and measurement conditions are appropriate, even in varying environmental conditions at maintenance shops. The visual record serves as feedback evidence that can be reviewed to ensure measurement consistency across different locations and conditions.
3Reliability
If contact section is maintained in spread-out state for measurement, then contact with surface-treated film is improved, but drying of electrolyte material occurs during non-measurement period
Solution Approach 1:
The contact section is designed to be dynamic, switching between spread-out state during measurement and folded state during non-measurement periods. This dynamic configuration allows the system to optimize for contact reliability during measurement while minimizing electrolyte evaporation surface area during storage, effectively resolving the contradiction between maintaining good contact and preventing drying.
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 efficient corrosion inspection of coated metal plates by correlating measured values with visual confirmation, enabling early detection of corrosion and predicting its onset, with improved reliability through remote verification and portable operation.
Implementation Method 1
measures an energized state between the electrode and the base material while applying a voltage between the electrode and the base material
Implementation Method 2
a contact section that holds an aqueous electrolyte material and contacts a surface of the surface-treated film
Data Source
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AI summary
A measurement apparatus 1 for corrosion inspection is an apparatus that takes a measurement for corrosion inspection of an inspected object 2 having a metal base material 21 and surface-treated films 22, 23 on the base material, includes: a contact section 3 that holds an aqueous electrolyte material and contacts a surface of the surface-treated film; and a measurement section 4 that has an electrode 41 electrically connected to the surface-treated film via the contact section, and measures an energized state between the electrode and the base material while applying a voltage between the electrode and the base material, and further includes: a camera 61 that captures an image of the contact section at least during the measurement; and output sections 51, 52 that correlates and outputs a measured value by the measurement section with a captured image by the camera.