Cylindrical Inner Face Inspection Device Using Transparent Pipe
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cylindrical inner face inspection devices using optical fiber bundles for transmitting reflected light are complex, costly, and have reduced light receiving areas, leading to decreased sensitivity and potential inaccuracies due to optical fiber deviations.
Innovation Solution
A cylindrical inner face inspection device featuring a pipe-shaped member made of transparent material, with a reflective member at the leading end to increase light transmission and simplify the configuration, using a photoelectric conversion unit with a substrate and small-sized sensors to enhance light reception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an optical fiber bundle is used to transmit reflected light inside the rotary cylinder, then the reflected light can be transmitted to the detection element, but the effective light receiving area is reduced and the configuration becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the optical fiber bundle from the rotary cylinder and replaces it with a simple transparent pipe structure. The pipe transmits both irradiation light and reflected light without requiring complex optical fiber arrangements, thereby simplifying the inspection probe configuration while maintaining light transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent pipe serves multiple functions: it transmits the irradiation light to the inspection target and simultaneously transmits the reflected light back to the detection element. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate optical fiber bundles for light transmission and reflection collection, reducing device complexity.
2Reliability
If an optical fiber bundle is used to transmit reflected light, then light transmission is enabled, but the light receiving area is reduced leading to lower light intensity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the optical fiber bundle that limited the light receiving area and replaces it with a transparent pipe having a larger cross-sectional area. This extraction allows the system to capture and transmit more reflected light, increasing the light intensity reaching the detection element.
3Reliability
If an optical fiber bundle is installed inside the rotary cylinder, then reflected light transmission is achieved, but manufacturing becomes time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex optical fiber bundle assembly and replaces it with a simple transparent pipe that can be easily manufactured and assembled. This dramatically reduces manufacturing time and costs while maintaining the essential function of light transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent pipe is a simple, inexpensive component compared to optical fiber bundles. It can be easily replaced if needed and does not require complex assembly procedures, making the inspection probe more cost-effective to manufacture and maintain.
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 device increases the amount of reflected light transmitted and simplifies the inspection probe configuration, reducing manufacturing costs and ensuring accurate inspections with lower sensitivity requirements for photoelectric conversion sensors.
Implementation Method 1
a pipe-shaped member formed from a transparent material, the pipe-shaped member being configured to transmit the laser beam from the laser light emission device as irradiation light through a hollow region
Implementation Method 2
reflected light reflected from the inner face of the inspection target being reflected by the reflective member and transmitted
Implementation Method 3
a photoelectric conversion unit configured to convert the reflected light, which has been emitted from an end face of the pipe-shaped member at an opposite end from the leading end part of the inspection probe, into an electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
An inspection probe is configured by inserting a cylindrical hollow glass pipe configured by quartz glass into a cylindrical exterior member configured by stainless steel or the like. The glass pipe transmits a laser beam from a laser light emission device as irradiation light to a leading end part through a hollow region. In the inspection probe, the irradiation light is transmitted to the leading end part through the hollow region of the glass pipe and is reflected by a reflection mirror provided at the leading end part, whereby the inner face of an inspection target is irradiated by the irradiation light, and reflected light reflected from the inner face of the inspection target is reflected by the reflection mirror and transmitted to a photoelectric conversion unit via a region other than the hollow region of the glass pipe.