Dome-Shaped Inspection Device for Surface Defect Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surface inspection methods, whether human visual inspection or camera systems, face limitations such as variable human results, high mechanical effort, and inflexibility in detecting surface defects like scratches, cracks, and material defects on high-quality formed metal parts.

Innovation Solution

A testing device with a dome-shaped arrangement of multiple image capture devices and illumination devices, allowing for varied illumination scenarios and simultaneous image capture, which enhances the detection of surface defects by simulating human visual inspection and improving upon traditional camera systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If human visual inspection is used, then surface defects can be detected, but inspection results are highly variable and depend on individual assessment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface defect detection accuracyVSAvoidinspection result consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses multiple image capture devices to create digital copies of the surface being inspected. These digital images serve as objective records that can be consistently evaluated by algorithms, replacing the variable human visual assessment with reproducible digital measurement data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical human eye and hand inspection process with an automated optical measurement system. Image capture devices and illumination devices work together to objectively measure surface properties, eliminating the subjectivity and variability inherent in human inspection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If a camera system is used for surface inspection, then inspection consistency is improved, but the system requires high mechanical effort and is inflexible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection result consistencyVSAvoidmechanical effort requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the inspection system into multiple independent image capture devices and illumination devices arranged around the test object. Each device can be independently controlled and activated, allowing flexible configuration of illumination scenarios without requiring complex mechanical movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic control of multiple image capture devices and illumination devices, allowing the system to adaptively select which devices to activate based on the inspection requirements. This dynamic activation pattern provides flexibility in detecting different surface defect types without requiring mechanical reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple image capture devices and illumination devices are arranged in a dome-shaped manner, then various illumination situations can be simulated, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination scenario varietyVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the dome-shaped arrangement so that multiple image capture devices and illumination devices can be activated in various combinations to simulate different illumination situations. This universal arrangement allows a single system to perform multiple inspection functions for different surface defect types without requiring separate specialized equipment for each inspection scenario.

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

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 enables efficient and flexible 100% surface inspection of high-quality formed metal parts by capturing multiple images under different illumination conditions, effectively detecting defects like scratches, cracks, and material defects with improved accuracy and consistency.

Implementation Method 1

The illumination devices may comprise LEDs or OLEDs

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission from illumination devices: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP4327080B1Inspection device for checking component surfaces, and method therefor
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 GENESYS ELEKTRONIK
  • EP4327080B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4327080B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4327080B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to an inspection device for optically checking surfaces of an inspection object (19), comprising: - a plurality of image-capturing devices (5); - a plurality of illuminating devices (6); and - an inspection location, at which an inspection object (19) to be inspected can be positioned in order for an inspection process to be carried out; wherein: the image-capturing devices (5) and the illuminating devices (6) are arranged in a dome shape around the inspection location; one of the image-capturing devices (5) and one of the illuminating devices (6) can be activated at a time such that the illuminating device (6) illuminates the inspection object (19) at the inspection location and the image-capturing device (5) captures an image of the inspection object (5) at the inspection location; by assigning one of the image-capturing devices (5) and one of the illuminating devices (6) and their position relative to the inspection object (19), a specific illumination situation is defined; and in succession a plurality or all of the image-capturing devices (5) and at least one or in succession a plurality or all of the illuminating devices (6) can be activated such that, in total, a plurality of images of the inspection object in different illumination situations can be captured by means of the image-capturing devices (5).