Dynamic Imager Tracking for Plate Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plate-shaped object inspection apparatuses struggle to accurately inspect the end shape and size of plate-shaped objects being conveyed, as they assume a fixed position of the object's end in the width direction orthogonal to the conveying direction, leading to decreased accuracy when the object's position changes.
Innovation Solution
An inspection apparatus that includes a light source emitting a linear light beam along the thickness direction to irradiate the side surface of the plate-shaped object, an imager to capture the light beam, and an imager controller to adjust the imager's position based on the object's lateral end position, ensuring accurate inspection even when the object's position changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the inspection apparatus assumes a fixed position of the plate-shaped object's end in the width direction, then the apparatus structure can be simplified, but the measurement precision deteriorates when the object's position changes during conveyance
Solution Approach 1:
The imager is made movable in the width direction through an imager driving device, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position according to the actual position of the plate-shaped object's end. This transforms the inspection system from a static fixed-position design to a dynamic tracking design, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The imager controller receives position information about the plate-shaped object's end and uses this feedback to control the imager's position. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures the imager continuously tracks the object's end position, maintaining high measurement precision without requiring complex mechanical positioning structures.
2Measurement precision
If the imager position is adjusted to track the object's end position, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imager controller serves as an intermediary between the position detection system and the imager driving device. It processes position information and generates control signals, simplifying the overall system architecture by centralizing the control logic in a dedicated controller rather than requiring complex direct coupling between sensors and actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical positioning mechanisms with a combination of position detection and controlled movement. Instead of using elaborate mechanical guides and fixed mounting structures, the invention uses electronic control to adjust the imager's position, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining precision.
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 solution enables precise inspection of the plate-shaped object's end shape and size, maintaining accuracy despite changes in the object's position during conveyance, thereby improving the inspection process.
Implementation Method 1
a light source configured to emit a linear light beam extending along the thickness direction of the inspection target to irradiate a side surface at a lateral end of the inspection target
Implementation Method 2
an imager configured to capture the light beam emitted from the light source and irradiating the side surface at the lateral end of the inspection target
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an inspection apparatus for inspecting a plate-shaped inspection target being conveyed. The inspection apparatus includes a light source configured to emit a linear light beam extending along the thickness direction of the inspection target to irradiate a side surface at a lateral end of the inspection target in a width direction orthogonal to a conveying direction of the inspection target, an imager configured to capture the light beam emitted from the light source and irradiating the side surface at the lateral end of the inspection target, an imager driving device configured to move the imager, and an imager controller configured to control the position of the imager. The imager controller is configured to control the position of the imager according to the position of the lateral end of the inspection target.