Dynamic Pulse Width Control for Illumination Blocks in Parts Mounters
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Solution Overview
Problem
In imaging illumination systems for parts mounters, the fixed pulse width and cycle of pulse-lighting lead to inefficiencies as the number of illumination blocks decreases, resulting in wasteful waiting times and increased imaging times for cameras, as the charging time becomes shorter but the off-lighting time remains constant.
Innovation Solution
The imaging illumination apparatus dynamically adjusts the continuous lighting time and imaging time based on the number of illumination blocks being pulse-lit, increasing pulse width as the number decreases to reduce the number of necessary pulse-lightings and minimize camera exposure time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pulse width and cycle of pulse-lighting are set to constant values, then the control is simple, but as the number of illumination blocks decreases, wasteful waiting time increases and imaging time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the pulse width and cycle of pulse-lighting variable rather than constant. The control section dynamically adjusts these parameters based on the number of illumination blocks to be pulse-lit, optimizing the balance between control simplicity and imaging time efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of pulse-lighting (pulse width and cycle) according to the number of illumination blocks used. When fewer illumination blocks are activated, the system increases the pulse width and adjusts the cycle to reduce wasteful waiting time and minimize overall imaging time
2Use of energy by moving object
If fewer illumination blocks are pulse-lit, then power consumption decreases, but the off-lighting time becomes excessively long relative to charging time
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the pulse-lighting cycle parameter based on the number of active illumination blocks. When fewer blocks are lit (lower power consumption), the cycle is shortened to reduce excessive off-lighting time, and when more blocks are lit, the cycle is extended to allow complete capacitor recharging
Solution Approach 2:
The off-lighting time is made dynamic rather than fixed. The control section adjusts the off-lighting duration according to the number of illumination blocks activated, creating an adaptive system that optimizes both power efficiency and time utilization
3Productivity
If the pulse width is increased to reduce the number of pulse-lightings needed, then the number of capacitor charges required decreases, but the individual pulse duration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pulse width parameter to optimize the balance between the number of pulse-lightings required and the duration of each pulse. By adjusting pulse width according to the number of illumination blocks, the system reduces the total number of capacitor charging cycles needed while maintaining adequate illumination for image capture
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
This adjustment reduces the camera's exposure time and overall imaging time, enhancing productivity by optimizing the use of capacitor charge and reducing wasteful waiting times, especially when fewer illumination blocks are used simultaneously.
Implementation Method 1
a circuit for individually pulse-lit the multiple illumination blocks connected in parallel to a capacitor charged by a power supply section via switching elements
Implementation Method 2
illuminating the imaging target object by pulse-lighting an LED using the LED as a light emitting element
Data Source
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AI summary
In an imaging illumination apparatus that illuminates an imaging target object (10) which is to be imaged by a camera (14) used for image recognition, multiple illumination blocks (21, 22, and 23) that can be individually lighted are respectively connected to a charge section (32) charged by a power supply section (31) in parallel via switching elements (33, 34, and 35). A control section (24) that controls a switching operation of the switching elements and the imaging operation of the camera changes the continuous lighting time which is the pulse width of pulse lighting according to the number of illumination blocks to be pulse-lighted at the same time among the multiple illumination blocks, and changes the imaging time of the camera.