Exchangeable Illumination Assembly for Camera Versatility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current camera systems face limitations in versatility and adaptability due to fixed illumination assemblies, which can lead to inadequate lighting for specific applications, resulting in increased inventory costs and delays in delivering customized systems.
Innovation Solution
An exchangeable illumination assembly that allows for various configurations of lighting elements, including LEDs, to be easily swapped, enabling different wavelengths, angles, and power levels, while maintaining compatibility with existing camera systems without altering the underlying optics or processor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed illumination assembly is used in a camera system, then the system structure is simple and reliable, but the adaptability to different applications is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system is divided into separate modular components: the camera system housing and the illumination assembly. The illumination assembly can be removed and replaced independently, allowing different illumination types (ring light, bar code reader light, etc.) to be matched with different camera systems without changing the core camera structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera system housing is designed with universal mounting structures that can accommodate multiple types of illumination assemblies. The housing includes standardized interfaces and mounting mechanisms that allow various illumination assemblies to be attached and detached, enabling a single camera system to serve multiple applications.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple custom-designed illuminators are produced to meet specific user needs, then the user requirements are satisfied, but the manufacturing costs and delivery delays increase
Solution Approach 1:
Standardized illumination assemblies are pre-designed and manufactured in advance with universal mounting interfaces. When a user needs a specific illumination type, the appropriate pre-manufactured assembly can be immediately attached to the camera system without requiring custom manufacturing, thus reducing lead time and costs.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of changing the fundamental design of the illumination assembly for different applications, the system maintains a standardized interface and allows variation through parameter changes such as illumination type, wavelength, and intensity. These parameters can be adjusted by swapping assemblies rather than redesigning the entire system.
3Ease of operation
If the illumination assembly is permanently constructed on a circuit board, then the connection is stable and reliable, but the ease of replacement and customization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the illumination assembly and camera system is designed to be dynamically adjustable. The mounting structure allows for easy attachment and detachment while maintaining stable electrical and mechanical connections during operation. The interface is designed to ensure reliable contact when assembled but allows for simple disassembly when replacement is needed.
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 solution enhances the versatility of vision systems by allowing users to select the optimal illumination configuration without changing the system's hardware, reducing inventory costs and enabling easier customization, while maintaining compatibility with multiple lens types and optical properties.
Implementation Method 1
an image sensor, which acquires images (typically grayscale or color, and in one, two or three dimensions) of the subject or object
Implementation Method 2
The illuminator is provided to the system based upon its expected application and is not readily replaced after the system has been delivered. Moreover, the manufacturer may offer systems with a various choices of illuminators
Data Source
AI summary
This invention provides a vision system with an exchangeable illumination assembly that allows for increased versatility in the type and configuration of illumination supplied to the system without altering the underlying optics, sensor, vision processor, or the associated housing. The vision system housing includes a front plate that optionally includes a plurality of mounting bases for accepting different types of lenses, and a connector that allows removable interconnection with the illustrative illumination assembly. The illumination assembly includes a cover that is light transmissive. The cover encloses an illumination component that can include a plurality of lighting elements that surround an aperture through which received light rays from the imaged scene pass through to the lens. The arrangement of lighting elements is highly variable and the user can be supplied with an illumination assembly that best suits its needs without need to change the vision system processor, sensor or housing.