Imaging Fixture for Consistent Scaling and Light Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for capturing images of composite material components, such as wrinkles along cut edges, suffer from variability and are time-consuming due to manual scaling and lighting issues, necessitating a more repeatable and reliable system.

Innovation Solution

A fixture and system that holds an imaging device at a fixed distance from the object and controls incident light, using calibration objects to enable automated image scaling and reduce variability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual scaling and light-correction methods are used, then flexibility in handling various imaging scenarios is maintained, but measurement time increases and variability between scan locations and inspectors is introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement consistencyVSAvoidmeasurement time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automated scaling and light-correction without human intervention. The imaging device automatically captures images, applies scaling based on known reference dimensions in the image, and corrects lighting variations, eliminating the need for manual operator actions and ensuring consistent results across different users and locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical scaling operations are replaced with automated computational processing. The system uses image processing algorithms to automatically determine scale factors from reference objects visible in the image and applies digital light-correction, substituting manual mechanical adjustment with automated electronic processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If automated image processing is implemented, then measurement speed and consistency improve, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement throughputVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging device is designed to perform multiple functions: capturing images, identifying reference objects, calculating scale factors, and applying light-correction all within a single integrated system. This multi-functionality increases productivity while managing complexity by consolidating operations into one device rather than requiring separate systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a simplified digital model approach where reference objects with known dimensions are captured in the image, and their digital representations are used to calculate scaling factors. This copying method allows automated processing without requiring complex physical measurement instruments, thereby increasing productivity while keeping system complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If hand held portable UV microscope is used, then portability and flexibility are maintained, but variability in scale, incident lighting, and operator consistency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidscaling accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Reference objects with known dimensions serve as intermediaries between the imaging device and the measurement process. These reference objects are placed in the field of view alongside the specimen, and their known dimensions provide a basis for calculating the scale factor, thereby eliminating the need for manual scaling and ensuring consistent measurements across different locations and operators while maintaining portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If fixed distance imaging is implemented, then measurement repeatability improves, but adaptability to different object sizes and distances decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement repeatabilityVSAvoidimaging distance flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically adjusts the scale parameter based on the detected reference objects in each image. By calculating the scale factor from the known dimensions of reference objects captured at different distances, the system maintains measurement repeatability across varying imaging conditions without requiring fixed camera-to-object distance, thereby preserving adaptability while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3840356B1Fixtures, systems, and methods for configuring an imaging device for capturing images of an object

Publication Date: 2026.01.14 THE BOEING CO

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AI summary

An example fixture includes a hollow elongate section having a first end and a second end, and the first end has an opening for receiving a lens portion of an imaging device and the second end is structurally configured to brace against a surface of an object being imaged. The hollow elongate section is configured to hold the lens portion of the imaging device at a fixed distance from an object being imaged and to control an amount of incident light on the lens portion. Example methods of configuring an imaging device for capturing images of an object include holding, via a fixture, a lens portion of an imaging device at a fixed distance from an object being imaged, controlling an amount of incident light on the lens portion of the imaging device, and holding a calibration object in a field of view of the imaging device.