Inspection Apparatus Container Posture Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inspection apparatuses become bulky and costly due to the need for multiple directional image sensors to detect specimen unevenness in containers, especially when a stirring mechanism or magnetic separator is present, making it difficult to detect specimens from desired directions.
Innovation Solution
An inspection apparatus with a socket and a two-link arm mechanism that allows the container to be installed and reinstalled in different postures, enabling the recognition device to obtain position information of the specimen from various angles without the need for a dedicated mechanism to change the container's direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple image sensors are provided in different directions to detect specimen unevenness, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The container is made rotatable about its vertical axis, transforming a static inspection system into a dynamic one. By rotating the container to different angular positions, the same image sensor can capture specimens from multiple directions, eliminating the need for multiple fixed sensors and reducing system complexity while maintaining detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
A single image sensor is designed to perform multiple inspection functions by capturing images of specimens at different rotational positions. This multi-functional approach allows one sensor to replace what would traditionally require multiple specialized sensors, simplifying the overall apparatus configuration
2Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanism for rotating the container is provided to change the viewing direction, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The container's own rotational movement serves the inspection function. The container rotates about its vertical axis either manually or automatically, and this self-rotation enables the specimen to present different faces to the fixed image sensor, eliminating the need for separate rotation mechanisms and reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of moving the image sensor to different positions to inspect specimens from multiple directions, the solution inverts the approach by keeping the sensor fixed and rotating the container. This inversion simplifies the mechanical system while achieving the same inspection versatility
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an inspection apparatus includes a socket, a first arm, and a recognition device. The socket has at least one container holding part for holding a container containing an object. The first arm includes at least two links of which ends are connected. The first arm is able to install the container into the container holding part when the links are in a first posture and to reinstall the container into the container holding part when the links are in a second posture different from the first posture. The recognition device obtains at least recognition results indicating respective positions of the object when the container is installed into the container holding part in the first posture and the second posture.