Inspection System With Integrated Blower Nozzle
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inspection systems using image capture devices often erroneously detect or overlook defects on inspection targets due to adhering objects like dust, dirt, or fluids, which alter light reflectivity, leading to inaccurate defect detection.
Innovation Solution
An inspection system that integrates a blower with a blow nozzle to remove adhering objects by generating an operation program for a robot to position the blow nozzle ahead of the image capture device, ensuring the blow nozzle's direction aligns with the inspection path, thereby reducing erroneous detection and enhancing inspection accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an air nozzle is provided in front of the image capture device to jet air and remove foreign objects, then the removal of adhering objects is improved, but the positioning precision and alignment between the blow nozzle and image capture device deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The blow nozzle and image capture device are merged into a single integrated assembly, ensuring fixed relative positioning and eliminating alignment errors between separate components. This integration maintains reliable foreign object removal while achieving precise positioning through unified mounting structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual or separate mechanical positioning of the blow nozzle with an integrated design where the nozzle is fixed to the image capture device housing. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical alignment mechanisms while maintaining effective foreign object removal.
2Measurement precision
If the blow nozzle is positioned ahead of the image capture device to remove foreign objects, then the accuracy of defect detection is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blow nozzle is integrated into the image capture device housing, combining two functions (foreign object removal and image capture) into a single unit. This reduces system complexity by eliminating separate mounting structures and control systems while maintaining the accuracy benefits of positioned blow nozzle operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated assembly serves multiple functions: the image capture device captures images while the integrated blow nozzle removes foreign objects from the inspection area. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by combining what would otherwise be separate systems into one unified device.
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 system effectively reduces the likelihood of erroneous defect detection and improves the accuracy of inspections by ensuring that adhering objects are removed from the inspection surface before image capture, enhancing the reliability of defect detection.
Implementation Method 1
a blower (blower 20 described later, for example) with a blow nozzle (blow nozzle 22 described later, for example) from which clean gas is blown out to the inspection target
Data Source
AI summary
An inspection system makes image inspection on an inspection target. The inspection system includes: an image capture device that captures an image of the inspection target; a blower with a blow nozzle from which clean gas is blown out to the inspection target; a robot with an arm tip to which the image capture device and the blow nozzle, or the inspection target is attached; and as inspection device that makes image inspection on the inspection target based on an image captured by the image capture device. The inspection device generates an operation program for a robot based on the position of the image capture device and that of the blow nozzle relative to each other so as to move the blow nozzle ahead of the image capture device relative to the inspection target.