Inspection Device Vibration Frequency Powder Foreign Substance Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing product-inspection apparatuses face challenges in accurately detecting foreign substances of varying volumes, leading to poor inspection accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A product-inspection apparatus that vibrates objects containing powder at different frequencies to float foreign substances to the surface, using a light source and imaging unit to capture images at high frame rates, allowing for determination of foreign substances based on image information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a single vibration frequency is applied to make powder circulate, then the powder flows well for imaging, but foreign substances of different volumes cannot be effectively separated and detected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracy of foreign substancesVSAvoidability to detect foreign substances of different volumes
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multiple vibration frequencies dynamically to the container holding powder and foreign substances. By changing the vibration frequency, foreign substances of different volumes are selectively separated and made to float to the surface at different times, enabling the imaging device to capture them effectively. This dynamic adjustment of vibration parameters resolves the contradiction between achieving good powder circulation and detecting foreign substances of varying volumes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the vibration frequency parameter of the container to achieve different separation effects. At lower frequencies, larger foreign substances float to the surface, while at higher frequencies, smaller foreign substances are separated. This parameter change enables the system to adapt to and detect foreign substances of different volumes, resolving the detection accuracy contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the container is rotated horizontally to image the powder surface, then the inspection process is simplified, but foreign substances remain submerged and cannot be effectively detected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of foreign substancesVSAvoidinspection process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses mechanical vibration of the container at specific frequencies to make foreign substances float to the powder surface. This vibration-based separation method is simpler than complex rotation mechanisms while achieving better detection visibility. The vibration causes density-based separation, bringing foreign substances to the surface where they can be imaged, thus resolving the contradiction between detection precision and process complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

3Productivity

If vibration amplitude is increased to make foreign substances float faster, then detection speed improves, but powder circulation and imaging quality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of foreign substance separationVSAvoidimaging quality of powder surface
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic vibration at optimized amplitudes and frequencies to achieve foreign substance separation. Rather than continuous high-amplitude vibration that would disrupt powder imaging quality, the system uses periodic vibration cycles that allow foreign substances to gradually float to the surface while maintaining powder surface integrity for imaging. This periodic action balances separation speed with imaging quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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

Improves detection accuracy by exposing foreign substances at the powder's surface, enabling effective identification of foreign substances with different volumes.

Implementation Method 1

a foreign substance contained in an object to be inspected, which is an object in which a powder is hermetically contained in a container, is made to float in the powder by vibrating the object to be inspected

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

a foreign substance contained in an object to be inspected is made to float in the powder by vibrating the object to be inspected

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 3

the light source applies light onto the upper surface of the powder and the imaging unit takes images

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3943921B1Inspection device, inspection method, and non-transitory computer-readable medium
Publication Date: 2024.10.16 NEC CORP
  • EP3943921B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3943921B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3943921B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A product-inspection apparatus capable of contributing to the improvement of the accuracy of detection in an object to be inspected is provided. A product-inspection apparatus (1) includes a vibration unit (2) configured to vibrate an object to be inspected (6) at different vibration frequencies in a stepwise manner, the object to be inspected (6) being a product in which a powder (6b) is contained in a container (6a), a light source (3) configured to apply light onto an upper surface of the powder (6b), an imaging unit (4) configured to take an image of the upper surface of the powder (6b) at a frame rate equal to or higher than a maximum vibration frequency of the vibration unit (2), and a determination unit (5) configured to determine whether or not the object to be inspected (6) is a quality product based on image information taken by the imaging unit (4).