Internal Damage Detection via 3D Surface Deformation Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current structural analysis methods often require disassembly and manual inspection to detect internal damage in objects, which is impractical due to the limitations of intrusive scanners, especially in scenarios like motor vehicle repair where large X-ray scanners are impractical and X-rays do not penetrate metallic structures.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using three-dimensional sensors to generate surface scan data, create a physical object model, align it with a predetermined virtual model, identify potential interference or deviations, and simulate forces to estimate damage to internal components without disassembly, utilizing technologies like LIDAR, RADAR, and stereoscopic cameras.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If intrusive scanning systems like X-ray or magnetic resonance scanners are used to detect internal damage, then internal component damage can be detected without disassembly, but the systems are impractical due to radiation shielding requirements and inability to penetrate metallic structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces intrusive mechanical/scanning systems (X-ray, magnetic resonance) with non-intrusive optical sensing systems (cameras, LIDAR, structured light) that capture surface geometry data. This substitution eliminates radiation shielding requirements and metal penetration issues while maintaining the ability to detect internal damage through surface deformation analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital three-dimensional model (copy) of the object's surface geometry through optical scanning. This digital model is then compared against a reference model to identify deviations that indicate internal damage, eliminating the need for physical disassembly or intrusive scanning while preserving detection capability
2Measurement precision
If partial or complete disassembly is performed to enable manual inspection of internal components, then internal damage can be directly observed, but the process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary optical scanning and three-dimensional model generation before any disassembly or inspection occurs. By pre-capturing surface geometry data and pre-comparing it against reference models, the system identifies potential internal damage locations in advance, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual inspection and disassembly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a digital three-dimensional model as an intermediary between the physical object and the inspection process. This digital model serves as a mediator that reveals internal damage information through surface deformation analysis, eliminating the need for direct physical access to internal components through disassembly
3Ease of operation
If three-dimensional surface scanning is performed to create a physical object model, then non-invasive detection of internal damage becomes possible, but the system complexity increases due to alignment and deviation analysis requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates simplified digital copies (three-dimensional models) of the object surface that can be easily manipulated and compared computationally. These digital models serve as proxies for the physical object, allowing complex analysis to be performed in the digital domain rather than requiring complex physical measurement and analysis systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the inspection problem from physical space to digital three-dimensional space. By representing surface geometry as digital models with measurable deviations, the system converts complex physical alignment and measurement problems into computationally tractable digital comparison tasks
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
Enables non-invasive identification of potential internal damage, reducing the need for manual inspection and disassembly, facilitating efficient repair operations by generating indicators of expected damage through graphical or textual outputs.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing technologies like LIDAR, RADAR, and stereoscopic cameras
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for structural analysis of an object detects deviations between a physical object model and a predetermined three-dimensional model of the object. The physical object model is generated from scanned surface data of an object produced by a three-dimensional sensor. The physical object model is aligned with the predetermined three-dimensional model of the object to identify an interference between a location of the aligned physical object model and the predetermined three-dimensional model of the object that corresponds with any elastic deformation of an internal component within the predetermined three-dimensional model. An indicator of expected damage to the internal component arising from the elastic deformation is generated.