Liquid Lens Optical Inspection for Multi-Side Defect Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing component inspection systems face inefficiencies in detecting defects on multiple sides and faces of components, leading to reduced throughput, image quality issues, and difficulty in distinguishing contamination from real defects due to insufficient resolution.
Innovation Solution
An optical component-inspection apparatus that uses a liquid lens for adjustable focus and a third optical reflector to enable simultaneous imaging of multiple sides and faces, allowing for rapid refocusing and improved image quality without significant throughput loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If inspection processes are developed to inspect multiple sides and faces of components, then defect detection capability is improved, but throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a liquid lens that can dynamically adjust its focal length in real-time to switch between imaging different sides and faces of the component. This dynamic focusing capability allows the system to inspect multiple surfaces without mechanical movement, maintaining high throughput while improving defect detection across all inspected surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid lens changes its optical parameters (focal length) electrically to adapt to different imaging requirements for various component surfaces. By adjusting the focal length parameter rapidly, the system can switch between inspecting different sides and faces without physical reconfiguration, thus maintaining high inspection speed while expanding detection coverage.
2Measurement precision
If focus is adjusted for different sides and bottom face, then image quality for each surface is improved, but image degradation occurs due to focus differences
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid lens dynamically adjusts its focal length parameter to match the specific imaging requirements of each surface being inspected. By changing the focus parameter in real-time based on the current imaging target, the system achieves optimal image quality for each surface without the image degradation that would result from using a fixed focus setting for multiple surfaces.
3Area of stationary object
If field of view is increased to capture entire sides, then coverage is improved, but pixel resolution is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid lens enables dynamic adjustment of the imaging parameters to optimize the balance between field of view and pixel resolution for each specific surface. By changing the focal length and other optical parameters in real-time, the system can achieve high pixel resolution even when capturing the entire side surface, eliminating the trade-off that would exist with a fixed optical system.
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 apparatus achieves accurate detection of side and internal defects in components with reduced image degradation, enhancing inspection efficiency and effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
use of a liquid lens as an adjustable optical element, which allows the shape and focus to be changed electrically
Implementation Method 2
a first optical reflector, configured and arranged to direct, in use, a portion of the direct illumination beam towards the first side
Data Source
AI summary
The inventions describes an apparatus for inspection of a component comprising an adjustable optical element for image detection in two steps—with focus on the second (or bottom) face of the component and with a focus on the sides. This allows the degree of image degradation in one or more of the images to be reduced.