Magnetic Attachment for Machine Vision Optical Accessories
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Solution Overview
Problem
Machine vision systems face challenges in quickly and easily attaching and detaching optical accessories, such as illumination and lens modules, due to complex attachment methods that require additional tools and can lead to incorrect orientations, resulting in inefficient maintenance and increased downtime in manufacturing and inspection processes.
Innovation Solution
The use of magnetic retention forces and alignment features, including magnetic elements and distinct mounting elements, allows for quick and secure attachment and detachment of optical accessories, ensuring proper orientation and reducing the need for additional tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex attachment methods are used to secure optical accessories, then the reliability of attachment is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates and time loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical attachment systems (screws, clips, or interference fits) with a magnetic attachment system. The magnetic element generates magnetic retention force to secure the optical accessory to the machine vision device, eliminating the need for complex mechanical fastening mechanisms while maintaining reliable attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the attachment function into a separate magnetic element that can be independently positioned and optimized. This magnetic element is integrated into the optical accessory assembly, allowing the attachment mechanism to be simplified while maintaining secure connection through dedicated magnetic mounting surfaces.
2Reliability
If complex attachment methods are used to secure optical accessories, then the reliability of attachment is improved, but the loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic attachment system allows for rapid attachment and detachment of optical accessories without the time-consuming operations of screwing, clipping, or aligning complex mechanical features. The magnetic retention force engages automatically when the accessory is brought near the mounting surface, significantly reducing attachment time while maintaining secure connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic element is pre-integrated into the optical accessory assembly during manufacturing, with the magnetic mounting surface prepared in advance. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for field assembly or adjustment of attachment mechanisms, allowing for quick plug-and-play installation that reduces maintenance downtime.
3Manufacturing precision
If additional tools are required for attachment, then the manufacturing precision can be improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces tool-based mechanical attachment systems with a tool-free magnetic attachment system. The magnetic retention force provides sufficient holding strength without requiring screws, clips, or other fastening tools, simplifying the overall system while maintaining precise positioning through the magnetic attraction to dedicated mounting surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic attachment system is self-aligning and self-securing. When the optical accessory is brought near the mounting surface, the magnetic element automatically attracts to the magnetic mounting surface, providing both positioning and retention without requiring external tools or complex alignment procedures. This self-service mechanism reduces system complexity while maintaining attachment precision.
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
This solution enables faster maintenance and adjustment of machine vision systems, reducing downtime and improving the accuracy of illumination and imaging processes by facilitating easy and secure attachment of optical accessories using magnetic forces and alignment features.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic element arranged at a distal end of one of the at least one mounting elements. The magnetic element can be configured to (i) be received along a surface of the machine vision device; and (ii) generate a magnetic retention force suitable to secure the illumination module to the surface of the machine vision device
Implementation Method 2
a magnetic element disposed in or on the lens module, where the magnetic element is configured to generate a magnetic retention force to attach the lens module to a surface of the machine vision device
Data Source
AI summary
In some aspects, camera systems can include a camera enclosure, a lens disposed in or along the camera enclosure along an optical axis of the camera system, and an optical accessory attached to camera enclosure, where the optical accessory is attached using a magnetic retention force that is provided by at least one magnetic element.