Mobile Defect Detection with Adaptive Speed Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing defect detection systems face a trade-off between accuracy and examination time, where improving accuracy requires slower movement and more detailed information collection, increasing time, while faster movement reduces accuracy but shortens examination time.

Innovation Solution

A detection system with a drive control unit that adjusts the traveling speed of a base member based on sensor information, using a first detection unit to identify defect-indicating signs and a second detection unit to accurately detect defects, allowing for detailed information collection at slow speeds near defects and faster movement elsewhere.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the moving speed of the apparatus is reduced to improve defect detection accuracy, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the examination time is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedefect detection accuracyVSAvoidexamination time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus dynamically adjusts its moving speed based on detection results. The control unit controls the moving unit to move at a first (slower) speed when a detection target is detected, and at a second (faster) speed when no target is detected. This dynamic speed adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the speed variable rather than fixed, allowing fast movement during normal operation and slow movement only when defects are detected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the detection unit to control the moving speed. The detection unit continuously monitors for defects, and based on this feedback, the control unit adjusts the moving speed accordingly. When defects are detected, the apparatus slows down for detailed examination; when no defects are present, it maintains higher speed for efficient traversal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the moving speed of the apparatus is increased to reduce examination time, then the examination time is reduced, but the defect detection accuracy is deteriorated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexamination efficiencyVSAvoiddefect detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus uses dynamic speed adjustment to maintain high productivity while ensuring detection accuracy. By moving at higher speeds during normal operation and only slowing down when defects are detected, the system achieves both efficient examination and accurate detection without the trade-off inherent in fixed-speed systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different quality levels of information collection to different regions. During normal traversal, it collects information at a standard rate for efficiency. When a detection target is identified, it switches to a higher quality collection mode with slower movement to ensure accurate defect detection in that specific local area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of information

If detailed information is collected by moving slower, then the information quality is improved, but the examination duration is extended

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation collection qualityVSAvoidexamination duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies detailed information collection partially, only when and where needed. Instead of continuously moving slowly to collect detailed information throughout the entire examination, it uses high-speed traversal for most of the route and switches to slow, detailed collection only when detection targets are identified, thus achieving high information quality without excessive examination duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3315949B1Detection system, detection method, and program
Publication Date: 2021.04.28 NEC CORP
  • EP3315949B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3315949B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3315949B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An object of the invention is to provide a new defect detection technique using an autonomously movable apparatus. In order to accomplish the object, the invention provides a detection system (10) including a drive control unit (15) that controls a driving unit (12) causing a base unit (11) to travel in a case where a predetermined detection target is detected on the basis of information collected by a sensor unit (13) installed in the base unit (11), and a second detection unit (16) that detects a predetermined defect on the basis of the information collected by the sensor unit (13).