Modular Illuminator With Rear Access And Integrated LEDs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image acquisition systems face challenges with compactness, ease of access to optical components, and operator guidance due to bulky illuminators, which complicate maintenance, adjustment, and precision focusing, especially when installed at heights that obscure status LEDs and require additional screens for correct configuration.
Innovation Solution
The design of an illuminator with a modular structure allowing easy access to optical components, integrated heat dissipation, and visual and acoustic indicating means, such as laser pointers and LEDs, to facilitate operator guidance and reduce the need for external screens, enabling efficient maintenance and precise adjustments without disassembling the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the illuminator is made compact to improve overall system compactness, then the system size is reduced, but access to optical components becomes difficult requiring disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The illuminator housing is segmented into a front portion and a rear portion that can be separated. The optical component is accessible from the rear portion, allowing maintenance and adjustment without disassembling the entire illuminator, thus resolving the contradiction between compactness and ease of access.
2Strength
If the illuminator housing is solid to protect internal components, then protection is improved, but access to optical components requires full disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into separable front and rear portions. The rear portion can be removed to access optical components for maintenance, while the front portion remains intact to maintain structural strength and protection when assembled.
3Ease of operation
If status LEDs are placed on the front of the illuminator for visibility, then operator guidance is improved, but they become obscured when installed at heights
Solution Approach 1:
Status indicators are moved from the front horizontal plane to the rear vertical surface of the illuminator housing. This spatial relocation allows operators to view status LEDs from below or the side, preventing obscuration when the illuminator is mounted at heights on overhead conveyors.
4Ease of operation
If additional screens are added to provide operator guidance, then visibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illuminator housing itself serves as the display medium by incorporating status LEDs directly on its rear surface. This eliminates the need for external screens or additional display devices, reducing system complexity while maintaining operator guidance functionality.
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 enhances the ease of maintenance and adjustment of image acquisition systems by providing clear operator guidance and access to optical components, reducing configuration time and improving precision, even when installed at heights that obscure traditional status indicators.
Implementation Method 1
The illuminator comprises illuminating means comprising a plurality of single electronically controllable light emitters, and i.e. a plurality of LEDs (light emitting diodes)
Implementation Method 2
The aiming means comprises a light beam emitter for emitting a luminous indication delimiting a field of view
Data Source
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AI summary
An illuminator (3) for an image acquisition system (1), which comprises an optical apparatus (2) for acquiring images with which this illuminator (3) is associable. The optical apparatus (2) is provided with optical means (6) and the illuminator (3) comprises: a body (20) provided with an opening (21), for receiving the optical means (6); illuminating means (23) arranged around the opening (21) in a frontal face (22) of this body (20) and commandable by the optical apparatus (2) to illuminate a space in front of the frontal face (22), electronic control means of the illuminator (3); heat dissipating means (38, 38a); connecting means (40) for removably fixing said illuminator (3) at least to the optical apparatus (2). The body (20) of the illuminator comprises a rear face (25) opposite the frontal face (22) which comprises a plurality of distinct functional case elements positioned around the opening (21) for receiving at least said electronic control means and/or which defines said heat dissipating means (38, 38a) and/or said connecting means (40), in such a manner as to enable an operator, when said optical apparatus (2) is associated with said illuminator (3), to access said optical means (6) to dismantle said optical means (6) from said apparatus (2) and/or adjust optical adjusting means (7, 8) of said optical means (6).