Multi-Angle Lighting System for Leather Defect Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inspection apparatuses for fabrics, particularly leather, struggle with managing lighting effectively to detect defects due to varying needs during different operations and material types, necessitating a versatile and efficient lighting control system.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus incorporates multiple light sources from different directions, including grazing and overhead lights, adjustable in intensity and color temperature, controlled by a unit that selects optimal lighting modes based on operator needs, allowing for precise defect detection and adaptable lighting conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple light sources from different directions are added to improve defect detection capability, then the lighting versatility and defect detection efficiency are improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting versatilityVSAvoidlighting system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting system is segmented into multiple independent light sources positioned at different locations and angles around the work plane. Each light source can be individually controlled to provide specific lighting functions (grazing light, overhead light, side light), allowing the system to handle diverse inspection requirements through selective activation of segments rather than requiring a single complex lighting unit

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting system is designed with multi-functional light sources that can serve multiple purposes. The same physical light source can provide different lighting effects (grazing, overhead, side illumination) depending on its position and control settings, enabling a single lighting system to handle various material types, defect types, and inspection requirements universally

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If multiple light sources from different directions are added to improve defect detection capability, then the defect detection precision is improved, but the use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedefect detection precisionVSAvoidlighting energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting system implements dynamic control where light sources can be individually activated or deactivated based on the specific inspection requirements. The control unit dynamically adjusts which light sources are active, their intensity levels, and their operational timing, ensuring that only the necessary lights are energized during each inspection task rather than all lights operating continuously at full power

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters of light sources including intensity, color temperature, and activation state based on the inspection needs. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system achieves optimal defect detection precision for different material types and defect characteristics while minimizing energy consumption by avoiding unnecessary high-intensity or multi-directional lighting when not required

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If lighting modes are made adjustable to meet different operation needs, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting control easeVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit is pre-programmed with multiple lighting modes and configurations optimized for different inspection scenarios (e.g., leather inspection, fabric inspection, specific defect types). These pre-configured modes are stored in the control system's memory, allowing operators to simply select from predefined options rather than manually adjusting multiple light source parameters, thereby simplifying operation while maintaining the capability for complex lighting arrangements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 efficient and versatile lighting management, facilitating the detection of various defects in leather and other materials by adjusting light settings automatically or manually, ensuring optimal inspection conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a lighting system comprising at least one first set of light sources arranged and configured to illuminate the work-plane from an elevated position with respect to said work-plane, according to a first incidence angle with said work-plane, and a second set of light sources arranged and configured to emit grazing light on the work-plane, according to a second incidence angle with said work-plane

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Data Source

PatentEP4556577B1Apparatus with improved lighting management
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 COMELZ SPA
  • EP4556577B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4556577B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4556577B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

It is herein described an apparatus (1) for the inspection and/or processing of a material, in particular leather, the apparatus (1) comprising a work-plane (2) adapted to provide a support surface for the material, said work-plane (2) having at least one first pair of opposite sides (2a) and at least one second pair of opposite sides (2b), a control unit (C) adapted to manage the apparatus (1), and a lighting system (15) comprising at least one first set of light sources (15') which are arranged and configured to illuminate the work-plane (2) from an elevated position with respect to said work-plane (2), according to a first incidence angle with said work-plane (2), and a second set of light sources (15") arranged and configured to emit grazing light to the work-plane (2), according to a second incidence angle with said work-plane (2) said second incidence angle being smaller than the first incidence angle. The second set of light sources (15") comprises a first plurality of light sources (15"a) arranged at at least one of the two opposite sides (2a) of the first pair of opposite sides, and a second plurality of light sources (15"b) arranged at at least one of the two opposite sides (2b) of the second pair of opposite sides.