Multi-Sensor Optical Apparatus for High-Speed Placement Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional imaging systems require physical movement and mechanical adjustments, leading to reduced throughput and accuracy in high-speed and high-accuracy applications, especially when capturing images of multiple placement positions on a carrier object like a lead frame.
Innovation Solution
The use of multiple imaging sensors configured to capture images of entire rows of placement positions without moving along the row, providing a combined field of view that increases efficiency and eliminates the need for physical movement, with a processor controlling the sensors and light box to process and stitch images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the imaging system is moved along the row of placement positions to capture different parts, then the entire row can be imaged, but the throughput capacity is reduced due to movement and stabilizing time
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system is divided into multiple imaging sensors, each capturing a portion of the row of placement positions. By segmenting the imaging function across multiple sensors positioned at different locations, the system can capture the entire row simultaneously without physical movement, thereby maintaining high throughput capacity while achieving complete coverage.
2Measurement precision
If the internal mechanical assembly is adjusted to zoom in on the region of interest, then the image size is enlarged, but the optical centre shifts beyond the allowable threshold
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of achieving image enlargement through mechanical zooming along the optical axis, the system uses multiple imaging sensors positioned at different spatial locations to capture enlarged images of different portions simultaneously. This dimensional approach to enlargement avoids mechanical adjustment and maintains optical centre stability within allowable thresholds.
3Area of stationary object
If the imaging system is moved to capture different regions, then the field of view is expanded, but the control of zooming capability becomes difficult among portable applications
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple imaging sensors that simultaneously capture images of different portions of the carrier object. Each sensor creates a copy of the respective region, and these copies are combined to form a complete image. This approach expands the effective field of view without requiring physical movement or complex zooming control mechanisms, making the system easier to operate in portable applications.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an optical apparatus for locating a plurality of placement positions on a carrier object. The optical apparatus comprises: i) an imaging device having a plurality of imaging sensors, each imaging sensor being operative to capture an image of a part of a selected row of placement positions on the carrier object and the plurality of imaging sensors defining a combined field of view that includes all the selected row of placement positions; ii) a positioning device coupled to the imaging device, the positioning device being operative to position the imaging device relative to successive rows of placement positions on the carrier object; and iii) a processor connected to the imaging device and which is configured to receive the images captured by the plurality of imaging sensors for image processing in order to identify exact locations of the placement positions comprised in the selected row of placement positions. A method of locating a plurality of placement positions on a carrier object is also disclosed.