Objective Lens Motion Mechanism for Collision-Safe Machine Vision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machine vision inspection systems face challenges in minimizing potential damage from collisions between the objective lens and workpieces or other objects during relative movements, which can affect safety and system integrity.
Innovation Solution
A machine vision inspection system with a lens motion mechanism that enables the objective lens to move from a rest position when a force is applied by contact, and automatically stops and repositions the lens to prevent collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the objective lens is fixed in position during movement, then the system structure is simple, but collision damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The objective lens is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position in response to collision forces. The lens can move independently from the optical assembly when force is applied, enabling collision protection while maintaining system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
A motion detection mechanism acts as an intermediary between the objective lens and the control system. This intermediary detects lens movement caused by collision forces and triggers the stopping action, providing a buffer that protects the system while maintaining simplicity.
2Reliability
If the system stops immediately upon contact, then collision damage is minimized, but measurement continuity is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary positioning adjustments after stopping to ensure the objective lens is correctly positioned before resuming inspection. This preliminary action prevents measurement errors while maintaining safety, allowing quick recovery without compromising inspection quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system quickly stops upon detecting collision and rapidly repositions after the event, minimizing the interruption time. By rushing through the stop-and-reposition sequence, the system reduces impact on inspection throughput while maintaining safety.
3Reliability
If the objective lens is made compliant to allow movement, then collision safety is improved, but measurement precision may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The objective lens is designed to be dynamically compliant during collision events but statically stable during normal measurement. The lens moves only when collision forces are detected, maintaining measurement precision during normal operation while providing protection during anomalies.
Solution Approach 2:
The motion detection mechanism provides feedback about lens position changes to the control system. This feedback ensures that any movement is detected and accounted for, allowing the system to maintain measurement precision by compensating for or correcting lens position changes caused by compliance.
Data Source
AI summary
A machine vision inspection system includes a movement portion comprising one or more movement mechanisms configured to adjust a relative position between an optical assembly portion and a workpiece. The optical assembly portion includes a camera that receives imaging light transmitted along an imaging optical path and provides images of a surface of the workpiece, and an objective lens that inputs the imaging light arising from the surface of the workpiece and transmits the imaging light along the imaging optical path to the camera. The optical assembly portion further includes a lens motion mechanism comprising a motion portion configured to enable motion of the objective lens from a rest position when a corresponding force is applied by a contact with the workpiece or other object (e.g., as corresponding to a collision with the workpiece or other object, and for which the system may stop motion when such a contact occurs).