Optical Sensor Receiving Device for Component Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing component handling and inspection systems face challenges in achieving precise and high-throughput handling of components with efficient inspection capabilities, particularly in detecting tilted or partially deposited components, and in managing the orientation and positioning of components during transfer and inspection processes.
Innovation Solution
A receiving device with controlled linear and rotary drives allows for precise adjustment and movement along multiple axes, integrated with position and property sensors for real-time detection and correction of component orientation and positioning, enabling simultaneous handling and inspection of multiple sides of components with reduced processing time and increased accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a component is inspected using a stationary camera and light source setup, then the inspection process is simple, but the system cannot detect tilted or partially deposited components accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the camera, light source, and drive unit into an integrated sensor assembly that moves together as a single unit. This merging allows the inspection system to maintain precise relative positioning between the sensor and component while detecting tilted or partially deposited components, resolving the contradiction between detection accuracy and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor assembly is made dynamically movable along the component's length via the drive unit, enabling real-time adjustment of the inspection position. This dynamic capability allows accurate detection of components at various orientations and positions without requiring a complex stationary multi-sensor array.
2Reliability
If multiple cameras and light sources are used to inspect different surfaces of a component, then inspection completeness is improved, but the device complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The movable sensor assembly enables continuous inspection along the component's length in a single scanning motion, eliminating the need for multiple discrete inspection stations. This continuous action maintains inspection completeness while reducing total processing time compared to sequential multi-camera systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The single sensor assembly performs multiple inspection functions by moving to different positions along the component, capturing images of various surfaces and orientations. This multi-functional approach achieves comprehensive inspection coverage without requiring separate dedicated cameras for each surface.
3Manufacturing precision
If the sensor is fixed relative to the support, then the sensor structure is simple, but the sensor cannot perform movements of the receiving device and maintain accurate positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is merged with the drive unit through functional coupling, where the drive unit's movement automatically positions the sensor assembly. This integration ensures the sensor maintains accurate relative positioning with the component deposit point during receiving device movements without requiring complex independent mounting structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor assembly serves itself by being carried along with the receiving device's movements through the drive unit's positioning action. The system automatically maintains accurate positioning through the coordinated movement of the drive unit and sensor assembly, eliminating the need for separate positioning mechanisms.
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
The solution enables precise and efficient handling and inspection of components, reducing processing time and increasing throughput by allowing for real-time correction of positioning and orientation errors, thus improving the quality and efficiency of component handling and inspection processes.
Implementation Method 1
a camera directed at least at a first surface of the component, a light source which sends short-wave light beams to the first surface. A second light source sends long-wave light beams to at least a second surface of the component. The camera receives the first and second light beams reflected at the surfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
A receiving device for components. The receiving device is designed to be adjusted in a controlled manner relative to a deposit point at least partly along a first, second, and/or third axis by at least one linear drive and/or move a support guided by the receiving device along one of the first and/or second axes by a drive. The receiving device has a position sensor which is paired with a component deposit point in order to detect a component which has only been partly deposited in a pocket of the support at the component deposit point, where the position sensor is connected to the receiving device laterally of the support such that the position sensor is moved directly together with the receiving device.