Pericentric Lens Optics for End and Lateral Surface Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lens devices struggle to simultaneously inspect both end and lateral surfaces of cylindrical objects with clarity and accuracy while maintaining a simple, sturdy, and reliable structure.
Innovation Solution
A lens device comprising a front optical group with refractive lenses and converging lenses, a rear optical group, and a sensor plane, configured to capture and project images of both end and lateral surfaces onto a sensor plane, with adjustable focusing methods including manual, mechanical, and adaptive lens control, allowing for a single optics setup to provide clear and accurate images without the need for multiple cameras.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cameras are used to inspect both end and lateral surfaces, then inspection coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single optical system is designed to perform multiple inspection functions by capturing images of both the end surface and lateral surface of cylindrical objects simultaneously. The optical system includes a lens with specific focal length and aperture, positioned to receive light from both surfaces and project onto a single sensor, eliminating the need for multiple separate cameras while maintaining comprehensive inspection coverage
2Device complexity
If a single optical system is used to capture both end and lateral surfaces, then device complexity is reduced, but image clarity and accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the optical system are optimized for different inspection purposes. The lens is positioned at a specific distance from the object to ensure that both the end surface and lateral surface fall within the optimal focusing range. The sensor plane is positioned to receive clear images from both surfaces simultaneously, with the optical system designed to maintain adequate resolution and clarity for both inspection areas without requiring multiple specialized optical paths
3Device complexity
If the entrance pupil is internal to the lens device, then structural simplicity is improved, but the ability to inspect distant objects deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the entrance pupil internally within the lens structure, the design inverts the conventional arrangement by positioning the entrance pupil externally, at a distance from the lens. This allows the optical system to function as a pericentric lens, enabling inspection of the outer lateral surfaces of cylindrical objects while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The external pupil position extends the inspection range to include distant and outer surfaces that would be inaccessible with an internal pupil configuration
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
Enables simultaneous inspection of end and lateral surfaces of cylindrical objects with high clarity and accuracy, reducing complexity and cost by eliminating the need for multiple cameras and perspective correction, while ensuring reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
The front optical group 4 is made up exclusively of refractive lenses and is formed by one or more front lenses 2 configured to receive beams both from an end surface 1a of the object (beams R1), which is perpendicular to the optical axis (X), and from one or more lateral surfaces 1b of object 1 (beams R2), which substantially are parallel to the optical axis (X)
Implementation Method 2
by one or more converging lenses 3 arranged behind the at least one front lens 2 and suitable to focus the beams received from the at least one front lens 2 towards the rear optical group 9
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a lens device for inspecting an object having at least one end surface (1a) and at least one lateral surface (lb), substantially orthogonal to the end surface.