Planar Illumination Optical Member for Surface Inclination Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image inspection devices face challenges in detecting surface inclination and dimensionality due to the structural difficulty in irradiating light along the optical axis, leading to increased size and complexity.

Innovation Solution

The image inspection device incorporates a light transmissive illumination part with an optical member featuring concentrically arranged optical regions that emit light with different color characteristics, allowing for irradiation at various angles and directions, thereby reducing the device's size and complexity while maintaining effective surface state detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple light sources are arranged at different heights to achieve different irradiation angles, then surface inclination detection capability is improved, but device size in the optical axis direction increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface inclination detection capabilityVSAvoiddevice size in optical axis direction
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from vertical arrangement (different heights in optical axis direction) to horizontal arrangement (different radial positions in the same plane). Multiple light sources are positioned at different radial distances from the optical axis, allowing different irradiation angles to be achieved without increasing the device's height dimension. This dimensional transformation resolves the contradiction between detection capability and device size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a single planar illumination device that simultaneously provides both axial illumination (for flat surface detection) and oblique illumination (for inclination detection) by arranging multiple light sources in the same plane. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate illumination systems at different heights, reducing overall device size while maintaining comprehensive surface inspection capability.

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

2Stability of the object's composition

If light sources are arranged to surround a central peephole, then structural symmetry is improved, but ability to irradiate light in the optical axis direction deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural symmetryVSAvoidability to irradiate light in optical axis direction
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of axial illumination and oblique illumination into a single planar light source arrangement. The multiple light sources positioned at different radial distances collectively provide both axial (through the center) and oblique (from surrounding positions) illumination, eliminating the need for a central peephole while maintaining structural symmetry and optical functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If coaxial episcopic illumination is added to irradiate light in the optical axis direction, then detection of flat surfaces is improved, but device complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection of flat surfacesVSAvoidillumination device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs a single planar illumination device that simultaneously provides both axial illumination (for flat surface detection) and oblique illumination (for inclination detection) through multiple light sources arranged in the same plane. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate episcopic illumination systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining comprehensive surface inspection capability.

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

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 configuration enables precise detection of surface inclination and detailed inspection of the object's state by generating a color image that distinguishes between flat and inclined planes, improving accuracy and reducing the device's overall dimensions.

Implementation Method 1

an optical member arranged on a light emitting surface of the illumination part, and having a function of transmitting light emitted by the illumination part toward the object. The optical member includes a plurality of optical regions arranged so as to surround a central region... and having mutually different color characteristics

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission and dispersion: Dispersion (of waves)

Data Source

PatentEP3514524B1Image inspection device and illumination device
Publication Date: 2024.05.29 OMRON CORP
  • EP3514524B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3514524B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3514524B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An image inspection device (100) includes a photographing part (30) photographing an object (1), a light transmissive illumination part (10), and an optical member (20). The illumination part (10) is arranged between the object (1) and the photographing part (30) and has a light emitting surface (10A) arranged to face the object (1). The optical member (20) is arranged on the light emitting surface (10A) of the illumination part (10) and transmits light emitted by the illumination part (10) toward the object (1). The optical member (20) includes a plurality of optical regions (24a to 24c). The optical regions (24a to 24c) are arranged so as to surround a central region of the light emitting surface (10A) centered on an optical axis (X) of the photographing part (30), and are configured to emit light having mutually different color characteristics toward the object (1).