Ring Camera Cable Inspection for Different Cable Shapes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable inspection apparatuses are limited to inspecting cables of a single shape and cannot accommodate cables of different shapes.
Innovation Solution
A cable inspection apparatus with a ring camera frame equipped with multiple cameras distributed at intervals, allowing simultaneous image capture from various angles, and an illumination device for providing light, along with a marking device to identify unqualified portions, enabling inspection of cables of diverse shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single camera is used to capture cable images, then the device structure is simple, but it can only inspect cables of one specific shape and cannot accommodate different cable shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The image capturing device is segmented into multiple cameras distributed at intervals on a ring camera frame, with each camera capturing images from different angles. This segmentation allows the system to handle various cable shapes by combining multiple viewpoint data, resolving the contradiction between inspection versatility and device simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single viewpoint (2D limitation) to multi-viewpoint 3D imaging by distributing cameras around the cable in a ring configuration. This dimensional change enables the system to capture cables of different shapes and orientations, achieving adaptability without excessive complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cameras are used to capture images from different angles, then cables of different shapes can be inspected, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ring camera frame structure serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for multiple cameras, enables multi-angle imaging, and accommodates different cable shapes. This universal design achieves adaptability while consolidating structural elements to manage complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple cameras and the ring frame are merged into an integrated image capturing device that functions as a unified system. This combination allows the system to handle various cable shapes simultaneously, achieving versatility without the complexity of separate inspection systems for different cable types.
3Productivity
If a ring camera frame with multiple cameras is used, then real-time inspection of various cable shapes is enabled, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The ring camera frame with multiple cameras enables continuous real-time imaging of cables as they pass through, maintaining uninterrupted inspection. This continuous action achieves high productivity by capturing all cable surfaces simultaneously from multiple angles, justifying the increased structural complexity through enhanced inspection efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A cable inspection apparatus includes an image capturing device and a determination device. The image capturing device includes a ring camera frame and a plurality of cameras mounted on the ring camera frame and distributed at intervals on a circumference of the ring camera frame. The cameras simultaneously capture images of a cable to be inspected extending through the ring camera frame from a plurality of different angles. The determination device determines whether or not a portion of the cable is qualified according to the images.