Ring Surface Flatness Inspection via Radial Light Beam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for inspecting the flatness of glass container ring surfaces are either expensive, cumbersome, or require mechanical contact, which can lead to breakage or pollution, and do not accurately assess the magnitude of flatness defects.
Innovation Solution
A method using a peripheral incident light beam with radial rays directed towards the theoretical central axis, reflected by the ring surface, and converted into a planar image on a two-dimensional photoelectric sensor, where optical geometric transformations enhance the visibility of height differences as radial offsets, allowing for non-contact, accurate flatness evaluation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a bell system is used to detect gaseous leaks, then flatness defects can be detected, but the inspection process becomes expensive, slow, and requires mechanical contact that risks breakage or pollution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical bell system with an optical measurement system using cameras and light sources. The mechanical contact and displacement mechanisms are substituted by non-contact optical fields, eliminating wear, breakage risk, and mechanical complexity while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary between the measurement system and the ring surface. Instead of direct mechanical contact with a bell, light reflects off the ring surface to carry information about flatness defects to the cameras, enabling indirect but contactless measurement.
2Measurement precision
If multiple cameras and light sources are used for vision inspection, then flatness can be measured, but the system becomes expensive and requires long optical paths with large bulk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple measurement functions into a single camera system. By using a single camera with specifically designed lighting and optical geometry, the system achieves what previously required multiple cameras, reducing cost, complexity, and space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the measurement approach by using radial rays in a radial plane containing the theoretical central axis. This geometric arrangement in a specific dimension allows height differences to be converted into radial image offsets, enabling accurate flatness measurement with simpler optics.
3Device complexity
If existing cameras are used for both aspect inspection and flatness measurement, then equipment cost is reduced, but the positions must be compromised and cannot satisfy both inspection types optimally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing camera system multi-functional by designing a lighting and optical geometry that enables both aspect inspection and flatness measurement from the same viewpoint. The radial light beams and optical system allow the single camera to extract both types of information without position compromise.
4Measurement precision
If stereovision with multiple cameras is used, then 3D measurements can be obtained, but the system becomes very expensive, cumbersome, and requires complex algorithms that lose accuracy over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex stereovision algorithms and multiple-camera 3D reconstruction systems with a simpler optical geometry approach. By using radial light beams and measuring radial image offsets, the system achieves accurate height measurement without needing full 3D reconstruction or complex computational algorithms.
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 approach provides a simpler, cost-effective, and non-contact method for assessing flatness defects, enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of container inspection while reducing the risk of breakage or pollution.
Implementation Method 1
radial rays of the incident light beam are reflected by specular reflection on the ring surface
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for visualizing of the flatness of a container (14) ring (16) surface, consisting: - illuminating the ring surface from above using a peripherally incident light beam comprising radial rays, with specular reflection on the ring surface, - forming, using an optical system (24, 124), a flat image of the ring surface, on a sensor (18), using a geometrical optical transformation which converts an actual height difference (dZ) into a radial image offset (dR) on the image, and the radial image offset (dR) corresponding to a unit actual height difference (dZ) being greater than the radial image offset corresponding to an actual radial offset of the same size. The invention also concerns a device and an apparatus implementing such a method.