Seal Surface Marking for Image-Based Wear Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current seal detection devices lack the ability to analyze a sealing surface against a known reference or previous image, and they often require additional components like RFID chips, which are costly and require manufacturing modifications.
Innovation Solution
A seal detection system that uses machine-readable marks, such as QR codes or augmented reality concepts, on the seal's surface to store relevant information and compare current images against reference images to determine if the seal needs repair or replacement, with optional torque curve analysis for compression verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If RFID chips are embedded into seals during manufacture, then seal tracking and information storage capabilities are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the information storage function from the seal itself and places it on a separate readable medium (label, tag, or external device). The seal retains only its sealing function, while the medium carries the seal's identification and status information. This separation eliminates the need to embed complex RFID chips into the seal structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The readable medium serves multiple functions: it stores seal identification information, tracks maintenance history, and can be read by various devices (manual scanners, automated systems, mobile devices). This single component replaces the need for complex embedded electronics while providing equivalent information management capabilities.
2Loss of information
If RFID chips are embedded into seals during manufacture, then seal tracking and information storage capabilities are improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the information storage function from the seal itself and places it on a separate readable medium (label, tag, or external device). The seal retains only its sealing function, while the medium carries the seal's identification and status information. This separation eliminates the need to embed complex RFID chips into the seal structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inexpensive readable media such as printed labels, stickers, or external tags instead of expensive embedded RFID chips. These media can be applied during or after seal manufacturing and provide sufficient information storage and tracking capabilities at a fraction of the cost of embedded electronics.
3Measurement precision
If seal detection devices compare current images against reference images, then measurement precision of seal condition is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent stores reference images of sealing surfaces in advance, either in a database or on the readable medium itself. These reference images capture the original, defect-free sealing surface characteristics. During inspection, the current image is compared against these pre-stored references, enabling precise defect detection without requiring complex real-time analysis systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses image copying and comparison techniques where a digital image of the current sealing surface is captured and compared against a stored reference image. This optical copying approach replaces complex physical measurement instruments, providing precise defect detection through simple image processing and comparison algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
A seal detection device includes at least one seal with an outer surface where the outer surface is partially made up of a lateral surface and an axial surface. The at least one seal is provided with at least one seal mark and is placed on the lateral surface or the axial surface of the at least one seal. The at least one seal may be further provided with a unique code and may be associated with relevant seal data such as seal material, date of installation, last maintenance date, next scheduled maintenance/replacement, material safety data sheet(s), etc.