Automated Optical Distortion Analysis for Shaped Vehicle Glass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated systems have been unsuccessful in quantitatively assessing optical distortion in shaped glass sheets or panels due to the numerous variables involved, making human visual assessment the most reliable but subjective method.
Innovation Solution
A method using a visible light source with a repetitive pattern to illuminate a vertical surface, reflecting the pattern onto a shaped glass sheet, and capturing the image with an opto-electronic device to analyze the maximum percent change in the pattern's shape, simulating real-world viewing geometry and minimizing second surface reflections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated systems use reflected light to assess optical distortion in shaped glass, then productivity increases through automation, but measurement precision deteriorates due to numerous variables affecting the assessment
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-positions the glass sheet or panel on a horizontal surface before assessment, and pre-configures the vertical rigid surface with a known repetitive pattern at a specific distance (4-12 feet). This preliminary setup establishes controlled viewing geometry that eliminates variables during the actual automated measurement, allowing high-speed assessment without sacrificing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the assessment parameters by using a vertical rigid surface with a repetitive pattern instead of traditional lighting methods. By controlling the distance (4-12 feet) and using reflected light geometry, the system transforms the measurement approach to capture distortion as it appears in real-world viewing conditions, enabling both automation and precision
2Measurement precision
If human visual assessment is used to evaluate optical distortion, then measurement precision improves through subjective judgment, but reliability deteriorates due to subjectivity and inconsistency
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates an optical copy of the repetitive pattern reflected off the glass sheet, capturing it with an opto-electronic device. This copy preserves the visual appearance of distortion as seen by the human eye but allows for objective, consistent digital analysis. The algorithm quantitatively measures the copied pattern's distortion without subjective interpretation, achieving both human-like accuracy and machine reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the human visual assessment mechanism with an opto-electronic imaging system and computational algorithm. The system uses a camera to capture the reflected pattern and software to analyze distortion, substituting human subjectivity with consistent mechanical-optical-electronic measurement while maintaining the ability to assess distortion as it appears in real-world viewing
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
The method provides a quantitative analysis of reflected optical distortion that correlates well with human visual assessment, enabling effective adjustment of the glass shaping production process and identifying defects in vehicle glass components.
Implementation Method 1
A source of visible light is positioned in predetermined proximity to reflect therefrom onto a pre-positioned, essentially horizontal surface
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application describes and claims an opto-electronic method of quantitatively analyzing reflected optical distortion in sheets or panels of shaped glass.