Single-Spindle Camera Positioning for Precise Surface Focus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-tasking devices face challenges in accurately positioning and adjusting the spindle relative to a structure, controlling the quality of operations, and ensuring robust and compact design, particularly in complex environments like the aeronautical industry.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a camera without autofocus into the multi-tasking device, allowing precise location and adjustment of the spindle's position and quality control through image analysis, with features like depth of field management and unwanted movement detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a camera with autofocus is used, then the device can automatically adjust focus, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses image processing algorithms to automatically detect features and determine optimal focus positions without requiring autofocus hardware. The processing unit analyzes image data to identify when the surface is in focus, replacing the need for mechanical autofocus mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical autofocus system with a computational approach using image processing and depth of field calculations. The focus determination is achieved through software analysis of image sharpness and depth cues rather than mechanical lens adjustment.
2Manufacturing precision
If the camera depth of field is increased to cover the working range, then the focus coverage is improved, but the image resolution and precision decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the camera's depth of field settings based on the specific task and working distance. The processing unit calculates the appropriate depth of field range for each operation, allowing the camera to optimize between resolution and coverage as needed for different manufacturing tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the depth of field parameter dynamically based on operational requirements. By adjusting focal length, aperture, or focus distance parameters, the system optimizes the balance between having sufficient depth coverage for the working range and maintaining adequate image resolution for precision measurement.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple cameras are used to cover different positions, then the measurement coverage is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single camera is designed to perform multiple functions by capturing images at different positions and angles. The processing unit synthesizes information from multiple viewpoints to achieve comprehensive measurement coverage, replacing the need for multiple physical cameras while maintaining full measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system compensates for limited single-camera coverage by utilizing the temporal dimension - capturing sequential images as the camera moves to different positions. This allows a single camera to cover the same spatial volume that would require multiple cameras, transforming a spatial limitation into a temporal solution.
4Measurement precision
If the spindle positioning system is made more complex to achieve higher precision, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the device complexity and adjustment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses image capture and processing as a feedback mechanism to verify and adjust spindle positioning. The camera captures images of reference features, and the processing unit calculates positioning accuracy, providing feedback that enables precise adjustment without requiring complex mechanical positioning systems.
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
Enables robust, compact, and precise positioning and quality control of operations on complex structures, ensuring accurate task execution and reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
a camera (83) having a depth of field, the camera (83) being mounted movable between at least: a storage position in which it does not extend along the axis of said single spindle (7)
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a multi-task device (1) comprising: • - a single drive spindle (7) movable in rotation and/or in translation along the same axis and able to cooperate individually with movable members in order to drive them in a rotation movement and/or translation movement allowing them to perform their given task, • - a camera (83) having a depth of field, said camera (83) being mounted movably between at least: • - a stowage position, in which it does not extend in the axis of the single spindle (7); • - an intermediate position, in which it extends in the axis of the single spindle (7), the spindle (7) being able to act on the camera (83) so as to move it into at least one focussing position in which a surface of a structure to be worked is situated in the depth of field of the camera (83).