Surface Inspection Apparatus Optical Positioning for Non-Flat Objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gloss meters face difficulties in measuring surface characteristics of non-flat, soft, or liquid objects due to challenges in positioning the light source and photodetector without contact, making it hard to accurately detect reflection light and calculate surface characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A surface characteristic inspection apparatus comprising a detection device, processing part, guidance information generation part, and informing part that detects reflection light, calculates surface characteristics, and provides guidance for adjusting the device's position relative to the object, allowing non-contact measurement and improved accuracy by distinguishing between specular and diffuse reflection light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If contact measurement is used to position the light source and photodetector, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the method becomes inapplicable to non-flat, soft, or liquid objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based positioning system with an optical positioning system. The light source emits light that reflects off the object surface, and the photodetector detects the reflected light to determine the optimal measurement position and attitude without physical contact. This substitution enables measurement of non-flat, soft, and liquid objects while maintaining positioning accuracy through optical feedback.
2Reliability
If non-contact measurement is used to measure soft or liquid objects, then object integrity is preserved, but positioning of the detection device becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs self-service positioning where the object itself provides the positioning information. The light source irradiates the object surface, and the reflected light pattern automatically indicates the optimal detection position and attitude. The photodetector detects specular reflection light to determine when the measurement geometry is correct, eliminating the need for external positioning aids or complex alignment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback-based positioning where the photodetector continuously monitors the reflected light intensity and provides feedback to determine the optimal measurement position. When the detection device achieves the correct attitude relative to the object surface, the specular reflection light reaches maximum intensity, providing a clear feedback signal for automatic positioning without physical contact.
3Measurement precision
If specular reflection light is used for measurement, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the system becomes sensitive to positioning errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the specular reflection light's inherent properties to self-align the measurement geometry. The bright specular reflection spot automatically indicates when the light source, object surface normal, and photodetector are in the correct geometric relationship. This self-alignment mechanism simplifies positioning control while maintaining high measurement accuracy through the strong signal from specular reflection.
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 accurate and efficient positioning of the detection device for measuring surface characteristics of complex objects, enhancing measurement accuracy and dynamic range in brightness measurement, while reducing the influence of disturbance light and multi-pass reflection.
Implementation Method 1
The detection device detects reflection light from a sensing object by irradiating light onto the sensing object
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is intended to make it easier to perform positioning of a detection device when detecting surface characteristics of a sensing object. The invention includes a detection device, a processing part, a guidance information generation part and an informing part. The detection device detects reflection light from a sensing object by irradiating light onto the sensing object. The processing part calculates surface characteristics of the sensing object by processing data from the detection device. The guidance information generation part generates information about a distance and/or an attitude of the detection device relative to the sensing object. The informing part informs the information about the distance and/or the attitude generated by the guidance information generation part.