Tapered Slit Light Projection Device for Multi-Directional Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light projection devices reduce the light amount projected to a workpiece when forming slits for imaging from multiple directions, leading to decreased inspection accuracy and speed.
Innovation Solution
A light projection device with a slit that gradually widens from the light emitting surface side to the opposite side, allowing light to pass without reducing the light emitting surface area, enabling imaging from multiple directions without decreasing the light amount projected, and incorporating a slit width changing mechanism for adaptable imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a plurality of slits are formed in the light emitting plate, then imaging from multiple directions is enabled, but the light emitting surface area is reduced causing decreased inspection accuracy and speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional slit pattern (viewed from the front) to a three-dimensional tapered structure (viewed from the side). The slit width increases from the light emitting surface side to the opposite side, creating a wedge-shaped geometry that allows light to pass through at multiple angles while preserving the front surface integrity. This dimensional transformation enables multi-directional imaging without sacrificing light emitting area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the slit from a uniform width to a tapered width that varies along the depth of the light emitting plate. By making the slit width a function of depth (narrower at the front, wider at the back), the structure allows light to pass through at multiple angles while minimizing the impact on the front light emitting surface area, thus resolving the contradiction between multi-directional imaging capability and light amount.
2Illumination intensity
If the slit width is increased to maintain light amount, then light projection is improved, but imaging from multiple directions becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing slit width in the two-dimensional plane (which would compromise multi-directional imaging), the patent utilizes the third dimension (depth) to create a tapered profile. The slit is narrow at the front surface to preserve multi-directional imaging capability and wide at the back to maintain light transmission, effectively using depth as an additional degree of freedom to satisfy both requirements simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetry in the slit geometry by making the slit width non-uniform along its length. The asymmetric tapered shape (narrow at one end, wide at the other) allows the slit to perform dual functions: maintaining a small opening at the light emitting surface for multi-directional imaging while providing a large opening at the opposite side for adequate light transmission.
3Illumination intensity
If a single slit is formed to maintain light emitting surface area, then light amount is preserved, but imaging from multiple directions is not enabled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single slit into multiple narrow passages along the depth of the light emitting plate. The tapered geometry creates effectively multiple light paths through the same physical structure, allowing light to pass through at different angles corresponding to different imaging directions, while the overall structure remains a single integrated component that preserves the light emitting surface area.
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 imaging from multiple directions without reducing the light amount projected, improving inspection accuracy and speed while allowing for adjustable imaging based on surface roughness and flaw types.
Implementation Method 1
a slit allowing light reflected by the workpiece to pass from a light emitting surface side to an opposite side
Data Source
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AI summary
In order to make it possible to image the surface of a workpiece W from a plurality of directions without reducing the amount of light to be projected to the workpiece W, a light projection device 100 having light emitting surfaces 11 opposite to the workpiece W and formed with a slit S allowing light reflected by the workpiece W to pass from the light emitting surface side toward an opposite side thereof is adapted such that the slit S is formed in a tapered shape whose width gradually increases from the light emitting surface 11 side toward the opposite side.