Integrated Ultrasonic Probe Display for Inspection Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic inspection apparatuses face difficulties in efficiently and accurately inspecting internal flaws and voids due to the complexity of manipulating the ultrasonic transducer while referencing a separate display unit, leading to labor-intensive operations and potential misalignment during scanning.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic inspection apparatus with a compact, portable ultrasonic probe apparatus that integrates the ultrasonic transducer, display unit, and input unit within a probe holder, allowing for easy manipulation and real-time visualization of internal images, enabling efficient and accurate inspection without the need to constantly reference a separate display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the display unit is placed in the main body of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus, then the display can be viewed, but the operator must alternately watch the ultrasonic transducer and the display unit, making manipulation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the display unit with the ultrasonic transducer into an integrated probe apparatus. The display unit is positioned on the probe holder housing, allowing it to be viewed while manipulating the transducer without moving between separate components. This merging eliminates the need to alternately watch separate devices and resolves the contradiction between display visibility and manipulation ease.
2Weight of stationary object
If the ultrasonic transducer and display unit are separated, then the main body can be compact, but the operator experiences difficulty in manipulating the transducer while checking the display
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the ultrasonic inspection apparatus into separate functional components: a compact main body housing the signal generator, and a separate probe apparatus containing the ultrasonic transducer and display unit. This segmentation allows the main body to remain compact while the display is repositioned to the probe, enabling continuous viewing during manipulation without requiring a large integrated housing.
3Productivity
If manual manipulation of the ultrasonic transducer is required, then inspection can be performed, but it takes much labor and is not easy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides real-time visual feedback by displaying ultrasonic inspection images on the display unit attached to the probe apparatus. The operator can immediately see the inspection results while manipulating the transducer, enabling quick adjustment of manipulation based on visual feedback. This continuous feedback loop simplifies the manipulation process and improves inspection efficiency by eliminating delays between manipulation and result verification.
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
Facilitates efficient and accurate inspection of internal flaws and voids by allowing operators to easily manipulate the ultrasonic probe apparatus, reducing labor and improving alignment, thereby enhancing the overall inspection process in manufacturing and industrial settings.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic wave emitted from the piezoelectric vibrator selected by the drive element selecting section is caused to be incident via an acoustic propagation medium on an inspection object and receives a reflected echo
Implementation Method 2
an ultrasonic transducer constituted of a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic inspection apparatus includes: an ultrasonic probe apparatus including an ultrasonic transducer; a drive element selecting section that selects a required piezoelectric vibrator of the ultrasonic transducer; a signal detecting circuit that detects an electric signal dependent on a reflected echo of an ultrasonic wave emitted from the selected piezoelectric vibrator; a signal processing section that produces data on an internal image of the inspection object based on the detected reflected echo; a second display unit that combines multiple pieces of image data acquired from the signal processing section and displays an integrated visualization data result; and an second input unit that is used to perform an operation command such as a command input to start or terminate an inspection or an a command to set inspection condition.