Illuminator for a viewing unit of an optical inspection machine for the quality control of parts
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Publication Number
US-12099016-B2
Publication Date
2024-09-24
Expiration Date
Abstract
An illuminator for a viewing unit of an optical inspection machine for the quality control of parts, in particular gaskets, comprises a diffusion chamber, a diffuse illumination source, a low-angle illumination source, a direct illumination source placed in the diffusion chamber, and an annular reflective element placed in the diffusion chamber. The annular reflective element is integral to the direct illumination source so that together they form a chamber closure assembly delimiting the upper end of the diffusion chamber. The chamber closure assembly can move axially by translational movement in the diffusion chamber both toward and away from the diffuse illumination source.
Core Innovation
The illuminator is for a viewing unit of an optical inspection machine for the quality control of parts. It comprises a substantially cylindrical diffusion chamber delimited laterally by a side wall and on a bottom by a lower plate in which a central opening is made. Within the chamber, a diffuse illumination source in the shape of a circular crown is supported by the lower plate and generates a light beam inside the diffusion chamber directed substantially in parallel to the side wall.
The illuminator further includes a low-angle illumination source extending beneath the lower plate, around the central opening, and a direct illumination source inside the diffusion chamber capable of generating a downward-directed light beam. The low-angle illumination source is designed to generate a light beam pointing downward and converging toward the main axis of the diffusion chamber, so as to illuminate side surfaces of a part to be inspected placed beneath the illuminator.
An annular reflective element is placed in the diffusion chamber and defines an annular portion of a concave surface facing the diffuse illumination source. The concave portion reflects and diffuses rays coming from the diffuse illumination source into the diffusion chamber, and the annular reflective element is integral to the direct illumination source so that they together form a chamber closure assembly that delimits the top of the diffusion chamber.
The chamber closure assembly can move axially with translational movement in the diffusion chamber both toward and away from the diffuse illumination source. In this way, the illuminator adapts the illumination by using the movable chamber-closure assembly in a diffusion chamber arrangement with the diffuse circular-crown illumination, the low-angle illumination beneath the lower plate around the central opening, and the direct illumination inside the diffusion chamber.
Claims Coverage
The coverage is centered on one independent claim describing an illuminator for a viewing unit of an optical inspection machine for quality control of parts. The inventive features include a cylindrical diffusion chamber with a circular-crown diffuse source, a low-angle illumination source under the lower plate around a central opening, a downward direct illumination source, and an annular concave reflective element integral to a movable chamber-closure assembly with axial translation.
Axial-movable chamber-closure assembly with integral annular concave reflector
An annular reflective element placed in the diffusion chamber defines an annular portion of a concave surface facing the diffuse illumination source so as to reflect and diffuse rays coming from the diffuse illumination source into the diffusion chamber; the annular reflective element is integral to the direct illumination source so that they together form a chamber closure assembly that delimits the top of the diffusion chamber, and wherein said chamber closure assembly can move axially with translational movement in the diffusion chamber both toward and away from the diffuse illumination source.
Cylindrical diffusion chamber with circular-crown diffuse illumination parallel to side wall
A substantially cylindrical diffusion chamber delimited laterally by a side wall and on a bottom by a lower plate in which a central opening is made; a diffuse illumination source in the shape of a circular crown, supported by the lower plate and designed to generate a light beam inside the diffusion chamber directed substantially in parallel to the side wall.
Low-angle illumination beneath lower plate around central opening to illuminate side surfaces
A low-angle illumination source that extends beneath the lower plate, around the central opening, which is designed to generate a light beam pointing downward and converging toward the main axis of the diffusion chamber so as to illuminate side surfaces of a part to be inspected placed beneath the illuminator.
Downward-directed direct illumination source inside diffusion chamber
A direct illumination source inside the diffusion chamber capable of generating a downward-directed light beam.
Overall, the independent claim requires an illuminator architecture combining cylindrical diffusion with circular-crown diffuse illumination, low-angle side-surface illumination from beneath the lower plate via the central opening, a downward direct illumination source, and an annular concave reflective element that is integral to a movable chamber-closure assembly capable of axial translation toward and away from the diffuse illumination source.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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