Panel surface flaw inspection
First Claim
1. A method of inspecting a surface comprising the steps of:
- illuminating an extensive area of the surface by directing light onto the surface area in such a manner that light is reflected therefrom;
providing a retroreflective member comprising a large number of small retroreflective elements in a position such that light reflected from the extensive illuminated surface area impinges thereon, is then returned to the illuminated surface area, and is re-reflected therefrom;
imaging light re-reflected from the extensive illuminated surface area; and
detecting dark or bright areas in the imaged light, the dark or bright areas being indicative of a characteristic of the extensive illuminated surface area.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
This invention relates to electro-optical sensing of form type and other defects on surfaces such as sheet metal or plastic panels. Method and apparatus are disclosed for detection and quantification of defects such as dents, creases, low spots, flat spots, etc. which are a result of the manufacturing, material handling and assembly process. Surfaces of interest are generally those of automobile body panels, (e.g. hoods, fenders), refrigerator panels, furniture panels, and aircraft panels. Similar applications exist to dies and other formed metallic or plastic parts. Both automatic and human visual methods and apparatus are disclosed. The disclosed invention is also effective on paint defects such as orange peel encountered in automotive and other applications. Assemblies of panels, such as car bodies may also be inspected using the invention, and both fixed and moving (e.g. robotic) sensor versions are disclosed.
201 Citations
58 Claims
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1. A method of inspecting a surface comprising the steps of:
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illuminating an extensive area of the surface by directing light onto the surface area in such a manner that light is reflected therefrom; providing a retroreflective member comprising a large number of small retroreflective elements in a position such that light reflected from the extensive illuminated surface area impinges thereon, is then returned to the illuminated surface area, and is re-reflected therefrom; imaging light re-reflected from the extensive illuminated surface area; and detecting dark or bright areas in the imaged light, the dark or bright areas being indicative of a characteristic of the extensive illuminated surface area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. Apparatus for inspecting a surface comprising;
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illuminating means for illuminating an extensive area of a surface by directing light onto the surface area in such a manner that light is reflected therefrom; a retroreflective member comprising a large number of small retroreflective elements positioned relative to the surface such that light reflected from the extensive illuminated surface area impinges thereon, is then returned to the illuminated surface area, and is re-reflected therefrom; imaging means for imaging light re-reflected from the extensive illuminated surface area; and detecting means for detecting dark or bright areas in the imaged light, the dark or bright areas being indicative of a characteristic of the extensive illuminated surface area. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of inspecting a surface comprising:
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illuminating an extensive area of a surface of an object with light from a divergent light source; providing a retroreflective member comprising a large number of small retroreflective elements in a position such that light reflected from said illuminated surface is returned to the illuminated surface and re-reflected therefrom; and imaging said re-reflected light. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. Apparatus for inspecting a surface comprising:
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light source means for illuminating an extensive area of a surface of an object with divergent light; a retroreflective member comprising a large number of small retroreflective elements, said member being positionable such that light reflected from a surface illuminated with divergent light from said light source means is returned to the illuminated surface and re-reflected therefrom; and means for imaging said re-reflected light. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of visually observing a geometric distortion in a surface comprising:
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illumiating an extensive area of a surface of an object; providing a retroreflective member comprising a large number of small retroreflective elements in a position such that light reflected from said illuminated surface is returned to the illuminated surface and re-reflected therefrom, said re-reflected light comprising bright or dark areas indicative of a geometric distortion in said surface; and visually observing light re-reflected from the illuminated surface to observe the surface and a geometric distortion therein. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. Apparatus for rendering visible a geometric distortion in a surface comprising:
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means for illuminating an extensive area of a surface of an object; and a retroflective member comprising a large number of small retroreflective elements; said retroreflective member being positioned in a location such that light reflected from said illuminated surface is returned to the illuminated surface and re-reflected therefrom, said re-reflected light comprising visible bright or dark areas indicative, under visual observation, of a geometric distortion in said surface. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A method of detecting a geometric distortion in a surface comprising:
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illuminating a surface of an object with light such that an area of such surface is illuminated, said area being substantially larger than a geometric distortion to be detected; providing a retroreflective member comprising a large number of small retroreflective elements in a position such that light reflected from said illuminated surface is returned to the illuminated surface and re-reflected therefrom; and detecting light re-reflected from the illuminated surface, said re-reflected light comprising detectable dark or bright areas indicative of a geometric distortion present in the illuminated surface. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. Apparatus for detecting a geometric distortion in a surface comprising:
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means for illuminating a surface of an object with light such that an area of said surface is illuminated, said area being substantially larger than the area of a geometric distortion to be detected; a retroreflective member comprising a large number of small retroreflective elements; said retroreflective member being positioned such that light reflected from said illuminated surface is returned to the illuminated surface and re-reflected therefrom; and means for detecting light re-reflected from the illuminated surface, said re-reflected light comprising detectable dark or bright areas indicative of a geometric distortion present in the illuminated surface. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47)
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48. A method of inspecting a surface comprising:
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illuminating a surface of an object with light; providing a retroreflective member comprising a large number of small retroreflective elements in a position such that light reflected from said illuminated surface is returned to the illuminated surface and re-reflected therefrom; and detecting light re-reflected from the illuminated surface, said illumination being effected from a location displaced from the axis of light detection. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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54. Apparatus for inspecting a surface comprising:
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means for illuminating a surface of an object with light; a retroreflective member comprising a large number of small retroreflective elements;
thatsaid retroreflective member being positioned such light reflected from said illuminated surface is returned to the illuminated surface and re-reflected therefrom; and means for detecting light re-reflected from the illuminated surface;
a locationsaid illuminating means being positioned at displaced from the axis of light detection. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56, 57, 58)
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Specification