IP Library Granted Patent US 11,280,744
Granted Patent B2
US 11,280,744 · App. 16/638,749 · Granted Mar 22, 2022

Appearance inspection apparatus and appearance inspection method

Inventor: Eiji Yamada (Kyoto, JP)
Assignee: NIDEC CORPORATION
G01N21/95G06T7/0004G06T2207/30108
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,280,744
App. No.
16/638,749
Granted
Mar 22, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

Accuracy of detecting abnormalities on the surface of a workpiece is improved. An appearance inspection apparatus for inspecting the appearance of a workpiece is provided. The appearance inspection apparatus for inspecting the appearance of the workpiece includes a first lighting unit that irradiates the workpiece with light, a first imaging unit that images the workpiece irradiated by the first lighting unit, a first detection unit that detects a first defect from an image captured by the first imaging unit, a second lighting unit that irradiates the workpiece with light, a second imaging unit that images the workpiece irradiated by the second lighting unit, and a second detection unit that detects a second defect from an image captured by the second imaging unit. The first lighting unit uses coaxial epi-illumination, and the second lighting unit uses coaxial epi-illumination and dome illumination.

Claims (28)

1. An appearance inspection apparatus for inspecting appearance of a workpiece, the apparatus comprising:

a first lighting unit that irradiates the workpiece with light;

a first imaging unit that images the workpiece irradiated by the first lighting unit;

a first detection unit that detects a first defect from an image captured by the first imaging unit;

a second lighting unit that irradiates the workpiece with light;

a second imaging unit that images the workpiece irradiated by the second lighting unit; and

a second detection unit that detects a second defect from an image captured by the second imaging unit,

wherein

the first lighting unit uses coaxial epi-illumination, and

the second lighting unit uses coaxial epi-illumination and dome illumination.

2. The appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising

a lifting unit that lifts or lowers the workpiece toward the second lighting unit,

wherein the lifting unit is provided below the second lighting unit in a vertical direction.

3. The appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first lighting unit and the second lighting unit use white light.

4. The appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the first lighting unit and the second lighting unit use white light.

5. An appearance inspection method for inspecting appearance of a workpiece, the method comprising:

a first lighting step of irradiating the workpiece with light;

a first imaging step of imaging the workpiece that is irradiated in the first lighting step;

a first detection step of detecting a first defect from an image captured in the first imaging step;

a second lighting step of irradiating the workpiece with light;

a second imaging step of imaging the workpiece irradiated in the second lighting step;

a second detection step of detecting a second defect from an image captured in the second imaging step,

wherein

in the first lighting step, coaxial epi-illumination is used, and

in the second lighting step, coaxial epi-illumination and dome illumination are used.

6. The appearance inspection method according to claim 5 , wherein in the second lighting step, the workpiece is lifted or lowered in a vertical direction.

7. The appearance inspection method according to claim 5 , wherein in the first lighting step and the second lighting step, white light is used.

8. The appearance inspection method according to claim 6 , wherein in the first lighting step and the second lighting step, white light is used.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 13, 2020
From: YAMADA, EIJI
To: NIDEC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 051806/0494 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP JP2017-188853 · Sep 28, 2017 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20200333260A1 · Oct 22, 2020
Cited By (1)
US 12,535,429