Apparatus for use in an automated optical inspection

#The instant application claims priority to Malaysia Patent Application Serial No. PI2020003567 filed Jul. 9, 2020, the entire specification of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.

#The present invention relates to an apparatus for use in an automated optical inspection, more particularly in a production line for inspection of industrial products.

#There are a number of automated optical inspection (AOI) solutions in the industry that help to perform vision inspection on various industrial products such as printed circuit boards, semiconductors, automotive components, medical equipment and many more. Further, automated optical inspections are also widely deployed in industries which manufacture consumer products such as mobile phones, bottles, containers, gloves and so forth. Nevertheless, most of the inspection solutions are product-oriented and are unable to cover all forms of defects specifications under a single lighting configuration and camera system. Furthermore, multiple layers or angles of lighting with various colours are usually integrated into the inspection systems to maximise the inspection coverage, in addition to having motorised cameras that is able to inspect surfaces at different heights. The few challenges faced by existing automated optical inspection solutions include being product-oriented, defect-oriented, require multiple inspection stations for conducting full inspection coverage which in turn will incur additional cost, and limited flexibility in terms of viewing angles.

#For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the invention, there is illustrated in the accompanying drawing the preferred embodiments from an inspection of which when considered in connection with the following description, the invention, its construction and operation and many of its advantages would be readily understood and appreciated.

#FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of an apparatus for use in an automated optical inspection according to the present invention.

#FIG. 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the apparatus without a rear enclosure according to the present invention.

#Hereinafter, the invention shall be described according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention and by referring to the accompanying description and drawings. However, it is to be understood that limiting the description to the preferred embodiments of the invention is merely to facilitate discussion of the present invention and it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications without departing from the scope of the appended claim.

#The present invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the drawings.

#FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an apparatus 100 for use in an automated optical inspection according to the present invention. The apparatus 100 as illustrated comprises a front enclosure 2 and rear enclosure 7, with the front enclosure 2 having a plurality of apertures disposed along the sides for disposing a plurality of illumination units 3, 4, 5, 6, in addition to a centre aperture for disposing an optical imaging unit 12. Preferably, both the front enclosure 2 and rear enclosure 7 may be made out of lightweight metal or lightweight polymer which may be manufactured via 3D printing, injection moulding, die casting, sheet metal stamping or the likes. In addition, the front enclosure 2 prevents any environmental impurities such as dirt, dust or liquid from entering the apparatus 100 while the rear enclosure 7 protects the internal components from any potential accidental damages caused by user error in the handling of the apparatus 100. In a preferred embodiment, the illumination units 3, 4, 5, 6 may include a plurality of light bars which further comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) integrated into the housing of the light bar. The LEDs in the illumination units 3, 4, 5, 6 may be interchangeable with an assortment of diodes such as, by way of example but not limited to, RGB tricolour LEDs, UV or Infrared Ray emitting diodes or bulbs, and many more, to adapt to different applications when necessary. In addition, the illumination units 3, 4, 5, 6 may also be replaced with other lighting options, for example, spotlights, lasers, or projectors, according to the application in which the apparatus 100 is being used for. According to a preferred embodiment, the apparatus 100 is also adapted for mounting onto a multi-axis robot by means of a robot end effector 1, wherein the multi-axis robot is then able to displace the apparatus 100 to a desired angle and position during the inspection process. Advantageously, the apparatus 100 attached to the multi-axis robot is then able to ascertain a wider coverage of defects to be inspected as certain defects require the apparatus 100 to be at a predetermined angle in order to ensure an accurate visualization of the defect on an inspected product in view. Preferably, the illumination units 3, 4, 5, 6 are further classified relative to the position of the robot end effector 1, whereby the illumination units 3, 4, 5, 6 are classified as a north unit 6, south unit 4, east unit 3, and west unit 5, in which each illumination unit 3, 4, 5, 6 is able to illuminate each direction respectively. In another preferred embodiment, the apparatus 100 may include a wired or wireless communication means for controlling the apparatus 100, by way of example, an operator is able to control the apparatus 100 from an external computer or mobile device in connection with the apparatus 100 or multi-axis robot holding the apparatus 100 therewith.