US 12,276,617 B2Granted

Method for defect detection for rolling elements

AssigneeSchaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG

InventorsRay Amerson, Balaji Chandrasekaran

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Abstract

A method of detecting defects in a rolling element is provided herein. The method includes collecting visual data or information via a microscope assembly. This visual data is then processed and algorithms, filters, or other analytical tools or engines are applied to detect if any defects are present on the rolling element. The method includes automatically flagging or identifying any defects, and this step is then checked or verified by a user or different entity. Depending on input from the user, the defects can either be confirmed or can be identified as a false detection. Information from the user's decision-making process is then fed back into the system, processors, algorithms or other analytic aspects of the system. This information is then used to improve the accuracy of the detection algorithms. This disclosure provides an automated system and process for more efficiently and reliably identifying defects on rolling elements.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of detecting defects in a rolling element, the method comprising:

(i) scanning an outer surface of a rolling element via a microscope assembly to obtain a plurality of surface images of the rolling element;
(ii) associating each of the plurality of surface images with a specific region of the rolling element, wherein the plurality of surface images are stored in a database;
(iii) identifying defects based on the plurality of surface images via a processing module using an initial set of analysis parameters;
(iv) generating a plurality of interactive inspection icons associated with the plurality of surface images that each correspond to a unique geographic region of the rolling element, and displaying the plurality of interactive inspection icons via a user interface, wherein the user interface includes an input interface including an approve option and a rejection option;
(v) storing decisional information regarding selection of the approve option and the rejection option from the input interface in the database;
and
(vi) updating the initial set of analysis parameters based on the decisional information;
wherein step (iii) further comprises identifying the defects via an AI vision solution engine that is configured to identify defects based on analysis parameters.

5 more elements

A method of detecting defects in a rolling element, the method comprising:

(i) scanning an outer surface of a rolling element via a microscope assembly to obtain a plurality of surface images of the rolling element;
(ii) associating each of the plurality of surface images with a specific region of the rolling element, wherein the plurality of surface images are stored in a database;
(iii) identifying defects based on the plurality of surface images via a processing module using an initial set of analysis parameters;
(iv) generating a plurality of interactive inspection icons associated with the plurality of surface images that each correspond to a unique geographic region of the rolling element and displaying the plurality of interactive inspection icons via a user interface, wherein the user interface includes an input interface including an approve option and a rejection option;
(v) storing decisional information regarding selection of the approve option and the rejection option from the input interface in the database;
and
(vi) updating the initial set of analysis parameters based on the decisional information;
wherein the plurality of interactive inspection icons are configured to include at least one indicia that is representative of a defect condition;
and
wherein the at least one indicia is configured to correspond to a level of severity of any defects on the outer surface of the rolling element in a specific geographic region.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/841,993Filed 16 Jun 2022
Published: US 2023/0408421 A121 Dec 2023
Granted: 15 Apr 2025
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

G01N 21/8901
In moving material, e.g. running paper or textiles: optical details; Scanning details
G01N 21/951
Characterised by the material or shape of the object to be examined: balls
G01N 21/8851
Investigating the presence of flaws or contamination: scan or image signal processing specially adapted therefor, e.g. for scan signal adjustment,…
G01N 21/8922
Characterised by the flaw, defect or object feature examined: periodic flaws