US 2007/0177138 A1 · Device for inspection of narrow spaces and objects in narrow spaces

Abstract

A device for visual inspection of narrow spaces and objects located in narrow spaces such as solder joints between a component and a printed circuit board has an image prism for deflecting light from the spaces and objects to be inspected and an image sensor that can be connected to a display. For illuminating the solder joints light sources are provided that are located at the transmission path of light from the image prism to the image sensor. The light sources are connected to light guides having outlet ends that are located to issue light at the sides of the light entrance surface of the image prism. Special illumination prisms can be provided to direct the light. The issued light is directed to the field of view, if desired in directions obliquely down into the surface at which the spaces or objects are located and in a weakly converging fashion. Extra light sources can be connected to light guides of a background illumination unit. The light guides may be part of an illuminating unit that can be attached the rest of the device by a snapping function.

Claims44

Dependent claims

A device for visual inspection of narrow spaces and/or objects in narrow spaces at substrate surfaces such as the space and solder joints between an electric or electronic component and a printed circuit board, the device including:

an image ray deflecting device, in particular an image prism, for deflecting light, the image ray deflecting device having an entrance opening or side for light,
an image sensor for detecting light deflected by the image ray deflecting device, and
an illumination system for illuminating the narrow spaces and/or objects to be inspected, the illuminating system including
light sources located at the transmission path of light from the image ray deflecting device to the image sensor, and
light guides, the light sources connected to upper ends of the light guides, and the lower ends of the light guides arranged or connected to issue illuminating light at the sides of or from points located at the sides of the light entrance opening or side of the image ray deflecting device, in particular an entrance surface of an image prism.

2 more elements

A device for visual inspection of narrow spaces and/or objects in narrow spaces such as the space and solder joints between an electric or electronic component and a printed circuit board, the device including:

an image ray reflecting device for deflecting light, the image ray deflecting device having an entrance opening or side and an exit opening or side for light rays, the image ray reflecting device in particular being an image prism having an entrance surface and an exit surface for light rays,
an image sensor for detecting light deflected by the image ray reflecting device, and
an illumination system for providing illumination light from light sources to the spaces and/or objects to be inspected, the illumination system including
light sources for issuing illumination light,
light guides connected at upper ends to the light sources for guiding light issued from the light sources, and
illumination light reflecting devices for reflecting illumination light received at entrance openings or sides from lower, outlet ends of the light guides to issue illumination light from exit openings or sides of the illumination light reflecting devices towards the spaces and/or objects to be inspected.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Device for inspection of narrow spaces and objects in narrow spaces

Life of this patent

Device for inspection of narrow spaces and objects in narrow spaces

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims44