Apparatus and method for determining contour characteristics of a contoured article
US4679331A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 26, 1985 |
| Grant date | Jul 14, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 26, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01B7/28
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An inspection apparatus includes a checking fixture having an article supporting surface having a contour representative of the desired/ideal peripheral marginal edge contour of a contoured article to be inspected, such as a bent glass sheet, e.g. an automotive lite. The article is supported by the article supporting surface of the fixture. The apparatus further includes position-sensing facilities, e.g. a linear potentiometer, and facilitates, e.g. a robot, for moving the potentiometer about the periphery of the article to be inspected, to generate a plurality of signals indicative of the gap between a plurality of predetermined points around the marginal edge periphery of the article supporting surface and a corresponding plurality of points around the marginal edge periphery of the article. The apparatus further preferably includes a computer or the like for processing the generated signals to provide information about the contour characteristics of the article, e.g. bend, sag, kink, or the like. Also disclosed herein is a method for using the apparatus of this invention.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.