Patent · US Active

Methods and apparatus for inspecting centerplane connectors

US7742071B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
9References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 23, 2003
Grant dateJun 22, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 17, 2029

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06T2207/30141
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The present invention relates to apparatus and methods that reliably detect defects on centerplane connectors. The apparatus and methods include a visual inspection system. The visual inspection system includes a control box, an inspection cart, a camera jig, and a vision system. The vision system has a light emitting diode (LED) lighting system that provides the necessary lighting for the camera on the vision system. The vision system is mounted to the camera jig via a spring-loaded mechanism. The camera jig has dimensions similar to a daughter card that is used with the centerplane connectors. The camera jig also includes a motor and worm gear assembly that raise and/or lower the camera's view of the centerplane connectors. The control box is mounted to the inspection cart so that an operator can use it to control the up/down movements of the vision system. A timer/relay may be build into the control box to allow controlled/fixed movements of the vision system. The camera is connected to a high resolution color monitor and/or an optional flat screen color monitor. A computer workstation can be used to video capture the camera's image and can be used to send this image to an e-mai…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.