阅读说明：本技术 用于记录喷水喷嘴的喷射图像的装置和方法 (Device and method for recording a spray image of a water spray nozzle ) 是由 R·里斯 D·伯勒尔 于 2019-06-28 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种用于记录喷水喷嘴(2)的喷射图像(10)的装置(1),具有：用于要检查的喷水喷嘴(2)的支架；和辐射器(9),所述辐射器能够产生光射束或光幕(4),所述光射束在测量平面(3)中沿着辐射轴线传播,所述光幕在测量平面(3)中展开。装置(1)具有摄像机(5),摄像机(5)可以拍摄图像或图像序列并具有光学轴线(6),所述光学轴线与测量平面(3)相交。(The invention relates to a device (1) for recording a spray image (10) of a water spray nozzle (2), comprising: a support for the water spray nozzles (2) to be inspected; and an irradiator (9) capable of producing a light beam or a light curtain (4), the light beam propagating along a radiation axis in the measurement plane (3), the light curtain spreading in the measurement plane (3). The device (1) has a camera (5), the camera (5) being able to capture images or image sequences and having an optical axis (6) which intersects the measuring plane (3).)

1. A device (1) for recording a spray image (10) of a water spray nozzle (2), having:

a support for the water jet nozzles (2) to be inspected;

an emitter (9) capable of producing a light beam or light curtain (4) propagating along a radiation axis in a measurement plane (3), the light curtain (4) being spread out in the measurement plane (3),

it is characterized in that

A camera (5) is provided, which can take images or image sequences and has an optical axis (6) which intersects the measuring plane (3).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a water jet nozzle (2) is provided, which is capable of generating a jet water jet (7), wherein the water jet nozzle (2) is arranged in the holder such that at least a part of the jet water jet (7) generated by the water jet nozzle (2) intersects the light beam or the light curtain (4).

3. Device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the camera (5) is arranged such that the region where the jet of water jet (7) intersects the light beam or the region where the jet of water jet intersects the light curtain (4) is located in the field of view (8) of the camera.

4. Device (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said jet of water (7) is a fan-shaped jet or a cone-shaped jet or a point jet.

5. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the spatial position of the camera (5) is fixed relative to the support.

6. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a housing is provided in which the camera (5), the holder and the radiator (9) are arranged, wherein the radiator (9) is the only light source in the housing or, when present in the housing, can be switched on and off independently of the radiator (9).

7. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that an analysis unit is provided which further processes the images produced by the camera (5).

8. Method for operating a device (1) according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that a jet water jet (7) is generated by means of a water jet nozzle (2), which jet water jet intersects the light beam or the light curtain (4), and in that an image of the region of intersection of the jet water jet (7) with the light beam or the light curtain (4) is recorded by means of a camera (5).

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that a jet water jet (7) is generated by means of the water jet nozzle (2) for a certain period of time, which jet water jet intersects the light beam or the light curtain (4), and in that a sequence of images of the region in which the jet water jet (7) intersects the light beam or the light curtain (4) is taken by means of the camera (5) for a certain period of time.

10. Method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the images taken by the camera (5) are further processed in the analysis unit.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a device for recording a spray image of a water spray nozzle, comprising: a holder for a water jet nozzle to be inspected; an irradiator that can produce a light beam propagating along a radiation axis in a measurement plane or a light curtain propagating in the measurement plane. The invention also relates to a method for operating such a device.

Background

It is important to record the spray image of the water spray nozzle so that the water spray nozzle can be positioned and oriented to achieve its purpose (e.g., cleaning glass). In addition, recording is also required to provide proof: the spray image of the nozzle on the surface to be cleaned meets specifications. In the prior art, different possibilities exist for recording the ejection image. For example, observations are made by personnel, but such observations can especially lead to unreliable results when the water jet nozzle produces a water jet with dynamic characteristics. Furthermore, the legibility of the spray image is limited by the (partially) transparent washing medium. A high contrast view of the jetted image cannot be given in different background colors.

Another possibility is to provide a plurality of openings in the impact zone (i.e. for example the plate on which the jet of water impinges) in order to determine, for example, through which opening and by what amount the jet of water fluid enters. It is disadvantageous here that reflections or deflections of the jet are easily caused at the edges of the opening, which makes recording of the jet image significantly difficult. If sprayed onto such impact zones, there is also a significant effect of making evaluation more difficult by the outflowing water.

If, for example, the impact region is equipped with a plurality of force sensors, conclusions can generally be drawn only about parts of the spray image.

Therefore, the known method for recording an ejection image has the following disadvantages: these methods also give only good/bad conclusions in the best case and do not give, for example, a quantification of deviations in direction and extent.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a device which enables improved recording of the spray image of the water spray nozzles.

The object of the invention is achieved by a device for recording a spray image of a water spray nozzle and a method for operating the device according to the invention.

The term "radiator" is understood in the sense of the present invention to mean a device which is capable of emitting light. The emitter is designed such that it can generate a light beam, which propagates along the radiation axis in the measurement plane, or a light curtain, which is spread out in the measurement plane. In one conceivable embodiment, the emitter is designed such that a plurality of light beams can be generated. Preferably, the emitter is a laser, i.e. a device for generating laser light.

The term "light beam" is understood in the sense of the present invention to mean light which emerges from the emitter substantially in a straight line. The light beam is preferably a laser beam.

In the sense of the present invention, the term "light curtain" is understood to include a plane of light which is generated by the radiators and which extends in the direction of propagation of the light. The face is preferably flat but may be uneven. The surface may be curved, for example, in a shape similar to a windshield. Preferably, the light curtain is a laser light curtain.

The light curtain is preferably formed by a linear laser. The linear laser light is generated by a linear laser as an emitter. In this case, no individual laser beam, i.e. laser light emitted by the emitter substantially in a straight line, is generated. Instead, the laser light propagates planarly, so that when these laser light impinge on the projection plane, a line is visible (i.e. there are no points, for example in the case of a laser pointer).

However, it is also conceivable for the light curtain to be formed by a plurality of light beams, preferably laser beams. Advantageously, a light curtain can thus be produced, which does not have to be flat: a curved light curtain can be realized, for example, by the emitter producing a plurality of parallel light beams, wherein the light beams, when viewed in the propagation direction, do not lie in one plane but emerge, for example, in a manner arranged on a curve. In this way, for example, a spray image of a water spray nozzle for cleaning curved glass can be recorded.

The light beam propagates in the measurement plane along the radiation axis or the light curtain propagates in the measurement plane. The measuring plane thus contains the light beam or light curtain. The measurement plane is an imaginary, unrestricted plane. The measuring plane is preferably not curved at any position. Alternatively, the measuring plane may also be curved, for example when the light curtain has a curved shape. The term "plane" is therefore not to be understood in a strict geometrical sense with respect to such an embodiment.

The camera may be configured to capture an image or a sequence of images. The video camera may be a still camera or a video camera, for example. The camera may capture electromagnetic radiation in a particular frequency range, such as visible or infrared light. The camera may also be a hyperspectral camera. In addition to recording the spray image, the camera can therefore also be designed such that it can also be used to determine further data. The data may be, for example, the temperature or temperature field of the ejected image. It is also possible that the camera can recognize the substances contained in the fluid on the spray image and can determine the distribution of said substances.

The camera is used to take a spray image of the water spray nozzle and record the orientation of the spray image. Therefore, the photographic subject is an ejection image. The term "spray image" is understood to mean the shape of the intersection or intersection region between the light beam/curtain and the water jet of the water jet nozzle. A point of intersection can occur, for example, when a linear jet of water intersects a flat light curtain. If a fan-shaped jet as a jet water jet intersects a flat light curtain, a line is essentially produced as a jet image. If the conical jet intersects the flat light sheet as a jet of water, a substantially circular jet image is produced when the conical jet impinges perpendicularly on the flat light sheet. The spray image is therefore also related to the angle at which the jet of water impinges on the light curtain.

The sequence of images taken has the following advantages: the knowledge can be obtained from the dynamics of the ejection image. The dynamic behavior of the jet of water is understood to mean the change in the shape of the jet of water over time. By capturing a sequence of spray images, it can be recognized, for example, that the spray images are identical or different. In the case of different spray patterns, it can be inferred, for example, that the spray jet has dynamic properties. Furthermore, the entire intersection region between the light beam/light curtain and the jet of water jet in a specific time can be recorded, for example, by superimposing the jet images. The end positions (endgears) of the intersection region and the water distribution between these end positions can thus be identified. From which an average spray image and scatter around the average spray image can be determined.

The camera has an optical axis. In the sense of the present invention, an "optical axis" is understood to be the optical axis of the input optics of the camera. The input optical device is the part of the camera optical system on which the light beam of the object to be photographed first impinges. Furthermore, the optical system of the camera may comprise other optical components, such as mirrors. The input optics is typically the lens of a video camera.

The optical axis intersects the measurement plane. The optical axis preferably intersects the portion of the measuring plane in which the light curtain or the light beam lies. It is also conceivable, however, for the optical axis to intersect a portion of the measuring plane which does not comprise the light curtain or the light beam. In this case, it is sufficient if the light curtain or the light beam is located in the field of view of the camera. The field of view of the camera is the area in the image angle of the camera in which the object can be captured. The field of view extends from the input optics of the camera along an optical axis of the input optics.

Preferably, the angle of intersection between the optical axis and the measuring plane is substantially 90 °, other angles of intersection between 0 ° and 180 ° being also conceivable here.

In the sense of the present invention, the expression "recording the image of the emission of the water jet nozzles" comprises providing information about the image of the emission and/or analyzing this information. Information in this sense may be, for example, the shape or orientation of the jetted image (e.g., by giving coordinates). The information can be provided, for example, by visualization on a screen or by being stored in a database. Analysis is understood to mean that, using this information, powerful conclusions can be drawn about the properties of the spray image. An example of this is to compare a plurality of spray images of a sprayed water jet, which are taken in a short time sequence, in order to draw conclusions about whether the spray images appear dynamic and where the tip orientation of the spray images is located. Another example is determining the fluid distribution over the jetted image.

In a preferred embodiment, the device has a water jet nozzle which can generate a jet of water, wherein the water jet nozzle is arranged in the holder such that at least a part of the jet of water generated by the water jet nozzle intersects the light beam or light curtain.

It is contemplated that the water jet nozzles may be loaded with different pressures depending on the system in which the water jet nozzles are incorporated, such that the jetted water jets may be jetted at different angles. In this case, loading at least one of these different pressures is sufficient to cause at least a portion of the jet of water produced by the water jet nozzle to intersect the light beam or light curtain.

In the sense of the present invention, the term "water jet nozzle" is not limited to devices having only one nozzle opening through which the fluid is ejected in a jet-like manner. Not only water but also other fluids, such as cleaning agents, antifreeze agents, are also conceivable as the fluid which is sprayed through the nozzle opening (even if the name is water spray nozzle). The fluid is also not limited to a liquid and may be in a gaseous or vapor state. Such liquids or gases or vapors are suitable, which upon contact with the light generated by the radiator produce an optical event that can be photographed by a camera. Such a photographable optical event may be a reflection of the light beam on the fluid, for example a reflection of the light beam on the surface of a droplet forming part of the jetted water jet. However, the light beam generated by the emitter in the reaction between the light beam and the fluid or the light beam generated by the light curtain and the fluid can also be a photographable optical event. It is therefore conceivable that a specific gas composition can be excited by the energy input of the laser beam to emit light.

It is also conceivable that the water jet nozzle has a plurality of nozzle openings. The nozzle openings may be the same or different in shape. The nozzle openings may also be oriented identically or differently.

As water spray nozzles, for example, glass washer nozzles (for the front or rear window of a vehicle), camera cleaning nozzles or cleaning nozzles for sensors (for example for radar sensors, thermal imaging cameras for night vision photography) can be considered.

In a preferred embodiment, the camera is arranged such that the region of the jet of water intersecting the light beam or the region of the jet of water intersecting the light curtain is located in the field of view of the camera.

The water jet nozzle can be designed such that it is capable of generating a jet water jet of a specific shape. The water jet nozzle can also be designed such that it can generate a plurality of water jets having different shapes.

In a preferred embodiment, the jet of water is a fan jet or a cone jet, i.e. the jet of water has the shape of a fan or a cone. In this case, the water jet is essentially planar or three-dimensional in shape. The water jet can also be a point emitter, i.e. a fluid jet which extends substantially along a line and which intersects the light beam generated by the emitter or the light curtain generated by the emitter substantially at one point. The device according to the invention is excellently suited for recording a spray image of such a spray jet.

In a further preferred embodiment, the water jet is designed such that the spray image has the shape of a kidney or a sickle. In an alternative embodiment, the jet of water is linear (and thus its jet image is punctiform).

In the sense of the present invention, the term "holder" is understood to mean a device for holding or holding the water spray nozzles to be examined. The holder is advantageously designed such that the water jet nozzle is fixed in the holder such that the water jet nozzle does not change its orientation (for example due to displacement or twisting) in the event of a back-flushing caused by the generation of the water jet. It is significant that the water jet nozzles can be removed from the holder again.

The holder is preferably designed such that the water jet nozzle can be fixed in the holder such that the nozzle opening (and thus the origin of the jet of water) is fixed with respect to the spatial orientation and orientation of the holder.

In a preferred embodiment, the spatial orientation of the camera relative to the support is fixed. This has the following advantages: known geometric relationships may be employed each time a jetting image is recorded and analyzed. This is particularly advantageous when the spatial orientation and orientation of the nozzle opening relative to the holder is also fixed and/or the spatial orientation of the measuring plane with the nozzle opening and with the camera is fixed. The vertical distance of the punctiform spray image from the nozzle opening can thus be determined, for example, by a trigonometric relationship.

In a preferred embodiment, the device has a housing in which the camera, the holder and the emitter are arranged, wherein the emitter is the only light source in the housing.

In an alternative embodiment, the device has a housing in which the camera, the holder and the radiator are arranged, wherein at least one further light source is present in the housing. The other light sources may be switched on and off independently of the radiator.

It is also conceivable for these alternative embodiments to be implemented such that the holder is arranged in the housing, but the camera and the radiator are not arranged in the housing. Alternatively, the housing can have an inlet through which the light beam or the light curtain can enter the housing, and also an inlet such that the intersection region between the light beam/light curtain and the jet water jet is located in the field of view of the camera or is provided for this purpose. In this case, the inlets may be the same inlet or different inlets. The inlet may be, for example, an opening or a window made of a light-permeable material, such as a light-permeable glass or film.

Preferably, in this alternative embodiment relating to the housing, a water jet nozzle, which can generate a jet water jet, is arranged in the holder such that at least a part of the jet water jet generated by the water jet nozzle can intersect the light beam or light curtain.

The housing has the function of darkening the interior of the housing. The housing is therefore advantageously made of a material that is opaque to light or that allows a small amount of light into the interior. The light reflections in the interior can be better recognized and recorded by the darkening, which can significantly improve the recording of the spray image.

The housing can not only be used to achieve a better contrast between the light reflection and the surroundings. The housing may also serve as a test chamber in which specific test conditions may be established. For example, an air flow may be generated in the housing in order to determine its effect on the spray image. The air flow can simulate the frontal wind of the vehicle. Specific temperature conditions may also be provided in the test chamber to determine its effect on the ejection image.

The housing also has the following advantages: the housing may be configured to receive a fluid (e.g., a cleaning fluid). It is further contemplated that the fluid received and/or collected by the housing may be reused.

As already explained, the housing can be used to achieve a better contrast between the light reflection and the surroundings. It is also conceivable to achieve an increased contrast by means of a band-pass filter tuned to the radiator. The use of such band-pass filters is possible, for example, when recording spray images of water spray nozzles in wind tunnels or in areas which have to be shielded by safety measures, since, for example, there is a risk of explosion or chemical resistance is required.

In a preferred embodiment, the device has an evaluation unit which further processes the images generated by the camera. The analysis unit is particularly useful for automatic analysis of the spray image. The evaluation unit can store important data about the spray image in a database and use it for comparison of the spray image, for example. The analysis unit can advantageously determine deviations from the mean value and scatter.

The invention also relates to a method for operating a device according to the invention for recording a spray image of a water spray nozzle. The method comprises the following steps: a jet water jet is generated by means of a water jet nozzle, which jet water jet intersects the light beam or the light curtain, and an image of the region of the jet water jet intersecting the light beam or the light curtain is recorded by means of a camera.

In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: the method comprises the steps of generating a jet of water by means of a water jet nozzle for a certain period of time, said jet of water intersecting a light beam or light curtain, and capturing a sequence of images of a region in which the jet of water intersects the light beam or light curtain by means of a camera for a certain period of time. The frequency of the image sequence may be as high as "film", for example 16 or more images per second. However, it is also conceivable (for example, to reduce the amount of data to be stored) to have a sequence of images with a lower frequency, for example 8 images or less, for example one image per second.

In another preferred embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: the water jet nozzle generates a water jet which intersects the light beam or the light curtain within a certain time period, and the camera exposes the region of the water jet which intersects the light beam or the light curtain for a long time within the time period. This period of time may be referred to as an exposure time. Preferably, the exposure time is at least 3 seconds. Even if the jet water jet has dynamic properties, a long exposure time is helpful. This also applies, for example, when the jet image changes in an oscillating manner over time due to the dynamic properties of the jet water jet.

With a filter or with a diffuse beam, it is possible to take pictures even under ambient light, in particular without a housing. This is particularly relevant in wind tunnels.

In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: the images taken by the camera are further processed in an analysis unit. The further processing may comprise optical further processing steps, such as filtering. However, the further processing may also comprise comparing the image with stored images in order to determine the following information: whether the captured image corresponds to the stored image or in what way the captured image deviates from the stored image.

Drawings

The invention is explained below with the aid of the figures, which show exemplary embodiments of the invention. Shown in the attached drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

fig. 2 shows a perspective front view of the second exemplary embodiment.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a device 1 for recording a spray image of a water spray nozzle 2. The device comprises a holder (not shown) for the water jet nozzles 2 to be examined and an emitter (not shown) which produces a light curtain 4, the light curtain 4 being spread out in the measuring plane 3. The light curtain 4 extends perpendicular to the paper and at least from arrow a to arrow B. The measuring plane 3 is also perpendicular to the paper and contains a light curtain 4.

The device 1 has a camera 5 which can take images or image sequences. The camera 5 has an optical axis 6 intersecting the measurement plane.

The device 1 also has a water spray nozzle 2, which water spray nozzle 2 can generate a spray water jet 7. The jet of water 7 is a fan-shaped jet. The water spray nozzles 2 are arranged in the holder such that the spray water jets 7 generated by the water spray nozzles 2 intersect the light curtain 4.

The camera 5 is arranged such that the region where the jet of water 7 intersects the light curtain 4 is located in the field of view 8 of the camera. The device 1 also has an analysis unit (not shown) which is able to further process the images produced by the camera 5.

The camera 5, the water jet nozzles 2 and the light curtain 4 have a fixed arrangement and orientation, so that in particular the distances between them are fixed and known. The vertical distance between the nozzle opening and the region of intersection between the light curtain detected by the camera and the jet of water (here given, for example, by the value 86.1 mm) can thus be determined, for example, by a simple trigonometric relationship.

Fig. 2 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the device 1, but the light curtain 4 can be seen from the front. Here, too, a radiator 9 can be seen, the radiator 9 producing the light curtain 4. The radiator 9 is a laser radiator, and the light curtain 4 is thus formed by laser light. The water jet nozzles 2 produce jets 7, the shape of the jets 7 being such that they produce a kidney-shaped spray image 10 (the intersection between the light curtain and the spray water jet). The intersection region is completely within the field of view 8 of the camera 5.