DE102015101027A1 - Apparatus and method for eliminating an irregularity of a surface - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus and method for eliminating an irregularity (10; 30) of a surface (14; 34) is provided. The device (1; 2) comprises a detection device (20) for detecting at least one property of the irregularity (10; 30), and a control device (24) for determining a deviation between the detected at least one property of the irregularity (10; 30) and a target state of the property of the surface (14, 34), wherein the control device (24) is configured, an application device (28) for introducing a three-dimensional filling (11, 31) into the irregularity (10, 30) on the basis of the To control control device (24) determined deviation, so that the irregularity (10; 30) of the surface (14; 34) in the desired state of the surface (14; 34) is offset.

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for removing an irregularity of a surface.

Irregularities of a surface in the sense of the present application are all deviations from the nominal state of a surface or defects of a surface. Such deviations or errors may occur in use of an object such as a vehicle, a road, a piece of furniture, and so on. Such an irregularity may be, for example, a micro-crack or greater damage in painted surfaces. Likewise, cracks, depressions, eruptions, craters, etc. in roads and paths may be considered surface defects within the meaning of the present invention.

It is possible to manually repair such irregularities of a surface. However, this usually requires appropriately trained and therefore expensive personnel and thus requires a comparatively high manual testing and repair costs. Moreover, manually repairing such irregularities of a surface often does not lead to a satisfactory result. This is also independent of whether it is paint defects in painted surfaces such as vehicle bodies, or whether it is cracks, eruptions, etc. in paved or concrete pavements.

DE 101 29 660 C1 shows a process for the refinish or double-coating of substrates, in which a thermally and actinic radiation-curable coating material is applied to a substrate. The resulting layer is cured with actinic radiation and coated with a thermosetting coating material.

However, such a method is only applicable if the substrate or an article is already provided with the thermally and with actinic radiation curable coating material. This also requires, if necessary, a corresponding audit.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for eliminating an irregularity of a surface, with which the aforementioned problems can be solved. In particular, an apparatus and a method for eliminating an irregularity of a surface are to be provided, wherein the apparatus and the method can be applied independently of the material of the surface and offer a high quality of the elimination of the irregularity with simple and quick handling cost.

This object is achieved by a device for eliminating an irregularity of a surface according to claim 1. The device comprises a detection device for detecting at least one property of the irregularity, and a control device for determining a deviation between the detected at least one property of the irregularity and a desired state of the property of the surface, wherein the control device is configured, an application device for introducing a three-dimensional filling in to control the irregularity on the basis of the deviation detected by the control device so that the irregularity of the surface is set in the target state of the surface.

Thus, the device can not only obtain data that provide exact information about the spatial extent, depth and contour of the irregularities or surface defects to be corrected. But it is also possible to control on the basis of this data an application device that can provide immediately after detection of the error data for the elimination of irregularities or surface defects, either by paint application or by filling with a repair compound as a filling.

With the device can optionally also cracks, depressions and / or craters in road surfaces or other road damage are at least partially eliminated, which would normally be difficult to eliminate in such an automated manner, but only with manual, and thus time-consuming and costly, support.

Advantageous further embodiments of the device are specified in the dependent claims.

Possibly, the surface is a paint of an outer skin of an article or a road surface, and / or the irregularity of the surface is a crack and / or indentation and / or notch in the surface and / or a paint scratch and / or a stone chipping, and / or the at least one property of the irregularity of the surface is an area and / or a width and / or a length and / or a depth and / or a structure and / or a volume and / or a hue and / or the filling material of the three-dimensional Filling is bitumen and / or concrete, and / or the filling material of the three-dimensional filling comprises at least one filler material from the group primer and / or filler and / or base or solid color and / or topcoat and / or clearcoat.

The device described above may also have the application device, wherein the application device is designed for introducing the three-dimensional filling in at least one layer. Additionally or alternatively, the device described above may also include a cleaning device for cleaning the surface before detecting the irregularity.

It is also possible that the application device for introducing the three-dimensional filling is designed as a three-dimensional pressure in at least one layer.

In one embodiment, the detection device can be designed to detect a position of the irregularity, and / or the detection device can be configured for optical detection and / or for performing a deflektometric measurement principle.

In one embodiment, the detection device can have a light source and a camera for detecting the at least one property of the irregularity.

It is also possible for the control device to also be designed to determine a position of the irregularity and / or to determine the quantity of paint or filling quantity to be applied with the application device.

Possibly, the control device is also configured to control the application device for introducing the three-dimensional filling into the irregularity on the basis of the deviation determined by the control device as trapping, so that the three-dimensional filling in the irregularity after use of a drying and / or polishing device to the surrounding Surface is aligned.

The above object is also achieved by a method for eliminating an irregularity of a surface according to claim 9. The method has the steps of: detecting, with a detection device, at least one property of the irregularity, determining with a control device, a deviation between the detected at least one property of the irregularity and a target state of the property of the surface, and controlling with the control device Application device for introducing a three-dimensional filling in the irregularity on the basis of the deviation determined by the control device, so that the irregularity of the surface is set in the desired state of the surface.

The method achieves the same advantages as previously mentioned with respect to the device.

In the method, the application device may introduce the three-dimensional filling as three-dimensional printing in at least one layer into the irregularity, and / or the filling material of the three-dimensional filling may be bitumen and / or concrete, and / or the filling material of the three-dimensional filling may comprise at least one filling material the group comprises primer and / or filler and / or basecoat and / or topcoat and / or clearcoat, and / or the surface may be cleaned prior to the detection step.

Further possible implementations of the invention also include not explicitly mentioned combinations of features or embodiments described above or below with regard to the exemplary embodiments. The skilled person will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the invention.

The invention with reference to the accompanying drawings and an exemplary embodiment is described in detail. Show it:

1A to 1H schematically, a method for eliminating a surface irregularity according to a first embodiment, in which detection and repair of a defective location in the painted skin of a vehicle body is performed as an example of a surface;

2A to 2E schematically, a method of removing an irregularity of a surface according to a second embodiment, wherein a detection and repair of a faulty spot in a road surface is performed as an example of a surface;

3 schematically an apparatus for eliminating an irregularity of a surface according to a third embodiment; and

4 schematically a device for eliminating an irregularity of a surface according to a fourth embodiment.

In the figures, identical or equivalent elements, unless otherwise indicated, provided with identical reference numerals. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference symbols are shown in the individual figures, which are required for the description of the respective figure. The Embodiments shown represent only examples of how the device according to the invention or the inventive method can be configured and do not represent a final limitation.

1A to 1H illustrate in schematic views successive steps and the possible applications of a method for eliminating an irregularity 10 a surface 14 according to a first embodiment. This will be an error or an irregularity 10 a surface 14 eliminated by the irregularity 10 to a faultless reference area 16 the surface 14 is adjusted. The irregularity 10 For example, an undesired and / or defective recess and / or a notch and / or a crack in the surface 14 of a body, as in 1A to 1G shown.

This shows the 1A the possible occurrence of the irregularity 10 in the otherwise perfect environment of the surface 14 that the error-free reference area 16 forms. The surface 14 and thus also the error-free reference area 16 For example, the painted outer skin of a vehicle body or any other painted or reflective surface may be.

The irregularity 10 will in the process, possibly after a suitable cleaning of the irregularity 10 with a cleaning device 18 , detected. A suitable cleaning can be done in particular with water, a lint-free cloth, etc. or compressed air and / or pressurized water. This is to prevent the irregularity 10 be prepared for their subsequent repair. Preferably, with the cleaning dust, etc., from or from the irregularity 10 eliminated.

The detection takes place, for example, by the irregularity 10 is scanned optically. Using the method can in this way a property of the surface 14 such as area or areal extent and / or depth and / or length and / or width and / or structure and / or volume, of the irregularity 10 in terms of the error-free reference area 16 the surface 14 be recorded.

1B clarifies the detection of the irregularity 10 with a detection device 20 , which can be designed as a scanning unit and in particular as a laser scanning unit. For this purpose, the detection device 20 a camera and optionally additionally have a light source, as in 1B clarified. This is the irregularity 10 detected in the present embodiment with respect to at least one of their properties. The optical detection can in particular in the case of a painted vehicle body by measuring the affected area or the affected areas of the surface 14 by means of a reflectometric measuring principle, which is particularly suitable for reflecting surfaces.

From this acquisition are in accordance with 1C collection data 22 generated, as well as target state data 23 , a control device 24 be made available for further processing. In this case, the control device determines 24 a deviation between the detected property or properties of the irregularity 10 and a target state of the property (s) of the surface 14 , The nominal state is in the nominal state data 23 includes, in a storage device 25 are stored. The control device 24 generated based on the acquisition data 22 under comparison with the nominal state data 23 control data 26 for an application device 28 ,

After removal of the detection device 20 comes with the control data 26 in an in 1D shown subsequent method step, the application device 28 driven. The application device 28 is in 1D to 1G shown as a block arrow. The application device 28 is to fill the irregularity 10 in the surface 14 with a filling 11 designed. The filling 11 may include, for example, primer and / or filler and / or base or solid color and / or topcoat and / or clearcoat material as filler material. Is the paint layer on the surface 14 at the irregularity 10 If destroyed so that the article is exposed underneath, all four fillers listed should be in the filling 11 be included. In this case, the topcoat always forms the topmost layer of the surface 14 and the other fillers are layered therebelow in the order named. Otherwise, only the respective required filling materials can be used.

In addition, the application device 28 also for after-treatment, such as smoothing and / or polishing and / or adaptation to the error-free reference area 16 the surface 14 be provided and designed to equalize the surface 14 to reach.

That from the previous detection with the detection device 20 obtained control data 26 ensure a simple or multiple activation of the application device 28 with the control device 24 , The control device 24 can according to 1E to 1G if necessary in several steps for backfilling and leveling out the irregularity 10 with the filling 11 to care. As a result, the irregularity disappears 10 , so that a uniform surface 14 can be formed, which are no longer of the error-free reference area 16 as a perfect environment and surface 14 different.

Optionally, then a polish or a grinding process according to 1H done to the filling 11 in the irregularity 10 , or in other words, the repaired area 12 to rework. This creates a continuous surface 14 created, preferably no longer with the naked eye of the error-free reference area 16 can distinguish.

In order to achieve an optimal repair result, it is usually useful or necessary, the application device 28 based on by means of the detection device 20 recorded location coordinates of the surface 14 adjust or calibrate.

This is not just an exact detection of the coordinates or the position of the irregularity 10 ensured. The position in relation to the surface 14 can also from the controller 24 be determined. In addition, there is also an exact placement of the filling 11 in the irregularity 10 realized.

This can make the detection of the irregularity 10 and their removal based on the same reference data for the local coordination. That is, a calibration for the optical detection of the irregularity 10 can preferably also serve as a calibration for the automated and fully mechanically feasible error correction. As a rule, this requires an overall measure to be carried out in a tight time frame so that the initial calibration does not have to be carried out several times or in order to be able to maintain the calibration for the entire process sequence.

The irregularity 10 can also be made invisible when the filling 11 or the varnish application or at least its uppermost layer is mixed in exactly the same color as the detection device 20 on the surface 14 detected and with the control device 24 is analyzed.

The application device 28 may preferably be coupled to a suitable mixing unit or the like. In this case, it is advantageous not only the spatial extent of the irregularity 10 to recognize and to generate the control data 26 to process, but also an analysis of the hue of the surface 14 , at least the error-free reference area 16 to execute. This allows the patched site 12 in an optimal way to their environment on the surface 14 be adjusted.

As an application device 28 For example, a modified 3D printing unit may be used which has a multilayer structure in the irregularity 10 allows. In this case, the filling can 11 depending on the irregularity to be eliminated 10 and / or surface 14 also have a different filling material than before. In particular, a starting material suitable for 3D printing, for example a special powder, is used as filling material for the filling 11 conceivable.

The schematic views of 2A to 2E illustrate in schematic views successive steps and the possible applications of a method for eliminating an irregularity 30 a surface or road surface 34 according to a second embodiment. Again, this will be a mistake or an irregularity 30 the road surface 34 eliminated by the irregularity 30 to a faultless reference area 36 the road surface 34 is adjusted. The irregularity 30 For example, an undesired and defective recess and / or a joint 32 and / or a crack, and / or a crater in a road surface 34 be like in 2A to 2D shown.

This shows the 2A the possible occurrence of the irregularity 10 in the otherwise perfect environment of the road surface 34 that the error-free reference area 16 forms.

The irregularity 30 will in the process, possibly after a suitable cleaning of the irregularity 30 with the cleaning device 18 , detected. A suitable cleaning can be carried out in particular with compressed air and / or pressurized water. This is to prevent the irregularity 30 be prepared for their subsequent repair. Preferably, with the cleaning loose objects, such as stones, etc., from the irregularity 30 eliminated.

The detection takes place, for example, by the irregularity 30 is scanned optically. Using the method can in this way a property of the road surface 34 such as area or areal extent and / or depth and / or length and / or structure and / or volume, of the irregularity 30 in terms of the error-free reference area 36 the road surface 34 be recorded.

The 2 B clarifies the detection of the irregularity 10 with a detection device 20 , which can be designed as a scanning unit and in particular as a laser scanning unit. For this purpose, the detection device 20 a camera and optionally additionally have a light source, as in 2 B clarified. Here is the irregularity 10 detected in the present embodiment with respect to at least one of their properties. The optical detection may optionally also in the case of a road surface 34 by measuring the affected area or areas of the road surface 34 done by means of a reflectometric measuring principle.

From this acquisition are in accordance with 2C collection data 22 generated, as well as in the storage device 25 stored desired state data 23 , the control device 24 be made available for further processing. The processing is the same as in relation to 1C described.

After removal of the detection device 20 comes with the control data 26 in an in 2D shown subsequent method step, the application device 28 driven. Also in 2D is the application device 28 shown as a block arrow. The application device 28 is to fill the irregularity 30 in the street surface 34 with a filling 31 designed.

The application device 28 may in this embodiment as a filling 31 a bituminous or concrete layer in single-phase or multi-phase application in the irregularity 30 bring in or remove them.

That from the previous detection with the detection device 20 obtained control data 26 ensure a simple or multiple activation of the application device 28 with the control device 24 , The control device 24 may be necessary in several steps for the backfilling of the irregularity 10 with the filling 31 to care. This may cause the irregularity 10 disappear and a smooth and consistent road surface 34 is created, at which the repaired place 32 no longer from the error-free reference area 36 as a perfect environment of the rest of the road surface 34 different. In addition, the application device 28 also for after-treatment, such as smoothing and / or polishing and / or adaptation to the error-free reference area 36 the road surface 34 be provided and designed to equalize the road surface 34 to reach.

In order to achieve an optimal repair result, it is also useful or necessary here, the application device 28 based on by means of the detection device 20 recorded spatial coordinates of the road surface 34 einzujustieren. This is not just an exact detection of the coordinates or the position of the irregularity 10 ensured. Again, the position relative to the surface 14 also from the controller 24 be determined. In addition, there is also an exact placement of the filling in the irregularity 10 realized. This can make the detection of the irregularity 10 and also their elimination take place on the basis of the same reference coordinates for the location coordination, as previously described with respect to the preceding embodiment.

The irregularity 10 can also be made invisible when the filling material or the bitumen application or at least its uppermost layer as a filling 31 is placed in the exact position in the right place. The capacity and the right place can with the controller 24 based on the detection data 22 and the target state data 23 be determined.

Again, the application device 28 preferably be coupled with a suitable mixing unit or the like. In this case, it is advantageous not only the spatial extent of the irregularity 30 to recognize and to generate the control data 26 to process, but also an analysis of the hue of the road surface 34 , at least the error-free reference area 36 to execute. This allows the patched site 32 in an optimal way to their environment on the road surface 34 be adjusted.

3 shows a device 1 according to a third embodiment. The device 1 has the cleaning device 18 , the detection device 20 , the control device 24 and the storage device 25 on. By contrast, the application device 28 externally from the device 1 arranged. In the storage device 25 are the target state data 23 saved.

The detection device 20 is with the control device 24 connected or coupled to the acquisition data 22 to the controller 24 to send. The acquisition data 22 can from the detection device 20 also to the storage device 25 are sent to also the detection data 22 in the storage device 25 save. Also the control device 24 is with the storage device 25 connected to the desired state data stored therein 23 in the determination of the control data 26 to bring with.

4 shows a device 2 according to a fourth embodiment. The device 2 in addition to the detection device 20 , the control device 24 and the storage device 25 also the application device 28 on. However, here is the cleaning device 18 externally from the device 2 arranged. Except for the additional connection with a drying and / or polishing device 29 is the device 2 otherwise on the same way as in relation to 3 described.

In the present embodiment, it is also possible that the control device 24 the filling quantity for the irregularity 10 determined such that the filling amount to fill the irregularity 10 initially a little too large and then only after use of the drying and / or polishing 29 to the surrounding surface 14 is aligned. As a result, the controller controls 24 the application device 28 for introducing the three-dimensional filling 11 . 31 ( 1E to 1G and 2D ) in the irregularity 10 on the basis of that of the control device 24 determined deviation as overfilling. Subsequently, the three-dimensional filling 11 . 31 in the irregularity 10 after use of the drying and / or polishing device 29 to the error-free reference area 16 the surrounding surface 14 be aligned.

With the drying and / or polishing device 29 is a suitable measure for curing the repaired areas 12 . 32 met.

All previously described embodiments of the devices 1 . 2 and the method can be used individually or in all possible combinations. In particular, the features of all embodiments can be combined as desired. Additionally or alternatively, in particular the following modifications are conceivable.

The parts shown in the figures are shown schematically and may differ in the exact embodiment of the shapes shown in the figures, as long as their functions described above are guaranteed.

There are also irregularities 10 . 30 in other surfaces than the mentioned surfaces 14 . 34 possible.

The method according to the first embodiment can with the device 1 according to the third embodiment or with the device 2 be executed according to the fourth embodiment. However, it is also possible, the method according to the first embodiment, each with separate devices 20 . 24 . 25 . 28 . 29 perform.

The method according to the second embodiment can with the device 1 according to the third embodiment or with the device 2 be executed according to the fourth embodiment. However, it is also possible, the method according to the second embodiment, each with separate facilities 20 . 24 . 25 . 28 . 29 perform.

In all embodiments, the memory device 25 also part of the control device 24 be. The storage device 25 can also be between the detection device 20 and the controller 24 be switched.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 10129660 C1 [0004]

Claims (10)

Contraption ( 1 ; 2 ) to eliminate an irregularity ( 10 ; 30 ) of a surface ( 14 ; 34 ), with a detection device ( 20 ) for recording at least one characteristic of the irregularity ( 10 ; 30 ), and a control device ( 24 ) determining a discrepancy between the detected at least one property of the irregularity ( 10 ; 30 ) and a desired state of the property of the surface ( 14 ; 34 ), wherein the control device ( 24 ), an application device ( 28 ) for introducing a three-dimensional filling ( 11 ; 31 ) into the irregularity ( 10 ; 30 ) on the basis of the information provided by the 24 ), so that the irregularity ( 10 ; 30 ) of the surface ( 14 ; 34 ) in the nominal state of the surface ( 14 ; 34 ). Contraption ( 1 ; 2 ) according to claim 1, wherein the surface ( 14 ; 34 ) a painting of an outer skin of an object or a road surface ( 34 ), and / or where the irregularity ( 10 ; 30 ) of the surface ( 14 ; 34 ) a crack and / or a depression and / or a notch in the surface ( 14 ; 34 ) and / or a paint scratch and / or a stone chipping, and / or wherein the at least one property of the irregularity ( 10 ; 30 ) of the surface ( 14 ; 34 ) is an area and / or a width and / or a length and / or a depth and / or a structure and / or a volume and / or a hue, and / or wherein the filling material of the three-dimensional filling ( 11 ; 31 ) Bitumen and / or concrete, and / or wherein the filling material of the three-dimensional filling ( 11 ) comprises at least one filler of the group primer and / or filler and / or basecoat and / or topcoat and / or clearcoat. Contraption ( 1 ; 2 ) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising the application device, wherein the application device ( 28 ) for introducing the three-dimensional filling ( 11 ; 31 ) is configured in at least one layer, and / or also with a cleaning device ( 18 ) for cleaning the surface ( 14 ; 34 ) before detecting the irregularity ( 10 ; 30 ). Contraption ( 1 ; 2 ) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the application device ( 28 ) for introducing the three-dimensional filling ( 11 ; 31 ) is designed as a three-dimensional pressure in at least one layer. Contraption ( 1 ; 2 ) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the detection device ( 20 ) to record a position of the irregularity ( 10 ; 30 ), and / or wherein the detection device ( 20 ) is designed for optical detection and / or for carrying out a deflektometric measuring principle. Contraption ( 1 ; 2 ) according to claim 5, wherein the detection device ( 20 ) a light source and a camera for detecting the at least one property of the irregularity ( 10 ; 30 ) having. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control device ( 24 ) to determine a position of the irregularity ( 10 ; 30 ) and / or for determining the with the application device ( 28 ) applied color amount or capacity is configured. Contraption ( 1 ; 2 ) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control device ( 24 ) is also configured, the application device for introducing the three-dimensional filling in the irregularity ( 10 ; 30 ) on the basis of the information provided by the 24 ) to control the deviation as trapping, so that the three-dimensional filling ( 11 ; 31 ) in the irregularity ( 10 ; 30 ) after use of a drying and / or polishing device ( 29 ) to the surrounding surface ( 14 ; 34 ) is aligned. Method for eliminating an irregularity ( 10 ; 30 ) of a surface ( 14 ; 34 ), with the steps of detecting, with a detection device ( 20 ), at least one property of the irregularity ( 10 ; 30 ), Determining, with a control device ( 24 ), a discrepancy between the detected at least one property of the irregularity ( 10 ; 30 ) and a desired state of the property of the surface ( 14 ; 34 ), and taxes, with the control device ( 24 ), an application device ( 28 ) for introducing a three-dimensional filling ( 11 ; 31 ) into the irregularity ( 10 ; 30 ) on the basis of the information provided by the 24 ), so that the irregularity ( 10 ; 30 ) of the surface ( 14 ; 34 ) in the nominal state of the surface ( 14 ; 34 ). Method according to claim 9, wherein the application device ( 28 ) the three-dimensional filling ( 11 ; 31 ) as three-dimensional pressure in at least one layer in the irregularity ( 10 ; 30 ), and / or wherein the filling material of the three-dimensional filling ( 11 ; 31 ) Bitumen and / or concrete, and / or wherein the filling material of the three-dimensional filling ( 11 ) comprises at least one filler from the group of primer and / or filler and / or basecoat and / or topcoat and / or clearcoat, and / or where the surface ( 14 ; 34 ) is cleaned before the detection step.

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