Cap Angular Position Detection Using Preliminary Image Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the angular position of a cap with respect to a plastic bottle are prone to high margins of error due to impurities like liquid drops, which hinder the accurate identification of markers, leading to incorrect calculations of closing torque.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the capture of initial and cleaned images of the cap and bottle using air jets to displace impurities, allowing for precise detection of markers and calculation of the relative angular position, which is then used to determine the closing torque.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If image capturing is performed on bottles and caps with impurities present, then the inspection process can proceed without additional cleaning steps, but the detection accuracy of markers is significantly reduced due to liquid drops and impurities obscuring the markers
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary image capture before cleaning to record the positions of markers on the cap and bottle. This preliminary action allows the inspection process to proceed immediately without waiting for cleaning, while still obtaining accurate marker positions from the pre-captured images that were taken when impurities were present but had not yet obscured the markers completely.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the visual information by capturing images of the markers before cleaning removes the impurities. These image copies preserve the marker positions even though the physical surfaces remain dirty during the inspection process, allowing accurate measurement without requiring a clean surface at the time of inspection.
2Measurement precision
If cleaning operations are performed to remove impurities before image capturing, then marker detection accuracy is improved, but the inspection process time increases due to additional cleaning steps
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the image capturing action preliminarily, before the cleaning operation occurs. This allows the inspection to be based on images taken when markers were still visible, eliminating the need to wait for cleaning to complete while still achieving accurate marker detection.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of the conventional sequence of cleaning first then inspecting, the system inverts the sequence by inspecting (capturing images) first and then cleaning. This inversion allows the inspection data to be collected before impurities can obscure the markers, while the cleaning still occurs to maintain product quality.
3Measurement precision
If markers are made more visible for easier detection, then detection accuracy improves, but the aesthetic appearance of the bottle and cap is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses image copying to capture the visual information of subtle markers before they can be obscured by impurities. This allows very faint or minimally visible markers to be detected with high accuracy through image processing, while the markers themselves remain subtle and do not compromise the aesthetic appearance of the bottle and cap.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs image processing techniques that can detect subtle color variations and contrast differences, allowing markers with minimal visual impact to be accurately detected. The processing enhances the visibility of subtle marker features in the captured images without requiring the physical markers to be more prominent or visually obtrusive.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively eliminates errors in marker detection and angular position determination, providing accurate closing torque calculations by removing 'noise' from impurities, thus improving the efficiency of the inspection process.
Implementation Method 1
removing from said cap and from said at least a bottle portion and/or to displace relative to the cap and the bottle portion, between the capture of said at least one first image and the capture of said at least one second image, the impurities (e.g. liquid drops) existing thereon
Data Source
AI summary
A method for detecting the angular position of a cap with respect to a bottle is provided. A first image of a cap provided with a first marker and of at least a portion of the bottle with which the cap is associated and which is provided with a second marker is captured. Liquid drops and other possible impurities existing thereon are removed from and/or displaced relative to the cap and bottle portion. A second image of the cap and bottle portion is then captured. The first image and second image are compared to obtain at least one processing which is free from “noise” and interferences due to the liquid drops and on which the positions of the first and second markers can be determined without errors. The relative angular position of the first and second markers are determined. An apparatus suitable to implement the aforesaid method is also provided.