Container Inspection Image Triggering Without External Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container inspection systems require complex and costly trigger systems, such as light barriers, which consume installation space, necessitate frequent adjustments, and introduce trigger uncertainty, leading to production inefficiencies and high operational costs.
Innovation Solution
The method and device eliminate the need for external trigger systems by using the image acquisition device to capture a trigger image of the container, determining its position, and then controlling the inspection image acquisition based on this information, with a time interval between trigger and inspection images of less than 5 ms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual inspection methods are used, then device complexity is low, but productivity is insufficient and measurement precision is low
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection system is divided into multiple independent modules: container positioning system, lid positioning system, image capture system with multiple cameras, and processing system. Each module performs a specific function and can be independently optimized or replaced, resolving the contradiction by enabling high automation through modular architecture while maintaining manageable system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection system is designed to handle multiple container types and orientations using the same core infrastructure. The system can inspect containers in various positions (upright, on side, inverted) and accommodate different container geometries through software configuration rather than requiring separate inspection systems for each case.
2Measurement precision
If multiple images are captured to ensure complete inspection, then measurement precision improves, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary container positioning and orientation detection before the main inspection phase. Containers are positioned on a conveyor and pre-aligned using guide rails and positioning mechanisms, so that when images are captured, the containers are already in optimal viewing positions, reducing the number of additional shots needed and minimizing inspection time while maintaining high accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The image capture system uses periodic high-speed photography synchronized with container movement on the conveyor belt. Multiple cameras capture images at different positions along the conveyor in rapid succession, creating a complete inspection sequence without requiring the container to stop or be repositioned between shots.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for inspecting containers (10), wherein the containers (10) are transported along a predetermined transport path by means of a transport device (2), and wherein an image recording device (4) records at least one spatially resolved inspection image of at least one region of the containers (10) during the transport of the containers. According to the invention, a triggering of the inspection image recording of this spatially resolved image is controlled, wherein this control takes place taking into account a trigger image recording of an image of the container.