Container Rotation Detection via Optical Fluctuation Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container inspection methods fail to reliably confirm whether a container is rotating during the inspection process, leading to potential misinterpretation of malformations or mechanical malfunctions as acceptable rotations, and require additional components like reflectors and optics, which can complicate implementation.
Innovation Solution
An optical inspection device with a light source and sensor system that detects container rotation through fluctuations in light energy output, using an information processor to analyze image data with a sliding data window technique to confirm rotation, ensuring accurate detection and rejection of non-rotating containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional components like reflectors and optics are added to monitor container rotation, then rotation detection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by using the existing inspection optics and light sources to serve dual purposes: both inspecting the container for defects and detecting container rotation. The same optical system that captures images for quality inspection also monitors light intensity fluctuations that indicate rotation, eliminating the need for separate rotation detection components.
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection system performs self-service by using its own operational parameters (light source intensity, sensor output) to verify its own function. The system monitors its own light source output to detect rotation, making the inspection apparatus self-verifying without requiring external monitoring equipment.
2Measurement precision
If the container rotation mechanism malfunctions or the container is malformed, then inspection accuracy deteriorates, but the system cannot distinguish between true non-rotation and mechanical failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the light source output during inspection and using this information to verify container rotation. The system compares expected light intensity variations with actual measurements to determine whether the container is rotating as expected, providing real-time feedback on rotation status.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary verification of container rotation before completing the inspection. By checking rotation status in advance through light output analysis, the system ensures that the container is properly rotating before defect inspection begins, preventing inaccurate inspections from occurring.
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 solution ensures that containers are properly rotated during inspection, preventing misinterpretation of malformations and mechanical issues, and simplifies the inspection process by integrating rotation confirmation directly into the existing inspection data analysis, reducing the need for additional components.
Implementation Method 1
an optical inspection device having at least one light source for directing light onto the container as the container is rotated around an axis, and at least one light sensor for receiving light energy from the light source following interaction with the container
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Apparatus for inspecting a container includes an optical inspection device (10 or 40 or 50) having at least one light source (14 or 52) for directing light energy onto the container as the container is rotated around an axis, and at least one light sensor (24 or 58) for receiving light energy from the light source following interaction with the container. An information processor (26 or 48 or 60) is coupled to the sensor for detecting rotation of the container as a function of fluctuations in the output from the sensor. Rotation of the container will cause some fluctuation in the output of the sensor due to interaction of the light energy with the container. The absence of any detected fluctuations in the sensor output is interpreted as an indication that the container is not rotating, either due to malformation of the container, malfunction of the mechanism for rotating the container, or some other reason.