Dual-Sided Laser Irradiation for PET Bottle Label Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual process of separating labels from PET bottles during recycling is inefficient and inconvenient, leading to difficulties in mass consumption recycling efforts.
Innovation Solution
A laser processing system with multiple light emitting devices, where one device processes the front surface and another processes the back surface of PET bottles, maintaining orientation and increasing relative positional accuracy without a complex conveyor mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single light irradiator processes one region of the workpiece, then the device configuration is simple, but the processing speed and productivity are low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the workpiece processing into multiple independent regions, with each light irradiator dedicated to a specific region. The workpiece is segmented into first and second regions that are processed simultaneously by separate irradiators, enabling parallel processing and increasing overall productivity without requiring a single complex multi-functional device
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple light irradiators into a single integrated system that processes multiple regions of the workpiece simultaneously. By merging the functionality of multiple irradiators into one coordinated system, the patent achieves high-speed parallel processing while maintaining relatively simple individual component designs
2Productivity
If the workpiece is conveyed through a complex mechanism to access multiple surfaces, then all regions can be processed, but the conveyor mechanism becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-direction processing approach to multi-dimensional processing by positioning light irradiators on opposite sides of the workpiece. This allows simultaneous processing of front and back surfaces without requiring complex conveyor mechanisms to reposition the workpiece, as both sides are accessible in parallel from different spatial dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multiple light irradiators that are essentially copies of the same basic processing unit, each positioned to illuminate a different region of the workpiece. This copying approach allows comprehensive processing of all workpiece surfaces using simple, identical components rather than complex specialized mechanisms
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple light irradiators process different regions simultaneously, then the relative positional accuracy is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns each light irradiator to process a specific local region of the workpiece with dedicated optimization for that region. Each irradiator maintains simple, optimized configuration for its designated area, while the overall system achieves high positional accuracy through the coordinated arrangement of these localized processing units
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions light irradiators on opposite sides of the workpiece in a symmetric, balanced configuration. This equipotential arrangement ensures that both sides of the workpiece are processed under equivalent conditions simultaneously, maintaining consistent positional accuracy across different regions without requiring complex differential adjustments
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
The system enhances the relative positional accuracy on PET bottles and simplifies the recycling process by efficiently processing multiple regions with a simpler device configuration, reducing manual intervention and increasing productivity.
Implementation Method 1
a first light emitter to emit first laser light; a second light emitter to emit second laser light
Data Source
AI summary
A laser processing system includes: a first light irradiator including: a first light emitter to emit first laser light; and a first light scanner to scan a first region of a workpiece with the first laser light emitted from the first light emitter; a second light irradiator including: a second light emitter to emit second laser light; and a second light scanner to scan a second region different from the first region of the workpiece with the second laser light emitted from the second light emitter. The first light irradiator emits the first laser light to the first region of the workpiece in a first irradiation direction, the second light irradiator emits the second laser light to the second region of the workpiece in a second irradiation direction opposite to the first irradiation direction.