Dynamic LED Lighting for Printed Product Defect Location

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for processing printed products struggle to accurately locate and remove defective products during high-speed transport, as visual monitoring with static machine lights is insufficient for identifying the exact location of defects, leading to potential damage and inefficiencies in product removal.

Innovation Solution

A dynamic lighting system where light-emitting diodes along the conveying path are controlled by a higher-level controller to change colors and intensity based on product states, allowing operators to visually track and isolate defective products through synchronized lighting cues, enabling precise identification and removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If static machine lights are used for illumination, then the lighting system is simple and stationary, but the ability to locate and identify defective products during high-speed transport is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedefect location identificationVSAvoidlighting system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the static lighting system into a dynamic one where LED colors change based on product state. The lighting system now actively adapts to product conditions, with different colors indicating different states (green for good, red for defective, yellow for warning), enabling precise defect location identification while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent directly implements the color changes principle by using color-coded LED illumination to convey product state information. Good products are illuminated in green, defective products in red, and products requiring attention in yellow. This visual coding system allows operators to instantly identify defective products during high-speed transport without complex detection equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Productivity

If high-speed transport is used to increase productivity, then production efficiency improves, but the ability to visually monitor and locate defective products deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport speedVSAvoiddefect detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical visual monitoring with an optical signaling system. Instead of relying on operators to visually inspect products during high-speed transport, the system uses color-coded LED illumination to automatically indicate product state. This substitution allows high-speed transport to continue while maintaining defect detection accuracy through automated optical signaling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by having the lighting system respond to product state detection. Sensors detect product conditions and provide feedback to the control system, which then adjusts LED colors accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that even at high transport speeds, defective products are accurately identified and located through real-time visual signaling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of time

If operators manually search for defective products by opening device enclosures, then no additional monitoring system is needed, but time is lost and product damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime to locate defective productVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning color-coded LEDs throughout the transport path that will automatically indicate defective product locations. Instead of waiting for defects to occur and then searching, the system is prepared in advance with the entire conveying path illuminated by state-dependent LEDs, allowing immediate identification of defective products the moment they are detected

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces lighting sections as intermediaries between the product detection system and the operator. Rather than directly displaying complex defect information or requiring operators to physically search, the lighting sections serve as visual mediators that translate product state into intuitive color signals, dramatically reducing the time to locate defective products without requiring complex additional systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 enhances the ability to monitor and manage defective products in real-time, reducing the need for manual disassembly and minimizing product damage by providing clear visual cues for operators to locate and remove defective items efficiently.

Implementation Method 1

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are used as the light source 22, which can generate light of different colors 201, 202, 203.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight-emitting diode: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

The flashes of light are synchronized to certain periodic movements within the printing processing device, so that these movements can be visually observed by the operator over a multitude of successive periods

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStroboscopic effect: Stroboscopic Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3251852B1Method and device for further processing of printed products
Publication Date: 2019.01.30 MULLER MARTINI HLDG
  • EP3251852B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3251852B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

A print finishing device with one or more transport systems for transporting printed products between processing facilities includes illumination of the transport path divided into sections, wherein the type of illumination in color, intensity and/or time course of such a section is determined by certain properties of the product located in that section or its manufacturing history.