Egg Identification Light Controlling Assembly Stray Light Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing egg identification systems face challenges in accurately distinguishing between viable and non-viable eggs, particularly due to interference from stray light, which limits their ability to discriminate among live and non-live eggs, especially rotted eggs.

Innovation Solution

An egg identification system incorporating a light controlling assembly with an absorbing layer that absorbs greater than 90% of reflected electromagnetic radiation, positioned between the emitter and detector assemblies, to minimize interfering light and enhance signal accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional candling systems use simple light sources and detectors, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision for distinguishing live and non-live eggs is insufficient due to stray light interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediscrimination accuracy between live and non-live eggsVSAvoidstructure complexity of light controlling assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a light controlling assembly as an intermediary component between the light source and detector. This assembly includes light shields and absorbing materials that mediate the light path, blocking stray light while allowing transmitted light from eggs to reach the detector, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring complete system redesign

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and eliminates the harmful stray light components from the detection system by using light shields and absorbing materials. The light controlling assembly selectively removes interfering light paths while preserving the useful transmitted light signal, improving the signal-to-noise ratio for egg viability detection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Measurement precision

If the light controlling assembly uses highly absorbing materials to block stray light, then the measurement precision improves, but the use of energy by the system increases due to additional light absorption and heat generation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal accuracy for egg viability determinationVSAvoidenergy consumption of light controlling assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potentially harmful stray light into a beneficial signal by using absorbing materials that convert stray light energy into heat, which is then dissipated. The light shields are positioned to redirect useful transmitted light away from the absorbing materials, ensuring that only harmful stray light is converted to heat while preserving the detection signal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The light controlling assembly uses locally optimized absorbing materials and light shields positioned at specific locations where stray light is most problematic. The absorbing properties are concentrated in strategic areas rather than uniformly distributed, minimizing overall energy consumption while maintaining measurement precision in critical detection zones

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 effectively reduces stray light interference, improving the discrimination between live and non-live eggs, thereby increasing the accuracy of egg viability determination and reducing waste in poultry and vaccine production.

Implementation Method 1

the light controlling assembly comprising an absorbing layer configured to absorb electromagnetic radiation reflected from the egg and other reflective surfaces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

the electromagnetic radiation having a predetermined wavelength; a detector assembly spaced-apart from the emitter assembly and configured to detect electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the egg

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation transmission:

Data Source

PatentEP3559660B1Light controlling assembly for an egg identification system, and associated method
Publication Date: 2024.01.17 ZOETIS SERVICES LLC
  • EP3559660B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3559660B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3559660B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An egg identification system for determining viability of an avian egg is provided. Such a system includes an emitter assembly configured to emit electromagnetic radiation having a predetermined wavelength toward an egg. A detector assembly is spaced-apart from the emitter assembly and configured to detect electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the egg. A light controlling assembly is positioned proximate to the emitter assembly. The light controlling assembly includes an absorbing layer configured to absorb electromagnetic radiation at the predetermined wavelength. The absorbing layer defines an opening through which electromagnetic radiation emitted from the emitter assembly is capable of passing therethrough toward the egg. A processor is configured to process an output signal of the detector assembly to determine viability of the egg. An associated method is also provided.