External Image Sensor for Rotary Press Surface Imaging

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for recording light reflections from flat materials face challenges in capturing distortion-free images due to structural and energy transmission difficulties within moving machine elements, particularly in rotary printing presses, where the surface of interest is concealed and electromechanical transmission paths are prone to failure.

Innovation Solution

An optical imaging system where an optoelectronic image sensor outside the moving machine element records the light reflection from the surface, using an image transmission path within the machine to capture images without electromechanical transmission, allowing for distortion-free imaging and edge detection for control purposes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If an image sensor is placed inside the moving machine element to capture the surface, then the imaging capability is improved, but structural complexity and energy transmission difficulties increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging capabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The image sensor is extracted from the moving machine element and placed outside it. The optical image transmission path conveys images through the machine element wall, allowing the sensor to be positioned externally where structural and energy transmission issues are avoided.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

An optical image transmission path acts as an intermediary between the surface inside the moving machine element and the image sensor outside. This intermediary transmits image information without requiring direct electrical or mechanical connections through the moving element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If an image sensor is placed inside the moving machine element, then imaging is enabled, but energy transmission becomes problematic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging capabilityVSAvoidenergy transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The image sensor is moved outside the moving machine element, eliminating the need for energy transmission through the moving element. Power and data can be supplied to the sensor through standard external connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical transmission path serves as an intermediary that carries image information without requiring energy transmission through the moving element, avoiding electromagnetic interference and connection reliability issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the surface of the flat material is concealed by the moving machine element, then the machine element can perform its function, but optical access to the surface is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine element functionVSAvoidoptical access
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The machine element wall itself serves as an intermediary medium that allows optical images to pass through while maintaining the concealed surface. The wall transmits light and image information without compromising its structural function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of directly observing the concealed surface, the system creates an optical copy (image) of the surface and transmits this copy through the machine element wall to the external sensor, preserving surface information without direct exposure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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

Enables reliable, distortion-free imaging of flat material surfaces, facilitating edge detection and control in processing facilities, such as rotary printing machines, by avoiding structural and energy transmission issues within the moving machine element.

Implementation Method 1

recording a light reflection from at least part of a surface of a flat material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

the return transmission of the reflected portion of the light beam from the scanning zone to the light receiver take place optically by means of light guidance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical guidance: Waveguide (optics)

Data Source

PatentEP1973739B1System for recording an image from at least part of a surface of a sheet-like material
Publication Date: 2009.05.13 KOENIG & BAUER AG
  • EP1973739B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1973739B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP1973739B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a system for recording an image from at least part of a surface of a sheet-like material, wherein an image sensor records the image at a position defined in relation to a moving machine element, wherein the image recorded by the image sensor is an image of this part of the surface of the sheet-like material, wherein the image sensor which records the image is arranged separately from the moving machine element, and outside a space enclosed by a surface on the outer side of the moving machine element, and wherein that part of the surface of the sheet-like material which is to be imaged by the image sensor is directed towards a surface of the moving machine element at least at the point in time when the image is recorded.