Fluorescence Inspection Device for Container Foreign Substance Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inspection methods for detecting foreign substances inside containers are hindered by multiple reflections from the container's inner surface, making it difficult to detect minute foreign substances due to noise from the illuminating lamp.
Innovation Solution
An inspection device that projects excitation light and captures fluorescence images, allowing for the detection of foreign substances by adjusting image-capturing conditions to ensure the average brightness value falls within a preset range, thereby distinguishing the fluorescence from the foreign substance from the container's inner surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the inside of the container is illuminated with the illuminating lamp, then the image of the inside of the container can be captured, but light from the illuminating lamp undergoes multiple reflection from the inner surface of the container, generating strong noise that makes it difficult to detect light reflected from minute foreign substances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of light wavelength by using ultraviolet light (excitation light) instead of visible light for illumination. The container's inner surface does not fluoresce under UV light, eliminating multiple reflection noise in the visible range, while foreign substances containing fluorescent materials emit fluorescence that can be detected by the imaging device, thereby resolving the contradiction between detection capability and noise generation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful multiple reflection noise into a beneficial detection mechanism by utilizing fluorescence emission. Foreign substances containing fluorescent materials absorb UV excitation light and emit visible fluorescence, which is captured by the imaging device. The container's inner surface, which previously caused harmful reflections, now serves as a non-fluorescing background that enhances contrast for detecting fluorescent foreign substances
2Reliability
If the container's inner surface is coated with fluorescent materials, then the container structure is improved for protection or functionality, but the fluorescent coating causes multiple reflection and noise that interferes with foreign substance detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the approach by using UV excitation light instead of visible light for illumination. The container's fluorescent coating, which normally causes interference under visible light, remains non-fluorescing under UV light. This inversion of the illumination wavelength allows the container's protective fluorescent coating to coexist with foreign substance detection, as the coating does not emit fluorescence under UV excitation while foreign substances with fluorescent materials do
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 accurate detection of minute foreign substances without being affected by multiple reflections, even when the container's inner surface is coated with fluorescent materials, ensuring reliable inspection results.
Implementation Method 1
a light source that projects excitation light to the inner surface of the container; an imager that captures a fluorescence image of fluorescence emitted from the foreign substance in response to the excitation light projected
Data Source
AI summary
An inspection device (1) includes a light source (10) projecting excitation light to an inner surface of a container (20); an imager (11) capturing a fluorescence image of fluorescence emitted from a foreign substance in response to the excitation light projected; and a detector (13) detecting the foreign substance adhering to the inner surface of the container from the fluorescence image captured by the imager. The foreign substance contains a material emitting fluorescence in response to the excitation light projected to the material. The detector includes a calculator (14) calculating an average brightness value in an inspection target region, and an adjuster (15) adjusting an image-capturing condition where the fluorescence image is captured such that the average brightness value falls within a preset range.