Fruit and Vegetable Vision Assembly for Hidden-Surface Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vision systems for fruit and vegetable products fail to exhaustively scan the entire surface of the product, particularly the side opposite to the peduncle, leading to potential defects being overlooked and errors in categorization.
Innovation Solution
A vision assembly with multiple optical instruments positioned laterally, above, and optionally zenithally, combined with rotating conveyance units to ensure comprehensive scanning of the product surface, including hidden areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If video cameras are placed at three separate viewpoints (above and beside the line) to gather more information about the product, then the completeness of product scanning is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple scanning functions into a single moving scan head that travels along the product. Instead of using multiple fixed video cameras at different viewpoints, one scan head performs comprehensive scanning by moving to different positions, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining complete product coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The scan head is made dynamic by enabling it to move along the product length. This dynamic positioning allows a single scan head to assume multiple viewpoints and capture complete product information, replacing the need for multiple static cameras and reducing system complexity
2Ease of operation
If the peduncle is oriented longitudinally at tunnel entrance to facilitate conveyance, then the ease of operation is improved, but the visibility of the side opposite to the peduncle deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The product is rotated during conveyance through the tunnel, dynamically changing its orientation. This rotation ensures that all surfaces including the side opposite to the peduncle become visible to the scan head at different moments, maintaining measurement precision while preserving the initial ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The product undergoes periodic rotation during its passage through the tunnel. This periodic action ensures that different surfaces of the product are sequentially exposed to the scanning system, guaranteeing complete visibility of all product areas including those initially hidden
Data Source
AI summary
A vision assembly for horticultural products, which includes at least sequential movement components for fruit and vegetable products along a transfer line and a data acquisition system which includes a first optical vision instrument and a second optical vision instrument, which are arranged respectively in a first operating position and in a second operating position. The first position and the second position are arranged laterally and on opposite sides with respect to an intermediate portion of the line, at a vertical elevation that is higher than that of the intermediate portion. The system also includes at least one third optical vision instrument, arranged in a third operating position, arranged along the line respectively above a portion located upstream or a portion located downstream of the intermediate portion.