Hatching Egg Inspection Device Using Segmented Light Emission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hatching egg inspection methods face challenges in accurately determining viability due to subtle fluctuations in embryo vital signs, leading to mistaken determinations that affect chick production and vaccine manufacturing.

Innovation Solution

A hatching egg inspection apparatus with a two-dimensional arrangement of light emitting and receiving means, where only one light emitting means emits light at a time, and others within a prescribed range are turned off, to minimize interference and enhance accuracy in detecting vital signs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If multiple light emitting means are used to inspect hatching eggs, then inspection coverage is improved, but light interference between adjacent eggs increases causing measurement errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection coverageVSAvoidvital sign detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The inspection system divides the light emission function into separate, independently controllable light emitting means for each egg position. Each light emitting means is paired with its corresponding light receiving means, creating segmented inspection channels that prevent cross-interference while maintaining comprehensive coverage across multiple eggs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic or sequential activation of light emitting means rather than continuous simultaneous emission. By controlling the timing of light emission from each source, the system ensures that when one light emitting means is active, others are dormant, eliminating mutual interference while maintaining inspection capability across all egg positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If light emitting means are activated simultaneously for all eggs, then inspection efficiency is improved, but light leakage and interference between adjacent eggs cause mistaken determinations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection efficiencyVSAvoidviability determination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the inspection process into independent channels, with each light emitting means and its corresponding light receiving means forming a dedicated inspection pair. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high productivity by inspecting multiple eggs simultaneously while preventing interference through spatial and functional separation of each inspection channel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each inspection position is equipped with locally optimized light emitting and receiving means configured specifically for that position. The light receiving means is positioned to receive only the light from its corresponding light emitting means that has transmitted through the specific egg, creating localized inspection zones with high reliability that collectively achieve high overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If light receiving means are positioned close to light emitting means for compact design, then device complexity is reduced, but light interference from adjacent eggs increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapparatus configurationVSAvoidlight interference from adjacent eggs
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system adopts a segmented configuration where each light emitting means and light receiving means form an independent inspection unit. These units are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with egg positions, creating modular segments that can be configured compactly while maintaining sufficient spatial separation between adjacent units to prevent light interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The egg itself acts as an intermediary element that defines the optical path between light emitting means and light receiving means. By positioning the light receiving means to receive light that has transmitted through the egg, the system uses the egg as a natural mediator that blocks stray light from adjacent eggs while allowing the intended light path, thus reducing interference without requiring complex shielding structures.

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 approach reduces mistaken determinations by ensuring accurate detection of vital signs, improving the inspection process for hatching egg viability.

Implementation Method 1

the light receiving means receives, among the lights from all the light emitting means, transmitted light that has transmitted through the interior of the hatching egg

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Data Source

PatentEP3009831B1Hatching egg inspection device and method
Publication Date: 2018.04.25 NABERU KK
  • EP3009831B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3009831B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3009831B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To reduce the incidence of mistaken determinations in hatching egg inspections. A hatching egg inspection apparatus includes: a plurality of light emitting means, the light emitting means being disposed two dimensionally at prescribed positions; light receiving means, which are provided in a one-to-one relationship with the light emitting parts and each of which receives light from the corresponding light emitting means; and an egg container, which is for arraying in advance a hatching egg between each of the light emitting means and the light receiving means corresponding thereto. Each hatching egg is inspected by the corresponding light receiving means that receives, among the lights from all the light emitting parts, transmitted light that transmitted through the interior of the hatching egg. When one light emitting means of the plurality of light emitting means is emitting light, other of the light emitting means within a prescribed range centered on the one light emitting means do not emit light.