Inductive Sensor Inspection for Rod-Shaped Article Susceptor Defects
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Aerosol generating devices face issues with manufacturing tolerances causing the susceptor to be mispositioned or misoriented, leading to non-conformity in aerosol delivery, which requires early detection to avoid costs and waste, especially given the high-speed processing of components.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a cylindrical drum with inductive sensors to quickly inspect rod-shaped articles by measuring impedance changes caused by the susceptor's presence and position, allowing for real-time detection of defects during rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-speed processing is used to increase productivity, then production speed increases, but the time window for inspection decreases making defect detection difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection is performed in advance during the manufacturing process before the component leaves the production line. The drum rotates the rod-shaped article through the inspection zone where inductive sensors detect susceptor defects real-time, allowing defects to be identified before final assembly and reducing the need for post-production sorting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical inspection systems with inductive sensing technology. The inductive sensor detects changes in electromagnetic field caused by the susceptor's presence, position, and orientation, eliminating the need for mechanical positioning systems or complex optical arrangements while enabling faster inspection at high production speeds.
2Productivity
If inductive sensors are used to detect susceptor defects, then detection speed increases, but manufacturing tolerances still cause mispositioning and misorientation
Solution Approach 1:
The inductive sensor detects multiple parameters simultaneously including the susceptor's presence, position, and orientation by measuring changes in electromagnetic field characteristics. By analyzing these parameter changes, the system can identify defects even when manufacturing tolerances cause minor variations in susceptor placement, allowing real-time detection without requiring perfect manufacturing precision.
3Productivity
If inspection is performed at high speed, then production efficiency increases, but the complexity of the inspection system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drum serves multiple functions: it transports the rod-shaped articles through the production line, rotates them for inspection, and positions them for detection. The inductive sensor system performs multiple detection functions (presence, position, orientation) using a single sensor type, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high inspection speed and efficiency.
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 rapid and accurate detection of susceptor defects, ensuring product conformity and reducing unnecessary costs by identifying issues before they cause aerosol delivery problems.
Implementation Method 1
The inductive sensor comprises a coil which is adapted to generate an alternating magnetic field. A rod-shaped article is inserted in the coil of the inductive sensor so that a first end of the rod-shaped article is located within the coil. The presence of the susceptor in the rod-shaped article is detected by moving the rod-shaped article relative to the coil of the inductive sensor and by considering a variation in a feedback signal generated by the interaction between the susceptor and the coil of the inductive sensor.
Implementation Method 2
The inductive heating device comprises an induction source which produces an alternating electromagnetic field which induces heat generating eddy currents and hysteresis losses in a susceptor.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a method of inspection of rod-shaped articles, the method comprising: - providing a first drum having a plurality of seats; - providing at least one seat of the plurality of seats of the first drum with an inductive sensor comprising a coil; - providing the at least one seat of the plurality of seats of the first drum with a rod- shaped article including a first susceptor, the first susceptor comprising a conductive material; - inserting the rod-shaped article in the coil of the inductive sensor; - detecting a maximum value or a minimum value of a parameter function of the impedance of the coil during the insertion of the rod-shaped article; - discarding the rod-shaped article on the basis of the maximum value or the minimum value of the parameter function of the impedance.