Infrared Sorting System Reduces Sensing-to-Ejection Distance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional container sorting systems face inefficiencies due to bulky sensing devices, significant distance between sensing and ejection regions, interference from conveyor belts, and potential fire hazards, leading to inaccurate sorting and maintenance challenges.
Innovation Solution
An infrared radiation sorting system with a sensing region positioned immediately off the conveyor discharge end and an ejection system located a minimal distance downstream, using infrared radiation to analyze samples and control air ejectors for precise sorting, minimizing conveyor interference and enabling sorting with reflected or transmitted radiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional sensing devices are used on a conveyor belt, then the sorting system can identify items, but the distance between sensing region and ejection region becomes significant, causing lateral movement and path variations that reduce sorting accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing system is repositioned from a conventional overhead conveyor location to a location at the discharge end of the conveyor, effectively changing the spatial dimension and arrangement of the sensing region relative to the ejection region. This dimensional reconfiguration minimizes the distance between sensing and ejection while accommodating the three-dimensional trajectory of items leaving the conveyor
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing system performs identification and sorting decisions at the discharge end of the conveyor, immediately before items are ejected. This preliminary action at the optimal location eliminates the need for long-distance tracking and prediction, as sorting decisions are made when items are still in a controlled position
2Measurement precision
If sensing devices are positioned over the conveyor belt, then items can be detected, but interference signals from the conveyor belt complicate item identification
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing system is extracted from the conveyor belt environment and repositioned to the discharge end, removing it from the source of interference signals. This spatial separation eliminates the harmful electromagnetic or optical interference that the conveyor belt generates, allowing for cleaner signal acquisition and more accurate item identification
3Ease of operation
If traditional sorting systems are used with significant distance between sensing and ejection regions, then system components can be separately positioned, but lateral movement and acceleration variations cause items to miss the sorting region
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing system and ejection system are merged into a closely integrated configuration at the discharge end of the conveyor, minimizing the spatial separation between detection and action. This merging ensures that items are identified and sorted within a compact region where lateral movement and acceleration variations have minimal impact on sorting reliability
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 configuration enhances sorting efficiency by reducing errors from lateral movement and speed changes, eliminates the need for frequent conveyor belt cleaning, and minimizes fire risks, while allowing for accurate sorting of transparent items and reducing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
an infrared radiation sensing system positioned to receive and detect infrared radiation reflected off a sample
Implementation Method 2
infrared radiation sensing system positioned to receive and detect infrared radiation
Implementation Method 3
a transmission infrared radiation source positioned so that the infrared radiation sensing system receives and detects infrared radiation transmitted through the sample
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a container sorting system capable of increased sorting efficiency. The present invention discloses a device in which the distance is shortened between detection and ejection of containers being sorted by reflective infrared radiation, transmission infrared radiation, or both. The present invention also includes a method of operating such device.