Laser Line for Hazelnut Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hazelnut processing facilities face challenges in efficiently separating foreign substances and non-standard items from hazelnuts, leading to decreased product quality and increased costs due to manual visual picking, which is time-consuming and costly.
Innovation Solution
A laser line system comprising a first detection module for visual picking and a second detection module for laser scanning, enabling biometric and optical detection and separation of non-standard hazelnuts, with cyclones, laser bunkers, sensors, and discharge/transport ways to categorize and remove foreign substances, improving cleaning efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual visual picking is used to separate foreign substances from hazelnuts, then separation can be achieved, but processing time increases and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection with an automated optical detection system using cameras and image processing algorithms. The system captures images of hazelnuts on the conveyor belt, automatically identifies foreign substances and defective nuts through computer vision, and triggers pneumatic ejection mechanisms to remove detected items, thereby eliminating manual labor while maintaining high separation quality and increasing processing speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical detection system between the conveyor belt and the removal mechanism. This intermediary system consists of cameras, image processing units, and control algorithms that bridge the gap between automatic conveyor transport and selective removal, enabling automated decision-making for separation without direct human intervention.
2Measurement precision
If multiple detection modules are added to improve detection accuracy, then foreign substance separation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection system into multiple specialized detection modules, each responsible for specific aspects of foreign substance detection. The conveyor belt is segmented into multiple lanes with dedicated cameras and detection algorithms for each lane, allowing parallel processing and improved accuracy without creating a single monolithic complex system. Each module can be independently optimized and maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs multi-dimensional detection by using cameras positioned at different angles and heights to capture images of hazelnuts from multiple perspectives. This spatial dimensionality addition enables the system to detect foreign substances that might be missed from a single viewpoint, improving detection accuracy while distributing the complexity across multiple simpler sensing positions rather than one complex sensor.
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
The laser line system effectively separates foreign substances and non-standard hazelnuts, enhancing product quality and reducing processing time by automating the separation process, ensuring better customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least one second detection unit provided at the continuation of said first detection unit and which provides keeping of the items, which are not suitable to standard and which are not kept by the first detection unit, by means of visual detection, and at least one second detection module provided at the continuation of said first detection module and which can provide keeping of the items, which are not suitable to standard and which exist in hazelnut, by detecting said items by means of laser scanning
Data Source
AI summary
A laser line is provided for providing separation of hazelnut from items thereof, which are not compliant to standard, in hazelnut processing facility. The laser line comprises at least one first detection module having at least one first detection unit for use in visual picking of hazelnut on said laser line, and at least one second detection unit provided at the continuation of said first detection unit and which provides keeping of the items, which are not suitable to standard and which are not kept by the first detection unit, by means of visual detection, and at least one second detection module provided at the continuation of said first detection module and which can provide keeping of the items, which are not suitable to standard and which exist in hazelnut, by detecting said items by means of laser scanning.