Laser Line Reflection Detection for Compression Wood in Lumber
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting compression wood, blue stain, and pitch in lumber are not suitable for real-time industrial applications due to limitations in microscopy and transmission imaging, which are slow and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A system using laser lines projected across lumber, with line or area cameras capturing the intensity of diffusely reflected light, and image processing to measure intensity differences and thresholds for accurate detection of compression wood, blue stain, and pitch, allowing for real-time identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If microscopy methods are used to detect compression wood, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates because they cannot be applied in real time in industrial settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical microscopy methods with an optical system that uses laser lines and digital cameras to detect compression wood. The system projects laser lines onto the lumber surface and captures reflected light patterns, substituting the mechanical scanning and imaging processes of microscopy with a non-contact optical measurement approach that enables real-time industrial application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy or representation of the lumber surface features by capturing laser line reflection patterns. Instead of directly examining the physical sample through microscopy, the system creates digital images of the light reflection patterns that replicate the structural information needed for compression wood detection, enabling rapid analysis without physical manipulation.
2Measurement precision
If transmission imaging of thin cross sections is used, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates and device complexity increases due to sample preparation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential detection function from complex sample preparation and transmission imaging processes. By using laser line reflection off the lumber surface, the system extracts the necessary structural information about compression wood without requiring thin sectioning, mounting, or transmission imaging setup, thereby eliminating the productivity and complexity barriers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical and chemical processes of thin section preparation with a non-contact optical measurement system. Instead of physically cutting, mounting, and imaging thin sections through microscopes, the system uses laser illumination and digital camera capture to obtain compression wood information from the lumber surface in real time.
3Reliability
If existing methods for detecting blue stain and pitch are used, then detection capability is provided, but productivity deteriorates due to inefficiency in industrial settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal detection system that can identify multiple lumber defects including compression wood, blue stain, and pitch using the same laser line reflection methodology. By adapting the analysis of reflection patterns to recognize different defect types, the system provides multi-functional detection capability that maintains reliability across different defect kinds while achieving industrial productivity through real-time operation.
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 efficient and accurate detection of compression wood, blue stain, and pitch in lumber, improving upon existing methods by providing a robust and real-time solution for industrial settings.
Implementation Method 1
a light beam is projected toward the wood sample... Line or area cameras acquire images of light that is reflected from the wood sample
Data Source
AI summary
Methods are provided for detecting compression wood, blue stain, or pitch in lumber. A light beam is projected towards the wood sample. Line or area cameras acquire images of light that is reflected from the wood sample. Based on the intensity of the reflected light at one or more locations on the wood sample, compression wood, blue stain, or pitch may be detected.