LIBS Scrap Sorting Optics With Offset Plasma Detection Regions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for sorting scrap aluminum parts using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy suffer from reduced sorting efficiency due to mis-ejection of spherical or partially spherical parts that fall past the plasma detection region, despite adhering to a defined drop corridor, leading to uncertain composition identification.
Innovation Solution
The system employs multiple detection cones with offset plasma detection regions along the laser beam axis, forming a larger viewing region, and a compact design with a shared objective holder and light guiding system to capture plasma light from multiple angles, allowing simultaneous processing of measurement shares.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single plasma detection region is used, then the device complexity is low, but spherical or partially spherical parts fall past the detection region and cannot be reliably analyzed
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into multiple detection cones (at least two) arranged offset along the beam axis, each covering a specific plasma detection region. This segmentation allows spherical or partially spherical parts to be reliably detected by at least one detection cone regardless of their orientation during free fall, thereby improving composition detection reliability without requiring a single complex all-encompassing detection system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple detection cones are used to cover all possible part orientations, then the viewing region is enlarged and detection reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple detection cones are merged into a single integrated detection system with a shared objective holder and light guiding system. The objectives are arranged and aligned in relation to one another such that their plasma detection regions are offset along the beam axis and together form a comprehensive viewing region. This merging approach enables the system to detect parts from multiple angles and positions while avoiding the complexity of completely separate detection systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared objective holder and light guiding system serve multiple functions by supporting multiple objectives that detect plasma from different regions. This multi-functional design allows a single structural framework to handle detection across the entire viewing region, reducing overall device complexity compared to having separate support structures for each detection cone.
3Measurement precision
If the drop corridor is narrowed to improve sorting precision, then material parts stay within the detection region, but the sorting speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of narrowing the drop corridor in the horizontal plane, the detection system extends the viewing region along the beam axis (vertical dimension) by arranging multiple detection cones offset in this direction. This dimensional change allows the system to maintain a wider drop corridor for high sorting speed while still ensuring that spherical or partially spherical parts remain within at least one plasma detection region for reliable composition analysis.
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 design enhances sorting efficiency by minimizing false sorting and ensuring reliable composition detection of various materials, including spherical parts, through a compact and efficient plasma detection system.
Implementation Method 1
laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy
Implementation Method 2
a laser device which is designed to generate a plasma on a surface of the material part
Implementation Method 3
a spectrometer system which is designed to carry out a spectral analysis of plasma light emitted from the laser-induced plasma
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a system for analyzing and sorting a material part, in particular a scrap part made of aluminum, comprising: —a feed means (110) for transporting the material part (120), —a sorting unit (160) which is designed to feed the material part (120) to one of two fractions (F1, F2), —a laser device (140) which is designed to generate a plasma (3) on a surface 7A of the material part (120) using a laser beam (5) which propagates along a beam axis (5A), —a spectrometer system (1) which is designed to carry out a spectral analysis of a plasma light (3A) emitted from the laser-induced plasma (3) and to generate an output signal in accordance with the result of the spectral analysis that is carried out, and—a controller (150) which is designed to receive the output signal and operate the sorting unit (160) on the basis of the output signal and a sorting criterion, wherein—the spectrometer system (1) has a spectrometer (13) and a detection unit (21) which is optically connected to the spectrometer (13), and—the detection unit (21) has an objective (25A, 25B, 25C, 25D) which is paired with a detection cone (35) that forms a plasma detection region (39) in a region (37) overlapping with the laser beam (5). The invention is characterized in that the detection unit (21) has an additional objective (25A, 25B, 25C, 25D) which is paired with an additional detection cone (35) that forms an additional plasma detection region (39) in an additional region (37) overlapping with the laser beam (5). The objectives (25A, 25B, 25C, 25D) are arranged and/or aligned in relation to one another such that the plasma detection region (39) and the additional plasma detection region (39) are arranged in an offset manner along the beam axis (5A) of the laser beam (5) and together form a viewing region (41) of the detection unit (21).