Measuring Window Soiling Check for Sheet Material Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Banknote processing machines and other sheet material processing devices face reduced throughput due to frequent cleaning of measuring windows, which is necessary to prevent contamination from affecting the accuracy of optical examinations, leading to unnecessary interruptions and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The method involves selectively checking specific sub-areas of the measuring windows for contamination, only evaluating light signals from areas relevant to the sheet material being inspected, thereby reducing unnecessary cleaning and maintaining measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire measuring window is cleaned frequently to prevent contamination, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but machine throughput is reduced due to frequent cleaning interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measuring window into multiple sub-areas (first sub-area and second sub-area) corresponding to different inspection regions. Contamination detection and cleaning actions are performed selectively on only those sub-areas where contamination is detected, rather than cleaning the entire window frequently. This segmentation allows maintenance of measurement accuracy in affected regions while reducing overall cleaning frequency to maintain throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local contamination detection and cleaning strategies by identifying specific sub-areas of the measuring window that require cleaning based on detected contamination patterns. Instead of uniform cleaning of the entire window, cleaning resources are applied locally only where contamination is present, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy in critical areas while reducing unnecessary cleaning operations that would lower throughput.
2Reliability
If the entire measuring window is checked for contamination, then all potential measurement errors are detected, but unnecessary cleaning actions increase reducing throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measuring window into multiple sub-areas corresponding to different inspection regions of the sheet material. Contamination checking is performed selectively on these sub-areas rather than the entire window, allowing detection of contamination in relevant regions while avoiding unnecessary checks in unaffected areas, thereby reducing false-triggered cleaning actions and maintaining throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by checking only the necessary sub-areas of the measuring window for contamination based on the inspection requirements of the sheet material. Instead of checking the entire window, only the sub-areas that correspond to the inspected regions are examined, reducing unnecessary contamination detection operations and avoiding associated cleaning interruptions that would reduce throughput.
3Reliability
If manual cleaning of the measuring window is performed frequently, then contamination is removed, but operation time is lost and throughput is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automated contamination detection system that monitors the measuring window sub-areas and triggers cleaning actions automatically when contamination is detected. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual inspection and cleaning operations, allowing the system to maintain window cleanliness autonomously while minimizing operation time loss by performing cleaning only when necessary based on actual contamination conditions.
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 approach reduces the frequency of cleaning actions, minimizing interruptions and enhancing the throughput of processed documents without compromising the quality of measurements, as only the contamination in areas affecting the inspection is addressed.
Implementation Method 1
the banknotes are usually irradiated on one or both surfaces by means of at least one light source, and the reflected light and/or the transmitted light is detected by means of suitable optical sensors
Implementation Method 2
the reflected light and/or the transmitted light is detected by means of suitable optical sensors
Implementation Method 3
the reflected light and/or the transmitted light is detected by means of suitable optical sensors
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
Figure 3a~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for carrying out a soiling check of the measurement window (3) of a measuring device (10) for checking sheet material (1), to a measuring device (10) which carries out the method, and to a device (20) for processing a sheet material comprising the measuring device. According to the invention, for the soiling check of the measurement window (3), only areas (4) of the measurement window are used which correspond, in terms of width and position in the beam path of the light, to the areas (2, 2') of the checked sheet material (1) which are checked during the checking of the sheet material. As a result, fewer cleaning steps are needed for the measurement window.