Microwave Resonator Segment Edge Detection in Tobacco Filter Rods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring the position of segments with absorbent substances in multi-segment filter rods in the tobacco processing industry lack sufficient spatial resolution, making it difficult to detect segment edges and ensure even distribution of granules, leading to faulty filter rods.
Innovation Solution
A method using a microwave resonator to measure time-varying resonant frequency shifts and resonance curve broadening, with a focus on difference quotients to determine local extreme values, allowing precise detection of segment edges by identifying maxima and minima in the resonator's electrical field, and integrating these values to calculate the mass of absorbent substances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a microwave resonator is used to measure segment positions in filter rods, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential measurement information (resonant frequency shift and resonance curve broadening) from the complex microwave resonator system, focusing on these two key parameters to determine segment edges while ignoring other potentially useful but complicating measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary differentiation of the resonant frequency shift and resonance curve broadening signals before analysis, which simplifies the subsequent detection of segment edges by converting continuous signals into discrete edge indicators through the differentiation process
2Measurement precision
If the microwave resonator field propagation is reduced to improve spatial resolution, then measurement precision improves, but the measurement range decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from measuring only resonant frequency shift (one dimension) to simultaneously measuring both resonant frequency shift and resonance curve broadening (two dimensions), allowing edge detection through differentiation in the frequency domain while maintaining adequate spatial coverage in the physical domain
3Manufacturing precision
If granules are applied to filter tow before compression, then manufacturing precision of granule distribution is improved, but variability in compression affects measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the measured resonant frequency shift and resonance curve broadening as feedback signals to detect variations in granule distribution and compression, allowing the system to identify and reject filter rods that fall outside acceptable parameters, thereby compensating for manufacturing variability
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 provides significantly improved spatial resolution for detecting segment edges and calculating the mass of absorbent substances, enabling the precise identification and rejection of faulty filter rods with enhanced measurement accuracy and reproducibility.
Implementation Method 1
a time-varying resonant frequency shift A and/or resonant line broadening B is measured with a microwave resonator when a filter rod moves in its longitudinal direction
Implementation Method 2
The microwave resonator has a field propagation that is smaller in the direction of the filter rod than the length of a filter segment to be measured
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A varying resonance frequency shift and/or resonance line broadening is measured with a microwave resonator (11), during the movement of multi-segment filter rod along the longitudinal direction. A difference quotient is generated based on the measured resonance frequency shift and/or the resonance line broadening. The local extreme values of the respective difference quotient are determined and are assigned to the position of transition from a portion having higher content of absorbing substance to a portion without or with a lower content of absorbing substance and vice versa. An independent claim is included for a device for measuring position of sections with absorbing substances in multi-segment filter rods, in tobacco-processing industry.