Movable Gripper Rows for Optical Container Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container sorting machines face difficulties in reliably identifying container types due to dirt deposits and complex structures required for optical inspection, especially when containers of different types are mixed in a single crate.
Innovation Solution
An inspection device with movable gripper rows that allow optical accessibility from the side and below, enabling reliable identification of container types using an optical inspection system, and a method that involves gripping containers with grippers arranged in rows, moving them to create optical access, and using simple drives for movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If containers are inspected from above with a camera, then the inspection system is simple in construction, but dirt deposits on container shoulders and side contours make detection difficult and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection system transitions from top-down viewing to side and bottom viewing angles. The conveyor belt tilts containers at approximately 45 degrees, allowing cameras to capture side contours and bottom surfaces that are invisible from above. This dimensional change in inspection angle enables reliable detection of container characteristics even when shoulders are dirty.
2Reliability
If packing tulips are spread apart to form lanes for camera detection, then all bottles become visually accessible, but five aisles require camera technology making the system complex
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of spreading containers horizontally into multiple lanes for camera access, the system tilts the entire container array vertically by approximately 45 degrees on the conveyor belt. This single dimensional change allows cameras positioned at the side to view all container rows simultaneously without requiring multiple camera aisles, thus maintaining detection completeness while reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The tilted conveyor belt serves multiple functions: it tilts containers for optimal camera viewing angles, transports containers through the inspection zone, and positions all container rows within the camera field of view simultaneously. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mechanisms to achieve each objective, reducing overall system complexity.
3Device complexity
If containers are inspected while arranged in compact rows in the crate, then the inspection device is simple, but container rows obscure each other making reliable identification impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt tilts the container rows at approximately 45 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. This tilt opens up the previously obscured side surfaces and bottom areas, allowing cameras to capture clear images of container side contours and characteristics without requiring complex disassembly or spreading mechanisms.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 2B
AI summary
The invention relates to an inspection device (1) for inspecting containers (2) located in a crate (3) for empty containers, said inspection device comprising a head (4) with grippers (42) arranged in a plurality of gripper rows (41a – 41d) for gripping the containers (2) and removing them from the crate (3) for empty containers, and with an optical inspection system (5) for inspecting the containers (2) moved out of the crate (3) for empty containers using the grippers (42). The inspection device is characterised in that the gripper rows (41a – 41d) are movable relative to each other in the longitudinal direction (R) of the rows in order to allow the inspection system (5) optical access to the various container rows.