NIR Material Scanner With Diffused Backlighting for Transparent Plastics
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Plastic scanners using NIR sensors struggle to accurately distinguish materials of transparent objects due to low light reception after light passes through and is reflected, leading to unreliable material identification.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a lighting device with a light emitting unit and a scanner equipped with a NIR sensor, where light is generated from below the object and diffused through a diffusion member to increase light reception by the scanner, using a halogen lamp and controller for controlled light emission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a plastic scanner uses only an NIR sensor to distinguish material, then the device structure remains simple, but the light reception amount is insufficient for transparent materials leading to inaccurate identification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines an NIR sensor and a visible light sensor into a single scanner device. The NIR sensor detects near-infrared wavelengths for material identification, while the visible light sensor detects visible wavelengths to generate additional light reception data. By merging these two sensing functions into one device, the system improves material identification accuracy for transparent materials without significantly increasing structural complexity.
2Illumination intensity
If light is generated from below the object and diffused, then the amount of light received by the scanner increases, but the device requires additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates a light emitting unit into the lighting device that works in conjunction with the NIR sensor and visible light sensor. This unified lighting and sensing system allows light to be generated from below the object and diffused through the object, increasing the amount of light received by both sensors and improving detection capability while maintaining a cohesive device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a diffusion element as an intermediary between the light emitting unit and the object. This diffusion element scatters the light generated from below, ensuring uniform light distribution and maximizing the amount of light that passes through the object and reaches the sensors, thereby improving light reception without requiring complex lighting arrangements.
3Ease of operation
If the scanner is made portable and mobile, then ease of operation improves, but the device may lack sufficient power for continuous light emission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by controlling the light emitting unit to operate only when needed for material identification. The system activates the light emitting unit in conjunction with the sensors during measurement operations and deactivates it during non-operational periods. This periodic operation reduces overall power consumption while maintaining the portability and mobility of the scanner device.
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
Enhances light reception by the scanner, improving the reliability and accuracy of material identification, while also enabling portability and mobility for on-demand use.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitting unit that emits light toward an object under measurement
Implementation Method 2
a diffusion member that diffuses the light generated by the light emitting unit
Implementation Method 3
a scanner that includes a near infrared ray (NIR) sensor and distinguishes a material of the object under measurement based on light generated by the NIR sensor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The system for distinguishing the material of an object under measurement, according to the present invention, comprises: a lighting device which comprises a light-emitting unit for emitting light toward an object under measurement; and a scanner which comprises an NIR sensor, and which is provided to distinguish the material of the object under measurement on the basis of pre-input information and light that is generated by each of the NIR sensor and the light-emitting unit, penetrates the object under measurement, and is then received.