Optical Gauge Position Measurement for Container Inspection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inspection devices for containers, particularly glass containers, face limitations in inspection speed and accuracy due to heavy moving parts, undefined stroke, and inability to determine defect origins, leading to potential damage and inadequate defect characterization.

Innovation Solution

A compact and robust inspection device with movable equipment driven by a servomotor, featuring contactless transceiver systems and optical sensors for precise position measurement, allowing for high-speed inspection and accurate determination of container dimensions and defect types without mounting sensors on moving parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If conventional inspection devices use heavy moving parts and contact-based measurement, then structural stability is maintained, but inspection speed is limited and acceleration is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection speedVSAvoidmass of inspection head

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact-based measurement systems with optical measurement systems. The optical sensor and light source are positioned to measure container dimensions without physical contact, eliminating the need for heavy mechanical inspection heads while enabling faster inspection speeds and higher acceleration rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces light as an intermediary medium between the measurement system and the container. Instead of direct mechanical contact, light travels between the light source, the container surface, and the optical sensor to convey dimensional information, enabling non-contact measurement that resolves the speed-weight contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If inspection head stroke is increased to accommodate container height variations, then measurement coverage is improved, but impact force increases and container damage risk rises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestroke adjustment for height variationVSAvoidimpact force on container

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based inspection head with an optical measurement system that determines container dimensions by measuring light path lengths. This eliminates physical impact forces entirely while maintaining the ability to accommodate height variations through optical focal adjustment, resolving the adaptability-harmful factors contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If sensors are mounted on moving parts for direct measurement, then measurement accuracy is improved, but sensor stress increases and electrical connections become problematic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition measurement accuracyVSAvoidsensor durability and electrical connection stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses light as an intermediary to transmit measurement information from the container to the sensor. The optical sensor remains stationary while light carries dimensional information across the measurement gap, eliminating the need to mount sensors on moving parts and avoiding all associated reliability issues with electrical connections and sensor stress.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical sensor mounting on moving parts with a stationary optical measurement system. The measurement function is achieved through optical path measurement rather than mechanical position sensing, improving reliability by eliminating moving electrical connections while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables efficient and accurate inspection of container dimensions and defect types, reducing the risk of damage and improving defect characterization, while eliminating the stress on sensors and ensuring continuous operation without electrical connections on moving parts.

Implementation Method 1

a contactless transceiver system for emitting and receiving a light beam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight beam transmission and reception: Light

Implementation Method 2

optical sensors for precise position measurement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS10317195B2Device for dimensionally checking containers via contactless optical detection

Publication Date: 2019.06.11 TIAMA SOCIETE ANONYME

AI summary

An inspection device comprises movable equipment (6) driven relative to a stand (7) and fitted with at least one inspection gauge (14, 15). The device also includes a measurement system (30) comprising a contactless transceiver system (30a) for emitting and receiving a light beam (F) along a path in which there is arranged a target (30b) that is securely mounted to the first inspection gauge, the transceiver system being secured to the stand, and delivering measurements continuously of the position of the first inspection gauge relative to the stand (7). A processor unit (31) is provided that means for detecting when the measurements of the position of the inspection gauge delivered by the transceiver system (30a) cease varying, in order to determine that contact has occurred between the inspection gauge and the container.