Optical Product Property Determination System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatuses for determining internal quality properties of products, such as fruit, face challenges in accurately positioning products of varying shapes and sizes, especially elongated products like pears, on conveyors, which complicates the optical interaction between light sources and sensors, leading to inconsistent quality assessment.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a conveyor, a light source illuminating a wide transverse area, and a sensor structure positioned to receive light from an adjacent sensing area across the conveyor's width, allowing for reliable property determination regardless of product shape, size, and position variations, with the light source and sensor positioned above the conveyor to reduce contamination and prevent surface-reflected light from interfering with the sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If products of different shapes and sizes are processed together at high rates, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to variations in transverse positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the illumination area and sensing area adjustable or adaptable to accommodate different product positions. The system dynamically adjusts the optical measurement zones to track and maintain proper alignment with products regardless of their transverse position variations, enabling high-speed processing while preserving measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the illumination and sensing areas, specifically making them extend substantially across the transverse width of the transport path. This parameter change allows the optical system to capture light from products at various transverse positions without requiring precise positioning control
2Adaptability or versatility
If the transverse width of the conveyor is increased to accommodate maximum size products, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to position variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the illumination area and sensing area to extend substantially across the entire transverse width of the transport path. This universal coverage allows the same optical system to accurately measure products of any size or position within the conveyor width, eliminating the need for position-dependent calibration
3Device complexity
If light sources and sensors are positioned close to the conveyor for compact design, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to contamination and surface reflection interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by positioning the light source and sensor structure in a different spatial arrangement - specifically above the conveyor rather than beside it. This vertical positioning creates greater separation from product surfaces, reducing contamination risks and surface reflection interference while maintaining a relatively compact overall system footprint
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 reliable and efficient sorting of products based on their properties, even at high processing rates, by ensuring consistent optical interaction and minimizing contamination, thus improving the throughput and accuracy of quality assessment.
Implementation Method 1
light from the light source may enter the product and be scattered in the product
Implementation Method 2
whereafter at least some of the scattered light may leave the product (at the sensing area) and be received by the sensor structure
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for determining a property of products, in particular plant or animal products, the apparatus comprising: a conveyor configured for conveying products one-by-one along a transport path in a transport direction; a light source configured for illuminating a first illumination area of the transport path, wherein the first illumination area extends substantially across the transverse width of the transport path; and a sensor structure configured for receiving light from a sensing area of the transport path, wherein the sensing area extends substantially across the transverse width of the transport path, wherein the sensing area is adjacent to the first illumination area.