Planar Illumination Unit for Simultaneous Container Defect Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for optically inspecting containers require separate inspection units for detecting foreign bodies and defects, leading to increased effort and installation space.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize a single inspection unit with a planar light-emitting surface emitting light in different emission directions with varying wavelength ranges, allowing the detection of both foreign bodies and defects by evaluating changes in light refraction and absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If two different inspection units with different radiation characteristics are used to detect foreign bodies and defects, then detection capability is improved, but installation space and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate inspection units into a single integrated inspection unit. The illumination unit emits both diffusely emitting light for foreign body detection and directionally emitting light for defect detection, while a single camera captures both types of defects. This merging eliminates the need for separate inspection units, reducing installation space and device complexity while maintaining the ability to detect both foreign bodies and defects
Solution Approach 2:
The single inspection unit is designed with multi-functional capability to perform both foreign body inspection and defect inspection. The illumination unit can emit light with different radiation characteristics (diffuse and directional) and the camera can capture images for both inspection types, making the inspection unit universal and eliminating the need for multiple specialized units
2Measurement precision
If two different inspection units are used for foreign body and defect detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but inspection effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges foreign body inspection and defect inspection into a single operational process using one inspection unit. The illumination unit emits both diffuse and directional light simultaneously or alternately, and the camera captures images for both inspection types in one operation, reducing the effort required to operate separate inspection units while maintaining detection accuracy for both foreign bodies and defects
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 the simultaneous detection of foreign bodies and defects with reduced installation space and effort, as the single inspection unit can differentiate between defects and undamaged areas based on light refraction and absorption patterns.
Implementation Method 1
The illumination unit emits light from a planar light-emitting surface, which is transmitted or reflected via the containers and then captured by the camera as at least one camera image
Implementation Method 2
the at least one camera image is evaluated with an image processing unit for intensity information in order to detect the foreign bodies and/or defects of the containers
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a method for optically inspecting containers, wherein the containers are transported to an inspection unit with an illumination unit and with a camera, wherein the illumination unit emits light from a flat light-emitting surface, wherein the light is transmitted or reflected via the containers, wherein the camera captures a respective at least one of the containers and the light transmitted or reflected via same in at least one camera image, and wherein the at least one camera image is analysed by an image processing unit for intensity information in order to identify foreign bodies and/or defects in the container.