Preform Heat Treatment Enclosure With Camera-Based Radiation Shield Check
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of monochromatic or pseudo-monochromatic electromagnetic radiation emitting elements in heat treatment units poses a risk of invisible infrared radiation exposure to operators, necessitating costly and cumbersome sensor installations to ensure safety, and manual verification is prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A heat treatment unit equipped with an image acquisition device and processing system to verify the presence of removable radiation-blocking partitions, using cameras to capture images and detect any missing or improperly positioned partitions, thereby ensuring safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If monochromatic or pseudo-monochromatic electromagnetic radiation emitting elements are used for heating preforms, then heating efficiency and speed are improved, but radiation exposure risk to operators increases due to invisible infrared radiation leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful invisible infrared radiation into a detectable signal by using an image acquisition device that can sense the radiation. The radiation that would otherwise be undetectable and harmful is now used to trigger safety mechanisms, transforming the hazard into a useful detection mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary safety system consisting of an image acquisition device and processing device that mediates between the radiation emitting elements and the operators. This intermediary detects radiation leakage and prevents operator exposure by triggering alarms or shutting down the system.
2Reliability
If proximity sensors are installed to detect removable panel presence, then safety verification is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to requiring multiple sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the image acquisition device universal by enabling it to perform multiple functions: it can detect removable panel presence, verify partition installation, and detect radiation leakage. This single multi-functional device replaces what would otherwise require multiple specialized sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple detection systems into a single integrated safety system. The image acquisition device combines panel detection, partition verification, and radiation monitoring capabilities into one unified system, simplifying both installation and maintenance.
3Ease of operation
If manual verification of removable panels is performed, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability decreases due to human error in safety verification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automated feedback system where the image acquisition device continuously monitors the enclosure and provides real-time verification of partition presence. The processing device analyzes the captured images and provides immediate feedback about safety status, eliminating human error while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety verification system performs self-service by automatically detecting and verifying the presence of removable panels and partitions without requiring manual inspection. The system monitors itself and provides continuous safety verification, freeing operators from tedious manual checks while ensuring higher reliability.
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
Facilitates easy and reliable verification of partition presence without additional costly installations, reducing the risk of radiation exposure by preventing operation if partitions are missing or improperly positioned.
Implementation Method 1
at least one image acquisition device directed towards said predefined area and at least one image processing device for the images acquired by said image acquisition device
Implementation Method 2
at least one emitting element of monochromatic or pseudo-monochromatic electromagnetic radiation arranged to emit said radiation towards the preforms
Implementation Method 3
the radiation is emitted in the infrared range and is invisible to the naked eye
Implementation Method 4
said removable wall being arranged to prevent said radiation from passing through said removable wall to the outside of the enclosure
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The heat treatment unit (1) comprises an enclosure (4) within which the preforms (2) pass along a predefined path (T) and an emitting wall (6) comprising at least one electromagnetic radiation-emitting element, said enclosure (4) being at least partially closed by a removable wall (18) disposed in a predefined area of the enclosure (4). The heat treatment unit comprises a safety system including an image acquisition device (24) directed towards said predefined area and an image processing device (26) for the images acquired by said image acquisition device (24), said image acquisition device (24) being arranged to acquire at least one image of said predefined area and the processing device (26) being configured to detect the presence or absence of said removable wall (18) in said acquired image.