Resin Determination Using Diffuse Reflection Plate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining the type of resin, particularly transparent resin, are inefficient as they require multiple apparatuses and limit the collection of transparent resin types due to the inability to sort using infrared rays, as transparent resin transmits most infrared rays.

Innovation Solution

A resin determination method and apparatus that utilize an object placement surface with a diffusion reflectance of equal to or greater than 80% and arithmetic mean roughness of 0.25 µm to 25 µm in the infrared wavelength region, allowing for the irradiation and reflection of infrared light to determine resin types based on reflection or absorption spectra.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If transparent resin is measured using conventional infrared reflection methods, then the measurement is simple and fast, but the transparent resin transmits most infrared rays causing insufficient reflection signal for accurate determination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresin type determination accuracyVSAvoidinfrared light reflection intensity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a diffusion reflection plate as an intermediary between the transparent resin and the infrared light source/detector. This plate has specific optical properties (diffusion reflectance of 80% or more in the 1-3 μm wavelength region) that enable it to reflect infrared light effectively. The transparent resin is placed on this plate, and the infrared light reflects off the plate rather than being transmitted through the resin, providing sufficient reflection intensity for accurate resin type determination while maintaining measurement simplicity and speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If multiple apparatuses are used to determine transparent resin types, then measurement accuracy can be improved, but device complexity and sorting efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransparent resin type determination accuracyVSAvoidnumber of apparatuses required
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the functions of multiple separate measurement apparatuses into a single integrated system. By using a diffusion reflection plate with optimized optical properties, the system can accurately determine transparent resin types using a single infrared reflection measurement setup, eliminating the need for multiple apparatuses while maintaining measurement precision and improving sorting efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the optical parameters of the measurement system by introducing a diffusion reflection plate with specific properties (diffusion reflectance ≥80% in the 1-3 μm infrared wavelength region). This parameter change enables accurate measurement of transparent resins that previously could not be measured with conventional infrared reflection methods, allowing single-apparatus determination of transparent resin types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If a diffusion reflection plate with high diffusion reflectance is used, then infrared light reflection is enhanced for better transparent resin measurement, but the cost and manufacturing complexity of the plate increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinfrared reflection signal strengthVSAvoiddiffusion reflection plate fabrication
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies key optical parameters for the diffusion reflection plate (diffusion reflectance of 80% or more in the 1-3 μm wavelength region) without over-constraining other properties. This allows manufacturers to use various materials and fabrication methods that meet the critical optical performance requirement while keeping manufacturing simple and cost-effective. The plate can be made from conventional materials with appropriate surface treatments or compositions that achieve the required diffusion reflectance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 determination of transparent resin types using infrared rays, improving sorting efficiency and expanding the range of collectible resin types by enhancing the reflection and absorption spectrum analysis.

Implementation Method 1

a diffusion reflectance of equal to or greater than 80% in an effective wavelength region of infrared light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

determining a resin type based on a reflection spectrum or an absorption spectrum obtained by the reflected light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption spectroscopy: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3477281B1Resin determination method and resin determination apparatus
Publication Date: 2023.11.15 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3477281B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3477281B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3477281B1 patent drawingFigure 2C~2D

AI summary

Provided is a resin determination method including: placing an object on a placement surface with a diffusion reflectance of equal to or greater than 80% in an effective wavelength region of infrared light and with arithmetic mean roughness of equal to or greater than 0.25 and equal to or less than 25; irradiating the object with infrared light; receiving reflected light from the object that has been irradiated with the infrared light; and determining a resin type based on a reflection spectrum or an absorption spectrum obtained by the reflected light.