Rod-Shaped Product Orientation Detection by End-Face Light Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for testing rod-shaped products, such as cigarettes, fail to reliably distinguish between visually identical ends, particularly in products like tobacco sticks for electric tobacco heaters, leading to misalignment detection issues in multi-layered groups.
Innovation Solution
Irradiate the outer surface of rod-shaped products with test light that penetrates and exits through the end face, capturing the exiting light with an electro-optical receiver to evaluate brightness or light intensity, exploiting direction-dependent absorption based on the orientation of smokable material within the product.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional imaging methods are used to detect misaligned rod-shaped products, then the method works for visually distinguishable ends, but it fails when both ends are visually identical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from visual appearance to optical absorption characteristics. By measuring how light is absorbed when passing through the rod-shaped product at different orientations, the system can distinguish between correctly and incorrectly positioned products even when their external appearances are identical. This parameter change enables reliable detection for products with visually identical ends.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/imaging-based detection system with an optical absorption measurement system. Instead of using cameras to capture images of product ends, the system uses light sources and detectors to measure light absorption, substituting a mechanical imaging approach with an optical measurement approach that can detect internal structural differences.
2Measurement precision
If off-center imprints are applied to detect misalignments, then orientation can be detected, but all products must be imprinted and multi-layer groups cannot be inspected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection feature from the product surface (imprints) and relocates it to the product's internal structure (off-center smokable material). By measuring light absorption through the product, the system detects the inherent asymmetry in the product structure without requiring any additional surface markings or modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary to detect the orientation of rod-shaped products. Instead of directly observing physical features on the product surface, the system uses light transmission and absorption as a mediator to indirectly detect the internal structure and orientation of the product, enabling non-contact, non-invasive measurement.
3Reliability
If light beams are directed at rod-shaped products to detect orientation, then visually identical ends can be distinguished, but the method requires specific light angles and setup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning light sources and detectors at specific locations relative to the rod-shaped products. The light sources are arranged to illuminate products from specific angles, and detectors are positioned to capture light transmission from specific directions, creating localized measurement zones that optimize detection of orientation while maintaining systematic scalability.
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 identification of orientation even when end faces are visually identical, allowing for accurate detection of misalignments in both single and multi-layered product groups.
Implementation Method 1
Irradiating the outer surface of at least one rod-shaped product to be tested with test light, such that the test light penetrates at least partially into the rod-shaped product through the outer surface and exits at least partially through an end face
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a device for examining rod-shaped products (11) of the cigarette industry, in particular tobacco sticks which comprise in each case an in particular cylindrical lateral surface (22) and two end faces (23, 24) which are located on opposite ends, are in particular formed by two filter elements preferably of different lengths and are in particular visually identical, wherein the rod-shaped product (11) comprises smokable material, in particular tobacco, between the two end faces (23, 24), preferably in an eccentrically situated portion, the method comprising the following measures: a) irradiating the lateral surface (22) of at least one rod-shaped product (11) to be examined using examination light, such that the examination light penetrates at least in part into the rod-shaped product (11) through the lateral surface (22) and exits again at least in part through an end face (23, 24), in particular using examination light of which the beam impinges on the lateral surface (22) at an angle of at least 30°, preferably of at least 60°, particularly preferably of 90°, with respect to the longitudinal extent of the rod-shaped product (11); b) detecting the examination light exiting the end face (23, 24) of the rod-shaped product (11) to be examined using an electro-optical receiver for the examination light assigned to the end face (23, 24), the main viewing direction of which electro-optical receiver is oriented towards the end face (23, 24), in particular using a camera; c) evaluating the examination light exiting the end face (23, 24) and detected by the electro-optical receiver, in particular with regard to its brightness and/or light intensity.