Rod-Like Product Quality Inspection With In-Socket Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for checking the quality of rod-like products in the tobacco industry fail to ensure comprehensive inspection of the entire circumference surface without requiring multiple transfer devices, leading to potential damage and print misplacement issues.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that rotates rod-like products within a transport socket using a track interacting with their lateral surface, allowing a single scanning device to capture images from multiple angles, including vacuum assistance and high-friction contact surfaces to maintain product stability during rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple transfer devices are used to inspect different parts of the product surface, then the inspection coverage is improved, but the device complexity and product damage risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection process is segmented into multiple scanning zones along a single conveyor path, with each zone capturing specific portions of the product surface. The product is divided into inspection segments that are captured sequentially by the scanning device as the product moves along the conveyor belt.
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection system transitions from a single-point inspection approach to a multi-dimensional scanning approach. The scanning device captures images from multiple angles and positions along the conveyor path, effectively adding spatial dimensions to the inspection process without requiring multiple separate devices.
2Measurement precision
If multiple transfer devices are used to inspect the entire circumference surface, then the inspection completeness is improved, but the product damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple inspection functions that would traditionally require separate transfer devices are merged into a single integrated system. The scanning device, positioned along the conveyor path, combines multiple scanning angles and positions into one continuous inspection process, eliminating the need for repeated product transfers.
Solution Approach 2:
The product is prepared for inspection by positioning it on the conveyor belt in advance, and the scanning device is pre-positioned at multiple scanning locations along the conveyor path. This preliminary arrangement allows complete circumference inspection to occur during a single continuous pass without requiring additional transfer operations.
3Measurement precision
If the product is rotated during inspection, then the scanning coverage is improved, but the stability of the product decreases
Solution Approach 1:
A support mechanism acts as an intermediary between the moving product and the scanning device. This intermediary provides stable support and controlled rotation during the inspection process, allowing the product to be rotated to different scanning positions while maintaining adequate stability for accurate imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static inspection approach to a dynamic one where the product is slowly rotated during inspection. The rotation speed is controlled to maintain product stability while enabling the scanning device to capture images from multiple angles and positions along the conveyor path.
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 thorough inspection of the entire circumferential surface of rod-like products, reducing damage and ensuring accurate print placement without additional transfer devices, enhancing quality control efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
when checking the quality of rod-like product, the rod-like product shall be sucked in by the vacuum provided by the openings in transport sockets of the conveyor
Implementation Method 2
the track interacts through friction with the lateral surface of the rod-like product from the bottom side of the transport socket
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The method and device for checking quality of rod-like products (R, R') for the tobacco industry, wherein the steps are performed of moving rod-like products (R, R') placed in a transport socket (4) of a conveyor (2) along an audit trail (P), checking the quality of a rod-like products (R, R') with a scanning device (5) placed on the audit trail (P), characterized further by rotating the rod-like product (R, R') placed in the transport socket (4), during the step of checking the quality of rod-like products (R, R'), using at least one track (7) interacting with a lateral surface (6) of the rod-like products (R, R').