Rotating Container Mark Reader for High-Speed Conveyor
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current ID readers struggle to accurately read marks on cylindrical containers moving along a conveyor, especially when the mark is positioned on the opposite side of the lateral wall, leading to incomplete capture and decoding due to limited field of view and increased complexity with multi-camera systems.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that involves applying torque to the container using a spinner to rotate it, allowing a high-speed camera to capture the mark on the lateral wall as it spins, ensuring complete and accurate reading of barcodes on containers moving along a conveyor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single ID reader is used, then the device complexity is low, but the field of view is limited and cannot capture marks on all containers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces temporal dimension by rotating containers to present different lateral surfaces sequentially to the stationary camera. This allows a single camera to capture marks that would otherwise require multiple cameras positioned around the conveyor, effectively expanding the field of view through rotational movement rather than spatial expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static reading arrangement to a dynamic one where containers are actively rotated during the reading process. This dynamic approach allows the mark to be brought into the camera's field of view through rotation, overcoming the limited field of view of a single stationary reader.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple ID readers are used to capture marks on all containers, then the field of view is expanded, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of expanding the field of view spatially by adding multiple readers around the conveyor, the patent expands it temporally by rotating containers to bring different surfaces into the view of a single stationary camera at different moments in time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic rotation of containers to achieve what would otherwise require multiple static readers. The rotation mechanism allows a single camera to sequentially capture marks from different lateral surfaces of containers as they pass through the reading area.
3Area of stationary object
If a larger sensor is used to expand field of view, then the field of view increases, but the reading resolution decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this trade-off by moving from a spatial solution (larger sensor) to a temporal solution (rotation over time). The stationary camera maintains its resolution characteristics while the container rotation brings the mark into optimal viewing position, allowing high-resolution capture without requiring a larger sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than using a large static sensor that compromises resolution, the system dynamically rotates containers to present marks at optimal distances and angles to the camera, maintaining high reading resolution while achieving comprehensive mark capture through sequential imaging.
4Productivity
If containers are read while moving on conveyor, then productivity is high, but the mark may be on opposite side and missed
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains high conveyor speed for productivity while introducing dynamic rotation of containers in the reading area. This rotation ensures that marks on any lateral surface are brought into the camera's field of view, guaranteeing reliable capture without requiring conveyor speed reduction or container stopping.
Solution Approach 2:
The container rotation is initiated before the mark needs to be read, ensuring that the marked surface is brought into the camera's field of view in advance. This preliminary rotational action guarantees that the mark will be captured during the brief moment it passes through the reading area, maintaining both high productivity and reading 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
This approach ensures 100% capture and decoding of marks on containers at high speeds, overcoming the limitations of single ID readers and multi-camera systems by maintaining high throughput and accuracy even at fast conveyor speeds.
Implementation Method 1
applying torque on the container at least in the reading area, generating rotation of the container along a vertical axis thereof
Data Source
AI summary
Device and method of reading a mark printed on containers moving along a conveyor, wherein the mark is printed on a lateral portion of the container. The device comprises a drive unit for applying torque on a container in a reading area to generate rotation along its vertical axis, and a camera for reading the mark while the container is spinning. The drive unit comprises a motor and a spinner disposed at a first zone of the reading area for applying torque on a lateral wall of the container. The device comprises a pushing assembly, e.g. an air knife applying high-pressure air flow that drives the container towards the first zone to ensure rotational movement of the container. The device allows safe capture of the mark at high line feeding speeds.