Signal Processing Device for Seal Breakage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seal breakage detection methods require analogue-digital conversion, increasing circuit size and power consumption, and restrict the size and shape of packaging due to impedance monitoring requirements.
Innovation Solution
A signal processing device that transmits a signal through breakable signal lines to detect seal breakage by checking if the signal returns via each container portion, eliminating the need for AD conversion and impedance adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If analogue-digital conversion is implemented to detect seal breakage by monitoring impedance changes, then seal breakage detection capability is improved, but circuit size and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical/analogue impedance monitoring system with a digital signal transmission system. Instead of measuring impedance changes through analogue circuits and AD conversion, the invention uses digital signals transmitted through the packaging material itself, where seal integrity is detected by whether the digital signal can pass through, eliminating the need for complex analogue measurement circuits
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging material itself serves as an intermediary transmission medium for digital signals. The seal structure acts as a gatekeeper that either allows or blocks signal transmission, providing a simple binary detection mechanism that replaces complex impedance measurement systems
2Measurement precision
If impedance monitoring is used to detect seal breakage, then seal breakage detection capability is improved, but the size and shape of the package are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention substitutes the electrical impedance measurement approach with a digital signal transmission approach through the packaging material. This allows the packaging to be designed in various sizes and shapes without being constrained by electrical monitoring requirements, as the digital signal can be transmitted through different material geometries
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging material serves multiple functions: it contains the product, provides structural integrity, and acts as a signal transmission medium for seal detection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate sensing components that would constrain package design flexibility
3Measurement precision
If analogue-digital conversion is implemented for seal breakage detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces power-intensive analogue-to-digital conversion circuits with a digital signal transmission system that uses the packaging material as the transmission medium. This eliminates the need for continuous analogue signal processing and AD conversion, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic digital signal transmission to detect seal status, rather than continuous analogue monitoring. The digital signals are transmitted at specific intervals, and seal breakage is detected by the absence or change of expected signal returns, reducing overall power consumption compared to continuous analogue measurement
Data Source
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AI summary
[Object] To be able to detect seal breakage of a container portion for containing an article by a simpler scheme. [Solution] There is provided a signal processing device including: a processor that executes a program; and a memory that stores the program for causing the processor to function as a detection unit that transmits a signal to one or more signal lines formed of a breakable material in such a manner that the signal passes through regions corresponding to one or more respective container portions of a package for containing articles, and detects seal breakage of each container portion on the basis of whether the transmitted signal returns via each region.