Silicone Coating Inspection with Air-Flushed Optical Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for monitoring the quality of silicone coatings on objects, such as ampoules and syringes, are inefficient and prone to contamination, particularly in camera-based systems and optical sensors, which are costly and unreliable in large-scale production.
Innovation Solution
A device with an optical sensor and compressed air nozzles is used to monitor the quality of silicone coatings by identifying silicone through light absorption, with compressed air flushing the identification region to remove contamination and improve accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If camera-based systems are used to identify spray mist, then identification capability is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex camera-based optical systems with a simple light source and photodetector arrangement. Instead of using cameras requiring image processing, the invention uses direct light absorption measurement where a light source emits light through the spray mist and a photodetector measures the absorbed light intensity, significantly simplifying the system while maintaining identification capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential measurement function from complex camera systems. By isolating the key principle of light absorption by spray mist and implementing it with minimal components (light source, photodetector, and basic signal processing), the system achieves spray mist identification without the unnecessary complexity of image capture and processing.
2Measurement precision
If optical sensors are used to monitor silicone coating, then monitoring capability is achieved, but contamination on sensor surfaces reduces reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using compressed air nozzles to clean the optical sensor surfaces before contamination can significantly affect measurements. The compressed air blows away water droplets and particulate matter from the light path and sensor surfaces, preventing contamination buildup that would reduce measurement reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of moisture and contamination in the measurement environment into a beneficial cleaning mechanism. By introducing compressed air flow, the system uses the kinetic energy of the air stream to remove contaminants, turning the presence of moisture (which could cause contamination) into an opportunity for active cleaning that improves sensor 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
The device enhances the reliability and accuracy of silicone coating identification by effectively removing contaminants, especially water, allowing for precise monitoring of coating quality even in humid environments.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor based on an adsorptive effect of the spray mist for light at a specific wavelength
Implementation Method 2
at least one compressed air nozzle directed at the identification region of the at least one optical sensor in order to flush the identification region with compressed air
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for coating an object (2) with a silicone coating (3), the device comprising: at least one processing station (4) having a processing region (5) for receiving the object (2); at least one silicone spray nozzle (6) for applying the silicone (9) to at least one surface region (7) of the object (2) in order to result in a silicone coating (3); at least one optical sensor (8) for monitoring the quality of the silicone coating (3) by identifying silicone (9), wherein the optical sensor (8) has an identification region (10) aligned with the processing region (5), in which identification region the sensor (8) can identify silicone (9); and at least one compressed air nozzle (11), which is aligned with the identification region (10) of the at least one optical sensor (8), for flushing the identification region (10) with compressed air.