Sorting Mechanism Synchronization via Reference Signal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inspection and sorting systems face challenges in sorting articles at high processing speeds with good precision due to variations in the timing of receiving inspection results, leading to mis sorting and reduced accuracy.
Innovation Solution
An inspection and sorting system that incorporates a conveying means, an inspection device, and a sorting device with a sorting mechanism controlled by a fixed-interval reference signal, allowing the sorting operation to be synchronized with the conveyance process, independent of the inspection process timing, ensuring accurate and timely sorting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the sorting device operates at high processing speed to improve productivity, then the number of articles processed per unit time increases, but the timing synchronization between receiving inspection results and executing sorting operations deteriorates, leading to reduced sorting precision
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by receiving and storing inspection results in advance before the articles reach the sorting position. The control device stores inspection results with associated timing information, allowing the sorting operation to be executed at the precise moment when articles arrive, without waiting for results to be processed in real-time. This preliminary storage of information enables high-speed sorting while maintaining synchronization accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the timing of inspection result reception and using this information to adjust sorting operation timing. The control device compares the timing when inspection results are received with the timing when sorting operations are executed, and uses this feedback to optimize the synchronization between inspection and sorting processes, ensuring high precision even at high processing speeds.
2Manufacturing precision
If the system keeps large intervals between conveyed articles to ensure proper timing for sorting operations, then sorting precision is maintained, but the number of articles processed per unit time is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by receiving and storing inspection results in advance before the articles reach the sorting position. The control device stores inspection results with associated timing information, allowing the sorting operation to be executed at the precise moment when articles arrive, without waiting for results to be processed in real-time. This preliminary storage of information enables high-speed sorting while maintaining synchronization accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces mechanical timing adjustment (physical spacing between articles) with an electronic control system that uses timing information and control signals to synchronize sorting operations. Instead of relying on physical intervals between articles to ensure proper timing, the system uses electronic feedback and control to achieve precise synchronization, allowing articles to be conveyed continuously at high speed without requiring large physical gaps.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sorting mechanism is activated based on variable timing of inspection result reception, then the system adapts to inspection device specifications, but the sorting timing becomes out of sync with article conveyance, reducing sorting accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the timing of inspection result reception and using this information to adjust sorting operation timing. The control device compares the timing when inspection results are received with the timing when sorting operations are executed, and uses this feedback to optimize the synchronization between inspection and sorting processes, ensuring high precision even at high processing speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies dynamics by making the sorting control timing adjustable and adaptive rather than fixed. The control device can dynamically adjust the timing of sorting operations based on the actual timing when inspection results are received, allowing the system to adapt to different inspection device specifications while maintaining synchronization accuracy. This dynamic adjustment ensures that sorting operations are always executed at the correct moment regardless of variations in inspection processing time.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provide is an inspection and sorting system that can sort conveyed articles, based on the inspection results, at a high processing speed and with good precision. The inspection and sorting system (100) is provided with a conveyance device (10), an X-ray inspection device (20), and a sorting device (30). The conveyance device conveys inspection articles. The X-ray inspection device inspects the conveyed inspection articles. The sorting device has an air sorting mechanism (31) that executes a sorting operation in which the conveyed inspection articles are sorted. The sorting device has a sorting information receiving component (33a), a reference signal receiving component (33b), and a sorting mechanism control component (33d). The sorting information receiving component receives sorting information relating to the sorting of the inspection articles based on an inspection result of the X-ray inspection device. The reference signal receiving component receives a fixed-interval reference signal relating to the conveyance by the conveyance device. The sorting mechanism control component controls the air sorting mechanism to execute the sorting operation based on the sorting information at a timing adjusted by the reference signal.