Sorting Device Sensor Segmentation for Detection Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sorting devices face challenges such as increased noise in detection signals, manual adjustments required for different products, edge effects leading to misidentification of products, and inefficiencies in handling various product types, especially in environments with moisture, dust, or temperature variations.
Innovation Solution
A sorting device with a sensor element divided into multiple detection areas, including a central area and concentric ring-shaped or sector areas, generates detection signals for direct and scattered light, allowing for automatic adjustment of the light beam direction and reducing noise, thereby enhancing reliability and accuracy in distinguishing between product types without manual reconfiguration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single detector is used to receive reflected light, then the device structure is simple, but the detection signal contains noise and edge effects causing misidentification
Solution Approach 1:
The detector is divided into multiple detection areas (central area and ring-shaped or sector areas) that separately receive directly reflected light and scattered light. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each detection area's function, reducing noise and edge effects while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
Different detection areas are optimized for specific functions: the central area detects directly reflected light for hard products, while ring-shaped or sector areas detect scattered light for soft products. Each area has tailored optical properties and detection characteristics suited to its specific measurement purpose, improving overall detection precision.
2Measurement precision
If manual adjustment of light beam direction is performed, then detection accuracy for specific products is improved, but device operation becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The light beam direction is made automatically adjustable through control means that respond to detection signals from different areas. The system dynamically adapts the light beam orientation based on real-time detection data, eliminating the need for manual adjustment while maintaining high detection accuracy across different product types.
Solution Approach 2:
The control means uses feedback from detection signals generated by the multiple detection areas to automatically adjust the light beam direction. This closed-loop system continuously optimizes detection accuracy without requiring manual intervention, making the device both precise and easy to operate.
3Productivity
If the light beam is moved crosswise through the product flow, then all products are hit by the light beam, but edge effects occur causing misidentification
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into multiple areas that distinguish between centrally reflected light and scattered light from edges. By separately detecting light from different spatial locations, the system maintains high sorting efficiency while filtering out edge effects that would cause misidentification.
Solution Approach 2:
The edge effects that previously caused misidentification are converted into useful detection signals. The ring-shaped or sector detection areas specifically detect scattered light from product edges, transforming the harmful edge effects into beneficial information that improves detection accuracy and prevents false rejection of suitable products.
4Measurement precision
If diaphragms are used to control field of vision, then detection precision is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical diaphragm system is replaced with an optical solution using the detector's geometric structure (central area and ring-shaped/sector areas) to control field of vision. This substitution eliminates moving parts and manual adjustment requirements while maintaining detection precision, reducing both complexity and maintenance needs.
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 solution provides a more reliable and accurate detection system that minimizes noise and edge effects, enabling the sorting of various products without manual adjustments, ensuring that no suitable product is incorrectly identified as an impurity, and allows for non-destructive measurement of product ripeness or hardness.
Implementation Method 1
the light of said light beam is directly reflected as of the point of impact of the light beam on the products
Implementation Method 2
reflected in a scattered manner on the other hand as of a zone round the point of impact due to the diffusion of the light beam's light in the products
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 2~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a sorting device and a method for sorting products (1) that are moved in a flow of products (2) through an inspection zone (3), wherein a light beam (6) is moved over the flow of products such that substantially all products (1) are hit by the light beam (6) in said inspection zone (3), whereby the light of this light beam (6) is, on the one hand, directly reflected as of the point of impact of the light beam on the products, and is, on the other hand, reflected in a scattered manner as of a zone round the point of impact following the diffusion of the light beam's light in the products, whereby the directly reflected light as well as the light which is reflected in a scattered manner is at least partly directed to a sensor element (19) of a detector (15), whereby this sensor element (19) has at least two detection areas, wherein for each detection area a detection signal is generated corresponding to the intensity of the reflected light (14) that impinges upon this detection area.