Sugar Beet Foreign Body Sorting Using Laser and Spectral Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for sorting foreign bodies from sugar beets require significant space, maintenance, and water usage, leading to high energy consumption and sugar loss during processing.
Innovation Solution
A method using laser distance measurement and hyperspectral or multispectral imaging to detect and deflect foreign bodies from the sugar beet stream on a conveyor belt, eliminating the need for physical separation methods and water transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical separation processes such as stone catchers and washing drums are used to remove foreign matter, then foreign bodies are effectively separated from sugar beets, but significant space and maintenance are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical separation systems (stone catchers, washing drums) with an optical detection and airflow-based sorting system. Cameras detect foreign objects and control airflow nozzles to blow them away, substituting heavy mechanical infrastructure with lightweight optical and pneumatic components, thereby reducing space requirements while maintaining separation effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential function of foreign body removal from the complex mechanical separation systems. By using targeted airflow directed at specifically detected foreign objects rather than processing the entire mass flow through large mechanical separators, the system achieves effective separation with minimal space
2Reliability
If mass flow of sugar beets is transported with water for cleaning and foreign matter removal, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but high water and energy consumption occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes water-based cleaning with dry airflow-based foreign object removal. Instead of immersing sugar beets in water for cleaning, the system uses detected-position-targeted airflow to blow away foreign objects, eliminating the need for large quantities of water while maintaining effective foreign matter removal
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the necessary function of foreign object removal without the accompanying water consumption. By targeting airflow at specifically detected foreign objects rather than washing the entire mass flow, the system achieves effective cleaning with minimal water usage
3Reliability
If water transport is used for mass flow, then cleaning during foreign matter removal is achieved, but sugar content is released into water requiring wastewater treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces water-based transport and cleaning with dry conveyor belt transport combined with optical detection and airflow sorting. This substitution eliminates contact between sugar beets and water, preventing sugar dissolution and the generation of sugary wastewater that requires treatment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the cleaning function from water-based transport by using separate, targeted airflow for foreign object removal while transporting sugar beets dry on conveyor belts, thereby eliminating sugar content release into water
4Measurement precision
If hyperspectral or multispectral imaging with statistical profile analysis is used for object categorization, then detection accuracy is improved, but processing time increases due to complex image pixel evaluation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using laser distance measurement to first identify objects of interest, then applying hyperspectral imaging only to those specific regions rather than processing entire images. This selective approach maintains high detection accuracy while significantly reducing processing time by focusing computational resources only on potential foreign objects
5Measurement precision
If specialized equipment for laser distance measurement and optical imaging is used for each measurement, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple detection functions into an integrated system where laser distance sensors and hyperspectral cameras work together with a unified control system. The laser provides precise distance and object location data that guides the hyperspectral imaging, and both feed into a single foreign object detection and sorting control system, reducing operational complexity despite using specialized equipment
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 reduces space and maintenance requirements, minimizes water consumption, and enhances detection accuracy by using specialized equipment for each measurement, ensuring minimal damage to sugar beets.
Implementation Method 1
objects arranged on the conveying unit are detected in the mass flow by means of laser distance measurement, in particular laser triangulation
Implementation Method 2
the detected objects are at least partially optically recorded by means of hyperspectral or multispectral imaging
Implementation Method 3
the detected objects are at least partially optically recorded by means of hyperspectral or multispectral imaging
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for sorting out foreign bodies from a mass stream of sugar beets, wherein the mass stream is transported by means of a conveying unit with at least one conveyor belt through a detection unit, wherein a sorting unit is arranged downstream of the conveying unit, wherein the sorting unit is controlled via the detection unit and is configured such that foreign bodies are deflected from an ordinary trajectory of the mass stream, wherein the detection unit performs at least the following steps: I. in a first process step, objects of the mass stream arranged on the conveying unit are detected by means of laser distance measurement, in particular laser triangulation; II.In a second process step following the first process step, the detected objects are at least partially optically recorded using hyperspectral or multispectral imaging, generating initial image points; III. in a third process step following the second process step, the generated initial image points are evaluated to detect foreign bodies in the mass flow; and in a fourth process step following the third process step, the sorting unit is controlled by the detection unit in such a way that detected foreign bodies are deflected from the ordinary trajectory of the mass flow.