Tablet Printing Device Using Laser Displacement Meter for Split Line Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tablet printing devices face productivity and cost issues due to the complexity and time required to align and identify the front and back sides of tablets before printing, often necessitating the use of cameras and image processing for determining the presence of a split line on tablets on a conveyor belt.
Innovation Solution
A tablet printing device utilizing laser displacement meters to detect the presence and orientation of a split line on tablets by irradiating laser beams and analyzing the reflection intensity, eliminating the need for cameras and image processing, thereby simplifying the device and reducing costs while improving determination speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a camera and image processing are used to determine the presence of a split line on tablets, then the determination accuracy is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical-mechanical system (camera + illumination + image processing) with a laser-based detection system. The laser displacement meter uses laser beams to detect the split line on tablets by measuring distance changes, eliminating the need for cameras and complex image processing algorithms while maintaining determination accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes unnecessary components from the detection system. By using laser displacement meters, it eliminates the camera, illumination device, and image processing unit, keeping only the essential laser detection mechanism that directly measures the split line position through distance variation.
2Measurement precision
If a camera and image processing are used to determine the presence of a split line on tablets, then the determination accuracy is improved, but the determination speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the time-consuming image processing workflow with instantaneous laser measurement. The laser displacement meter provides real-time distance data as tablets pass by, enabling split line detection without the delay inherent in capturing, transferring, and processing images.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent skips the intermediate image processing steps entirely. Instead of capturing an image, transferring it to a processor, and analyzing it sequentially, the laser system directly and continuously measures the tablet surface, rushing through the determination process in real-time as tablets move on the conveyor belt.
3Manufacturing precision
If alignment process is added to supply tablets with front side facing up, then the printing quality is improved, but the productivity decreases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the printing system to automatically adapt to tablets in any orientation by using laser detection to identify split lines and calculate orientation angles. The system self-adjusts the printing parameters based on detected tablet orientation, eliminating the need for external alignment processes while maintaining printing quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptability to the printing system. Instead of requiring static alignment of tablets before printing, the system dynamically detects the actual orientation of each tablet using laser measurement and adjusts printing parameters in real-time, allowing continuous operation without alignment interruptions.
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 enables rapid and accurate determination of tablet orientation without the need for cameras or image processing, enhancing productivity and reducing costs by using laser displacement meters to detect split lines and orientations on tablets, thus improving the overall efficiency of the printing process.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of laser displacement meters 30 arranged above the conveyor 10
Implementation Method 2
irradiating laser beams and analyzing the reflection intensity
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a tablet printing device 1 includes: a conveyer 10 configured to convey a tablet T; a laser displacement meter 30 configured to emit laser beams to the tablet T conveyed by the conveyer 10 and receive the laser beams reflected by the tablet T; a determination unit 81 configured to determine whether there is a split line on the upper surface of the tablet T conveyed by the conveyer 10 based on an output value of the laser displacement meter 30; and a printing unit 50 configured to perform printing on the tablet T conveyed by the conveyer 10 based on a determination result obtained by the determination unit 81.