Volume Measurement System for Reflective Goods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing volume measurement systems using Time of Fly (TOF) technology face errors when measuring goods with metallic or reflective materials, and struggle to achieve high precision on automated conveyor belts.
Innovation Solution
A volume measurement system comprising a sensing gate, a pedometer, and a processor that senses the device under test to obtain multiple data points, calculates the maximum dimensions, and determines the volume based on these measurements, thereby overcoming issues with metallic and reflective objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If TOF technology is used for volume measurement, then measurement speed is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates when measuring metallic or reflective materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement system into multiple independent sensing gates (first sensing gate for width, second sensing gate for height, third sensing gate for length) instead of using a single TOF sensor. Each sensing gate measures one dimension independently, allowing the system to maintain high speed while improving precision by avoiding the reflection interference problem of TOF technology for metallic materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a pedometer as an intermediary device to measure the length dimension. The pedometer counts steps or wheel rotations to determine the length of goods passing through the sensing gates, eliminating the need for optical measurement in the length direction and avoiding reflection interference issues entirely.
2Measurement precision
If shielding technology is adopted to prevent reflection errors, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and cannot be integrated with automated conveyor belts
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single complex shielding system, the patent segments the measurement function into multiple simple sensing gates positioned at different locations. Each sensing gate is a simple optical sensor that measures one dimension, and their combined results give the complete volume measurement without requiring complex shielding structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical shielding system with a multi-sensor measurement approach. Instead of physically blocking reflections with shielding materials, the system uses multiple sensing gates positioned strategically to measure dimensions directly, eliminating the need for complex shielding while maintaining precision.
3Measurement precision
If high-precision shielding technology is introduced, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to incompatibility with automated conveyor belts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the sensing gate system to be universally compatible with automated conveyor belt operations. The sensing gates are positioned to measure goods as they naturally pass through, and the system automatically processes measurements without requiring manual intervention or complex shielding structures, making it easily integrable with automated logistics systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs automatic measurement as goods pass through the sensing gates without requiring manual operation or complex shielding setups. The pedometer automatically counts steps, the sensing gates automatically detect dimensions, and the processor automatically calculates volume, making the entire system self-sufficient and easily compatible with automated conveyor operations.
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 system provides accurate volume measurements of goods, even with metallic or reflective materials, while maintaining high efficiency on automated conveyor belts, thus optimizing logistics storage and transportation costs.
Implementation Method 1
when measuring the volume of goods with metallic or reflective materials, errors may easily occur due to reflection
Data Source
AI summary
A volume measurement method includes: receiving multiple pulse signals when a device under test (DUT) starts passing through a sensing gate; recording multiple X-axis values corresponding to multiple positions of the DUT in response to each pulse signal, and reading the multiple sensing data to calculate a Y-axis value and a Z-axis value corresponding to each X-axis value, wherein the multiple sensing data is obtained by sensing the DUT through the sensing gate; recording a maximum X-axis value corresponding to a final position of the DUT in response to a final pulse signal when the DUT finishes passing through the sensing gate; setting the maximum of the multiple Y-axis values corresponding to the multiple X-axis values as a maximum Y-axis value, and setting the maximum of the multiple Z-axis values corresponding to the multiple X-axis values as a maximum Z-axis value; and calculating a volume of the DUT based on the maximum X-axis value, the maximum Y-axis value and the maximum Z-axis value. The disclosure further includes a volume measurement system.