Enhancing Citrus Processing with Object Detection

Based on Patent Research | CN-113753530-B (2024)

Maintaining fruit integrity during tea branch citrus processing presents a notable operational challenge. Traditional methods often damage fruit, prematurely wear equipment, and increase labor costs due to manual adjustments. Object detection, which identifies specific items and their positions, precisely locates the fruit's orientation. This allows automated systems to adjust for optimal processing, preventing damage and enhancing overall production efficiency.

SOLUTION OVERVIEW

AI Inspection: The Manual Inspection Alternative

In Food Manufacturing, minimizing fruit damage and reducing equipment wear are significant operational challenges. Object detection, a computer vision technology that pinpoints specific items and their positions, provides a solution. It accurately identifies the precise orientation of tea branch citrus as it moves through a processing line. This data then guides automated systems to adjust their handling mechanisms, ensuring each fruit is processed optimally and preventing potential damage. This precise identification and adjustment minimize operational disruptions.

This integration of computer vision into processing lines enables significant automation, reducing the need for constant manual oversight and adjustments. Equipment can then be precisely controlled, extending its operational life and decreasing maintenance demands. Consider it like a highly skilled chef's hand, intuitively adjusting to the delicate nature of each ingredient. This capability leads to more consistent product quality and enhances overall production efficiency. The adoption of such intelligent systems can fundamentally improve operational workflows in food manufacturing.

HOW IT WORKS

Detecting Defects from Citrus Images

Capturing Processing Line Images

High-resolution cameras continuously capture images of tea branch citrus as it moves along the processing line. These visual inputs provide the raw data necessary for the system to begin its analysis. This ensures every fruit is observed for subsequent steps.

Analyzing Fruit Position and Orientation

The AI system, utilizing object detection technology, then processes these images to accurately pinpoint each citrus fruit's exact location and its precise orientation. This analytical stage transforms visual data into actionable spatial information, crucial for delicate handling.

Directing Automated Handling Adjustments

Based on the identified position and orientation, the system sends real-time commands to the automated processing machinery. This enables precise adjustments to handling mechanisms, ensuring each tea branch citrus is optimally positioned to prevent damage. This leads to efficient and consistent processing.

Potential Benefits

Improved Product Quality

Object detection minimizes fruit damage by precisely guiding processing, ensuring higher quality tea branch citrus products. This reduces waste and preserves the integrity of delicate items.

Enhanced Operational Efficiency

Automated adjustments based on fruit orientation reduce manual intervention and streamline the processing line. This leads to faster throughput and optimized resource utilization.

Extended Equipment Lifespan

By preventing improper handling and reducing stress, the system significantly decreases wear and tear on machinery. This lowers maintenance costs and extends the operational life of equipment.

Greater Processing Consistency

Each fruit is handled optimally due to precise identification and adjustment, leading to uniform processing outcomes. This ensures a consistent product standard across batches.

Implementation

1 Install Vision Hardware. Mount high-resolution cameras and processing units along the citrus processing line. Ensure robust power and network connectivity.

2 Calibrate Processing Environment. Calibrate camera views and lighting for optimal image capture. Establish parameters for precise object detection within the manufacturing setup.

3 Deploy AI Model. Integrate the pre-trained object detection model onto the processing unit. Configure it to accurately identify tea branch citrus orientation.

4 Integrate Automation Control. Connect the AI system's output to existing automated handling mechanisms. Enable real-time adjustments based on detected fruit positions.

5 System Validation & Testing. Conduct thorough testing with various citrus batches to validate accuracy. Optimize system responses for consistent, damage-free processing.

Source: Analysis based on Patent CN-113753530-B "Machine vision tea branch citrus gesture recognition and automatic adjustment device" (Filed: April 2024).