Ray detection equipment and method for imaging to-be-detected object based on ray detection equipment

Abstract

The invention provides ray detection equipment and a method for imaging a to-be-detected object based on the ray detection equipment. The ray detection equipment comprises at least two ray sources, wherein each ray source comprises a ray outlet from which rays are emitted; the transmission mechanism is used for bearing a to-be-detected object and transmitting the to-be-detected object along a first direction; and the detector is used for receiving the rays which are emitted from the at least two ray sources and penetrate through the object to be detected. An included angle is formed between a connecting line of orthographic projections of ray outlets of any two adjacent ray sources in the at least two ray sources on the surface, used for bearing the to-be-detected object, of the transmission mechanism and the first direction, and the included angle is larger than 0 degree and smaller than 180 degrees.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of ray imaging, in particular to a ray detection device and a method for imaging a to-be-detected object based on the ray detection device. BACKGROUND

[0002] Ray detection technology has been widely used in many fields. For example, an X-ray detection device usually includes two main parts of an X-ray source and a detector, the X-ray source is responsible for generating X-rays, and the detector is responsible for receiving X-rays after passing through the detected object and converting them into visual images, and then reconstructing the internal structure information of the detected object. Currently, there is a problem of low detection efficiency for the detected object. For example, for a detected object with a large volume or area, the detected object needs to pass through the ray detection device multiple times to complete the detection of the detected object. In the case of detecting a batch of detected objects, the demand for improving the detection efficiency becomes more urgent. SUMMARY

[0003] The embodiments of the present application provide a ray detection device, which includes: at least two ray sources, each of which includes a ray outlet through which rays are emitted; a transmission mechanism for carrying a to-be-detected object and transmitting the to-be-detected object in a first direction; and a detector for receiving rays emitted from the at least two ray sources and passing through the to-be-detected object. The connecting line of the orthographic projections of the ray outlets of any two adjacent ray sources in the at least two ray sources on the surface of the transmission mechanism for carrying the to-be-detected object and the first direction forms an included angle, and the included angle is greater than 0 degrees and less than 180 degrees.

[0004] According to some embodiments of the present application, the included angle is an acute angle or an obtuse angle.

[0005] According to some embodiments of the present application, the transmission mechanism includes a ring-shaped conveyor belt, the ring-shaped conveyor belt includes a carrying section for carrying the to-be-detected object and a return section located below the carrying section, and the surface of the transmission mechanism for carrying the to-be-detected object includes the surface of the carrying section.

[0006] According to some embodiments of the present application, the at least two ray sources are located above the transmission mechanism, and the detector is located between the carrying section and the return section.

[0007] According to some embodiments of the present application, the detector includes at least two sub-detectors corresponding to the at least two ray sources, respectively.

[0008] According to some embodiments of the present application, the radiation detection device further comprises a base for supporting the transmission mechanism, a radiation source support for supporting the at least two radiation sources, and a shielding member for shielding radiation emitted from the at least two radiation sources, the shielding member being coupled between the radiation source support and the ring-shaped conveyor belt.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present application, each of the at least two radiation sources further comprises a radiation exit control component at a radiation exit, the radiation exit control component being configured to: allow radiation of the radiation source to reach the object to be measured in response to the object to be measured being within a radiation irradiation range of the radiation source, and block radiation of the radiation source from exiting at the radiation exit in response to the object to be measured being outside the radiation irradiation range of the radiation source.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present application, the radiation exit control component comprises a radiation blocking block comprising a through-hole region and a non-through-hole region, and a driving component for driving deflection of the radiation blocking block, wherein the driving component is configured to: control the radiation blocking block such that the through-hole region covers the radiation exit in response to the object to be measured being within a radiation irradiation range of the radiation source, and control the radiation blocking block such that the non-through-hole region covers the radiation exit in response to the object to be measured being outside the radiation irradiation range of the radiation source.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present application, each radiation source comprises an X-ray source that emits X-rays.

[0012] Another embodiment of the present application provides a method of imaging an object to be measured by a radiation detection device according to any of the preceding embodiments, the method comprising: keeping the at least two radiation sources in the radiation detection device in an on state; transmitting the object to be measured by the transmission mechanism, the short side of the object to be measured being in a width direction consistent with the first direction; receiving, by the detector, radiation emitted from the at least two radiation sources and passing through the object to be measured, thereby obtaining at least two projection images of the object to be measured; and obtaining a target image of the object to be measured based on the at least two projection images.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present application, each of the at least two radiation sources further comprises a radiation blocking block at a radiation exit, the radiation blocking block comprising a through-hole region and a non-through-hole region, wherein the method further comprises: controlling the radiation blocking block such that the through-hole region covers the radiation exit in response to the object to be measured being within a radiation irradiation range of the radiation source, and controlling the radiation blocking block such that the non-through-hole region covers the radiation exit in response to the object to be measured being outside the radiation irradiation range of the radiation source.

[0014] These and other advantages of the application will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating the principles of the application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] Embodiments of the application will now be described in greater detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 An example of imaging a subject to be measured using a conventional radiographic apparatus is illustrated according to a comparative example provided by the present application; Figure 2 A process diagram of detecting a subject to be measured by a radiographic apparatus is illustrated according to an embodiment of the present application; Figure 3 A process diagram of detecting a subject to be measured by a radiographic apparatus is illustrated according to another embodiment of the present application; Figure 4 A process diagram of detecting a subject to be measured by a radiographic apparatus is illustrated according to another embodiment of the present application; Figure 5 A structure diagram of a radiographic apparatus is illustrated according to an embodiment of the present application; Figure 6 An example of a radiographic source having a radiographic exit control component is illustrated according to an embodiment of the present application; Figure 7 Steps involved in an example of a method of imaging a subject to be measured based on a radiographic apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The following description provides specific details of various embodiments of the application in order to provide a thorough description of the various embodiments of the application. It should be understood, however, that the

[0017] The embodiment of the present application provides a kind of ray detection equipment, which comprises: at least two ray sources, each ray source includes the ray outlet that lets ray shoot from it;Transmission mechanism for carrying the object to be tested and transmission the object to be tested along the first direction;And detector, for receiving the ray that is emitted from the at least two ray sources and passes through the object to be tested.The connecting line of the orthographic projection of the ray outlet of any adjacent two of the at least two ray sources on the surface of the transmission mechanism for carrying the object to be tested and the included angle formed by the first direction, the included angle is greater than 0 degree less than 180 degrees.Ray source mentioned herein includes but is not limited to X-ray source, gamma ray source, neutron ray source and the like.The various embodiments provided by the present application are described in detail below with X-ray source as an example.

[0018] Figure 1 It is illustrated that the example of imaging the object to be tested using the conventional ray detection equipment is provided according to the comparative example of the present application.As shown in Figure 1 The field of view of X-ray source in ray detection equipment is marked as circular region F, the field of view mentioned herein refers to the effective area range that X-ray beam can cover and is used for imaging or detection, or in other words, the field of view refers to the area range that can be irradiated by X-ray of X-ray source and finally forms effective image on detector.Because the field of view of X-ray source cannot completely cover the surface of the object to be tested w, the object to be tested w needs to pass through the ray detection equipment multiple times to complete the complete scanning detection of the object to be tested.For example, Figure 1 The first detection process shown in the figure realizes the imaging of the left region of the object to be tested w, and the second detection process realizes the imaging of the right region of the object to be tested w.Therefore, the object to be tested needs to pass through the ray detection equipment at least twice to complete the complete scanning detection of the object to be tested, which leads to the reduction of detection efficiency.

[0019] For the ray detection equipment provided by the embodiment of the present application, because it comprises at least two ray sources, and the connecting line of the orthographic projection of the ray outlet of any adjacent two of the at least two ray sources on the surface of the transmission mechanism for carrying the object to be tested and the first direction forms the included angle of 0 to 180, i.e., the above connecting line and the first direction are not parallel, nor on the same straight line, so the adjacent two ray sources can irradiate ray to different regions of the object to be tested, and the detector can receive the ray passing through the complete region of the object to be tested, so as to generate the target image for the complete whole of the object to be tested, and complete the identification and detection of the object to be tested.Thus, the object to be tested can be moved through the ray detection equipment only once to complete the imaging of the entire region of the object to be tested, and the detection efficiency is effectively improved.

[0020] Figure 2The illustration shows a schematic diagram of the process of an X-ray inspection device according to an embodiment of this application inspecting an object to be tested. Figure 2 As shown, the X-ray inspection device includes two X-ray sources. The orthographic projections of the X-ray outlets of the two sources onto the surface of the transmission mechanism used to support the object under test are marked as points e1 and e2, respectively. The fields of view of the two X-ray sources are marked as two circular regions F1 and F2, respectively. The direction of movement of the object under test w in the X-ray inspection device is represented by D1. Figure 2 As shown, the line connecting points e1 and e2 (dashed line) forms an angle ɵ with the first direction D1, and the angle ɵ is an acute angle. From Figure 2 As can be seen, when the object under test w moves through the X-ray detection device, the lower half of the object under test w is first irradiated by the X-ray source with a field of view of F1, and then the upper half of the object under test w is irradiated by the X-ray source with a field of view of F2. In this way, during the process of the object under test moving through the X-ray detection device once, the two X-ray sources and the detector realize the imaging of the entire area of ​​the object under test w, thereby improving the detection efficiency of the object under test.

[0021] Figure 3 The illustration shows a schematic diagram of the process of a radiographic testing device according to another embodiment of the present application testing an object to be tested. Figure 3 The example shown is the same as Figure 2 They are largely the same, the difference lies in the arrangement of the radiation sources. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the X-ray inspection device includes two X-ray sources. The orthographic projections of the X-ray outlets of the two X-ray sources onto the surface of the transmission mechanism used to support the object under test are marked as points e1 and e2, respectively. The fields of view of the two X-ray sources are marked as two circular regions F1 and F2, respectively. The direction of movement of the object under test w in the X-ray inspection device is represented by D1. The line connecting points e1 and e2 (dashed line) forms an angle β with the first direction D1. In this embodiment, the angle β is an obtuse angle. The X-ray source with field of view F1 and the X-ray source with field of view F2 can respectively irradiate the upper and lower halves of the object under test w, thus enabling imaging of the entire area of ​​the object under test during a single movement through the X-ray inspection device.

[0022] According to some embodiments of the present application, the detector comprises at least two sub-detectors corresponding to the at least two radiation sources respectively. For example, in the case that the radiation detection device comprises two X-ray sources (a first X-ray source and a second X-ray source), the detector can comprise a first sub-detector and a second sub-detector corresponding to the first X-ray source and the second X-ray source respectively, the first sub-detector and the second sub-detector can be independent of each other, the first sub-detector receives X-rays emitted from the first X-ray source and passing through one region of the object under test, thereby generating a first projection image, the second sub-detector receives X-rays emitted from the second X-ray source and passing through another region of the object under test, thereby generating a second projection image, on this basis, the first projection image and the second projection image can be combined to obtain a complete projection image of the object under test. As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the acute angle or obtuse angle formed by the connecting line of the orthographic projection of the radiation outlets of the two adjacent radiation sources on the surface of the transmission mechanism for carrying the object under test and the first direction means that there is a misalignment distance in the first direction of the orthographic projection of the radiation outlets of the two adjacent radiation sources on the surface of the transmission mechanism for carrying the object under test, which is beneficial to reduce or avoid the single sub-detector in the detector being disturbed by the X-rays from other radiation sources.

[0023] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the detector can also be a single detector with a larger radiation receiving area, which can simultaneously receive X-rays emitted from the first X-ray source and the second X-ray source and passing through different regions of the object under test, thereby generating a complete projection image of the object under test.

[0024] Figure 4 A process schematic diagram of detecting an object under test by a radiation detection device according to another embodiment of the present application is illustrated. In this embodiment, the radiation detection device comprises three radiation sources, the fields of view of the three radiation sources are respectively denoted as circular regions F1, F2 and F3. The orthographic projections of the radiation outlets of the three X-ray sources on the surface of the transmission mechanism for carrying the object under test are respectively denoted as points e1, e2 and e3, corresponding to the first X-ray source, the second X-ray source and the third X-ray source respectively. As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the acute angle or obtuse angle formed by the connecting line of the orthographic projection of the radiation outlets of the three adjacent radiation sources on the surface of the transmission mechanism for carrying the object under test and the first direction means that there is a misalignment distance in the first direction of the orthographic projection of the radiation outlets of the three adjacent radiation sources on the surface of the transmission mechanism for carrying the object under test, which is beneficial to reduce or avoid the single sub-detector in the detector being disturbed by the X-rays from other radiation sources. Figure 4As shown, when the object W to be tested moves along the first direction D1 through the X-ray detection device, the lower, middle, and upper parts of the object W are sequentially irradiated by X-rays from three X-ray sources. The line connecting points e1 and e2 forms an angle ɵ with the first direction D1, and the line connecting points e2 and e3 forms an angle α with the first direction D1. In this embodiment, both angles ɵ and α are acute angles, and they may be equal or unequal. Therefore, this application embodiment does not limit the specific number of X-ray sources included in the X-ray detection device; the required number of X-ray sources can be set according to the size of the object to be tested and the field of view of the X-ray sources. In other embodiments, the X-ray detection device may include a greater number of X-ray sources.

[0025] Figure 5 The illustration shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a radiation detection device provided according to an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 5 As shown, the X-ray inspection equipment includes two X-ray sources: a first X-ray source 40a and a second X-ray source 40b. The transmission mechanism in the X-ray inspection equipment includes a ring conveyor belt 20, which moves the object to be inspected (w) along a first direction D1. Figure 5 As shown, the connecting line between the locations of the first X-ray source 40a and the second X-ray source 40b is neither parallel to the first direction D1 nor aligned with the first direction D1. The annular conveyor belt 20 includes a carrying section 20a for carrying the object under test and a return section 20b located below the carrying section 20a. The surface of the transmission mechanism for carrying the object under test w includes the surface of the carrying section 20a. The carrying section 20a and the return section 20b can be integrated to form the annular conveyor belt 20. Examples of the object under test w include, but are not limited to, an electric cell.

[0026] According to some embodiments of this application, the at least two radiation sources 40a, 40b are located above the transmission mechanism 20, and the detector is located between the carrying section 20a and the return section 20b. Figure 5 As shown, there is a vertical gap between the carrying section 20a and the return section 20b of the circular conveyor belt 20. The detector can be set in the gap between the carrying section 20a and the return section 20b. In this way, the rays emitted from the X-ray sources 40a and 40b can pass through the object to be tested and the carrying section 20a of the circular conveyor belt 20 to reach the detector.

[0027] like Figure 5As shown, according to some embodiments of the present application, the ray detection device further comprises: a base 10 for supporting the transmission mechanism 20; a ray source support 50 for supporting the at least two ray sources; and a shield 30 for shielding rays emitted from the at least two ray sources, the shield 30 being coupled between the ray source support 50 and the ring-shaped transmission belt 20. The shield 30 can be formed of an X-ray blocking material such as lead, which can reduce or prevent rays originating from the ray sources from leaking outside the ray detection device.

[0028] According to some embodiments of the present application, each of the at least two ray sources further comprises a ray exit control component at a ray exit, the ray exit control component being configured to: allow rays of the ray source to reach the object under test in response to the object under test being within a ray irradiation range of the ray source; and block rays of the ray source from exiting at the ray exit in response to the object under test being outside the ray irradiation range of the ray source. In this way, the influence of rays emitted by a single ray source on imaging the object under test based on rays emitted by another ray source can be prevented without frequently turning on and off the ray sources. In other words, each ray source can be kept in an on state all the time when the ray detection device is in operation. If the influence of rays emitted by a single ray source on imaging the object under test based on rays emitted by another ray source is reduced by turning on each ray source in an alternating manner, the frequent turning on and off of the ray sources can result in a shortened service life of the ray sources.

[0029] According to some embodiments of the present application, the ray exit control component comprises a ray blocking block including a through-hole region and a non-through-hole region; and a driving component for driving the ray blocking block to deflect. Figure 6 An example of a ray exit control component is illustrated in Figure 6 A single ray source 40 and a ray exit E are also illustrated. As Figure 6 As shown, the ray exit control component comprises a ray blocking block 50 including a through-hole region and a non-through-hole region. The through-hole region penetrates through the ray blocking block 50. Figure 6 The lower edge 70a and the upper edge 70b of the through-hole region are illustrated in the middle. The driving component for driving the ray blocking block 50 to deflect comprises a motor 60. The through-hole region can be substantially circular or square. Figure 6The middle view illustrates a square through-hole region, and accordingly, when the through-hole region covers the ray exit of the ray source to let the rays of the ray source shoot out from the through-hole region, the ray irradiation range S is also roughly square. A driving component (e.g., a motor) 60 can control the deflection of the ray blocking block 50 to change the position or posture of the ray blocking block 50. The driving component (e.g., a motor) 60 is configured to: in response to the to-be-measured object being in the ray irradiation range S of the ray source, control the ray blocking block 50 so that its through-hole region covers the ray exit E, and in response to the to-be-measured object leaving the ray irradiation range S of the ray source, control the ray blocking block so that the non-through-hole region covers the ray exit E. A position sensor for sensing the position of the to-be-measured object can be provided, which is electrically connected to the driving component 60, whereby the driving component 60 can control the posture of the ray blocking block according to the real-time position of the to-be-measured object. Figure 6 The view illustrates the state when the through-hole region of the ray blocking block 50 covers the ray exit E of the ray source, at this time, the rays shot out from the ray source 40 can pass through the ray exit E and the through-hole region of the ray blocking block 50 and be shot out.

[0030] In another embodiment, the ray exit control component includes a ray blocking block which does not have a through-hole but only includes a non-through-hole region. For example, the ray blocking block can be a complete plate-like or sheet-like structure. The driving component can also take other forms, for example, the driving component can include a pneumatic cylinder which can drive the ray blocking block to block or expose the ray exit E of the ray source. For example, when the to-be-measured object is in the ray irradiation range of the ray source, the pneumatic cylinder drives the ray blocking block to deviate from the ray exit of the ray source, so that the rays of the ray source reach the to-be-measured object, and when the to-be-measured object leaves the ray irradiation range of the ray source, the pneumatic cylinder drives the ray blocking block so that it covers the ray exit of the ray source, thereby blocking the rays of the ray source from being shot out from the ray exit.

[0031] Another embodiment of the present application provides a method for imaging a to-be-measured object based on the ray detection device of any of the foregoing embodiments. As Figure 7As shown, the method comprises: S701, keeping the at least two ray sources in the ray detection device in an open state; S702, transmitting the to-be-detected object by using the transmission mechanism, and a width direction in which a short side of the to-be-detected object is located is consistent with the first direction; S703, receiving, by using the detector, rays emitted from the at least two ray sources and passing through the to-be-detected object, thereby obtaining at least two projection images of the to-be-detected object; and S704, obtaining a target image of the to-be-detected object based on the at least two projection images. Here, the short side is relative to a long side of the to-be-detected object. The short side can be an edge of the to-be-detected object or a diameter in a certain direction. For a to-be-detected object with a regular shape, for example, a battery cell in a rectangular shape, the short side is a side with a smaller dimension of the rectangle. For a to-be-detected object with an irregular shape, the short side refers to a diameter with a minimum diameter value in the first direction, that is, a line connecting two edges of the to-be-detected object opposite to each other has a shortest distance in parallel to the first direction.

[0032] By using the method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the to-be-detected object can be moved only once through the ray detection device to complete imaging of the entire region of the to-be-detected object, thereby effectively improving the detection efficiency of the to-be-detected object. In addition, the at least two ray sources in the ray detection device are kept in an open state when the ray detection device is running, which further helps to improve the detection efficiency. Moreover, the ray sources are not frequently opened and closed when the ray detection device is running, which helps to prolong the service life of the ray sources.

[0033] According to some embodiments of the present application, each of the at least two ray sources further comprises a ray blocking block at a ray outlet, the ray blocking block comprises a through-hole region and a non-through-hole region, and the method further comprises the following steps: in response to the to-be-detected object being in a ray irradiation range of the ray source, controlling the ray blocking block so that the through-hole region covers the ray outlet; and in response to the to-be-detected object leaving the ray irradiation range of the ray source, controlling the ray blocking block so that the non-through-hole region covers the ray outlet. In this way, the influence of the rays emitted by a single ray source on the imaging of the to-be-detected object based on the rays emitted by another ray source can be prevented while keeping each ray source in the ray detection device in an open state, without frequently opening and closing the ray sources, and the service life of the ray sources is taken into account.

[0034] Having discussed some embodiments of the application above, the scope of the application is only limited by the appended claims. Although individual features can be included in different claims, these can possibly be advantageously combined, and the order of features in claims does not imply any specific order of working the features. Furthermore, in claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps.

Claims

1. A radiation detection device, comprising: At least two radiation sources, each radiation source including a radiation outlet from which radiation is emitted; A transmission mechanism is used to carry the object under test and transmit the object under test along a first direction; as well as A detector is used to receive rays emitted from the at least two ray sources and passing through the object under test. The line connecting the orthographic projections of the ray outlets of any two adjacent ray sources on the surface of the transmission mechanism used to support the object under test forms an angle with the first direction, wherein the angle is greater than 0 degrees and less than 180 degrees.

2. The X-ray inspection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The included angle can be acute or obtuse.

3. The X-ray inspection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transmission mechanism includes an annular conveyor belt, which includes a carrying section for carrying the object under test and a return section located below the carrying section. The surface of the transmission mechanism for carrying the object under test includes the surface of the carrying section.

4. The X-ray inspection device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The at least two radiation sources are located above the transmission mechanism, and the detector is located between the carrying section and the return section.

5. The X-ray inspection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detector includes at least two sub-detectors, each corresponding to one of the at least two radiation sources.

6. The X-ray inspection device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The X-ray detection equipment also includes: A base for supporting the transmission mechanism; A radiation source support for supporting the at least two radiation sources; and A shielding element for shielding radiation emitted from the at least two radiation sources, the shielding element being coupled between the radiation source support and the annular conveyor belt.

7. The X-ray inspection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the at least two radiation sources further includes a radiation exit control component located at the radiation exit, the radiation exit control component being configured to: In response to the object under test being within the radiation irradiation range of the radiation source, the radiation from the radiation source is directed to the object under test; and In response to the object under test leaving the radiation irradiation range of the radiation source, the radiation from the radiation source is blocked from escaping from the radiation outlet.

8. The X-ray inspection device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The radiation emission control component includes: A radiation shielding block, comprising a through-hole region and a non-through-hole region; and Drive components used to deflect ray blocking blocks. The drive component is configured to: In response to the object under test being within the radiation irradiation range of the radiation source, the radiation shielding block is controlled so that the through-hole area covers the radiation outlet. In response to the object under test leaving the radiation irradiation range of the radiation source, the radiation blocking block is controlled so that the non-through-hole area covers the radiation outlet.

9. The radiation detection apparatus according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein each radiation source comprises an X-ray source that emits X-rays.

10. A method for imaging an object to be tested using the X-ray inspection device according to claim 1, the method comprising: Keep at least two of the radiation sources in the radiation detection device in the on state; The object under test is transmitted using the transmission mechanism, and the width direction of the short side of the object under test is consistent with the first direction; The detector receives rays emitted from the at least two radiation sources and passing through the object under test, thereby obtaining at least two projected images of the object under test. The target image of the object under test is obtained based on the at least two projected images.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, Each of the at least two radiation sources further includes a radiation shielding block located at the radiation exit, the radiation shielding block comprising a through-hole region and a non-through-hole region. The method further includes: In response to the object under test being within the radiation irradiation range of the radiation source, the radiation shielding block is controlled so that the through-hole area covers the radiation outlet. In response to the object under test leaving the radiation irradiation range of the radiation source, the radiation blocking block is controlled so that the non-through-hole area covers the radiation outlet.

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