Baggage Screening Tray Return Conveyor System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current baggage inspection systems burden passengers and operating personnel with the manual handling and return transport of transport tubs, which increases preparation time and reduces overall efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A return conveyor system is integrated that runs alongside or below the inspection device, featuring a tub lift and inclined transfer section to facilitate easy and efficient return of empty transport tubs, allowing passengers to retrieve them without physical strain, and enabling automatic or manual operation to manage suspicious items.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a return conveyor is arranged next to or below the conveyor leading through the test device, then the physical burden on passengers and personnel is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephysical burdenVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The return conveyor is arranged underneath the main conveyor system, utilizing the space below the inspection device. The trough lift is nested within this return conveyor structure, creating a compact integrated system that reduces physical burden without proportionally increasing visible complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The return conveyor operates in a different spatial dimension (below the main conveyor) rather than alongside it, allowing the system to utilize vertical space efficiently. This dimensional separation reduces interference with the main inspection process while providing easy access for passengers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If manual handling of transport tubs is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the time for preparing the inspection process increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidpreparation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service operation where passengers automatically retrieve transport tubs from the return conveyor without requiring manual assistance from personnel. The inclined transfer section allows passengers to pull tubs onto the support surface independently, reducing preparation time while maintaining relatively simple device architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Empty transport tubs are automatically returned to the support surface area through the return conveyor and trough lift before the next inspection cycle begins. This preliminary action ensures tubs are ready for immediate use, eliminating delays in preparation time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 design reduces the physical burden on both passengers and personnel, streamlines the inspection process, and enhances overall operational efficiency by simplifying the handling and return of transport tubs, thereby expediting the security check procedure.

Implementation Method 1

the return conveyor is arranged to run on the operator side or below the test device and leads to a trough lift, the output of which leads to a trough transfer section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical lifting: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 2

a trough transfer section that runs parallel to the support surface and runs inclined in the direction of the support surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2593365B1Baggage screening device
Publication Date: 2014.07.02 SMITHS HEIMANN GMBH
  • EP2593365B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2593365B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2593365B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Prior art systems for screening carry-on baggage and other items carried by individuals comprise: a screening device (1), especially an X-ray screening device, a conveyor (2) for conveying the items to be screened through the screening device (1), a support surface (3) arranged upstream of the conveyor (2), a removal position (5, 5.1) for the items, arranged downstream of the conveyor (2), transport trays (8) which can be placed on the conveyor (2) and in which small objects and items of clothing can be placed and conveyed through the screening device (1) for screening, and a return conveyor (9) for the empty transport trays (8). According to the invention, the return conveyor (9) leads to a tray lift (10) the exit of which leads to a tray transfer path (11) extending in parallel to the support surface (3), said transfer path tapering towards the support surface (3).