Contactless Chemical Detection on Moving Objects

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current detection methods for chemical substances on moving objects are inefficient and time-consuming, particularly in controlled areas like security checkpoints, where they often require intervention or specific actions from individuals being checked.

Innovation Solution

A detection method using a spectroscopic examination with a laser-based system that tracks the position of a moving object's detection area, allowing for non-invasive, contactless, and efficient detection of hazardous substances, such as explosives, by illuminating and analyzing the object's surface with invisible light while it moves through a controlled area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional detection methods are used for chemical substances on moving objects, then detection can be performed, but the process is time-consuming and requires intervention from individuals being checked

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection speedVSAvoidwaiting time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual intervention and traditional mechanical detection methods with an automated optical detection system. The system uses light sources to illuminate the detection area and detectors to capture scattered light, enabling contactless, automated detection of chemical substances on moving objects without requiring individual intervention or significant waiting time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The detection system operates autonomously by automatically tracking the moving object, illuminating the detection area, and analyzing scattered light without human intervention. The system self-regulates the detection process, continuously monitoring and adjusting to maintain detection accuracy while the object moves through the controlled area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If spectroscopic examination is performed on moving objects, then accurate detection of chemical substances is achieved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection system integrates multiple functions into a unified platform: the light source serves both illumination and spectroscopic examination purposes, the detector captures both positional information and chemical substance signatures, and the evaluation unit performs both tracking and substance identification, reducing overall system complexity despite high detection accuracy requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an evaluation unit as an intermediary that processes raw detection data and translates it into meaningful results. This intermediary component simplifies the relationship between the complex spectroscopic examination and the final detection output, managing the complexity by providing a standardized interface for data interpretation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If the detection area is tracked on moving objects, then detection accuracy is maintained during movement, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidtracking system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the tracking function with the detection function by using the same light source and detector for both purposes. The light source illuminates the detection area while the detector captures scattered light that contains both positional and chemical information, eliminating the need for separate tracking hardware and reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3538873B1Detection method for chemical substances, detection apparatus, feed-through apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.06.08 DEUTSCHES ZENTRUM FÜR LUFT UND RAUMFAHRT E V
  • EP3538873B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3538873B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3538873B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A detection method for chemical substances on movable objects is provided, in which a movable object (114) to be examined is monitored inside a defined spatial control area (50), a predefined capture area (116) of the movable object (114) is optically detected, a position of the capture area (116) of the movable object (114) inside the control area (50) is tracked, the capture area (116) of the movable object (114) is spectroscopically examined, and chemical substances which are situated on a surface of the capture area (116) of the movable object (114) are detected by means of the spectroscopic examination.