Collapsible Scanning Boom Structure for Height-Limited Vehicle Stowage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing article scanning systems face inefficiencies in space utilization and scanning flexibility due to fixed scanning envelopes and conflicting height requirements for road safety and scanning functionality.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible boom apparatus with a height-adjustable primary upright section, movable lateral and secondary upright sections, and a radiation detector module, allowing for efficient stowage and deployment configurations that optimize space use and adapt to varying article sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the boom apparatus is stowed along the length of the loading platform to meet height requirements, then road safety regulations are complied with, but space utilization becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The boom apparatus employs a dynamic configuration system with movable lateral and secondary upright sections that can transition between extended and collapsed arrangements. This allows the structure to adapt its dimensions based on operational requirements, enabling efficient space utilization when stowed while maintaining sufficient scanning height when deployed
Solution Approach 2:
The boom apparatus is divided into multiple separable sections including a primary upright section, lateral sections with multiple movable portions, and a secondary upright section with movable portions. This segmentation enables independent adjustment of each section to achieve optimal stowage configuration that complies with road safety height limits while maximizing loading platform space
2Device complexity
If the scanning envelope is fixed in position, then the system structure is simplified, but the system cannot optimally scan articles of varying sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral and secondary upright sections are designed with movable connections that allow dynamic reconfiguration of the boom apparatus geometry. This enables the scanning envelope to be adjusted in position and orientation to optimally match articles of varying sizes, while the underlying modular structure maintains reasonable system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The movable lateral and secondary upright sections provide multi-functionality by enabling the same boom apparatus structure to scan various article types and sizes. The configuration can be adapted between different scanning scenarios, making the system universally applicable to diverse inspection requirements without requiring multiple specialized structures
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 boom apparatus efficiently complies with road safety height limits, optimizes space utilization, and adapts to scan articles of different heights, enhancing scanning efficiency and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a radiation detector module arranged to detect radiation emitted by a radiation emitter module
Data Source
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AI summary
A boom apparatus for use in an article scanning system comprising: an primary upright section mountable on a vehicle; a lateral section comprising movably connected lateral portions; a secondary upright section comprising movably connected upright portions; and a radiation detector to detect radiation emitted by a radiation emitter; wherein each of the lateral section and the secondary upright section is movable between an extended arrangement and a collapsed arrangement, and the boom apparatus is configurable in: a deployed configuration where both the lateral section and the secondary upright section is in the extended arrangement, and the primary upright section, the lateral section and the secondary upright section define a structure through which an article to be scanned can pass, and a stowed configuration where each of the primary upright section, the lateral section and the secondary upright section is in the collapsed arrangement and further each is substantially upright.