Non-destructive Detection Using Electromagnetic Field Phase Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-destructive detection methods face challenges in detecting foreign substances within food products, particularly in water-rich foods, fruits and vegetables with thick skins, packaged items, and cloudy or muddy products, as well as materials with high optical loss or high X-ray permeability, requiring advanced calibration and reference values.
Innovation Solution
A non-destructive detection method utilizing a transmission line to generate an electromagnetic field, analyzing the phase and amplitude changes of high-frequency signals to identify foreign substances without prior calibration, allowing for detection on the surface or within food products, including those with high optical loss or X-ray permeability, using a 2D position coordinate system to compare variations in electronic properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If color-sorting method with light is used to detect foreign substances, then detection can be performed for visible foreign substances, but it requires preparing reference values and calibration lines for each foreign substance and cannot detect unknown foreign substances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from optical properties (absorptivity, reflectivity) to electromagnetic field properties (phase, amplitude). By using a transmission line to generate electromagnetic fields and measuring the phase and amplitude of reflected or transmitted signals, the system can detect foreign substances without needing calibration for each specific substance, as the detection is based on electromagnetic interaction differences rather than optical characteristics.
2Reliability
If light-based detection is used for water-rich foods or materials with high optical loss, then detection is impossible due to light absorption, but electromagnetic field-based detection can penetrate these materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical detection system with an electromagnetic field-based detection system using transmission lines. Instead of using light that gets absorbed by water-rich materials, the system uses electromagnetic fields generated by transmission lines that can penetrate these materials. The detection is based on measuring phase and amplitude changes of the electromagnetic signals interacted with the foreign substances, enabling reliable detection in materials that are opaque or highly absorptive to light.
3Measurement precision
If X-ray detection method is used for foreign substances, then detection of high-density foreign substances is effective, but foreign substances with high X-ray permeability cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection approach from using penetrating power (X-ray) to using electromagnetic interaction properties (phase and amplitude changes). By measuring the phase and amplitude of electromagnetic signals reflected or transmitted by foreign substances, the system can detect a broader range of materials including those with varying densities and electromagnetic properties, not limited to high-density materials detectable by X-ray attenuation.
4Measurement precision
If conventional radio wave detection with antenna is used, then detection can be performed, but the target space cannot be set precisely due to radio wave dispersion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using transmission lines to generate electromagnetic fields that are concentrated in specific regions around the transmission line. This creates localized detection zones where the electromagnetic field intensity is highest, allowing precise target space definition. The field distribution follows the transmission line structure, enabling spatially selective detection without the dispersion issues of conventional antenna-based radio wave systems.
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
Enables the detection of foreign substances without prior information or calibration, effectively identifying metal and non-metal objects within food products, including those with high optical loss or X-ray permeability, and determining their position, regardless of packaging or state, thus improving detection accuracy and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a transmission line 11 to generate an electromagnetic field
Implementation Method 2
measuring by a receiving light part intensity of reflected light, transmitted light and scattered light
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The gradient of the straight line is prepared as a reference for comparison which indicates distribution state of the ratio of each variation of the real part and the imaginary part of the S parameter of the high-frequency signal in the 2D position coordinate which are obtained when the test object with no foreign substance is transmitted through the electromagnetic field generated in the space around the transmission line (11). The analyzer (13) compares the reference for comparison with the gradient of the straight line of the real part and the imaginary part of the S parameter of the high-frequency signal in the 2D position coordinate which are obtained in the same manner as the way described above for the actual test object (20) whose product tampering is unknown, and detects that the foreign substance is mixed in the test object (20) when the reference for comparison is different from the gradient of the test object (20).