Manipulated Battery Cell Detection Using X-Ray Attenuation Curves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-ray inspection systems struggle to reliably detect manipulated rechargeable battery cells, such as lithium cells, that have been tampered with to conceal hazardous substances like explosives, as they appear similar to genuine cells in two-dimensional X-ray images, making it difficult to distinguish between the two.
Innovation Solution
An X-ray inspection method that analyzes the attenuation or intensity curve of X-rays through the battery cells, particularly along a line orthogonal to their longitudinal axis, to identify characteristic anomalies at the edges of manipulated cells caused by a thicker metallic casing, which compensates for the lack of attenuation due to the concealed hazardous material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a thicker metallic casing is used in manipulated battery cells to compensate for the lack of attenuation from concealed hazardous material, then the cell can conceal explosives more effectively, but the cell structure becomes more complex and the detection difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of analysis from simple visual appearance to attenuation curve characteristics. By analyzing the attenuation curve along lines orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, the system detects peak structures that indicate manipulated cells, resolving the contradiction between concealment capability and detection difficulty.
2Productivity
If two-dimensional X-ray images are used for inspection, then the inspection process remains simple and fast, but the ability to distinguish between genuine and manipulated battery cells is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new dimension of analysis by examining attenuation curves along lines orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of battery cells. This additional dimensional analysis reveals peak structures in the attenuation curve that are not visible in standard 2D images, enabling distinction between genuine and manipulated cells while maintaining inspection speed.
3Reliability
If computed tomography techniques are used to detect concealed explosives, then the detection reliability improves, but the inspection system becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential detection capability from complex 3D CT imaging and applies it to 2D X-ray images through attenuation curve analysis. By focusing on specific geometric lines (orthogonal to longitudinal axis) and analyzing peak structures in the attenuation curve, the system achieves CT-level detection reliability using simpler 2D imaging technology.
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 method allows for the automatic detection of manipulated battery cells by identifying distinct peaks in the attenuation or intensity curve, enhancing the ability to distinguish between genuine and tampered cells, even in complex scenes with overlapping objects.
Implementation Method 1
two-dimensional (2D) transmission data, in particular 2D X-ray data, of an inspection object
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for finding a manipulated metal object (FZ) in two-dimensional x-ray data of an inspection object (O1, O2, O3) containing the metal object (FZ), wherein a non-metal substance is hidden in the metal object and has been manipulated such that the manipulated metal object (FZ) results in a two-dimensional x-ray image comparable to a corresponding non-manipulated metal object, the method having the following steps: (S10) determining a region in the x-ray data containing a metal object (FZ); (S20) providing a damping curve (D(r)) for, or an intensity curve (l(r)) of, detected x-rays along a line (L) through the metal object (FZ) from the x-ray data; (S30) evaluating whether the damping curve (D(r)) or intensity curve (I(r)) shows a characteristic anomaly (P1, P2) in a predetermined region, for example at edges (R1, R2) or in edge regions (RB1, RB2) of the metal object (FZ); and (S40) triggering an alarm function if the damping curve (D(r)) or intensity curve (l(r)) shows the characteristic anomaly (P1, P2) in the predetermined region.