Portable Terahertz Scanner Without Mechanical Scanning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional security inspection methods, particularly in body inspection, suffer from high false positive rates, low efficiency, and limited flexibility due to bulky and complex terahertz security inspection apparatuses that rely on mechanical scanning, which restricts imaging resolution and detection sensitivity, especially in concealed areas.

Innovation Solution

A portable terahertz security inspection apparatus that eliminates the need for mechanical scanning by integrating a terahertz emitting device, detector, data acquisition and processing system, and display device within a compact carrying body, allowing manual movement and flexible angle imaging, along with a distance sensor and alarm system for enhanced detection accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If mechanical scanning is used to obtain whole body images, then imaging coverage is improved, but device volume and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging coverageVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical scanning systems with an electronic control system that directs terahertz waves to scan the inspected object. The controller electronically controls the emitting device and detector to perform scanning without mechanical moving parts, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining imaging coverage capability

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the mechanical scanning components from the system, keeping only the essential terahertz emitting device, detector, and electronic controller. This extraction eliminates complex mechanical structures while preserving the core imaging function through electronic control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Area of stationary object

If mechanical scanning systems are used, then whole body imaging is achieved, but the apparatus becomes bulky and requires fixed installation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging coverageVSAvoidapparatus volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the terahertz emitting device, detector, controller, and processing system into a single integrated portable apparatus. This consolidation achieves whole body imaging capability while minimizing apparatus volume, enabling handheld or mobile deployment without fixed installation requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The portable apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions including emitting terahertz waves, detecting reflected waves, controlling scanning sequences, processing images, and displaying results all within one device. This multi-functionality achieves comprehensive imaging coverage while keeping the apparatus compact and portable

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

3Area of stationary object

If imaging position is kept at a distance to cover entire body, then coverage is improved, but imaging resolution and detection sensitivity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging coverageVSAvoidimaging resolution
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic scanning where the emitting device and detector are controlled to scan different regions of the inspected object at different positions and angles. This dynamic approach allows close-distance high-resolution imaging of specific areas while maintaining the capability to cover the entire body through systematic scanning sequences

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by enabling different imaging modes for different regions - close-distance scanning for high-resolution detection of concealed areas and extended scanning for overall body coverage. The system adapts the imaging parameters and distance according to the specific inspection requirements of each region

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Device complexity

If fixed angle scanning is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but detection of concealed areas such as underarms and crotches is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoiddetection coverage of concealed areas
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic multi-angle scanning where the emitting device and detector are controlled to change scanning angles and positions according to the inspected object's contours. This enables detection of concealed areas like underarms and crotches by adapting the scanning path to access difficult-to-reach regions while maintaining systematic control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 portable design significantly reduces volume and weight, improves imaging flexibility, and increases detection accuracy by enabling partial imaging at any angle, effectively addressing the limitations of traditional systems and enhancing the practicality of terahertz imaging technology.

Implementation Method 1

a terahertz emitting device arranged on the carrying body, wherein the terahertz emitting device includes a terahertz signal source and an emitting unit connected to the terahertz signal source and configured to emit a terahertz wave; a terahertz detector arranged on the carrying body and configured to receive the terahertz wave reflected from an inspected object

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTerahertz wave emission and reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3904917B1Portable terahertz security check apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.10.30 NUCTECH CO LTD
  • EP3904917B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3904917B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3904917B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a portable terahertz security inspection apparatus, including: a carrying body; a terahertz emitting device arranged on the carrying body, wherein the terahertz emitting device includes a terahertz signal source and an emitting unit connected to the terahertz signal source and configured to emit a terahertz wave; a terahertz detector arranged on the carrying body and configured to receive the terahertz wave reflected from an inspected object; a data acquisition and processing system arranged on the carrying body and connected to the terahertz detector, wherein the data acquisition and processing system is configured to receive a scan data for the inspected object from the terahertz detector and generate a terahertz image; and a display device connected to the data acquisition and processing system and configured to receive and display the terahertz image from the data acquisition and processing system. The portable terahertz security inspection apparatus does not need to be equipped with a mechanical scanning system, so that a volume and a weight of the terahertz security inspection apparatus may be greatly reduced, and a security inspector may move the terahertz security inspection apparatus manually to perform scanning of the imaging area.