Rail Conveyor Tray Positioning for EDS Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing baggage handling systems that use trays on top of conveyor belts restrict the maximum size of luggage that can be imaged by explosives detection systems (EDS), leading to incomplete imaging of large luggage items.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor assembly that transports trays on a pair of rails, positioning the tray between and below the rails, allowing larger objects to be fully imaged within the field of view of the imaging system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If luggage is placed in trays that travel on top of a traditional conveyor belt, then baggage tracking reliability is improved, but the maximum size of luggage that can pass through the gantry is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional conveyor belt surface to a three-dimensional spatial arrangement where trays travel between rails. This dimensional change allows larger luggage items to fit within the gantry's field of view while maintaining tray-based transportation, thus resolving the contradiction between tracking reliability and luggage size accommodation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces rails as an intermediary structure between the conveyor system and the trays. The rails serve as a mediator that enables trays to travel in a configuration (between and below rails) that accommodates larger luggage items while maintaining the tray-based tracking system, thus resolving the size limitation imposed by traditional belt-top trays.
2Measurement precision
If the field of view of the EDS is configured based upon the conveyor-belt surface, then imaging accuracy for standard luggage is improved, but at least a portion of large luggage items falls outside the FOV
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the vertical positioning dimension of trays by moving them from above the conveyor belt to between and below the rails. This dimensional adjustment repositions large luggage items within the gantry's field of view, allowing the EDS to maintain its configured FOV while imaging larger items completely.
3Speed
If trays are positioned on top of a conveyor belt, then baggage handling speed is maintained, but the gantry cannot accommodate larger luggage items
Solution Approach 1:
The rails act as an intermediary conveyor structure that maintains the speed and transportation function of the original belt system while enabling trays to be positioned in a location (between and below rails) that accommodates larger luggage items within the gantry's imaging volume.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
An imaging system includes a conveyor duct including a first wall and an opposing second wall, a gantry coupled to one end of the conveyor duct, an imaging assembly associated with the gantry, and a conveyor assembly coupled to the conveyor duct. The conveyor assembly includes a first rail coupled to the first wall of the conveyor duct and a second rail coupled to the second wall of the conveyor duct, the first rail and the second rail defining a channel therebetween. The imaging system also includes a tray including a base, wherein the conveyor assembly is configured to transport the tray into the gantry, and wherein the base of the tray extends between and below the first rail and the second rail when the conveyor assembly is transporting the tray.