Rotating Arc X-ray Scanner for Accessible Security Screening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for detecting suspicious objects in people, such as at airports, pose difficulties for older or disabled individuals due to the need to climb a step and exposure to acceleration forces during conveyor belt movement, and require precise speed control which can be disrupted by factors like dirt or weight changes.
Innovation Solution
A device with a radiation source and detector unit that moves in an arc around the person to be examined, with a rotatable frame and a circular sector-shaped radiation tunnel, ensuring consistent X-ray exposure and accommodating individuals with mobility issues by eliminating the need for step climbing and reducing acceleration forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conveyor belt system is used to move people through the radiation tunnel, then the examination can be automated and continuous, but it causes acceleration forces that pose risks to elderly and disabled individuals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical conveyor belt transport system with a stationary examination setup where the radiation source and detector move along a circular arc above the person. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical acceleration and deceleration of persons, removing the harmful acceleration forces while maintaining automated radiation delivery through precise angular positioning of the rotating frame.
2Productivity
If a conveyor belt is used to transport persons, then continuous examination is possible, but precise speed control is difficult due to factors like dirt, weight changes, and belt slippage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conveyor belt's linear mechanical transport with a rotary mechanical system where the frame rotates about a vertical axis. The position of the radiation source is controlled by the rotation angle rather than linear speed, eliminating sensitivity to belt slippage, dirt, and weight variations. The circular motion naturally maintains consistent relative positioning between the radiation source and the stationary person.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a circular arc geometry for the radiation source path, with the source moving along a circular trajectory above the person. This curved path ensures that the distance and angle between the radiation source and the person remain consistent throughout the examination, providing reliable and repeatable exposure conditions independent of transport speed variations.
3Device complexity
If the radiation source moves in a straight line, then the device structure is simple, but it requires more space and cannot maintain consistent relative positioning as easily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adopts a circular arc configuration for the radiation source path instead of a straight line. The frame rotates about a vertical axis, causing the radiation source to trace a circular arc above the person. This curved geometry maintains a more consistent distance and angle between the source and the person throughout the examination, improving positioning reliability while containing the device within a compact angular sector rather than requiring a long linear space.
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 design allows for precise relative speed between the person and X-ray radiation, enhancing safety and accessibility for elderly and disabled individuals by maintaining consistent X-ray exposure and minimizing space usage while reducing external radiation leakage.
Implementation Method 1
an X-ray source and a detector unit are arranged, the detectors of which are aligned with the X-ray source for detecting transmitted radiation
Implementation Method 2
The X-rays not absorbed by the examination object are detected by a detector unit
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
Devices comprising a radiation tunnel (2) in which an X-ray source and a detector unit are disposed, the detectors of which are aligned with the X-ray source so as to detect transmitted radiation, are known for detecting suspicious objects. According to the invention, disposed in the radiation tunnel (2) is a frame (3) which can be moved over an examination region and consists of two supports which extend at a spacing parallel to each other and are rigidly connected to each other, the radiation source being secured on one vertical support and the detector unit being secured on the other vertical support.