Vehicle Inspection System with Dynamic X-Ray Dose Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle-carried quick inspection systems are limited by low inspection efficiency and require vehicles to stop, which hampers mobility and flexibility, and does not ensure safety from X-ray irradiation for drivers.

Innovation Solution

A mobile and automated vehicle-carried quick inspection system equipped with an X-ray source, foldable and extendable mount, and sensors that adjust radiation dose and automate the inspection process, allowing for quick and safe scanning while the vehicle is in motion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the vehicle stops for inspection and persons get off the vehicle, then inspection safety is improved, but inspection efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection safetyVSAvoidinspection efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The inspection system transitions from a static stopped-vehicle mode to a dynamic moving-vehicle mode. The vehicle carries the inspection apparatus and moves through the inspection area, allowing continuous motion during inspection. This dynamic approach eliminates the need to stop and disembark, simultaneously maintaining safety through automated operation and improving efficiency by eliminating idle time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The inspection system operates autonomously without requiring manual intervention or passenger disembarkation. The automated inspection apparatus performs scanning and detection functions while the vehicle moves, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for human operators to exit the vehicle during inspection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If the vehicle moves during inspection, then inspection efficiency is improved, but driver safety from X-ray irradiation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection efficiencyVSAvoiddriver exposure to X-ray
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The driver is extracted from the inspection area by positioning the driver's seat or driver position outside the X-ray scanning zone. The inspection apparatus scans the vehicle cargo area while the driver remains in a safe position, separating the harmful X-ray exposure zone from the driver's location. This allows the vehicle to move during inspection without exposing the driver to radiation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle structure itself acts as an intermediary barrier between the X-ray source and the driver. The vehicle body, cargo area, and structural components shield the driver from direct X-ray exposure while allowing the inspection apparatus to scan the cargo space. This intermediary protection enables safe operation during motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the scanning speed is increased, then inspection efficiency is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection rateVSAvoidinspection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The inspection system maintains continuous scanning action without interruption or pausing. The X-ray apparatus operates continuously as the vehicle moves, eliminating gaps in the inspection process. This continuous operation allows higher speeds while maintaining precision through uninterrupted data collection and real-time image processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The inspection system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the inspection process in real-time and adjust parameters to maintain quality. Sensors and detectors provide continuous feedback on cargo detection, allowing the system to compensate for motion effects and maintain measurement accuracy even at increased speeds through adaptive control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 system enables rapid and efficient security inspections without stopping the vehicle, ensuring driver safety by adjusting X-ray doses and automating operations, significantly improving inspection rates and mobility compared to fixed or conventional mobile systems.

Implementation Method 1

an X-ray source 12 capable of providing an adjustable radiation dose

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectX-ray penetration: X-Ray

Data Source

PatentEP3040742B1Vehicle-carried quick inspection system
Publication Date: 2020.04.22 NUCTECH CO LTD
  • EP3040742B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3040742B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3040742B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a vehicle-carried quick inspection system (11). The vehicle-carried quick inspection system may comprise an X-ray source (12) and a detector (13), the X-ray source and the detector being arranged to form an inspection passage. The vehicle-carried quick inspection system further comprises a controller (18) configured to control the X-ray source so that X-ray irradiation dose is extremely low when the driver's cab of the inspected vehicle passes through an X-ray beam, and control the X-ray source so that the irradiation dose of the X-ray source becomes a working dose when the other subsequent portions of the inspected vehicle pass through the X-ray beam. With the vehicle-carried quick inspection system of the present disclosure, a mobile and fully automated security inspection system is obtained and quick inspection can be achieved, while protecting the driver from being damaged from X-ray irradiation. Compared to fixed inspection systems or mobile inspection systems in prior arts, the vehicle-carried quick inspection system of the present disclosure can provide more convenient and quicker inspection.