X-Ray Inspection with Dual Thresholds for Mixed-Density Contaminants

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing X-ray inspection devices struggle to detect foreign matters with both higher and lower specific gravities relative to the inspected article.

Innovation Solution

An X-ray inspection device employing multiple energy bands for X-ray transmission imaging, utilizing two threshold values to differentiate between foreign matters based on luminance distribution in a difference image, allowing detection of foreign matters with different specific gravities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single threshold value is used for foreign matter detection in X-ray inspection, then the detection method is simple, but it cannot detect both foreign matters with higher and lower specific gravities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capability for different specific gravity foreign mattersVSAvoidthreshold value configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection threshold is segmented into multiple threshold values (first threshold and second threshold) corresponding to different specific gravity ranges. The inspection unit divides the detection task into separate detection zones: one for foreign matters with higher specific gravity than the article and another for foreign matters with lower specific gravity, allowing each zone to be optimized independently for its specific detection requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple threshold values are used to detect foreign matters with different specific gravities, then detection versatility improves, but the complexity of the inspection system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforeign matter detection coverageVSAvoidthreshold configuration and operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The inspection unit automatically performs the complex comparison operations between the difference image luminance values and the multiple threshold values without requiring manual intervention. The system self-manages the detection process by automatically identifying which threshold applies to which foreign matter type and executing the detection logic, reducing the operational burden on users while maintaining high detection versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Effectively detects both foreign matters with higher and lower specific gravities by setting independent threshold values, enhancing the device's versatility in identifying various types of contaminants.

Implementation Method 1

an X-ray irradiation unit configured to irradiate the article transported by the transport unit with X-rays; an X-ray detection unit configured to detect the X-rays, which have been emitted by the X-ray irradiation unit and transmitted through the article

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectX-ray transmission: X-Ray

Data Source

PatentEP4224154B1X-ray inspection device
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 ISHIDA CO LTD
  • EP4224154B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4224154B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4224154B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

An X-ray inspection device includes a transport unit, an X-ray irradiation unit configured to irradiate an article with X-rays, an X-ray detection unit configured to detect the X-rays in each of a plurality of energy bands, an X-ray transmission image generation unit configured to generate a plurality of X-ray transmission images on the basis of the X-rays in each of the plurality of energy bands, and an inspection unit configured to inspect whether or not a foreign matter is present or absent in the article on the basis of a difference image between the plurality of generated X-ray transmission images. The inspection unit detects a first foreign matter having a higher specific gravity than the article using a first threshold value and detects a second foreign matter having a lower specific gravity than the article using a second threshold value different from the first threshold value.