X-ray Inspection Apparatus Multi-Energy Photon Counting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-ray inspection apparatuses struggle to inspect articles with varying thicknesses with high accuracy, particularly when the articles have thin portions such as packaging material.
Innovation Solution
The X-ray inspection apparatus employs an X-ray source that irradiates articles with X-rays in multiple energy bands, using a photon counting detection method. It generates overall transmission images and specific energy band transmission images, along with a difference image obtained by subtracting lower energy band images from higher energy band images, to facilitate accurate inspections across different article thicknesses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single energy band is used for inspection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision for articles of various thicknesses deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The X-ray energy spectrum is segmented into multiple energy bands (first energy band and second energy band), with each band used to generate separate transmission images. This segmentation allows the inspection system to analyze different energy interactions with the article, improving the ability to detect foreign materials in articles of various thicknesses while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular detector design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the energy parameter of X-rays by detecting transmissions in multiple energy bands. By analyzing transmission differences across energy bands, the system can distinguish foreign materials from packaging materials of varying thicknesses, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring complex manual adjustment mechanisms.
2Device complexity
If only one transmission image is generated, then the image generation process is simplified, but the inspection accuracy for articles with varying thicknesses deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The image generation process is segmented into multiple energy band images (first transmission image and second transmission image). Each image corresponds to a specific energy band, allowing the system to process and analyze transmission characteristics at different energy levels. This segmentation enables accurate foreign material detection in articles of various thicknesses while keeping the generation process systematically organized.
Solution Approach 2:
The system generates multiple transmission images by varying the energy parameter (first energy band vs. second energy band). The inspection unit then compares transmission differences between these images to identify foreign materials, improving inspection accuracy for articles with varying thicknesses without requiring overly complex image generation algorithms.
3Measurement precision
If energy band filtering is applied, then the foreign material detection accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into multiple detector units, each configured to detect X-rays in specific energy bands. This segmentation allows energy filtering to be implemented through physical detector arrangement rather than complex software processing, improving foreign material detection accuracy while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The X-ray detection unit is designed with multi-functionality to detect X-rays across multiple energy bands simultaneously. This universal detection capability allows the system to perform energy band filtering and generate multiple transmission images without requiring separate detection systems for each energy band, thereby improving detection accuracy while controlling device complexity.
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 approach enables the apparatus to inspect articles of various thicknesses with high accuracy, effectively detecting foreign materials in both thick and thin portions, thereby improving inspection reliability and versatility.
Implementation Method 1
an X-ray source configured to irradiate an article with X-rays in a plurality of energy bands; an X-ray detection unit capable of detecting the X-rays by a photon counting method
Implementation Method 2
an X-ray detection unit capable of detecting the X-rays by a photon counting method
Data Source
AI summary
An X-ray inspection apparatus includes an X-ray source configured to irradiate an article with X-rays in a plurality of energy bands, an X-ray detection unit capable of detecting the X-rays by a photon counting method, an image generation unit configured to generate an overall transmission image corresponding to the X-rays in all of the plurality of energy bands and a transmission image corresponding to the X-rays in some of the plurality of energy bands on the basis of a detection result of the X-rays by the X-ray detection unit, and an inspection unit configured to inspect the article on the basis of the overall transmission image and the transmission image.