Collimator assembly for an x-ray tube

Abstract

The invention relates to a collimator assembly for an X-ray tube. The collimator assembly has a near-focus diaphragm assembly with a plurality of near-focus diaphragms and a far- focus diaphragm assembly with a plurality of far-focus diaphragms. The near-focus diaphragms are adjustable between a maximum open position and a maximum closed position by means of a number of first drives, such that the near-focus diaphragms form a large near-focus diaphragm opening in the maximum open position and a small near-focus diaphragm opening in the maximum closed position. The far-focus diaphragms are adjustable between a maximum open position and a maximum closed position by means of a number of second drives, such that the far-focus diaphragms form a large far-focus diaphragm opening in the maximum open position and a small far-focus diaphragm opening in the maximum closed position. The first drives and the second drives are different drives from one another. By means of one of the first drives, a filter plate can be moved onto the large near-focus diaphragm opening in the maximum open position of the near-focus diaphragms.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a collimator assembly for an X-ray tube.

[0002] -The collimator assembly includes a near-focal-focus shading assembly with multiple shading elements close to the focal point and a far-focal-focus shading assembly with multiple shading elements far from the focal point.

[0003] -The light-shielding element near the focal point can be adjusted between a maximum open position and a maximum closed position by means of a certain number of first actuators, so that the light-shielding element near the focal point forms a large light-shielding element opening near the focal point in the maximum open position and a small light-shielding element opening near the focal point in the maximum closed position.

[0004] -The light-shielding component away from the focal point can be adjusted between the maximum open position and the maximum closed position by means of a certain number of second actuators, so that the light-shielding component away from the focal point forms a large light-shielding component opening away from the focal point in the maximum open position and a small light-shielding component opening away from the focal point in the maximum closed position. Background Technology

[0005] Such collimator assemblies are known. In this collimator assembly, the second actuator is identical to the first actuator. The first actuator typically acts directly on a shading element far from the focal point and also acts via additional kinematics on a shading element closer to the focal point.

[0006] The collimator assembly (which is equally applicable in the prior art and within the scope of this invention) is positioned more or less directly after the X-ray source in the optical path from the X-ray source to the X-ray detector. In particular, the collimator assembly is arranged between the X-ray source and the object being examined (typically a person). The light-shielding components of the collimator assembly limit the optical path from the X-ray source to the X-ray detector so that the object being examined is exposed to ionizing X-ray radiation only within the desired range (and no longer beyond that range).

[0007] Depending on the specific operation of the X-ray assembly, different filters (usually made of copper) can be introduced into the optical path between the light-shielding components near and away from the focal point. These filters are used for beam hardening. These filters typically have relatively small thicknesses, such as 0.1 mm, 0.2 mm, and 0.3 mm. Similar to the different objectives of a microscope, the filters are arranged on rotatable elements, allowing one filter to be introduced into the optical path or left unintroduced as needed.

[0008] The X-ray detector needs to be calibrated periodically. For example, it might be necessary to calibrate the X-ray detector annually. To calibrate the X-ray detector, a thicker filter is introduced into the optical path in the area of ​​the collimator assembly. This filter can, for example, have a thickness of 0.6 mm or 2.1 mm.

[0009] Theoretically, it would be conceivable to arrange the filter plate on a rotatable element. However, this would result in the rotatable element and thus the collimator assembly as a whole having to be constructed in a very large volume. Therefore, this approach is not adopted in practice. Instead, the collimator assembly of the prior art has a receiving rail on the side away from the light-shielding assembly near the focal point in the region of the light-shielding assembly, into which a thicker filter plate can be manually moved. Due to the expansion of the radiation cross-section along the path from the X-ray source to the light-shielding assembly away from the focal point, the thicker filter plate is relatively large in area and heavy.

[0010] In existing technology, X-ray detector calibration is performed by a service technician. The technician moves to the appropriate X-ray device, moves the thicker filter into the receiving rail, and then initiates the calibration sequence. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The object of the present invention is to provide the possibility of permanently arranging a thicker filter plate in a collimator assembly, wherein the thicker filter plate can be easily moved into and out of the optical path as needed.

[0012] This task is accomplished by a collimator assembly according to the invention. An advantageous design of the collimator assembly is the subject of this specification.

[0013] According to the present invention, the collimator assembly of the type described at the beginning is designed in the following manner,

[0014] - The first drive and the second drive are different drives from each other, and

[0015] -With the aid of one of the first actuators, the filter plate can be moved to the large opening of the light-shielding member near the focal point in the maximum open position of the light-shielding member.

[0016] While using different actuators to adjust the light-shielding elements near and far from the focal point requires more actuators than in the prior art, it allows for the use of smaller and weaker actuators. However, the kinematics required in the prior art can be eliminated first, allowing the same actuator to act not only on the light-shielding element near the focal point but also on the light-shielding element far from the focal point. Since the first and second actuators are position-adjustable, coordinated adjustment of the light-shielding elements near and far from the focal point can be easily achieved. Furthermore, by using one of the first actuators, not only the light-shielding element near the focal point is adjusted but also the filter plate is moved; additionally, no separate actuator is needed for moving the filter plate.

[0017] To adjust the light-blocking element near the focal point, the preferred option is currently...

[0018] - A light-shielding element near the focal point is arranged on a first side of the substrate, and the substrate extends parallel to the plane defined by the large light-shielding element opening near the focal point.

[0019] A first driver moves an intermediate element, which is also arranged on a first side of the substrate.

[0020] - A groove guide is arranged on the intermediate element, and a first follower pin arranged on one of the light-shielding elements near the focal point is embedded in the groove guide. Alternatively, a first follower pin is arranged on the intermediate element, and the first follower pin is embedded in the groove guide arranged on one of the light-shielding elements near the focal point.

[0021] - The slide guide portion has a first section extending parallel to the substrate and a second section adjacent to the first section and extending at an obtuse angle to the first section, and

[0022] - When the first follower pin is located in the first section of the slide guide, the light-shielding member near the focal point is always in the maximum open position, and when the first follower pin is located in the second section of the slide guide and is as far away from the first section of the slide guide as possible, the light-shielding member near the focal point is always in the maximum closed position.

[0023] With this design, the adjustment of the corresponding light-shielding element near the focal point can be easily performed between the maximum open and maximum closed positions. Therefore, during the passage of the first follower pin through the second section of the slide guide, the adjustment of the corresponding light-shielding element near the focal point between the maximum open and maximum closed positions is performed.

[0024] In the minimum case, only one of the light-shielding elements near the focal point is adjusted using a single first driver. However, it is also possible to adjust multiple light-shielding elements near the focal point using at least one first driver. If, for example (as is usually the case), there are four light-shielding elements near the focal point (the light-shielding openings of the light-shielding boundary rectangles of the light-shielding elements near the focal point), then for example, there can be two first drivers, wherein each of the two first drivers together adjusts two opposing light-shielding elements.

[0025] In the minimum case, there is only one filter plate, which can be moved to the large, near-focal-focus light-shielding opening by means of a first actuator. If there are multiple first actuators, then each filter plate can be moved to the large, near-focal-focus light-shielding opening by means of its respective first actuator. Therefore, with two first actuators, one or two filter plates (alone or together) can be moved to the large, near-focal-focus light-shielding opening as needed. With four first actuators, up to four filter plates can be moved to the large, near-focal-focus light-shielding opening.

[0026] Preferably, the intermediate element is constructed as a ring, which can rotate about an axis extending orthogonally to the substrate by means of a first actuator. In this case, the axis includes the center of a large light-shielding opening near the focal point (and a smaller light-shielding opening near the focal point). Especially when the intermediate element is designed as a ring, it is also particularly simple to adjust two opposing light-shielding elements together by means of the same intermediate element.

[0027] Preferably, the first follower pin is forcibly guided by a slide guide. This eliminates the need for a return spring or similar device that applies a return force to the light-blocking element near the focal point. Therefore, it also eliminates the need for a first actuator to overcome this return force. Consequently, the first actuator can be designed to be relatively small.

[0028] Preferably, the intermediate element further includes a second follower pin that passes through a gap in the substrate. However, the second follower pin does not act on other light-shielding elements near or away from the focal point, but rather on the filter plate. Its action on the filter plate is such that when the first follower pin is located in the second section of the slide guide, the filter plate always moves out of the large light-shielding opening near the focal point, and when the first follower pin is located at a predetermined position spaced apart from the second section of the slide guide within the first section of the slide guide, the filter plate always moves onto the large light-shielding opening near the focal point. Therefore, while the first follower pin passes through the first section of the slide guide, the filter plate moves onto or out of the large light-shielding opening near the focal point. This predetermined position can, in particular, be the end of the first section of the slide guide that is away from the second section of the slide guide.

[0029] Preferably, the filter plate has curved or bent sections, allowing the second follower pin to move below the filter plate, while the first follower pin moves from the first section of the slide guide to the second section of the slide guide. This allows for easier coordination between the movement of the corresponding light-shielding element near the focal point and the movement of the filter plate.

[0030] The collimator assembly preferably has a return spring, and when it moves to the large opening of the light-shielding member near the focal point, a return force is applied to the filter plate by means of the return spring. This, in particular, eliminates the need for forcibly guiding the filter plate by a second follower pin. The phrase "when moving to the large opening of the light-shielding member near the focal point" combined with the phrase "applying a return force" should indicate the direction of the return force. Therefore, when moving to the large opening of the light-shielding member near the focal point, the return force points in the opposite direction to the movement of the filter plate; when moving out of the large opening of the light-shielding member near the focal point, the return force points in the same direction as the movement of the filter plate.

[0031] The collimator assembly preferably has a stop portion, in which the filter plate is always pressed against the stop portion by a return spring when the filter plate is not deflected toward the large opening of the light-blocking element near the focal point by the second follower pin. Thus, when the filter plate moves out of the large opening of the light-blocking element near the focal point, it reaches the defined rest position of the filter plate.

[0032] The movement of the filter plate is preferably a pivoting motion about an axis orthogonal to a plane extending through a large, near-focal-focus opening. This pivoting motion about an axis is more reliable than linear movement in a plane extending parallel to the plane defined by the large, near-focal-focus opening. However, tilting of the filter plate is not feasible. Attached Figure Description

[0033] The features, characteristics, and advantages of the present invention described above, as well as the ways and methods of achieving these features, characteristics, and advantages, will become clearer and more apparent in conjunction with the following description of embodiments, which are illustrated in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Herein, in the schematic diagrams:

[0034] Figure 1 The X-ray assembly is shown.

[0035] Figure 2 The light-shielding component near the focal point is shown in the maximum open position.

[0036] Figure 3 Showing the maximum closed position Figure 2 The light-shielding component near the focal point,

[0037] Figure 4A perspective view of the collimator assembly is shown from an angle above.

[0038] Figure 5 Shown from the lower diagonal Figure 4 A perspective view of the collimator assembly.

[0039] Figure 6 The inner wall of the intermediate element is shown in the unfolded diagram, and

[0040] Figure 7 A side view of the filter plate is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0041] according to Figure 1 The X-ray assembly includes an X-ray source 1. The X-ray source 1 emits X-ray radiation during operation, which is detected by an X-ray detector 2. The X-ray radiation passes through the object being inspected 3 (e.g., a person). A collimator assembly 4 is arranged between the X-ray source 1 and the object being inspected 3. The collimator assembly 4 has a light-shielding assembly 5 near the focal point and a light-shielding assembly 6 away from the focal point. The light-shielding assembly 5 near the focal point is arranged closer to the X-ray source 1 than the light-shielding assembly 6 away from the focal point.

[0042] The light-shielding assembly 5 near the focal point has multiple light-shielding elements 7 near the focal point, for example, according to... Figure 2 and 3 The illustration shows four light-shielding elements 7 near the focal point. The light-shielding elements 7 near the focal point are based on... Figure 1 The first driver 8 can be used to open the device to the maximum position. Figure 2 ) and maximum closing position ( Figure 3 Adjust between ) . The light-shielding element 7 near the focal point forms a large light-shielding opening near the focal point in the maximum open position ( Figure 2 And in the fully closed position, a small light-shielding opening is formed near the focal point. Figure 3 Typically, the adjustment of opposing, near-focal-point light-shielding components 7 is caused by a single first driver 8, in pairs. The near-focal-point light-shielding components 5... Figure 1 The middle is drawn at the maximum closed position.

[0043] The light-shielding component 6, located away from the focal point, is typically constructed to be completely similar to the light-shielding component 5, located near the focal point. This light-shielding component away from the focal point has multiple light-shielding elements 9 located away from the focal point. The light-shielding elements 9 are configured according to... Figure 1 Adjustment is achieved using the second driver 10. The second driver 10 is a different driver from the first driver 8. The light-shielding assembly 6, located away from the focal point, is... Figure 1 The middle part is drawn in the maximum open position.

[0044] In addition, according to Figure 1A filter plate 11 is also present. The filter plate 11 is typically made of copper. This filter plate typically has a thickness of 0.6 mm or 2.1 mm. The filter plate 11 is movable onto a large, near-focal-focus shading opening. The statement "movable onto a large, near-focal-focus shading opening" means that, in this case, the filter plate 11 completely covers the large, near-focal-focus shading opening. That is, from the X-ray source 1, only the X-ray radiation that has previously passed through the filter plate 11 reaches the X-ray detector 2. This is independent of whether the filter plate 11 is arranged closer to the X-ray source 1 than the near-focal-focus shading assembly 5 or farther away from the X-ray source 1 (where the latter is...). Figure 1 (As shown in the diagram and is also preferred).

[0045] The movement of the filter plate 11 is achieved by means of a first driver in the first driver 8. When the filter plate 11 moves, the light-blocking member 7 near the focal point, adjusted by the first driver 8, is in the maximum open position near the focal point.

[0046] Figure 4 and Figure 5 This illustrates possible specific design schemes for the collimator assembly 4. According to... Figure 4 and Figure 5 The collimator assembly 4 has a substrate 12. The substrate 12 extends parallel to a plane defined by a large, near-focal-focus light-shielding opening. A near-focal-focus light-shielding element 7 is arranged on a first side surface of the substrate 12. Figure 4 and Figure 5 Only two of the light-shielding elements 7 near the focal point are shown. The side of the substrate 12 with the light-shielding elements 7 near the focal point is then referred to as the upper side of the substrate 12 according to the common arrangement (X-ray source 1 on top, X-ray detector 2 on the bottom).

[0047] A first actuator 8 is disposed on the substrate 12, and the filter plate 11 is also moved by means of the first actuator. Other first actuators 8 are generally disposed on the substrate 12 in the same manner. However, these other first actuators are of secondary importance to other embodiments of the invention and therefore... Figure 4 and Figure 5 Not shown in the diagram. The following embodiments always involve the first actuator 8, by means of which the filter plate 11 also moves.

[0048] First driver 8 according to Figure 4 The intermediate element 13 is moved, and this intermediate element is also arranged on the upper side of the substrate 12. For example, the first driver 8 can act on the teeth 15 of the intermediate element 13 via the pinion 14. Currently, according to... Figure 4 and Figure 5In the preferred embodiment shown in the diagram, the intermediate element 13 is constructed as a ring. In this case, the ring can rotate about an axis 16 extending orthogonally to the substrate 12 by means of a first actuator 8. The axis 16 is determined according to... Figure 2 Includes a large light-shielding opening near the focal point and is usually based on Figure 3 The illustration also includes the center of a small light-shielding opening near the focal point.

[0049] according to Figure 4 A slide guide 17 is arranged at the intermediate element 13. A follower pin 18 is embedded in the slide guide 17, and the follower pin is arranged on the light shield 7 near the focal point. The follower pin 18 is hereby referred to as the first follower pin 18 so as to distinguish it linguistically from the second follower pin, which is introduced later.

[0050] Figure 6 The inner wall of the intermediate element 13, together with the slide guide 17, is shown in the unfolded view. According to... Figure 6 (Judging from this plan, it is also...) Figure 4 As can be seen from the image, the slide guide portion 17 has a first section 19 and a second section 20. The first section 19 extends parallel to the substrate 12. The second section 20 is adjacent to the first section 19, but forms an obtuse angle α with the first section 19. The angle α is mostly in the range between 150° and 170°.

[0051] If the intermediate element 13 moves (rotates) by means of the first driver 8, and the first follower pin 18 is located in the second section 20, then the height position of the first follower pin 18 relative to the substrate 12 changes accordingly. Thus, the farther the first follower pin 18 is raised relative to the substrate 12, the farther the corresponding light-shielding member 7 near the focal point moves towards the maximum closed position. Specifically, when the first follower pin 18 is located within the second section 20 and as far away as possible from the first section 19, the corresponding light-shielding member 7 near the focal point is in the maximum closed position. Conversely, if the first follower pin 18 moves closer to the substrate 12, then the first follower pin 18 moves further towards the substrate 12, and the corresponding light-shielding member 7 near the focal point moves further towards the maximum open position. If the first follower pin 18 reaches the first section 19, then the corresponding light-shielding member 7 near the focal point is in the maximum open position. To move the light-shielding member 7 near the focal point, the light-shielding member 7 near the focal point can, for example, pivot about the pivot axis 21.

[0052] If the intermediate element 13 moves (rotates) by means of the first driver 8, and the first follower pin 18 is located in the first section 19, then since the first section 19 is parallel to the orientation of the substrate 12, the height position of the first follower pin 18 relative to the substrate 12 does not change. Therefore, the corresponding light-shielding member 7 near the focal point is in the maximum open position. This is independent of where the first follower pin 18 is located within the first section 19.

[0053] The arrangement of the slide guide 17 and the first follower pin 18 can also be reversed. Therefore, with Figure 4 and 5 The design shown in the figure could also be the opposite, with the first follower pin 18 arranged on the intermediate element 13 and the follower pin 18 embedded in the groove guide portion 17 arranged on the corresponding light-shielding member 7 near the focal point. The functional principle remains unchanged.

[0054] according to Figure 6 At each location of the slide guide 17 (where the first follower pin 18 is located at that moment), the movement of the first follower pin 18 is restricted not only upwards (away from the substrate 12) but also downwards (towards the substrate 12) by the slide guide 17. The first follower pin 18 is thus forcibly guided by the slide guide 17. Alternatively, the first follower pin 18 may be guided only on one side by the edge of the slide guide 17, and the corresponding light-shielding member 7 near the focal point is loaded with spring force in the direction of that edge. However, this design is not preferred.

[0055] As already mentioned, the intermediate element 13, in addition to the first follower pin 18, also has a second follower pin 22, which will be referred to hereafter as the second follower pin 22. The second follower pin 22 is based on... Figure 5 The second follower pin 22 acts on the filter plate 11 according to the opening 23 in the substrate 12. Figure 5 It is disposed on the underside of substrate 12. Specifically, in Figure 5 In the illustration, the filter plate 11 can pivot about axis 24 via the second follower pin 22. Therefore, the movement of the filter plate 11 is a pivoting movement about axis 24. Axis 24 extends orthogonally to the plane defined by a large light-shielding opening near the focal point. In a given arrangement of the filter plate 11 on the substrate 12, axis 24 also extends orthogonally to the substrate 12.

[0056] Figure 5 The following position (rotational position) is shown, in which the intermediate element 13 is in... Figure 5 As shown in the diagram, when the filter plate 11 rotates clockwise, the second follower pin 22 just begins to act on the filter plate 11; or, as long as the intermediate element 13 rotates counterclockwise, the second follower pin just stops acting on the filter plate 11. Therefore, the filter plate 11... Figure 5 The intermediate element 13 is in a stationary position, in which the filter plate has not partially moved onto the large, near-focal-focus opening in the light-shielding element. However, the intermediate element 13... Figure 5 The greater the degree of clockwise rotation from the indicated position, the more the filter plate 11 rotates from... Figure 5The greater the degree of pivoting around axis 24 at the indicated position, the more likely the second follower pin 22 will reach the empty portion 23. Figure 5 When the filter plate 11 is at the lower middle end, it moves to the (supplement: the entire) large light-shielding opening near the focal point.

[0057] Throughout the entire movement of the filter plate 11 (and during the corresponding position or rotational position of the intermediate element 13), the first follower pin 18 is located in the first section 19 of the slide guide 17. Conversely, this means that when the first follower pin 18 is located in the second section 20 of the slide guide 17, the filter plate 11 is always (completely) moved out of the large, near-focal-focus light-shielding opening. Furthermore, for the same reason, when the first follower pin 18 is located in the first section 19 at a predetermined position spaced apart from the second section 20, the filter plate 11 is (completely) moved onto the large, near-focal-focus light-shielding opening. Normally, the predetermined position is the end of the first section 19 spaced apart from the second section 20. However, this end is of secondary importance.

[0058] according to Figure 5 As illustrated in the diagram, a return spring 25 is preferably present. When the filter plate 11 is moved to a large opening in the light-blocking element near the focal point, a return force is applied to the filter plate 11 by means of the return spring 25. Figure 5 The return spring 25 shown is therefore a tension spring. However, in other arrangements of the return spring 25, a design as a compression spring or as a coil spring is also feasible. When the filter plate 11 is not deflected in the direction of the large light-shielding opening near the focal point by the second follower pin 22, the return spring 25 presses the filter plate 11 against the stop portion 26.

[0059] Filter plate 11 according to Figure 7 It has a starting section 27, an end section 28, and an intermediate section 29 between the starting section 27 and the end section 28. The end section 28 is the section of the filter plate 11 that moves to a large, near-focal-focus light-shielding opening. The starting section 27 is the section of the filter plate 11 along its current axis 24. The intermediate section 29 is curved or... Figure 7 As shown, it is bent. Due to the middle section 29, the end section 28 is spaced apart from the substrate 12. As a result, the second follower pin 22 can move below the filter plate 11, while the first follower pin 18 moves from the first section 19 of the slide guide 17 to the second section 20 of the slide guide 17. This design makes it easy to decouple the required movement curve of the light shield 7 near the focal point from the movement curve of the filter plate 11 on the other hand.

[0060] This invention offers numerous advantages. In particular, it provides a readily achievable solution where the filter plate 11 is integrated into the collimator assembly 4, and the filter plate 11 can be automatically moved into the optical path from the X-ray source 1 to the X-ray detector 2. The collimator assembly 4 according to the invention can be compactly constructed. Due to the automated method of the filter plate 11, even the calibration process itself can be automated.

Claims

1. A collimator assembly for an X-ray tube (1), - in, The collimator assembly has a near-focus shading assembly (5) with multiple near-focus shading elements (7) and a far-focus shading assembly (6) with multiple far-focus shading elements (9). - Wherein, the light-shielding member (7) near the focal point can be adjusted between a maximum open position and a maximum closed position by means of a certain number of first actuators (8), such that the light-shielding member (7) near the focal point forms a large light-shielding member opening near the focal point in the maximum open position and a small light-shielding member opening near the focal point in the maximum closed position. - Wherein, the light-shielding member (9) away from the focal point can be adjusted between a maximum open position and a maximum closed position by means of a certain number of second actuators (10), such that the light-shielding member (9) away from the focal point forms a large light-shielding member opening away from the focal point in the maximum open position and a small light-shielding member opening away from the focal point in the maximum closed position. Its features are, - The first driver (8) and the second driver (10) are different drivers from each other, and - With the aid of one of the first drivers (8), in the maximum open position of the light shield (7) near the focal point, the filter plate (11) can be moved onto the large light shield opening near the focal point.

2. The collimator assembly according to claim 1, Its features are, - The light-shielding member (7) near the focal point is arranged on a first side of the substrate (12), the substrate extending parallel to the plane defined by the large light-shielding member opening near the focal point. - The first driver (8) moves the intermediate element (13), which is also arranged on the first side of the substrate (12). - A groove guide (17) is arranged on the intermediate element (13), and a first follower pin (18) arranged on one of the light-shielding members (7) near the focal point is embedded in the groove guide. Alternatively, a first follower pin (18) is arranged on the intermediate element (13), and the first follower pin is embedded in the groove guide (17) arranged on one of the light-shielding members (7) near the focal point. - The groove guide portion (17) has a first section (19) extending parallel to the substrate (12) and a second section (20) adjacent to the first section (19) and extending at an obtuse angle (α) to the first section (19), and - When the first follower pin (18) is located in the first section (19) of the slide guide (17), the light-shielding member (7) near the focal point is always in the maximum open position, and when the first follower pin (18) is located in the second section (20) of the slide guide (17) and is as far away as possible from the first section (19) of the slide guide (17), the light-shielding member near the focal point is always in the maximum closed position.

3. The collimator assembly according to claim 2, Its features are, The intermediate element (13) is configured as a ring that can be rotated by means of the first driver (8) about an axis (16) extending orthogonally to the substrate (12), and the axis (16) includes the center of the large light-shielding opening near the focal point.

4. The collimator assembly according to claim 2 or 3, Its features are, The first follower pin (18) is forcibly guided by the groove guide (17).

5. The collimator assembly according to claim 2 or 3, Its features are, The intermediate element (13) has a second follower pin (22) that passes through the substrate (12) through a gap (23) and acts on the filter plate (11) such that when the first follower pin (18) is located in the second section (20) of the slide guide (17), the filter plate (11) always moves out of the large light-shielding opening near the focal point, and when the first follower pin (18) is located in the first section (19) of the slide guide (17) at a predetermined position spaced apart from the second section (20) of the slide guide (17), the filter plate always moves to the large light-shielding opening near the focal point.

6. The collimator assembly according to claim 5, Its features are, The filter plate (11) has a curved or bent section (29) such that the second follower pin (22) can move below the filter plate (11), while the first follower pin (18) moves from the first section (19) of the slide guide (17) to the second section (20) of the slide guide (17).

7. The collimator assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Its features are, The collimator assembly has a reset spring (25) that, when moved to the large, near-focal-focus opening of the shading element, applies a reset force to the filter plate (11) via the reset spring.

8. The collimator assembly according to claim 5, Its features are, The collimator assembly has a return spring (25), and when moved to the large, near-focal-focus opening of the light-blocking element, a return force is applied to the filter plate (11) by means of the return spring; and The collimator assembly has a stop (26) that, when the filter plate does not deflect toward the large opening of the light-blocking member near the focal point via the second follower pin (22), the filter plate (11) is always pressed against the stop by the return spring (25).

9. The collimator assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Its features are, The movement of the filter plate (11) is a pivotal movement about an axis (24) that extends orthogonally to the plane defined by the large, near-focal-point opening of the light-shielding element.

Images