Anode assembly for X-ray tube and X-ray tube

Abstract

The invention relates to an anode assembly for an X-ray tube and the X-ray tube, and the X-ray tube comprises an anode target disc, the center of the anode target disc is provided with a first through hole, and the first through hole extends along a first direction; the rotor is used for being sleeved with the anode target disc so as to drive the anode target disc to rotate, the rotor comprises a first section protruding out of the anode target disc and a second section located in the first through hole, and the anode target disc is directly or indirectly in threaded fit with the second section; the fixing nut is directly or indirectly matched with the first section of threads; and the moving direction of the anode target disc and the second section for relieving the threaded fit is opposite to the moving direction of the fixing nut and the first section for relieving the threaded fit. By the adoption of the technical scheme, the stability of the X-ray tube in the frequent starting and stopping process can be effectively improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The embodiment of the present application relates to the technical field of X-ray tube, in particular to an anode assembly for X-ray tube and X-ray tube. BACKGROUND

[0002] As a core component in modern medical imaging technology, the performance and stability of X-ray tube are directly related to the accuracy of medical diagnosis and the safety of patients. Among many types of X-ray tubes, X-ray tube plays a pivotal role in CT scanning due to its unique working mechanism, high-precision focusing, high-efficiency conversion, complex and precise manufacturing process, and strong adaptability, etc. which makes CT scanning a highly efficient and accurate medical imaging diagnostic method. However, since the X-ray tube will be frequently started and stopped during operation, it is easy for the fixing nut used to fix the anode target disc to rotate relative to the rotor, and even fall off, which seriously affects the stability and safety of the X-ray tube.

[0003] Specifically, although the traditional anode target disc fixing method can meet the use requirements to a certain extent, its limitations are highlighted when facing complex working conditions such as high-speed rotation and emergency stop. In particular, after long-term use, the fixing nut is prone to loosen or even fall off, and the axial extrusion force on the anode target disc will be greatly reduced or even completely disappear, which will directly lead to the anode target disc falling off from the rotor, not only causing damage to the X-ray tube itself, but also possibly damaging the CT frame. For patients, this is undoubtedly a huge safety hazard.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a more stable and reliable fixing method between the fixing nut and the rotor to ensure the stability and safety of the X-ray tube during operation, thereby providing more accurate and reliable image support for medical diagnosis, while ensuring the safety of patients. SUMMARY

[0005] The technical problem solved by the present application is to provide an improved anode assembly for X-ray tube and X-ray tube.

[0006] To solve the above technical problems, the embodiment of the present application provides an anode assembly for X-ray tube, comprising: an anode target disc, a first through hole is formed in the center of the anode target disc, the first through hole extends along a first direction; a rotor for the anode target disc to be sleeved to drive the anode target disc to rotate, the rotor comprises a first segment protruding from the anode target disc and a second segment located in the first through hole, the anode target disc directly or indirectly threadedly cooperates with the second segment; a fixing nut directly or indirectly threadedly cooperates with the first segment; wherein the movement direction of the anode target disc and the second segment when threadedly disengaged is opposite to the movement direction of the fixing nut and the first segment when threadedly disengaged.

[0007] Optionally, the first section is provided with a first thread on its outer periphery, and the second section is provided with a second thread on its outer periphery, the first thread and the second thread being opposite in rotation direction.

[0008] Optionally, the anode target disk and the fixing nut are screwed into the corresponding sections from the same end of the rotor in opposite rotation directions, the corresponding sections being selected from the first section and the second section.

[0009] Optionally, the first section is further provided with a second thread on its outer periphery, and the second section is further provided with a first thread on its outer periphery, the first thread and the second thread being alternately provided along the first direction.

[0010] Optionally, the installed anode target disk and the fixing nut abut against each other along the first direction.

[0011] Optionally, the loosening direction of the anode target disk relative to the second section and the loosening direction of the fixing nut relative to the first section are opposite.

[0012] Optionally, along the first direction, the first through hole comprises a threaded section and a smooth section, the threaded section being adapted to threadedly engage with the second section, and the rotor further comprises a third section located at the smooth section, the outer periphery of the third section being smooth and abutting against the inner wall of the smooth section, so that the central axis of the smooth section is kept coincident with the central axis of the rotor.

[0013] Optionally, the aperture of the smooth section is larger than the aperture of the threaded section.

[0014] Optionally, the rotor further comprises a transition section located between the first section and the second section, the anode target being screwed along a second direction through the first section, then being screwed along a first direction through the transition section, and then being screwed along a third direction to the second section, and the fixing nut being screwed along the second direction to the first section, the installed fixing nut and the anode target disk abutting against each other, the second direction and the third direction being opposite.

[0015] Optionally, the cross-sectional area of the transition section is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the first section and the cross-sectional area of the second section.

[0016] Optionally, the rotor further comprises a stop section located along the first direction and spaced apart from the first section, the cross-sectional area of the stop section being larger than the cross-sectional area of the first through hole, and the anode target disk being clamped between the fixing nut and the stop section.

[0017] Optionally, the fixing nut comprises: a circular plate part, a second through hole is formed in the circular plate part, at least a part of the first section is accommodated in the second through hole and is threadedly connected with the inner wall of the second through hole; a supporting part extends from the circular plate part towards the anode target disc, and an end of the supporting part away from the circular plate part is supported on the anode target disc.

[0018] Optionally, a scraping part is arranged on the surface of the anode target disc and the supporting part, and the scraping part is used to increase the roughness of the contact surface of the anode target disc and the supporting part during assembly.

[0019] Optionally, the scraping part comprises at least one blind hole structure formed on the surface of the anode target disc and the supporting part, during the process of screwing the fixing nut on the first section, the end surface of the supporting part towards the anode target disc is deformed, and at least a part of the supporting part is extruded into the blind hole structure to realize the mutual engagement of the supporting part and the blind hole structure.

[0020] Optionally, the scraping part comprises at least one protruding part formed on the surface of the anode target disc and the supporting part, during the process of screwing the fixing nut on the first section, the supporting part is deformed under the extrusion of the protruding part, so that the protruding part is embedded in the end surface of the supporting part.

[0021] Optionally, the anode assembly further comprises: a connecting pad arranged between two adjacent components, the components are selected from the rotor, the anode target disc and the fixing nut, and the connecting pad is used to penetrate the gap between the two adjacent components to connect the two adjacent components.

[0022] Optionally, the connecting pad is penetrated under the following conditions: the temperature of the connecting pad exceeds a preset temperature threshold; and / or the pressure of the connecting pad exceeds a preset pressure threshold.

[0023] Optionally, the material of the connecting pad is zirconium, palladium-cobalt alloy or palladium-nickel alloy.

[0024] To solve the above technical problems, the embodiment of the present application provides an X-ray tube comprising the above-mentioned anode assembly.

[0025] Compared with the prior art, the technical scheme of the embodiment of the present application has the following beneficial effects:

[0026] By adopting the technical scheme of the application, the movement direction of the anode target disc and the second segment of the rotor in thread disengagement is opposite to the movement direction of the fixed nut and the first segment of the rotor in thread disengagement, so that when one of them has a loosening trend, the fastening state of the other is strengthened due to the opposite movement direction, effectively preventing both from loosening simultaneously, significantly improving the stability of the connection between the anode target disc and the fixed nut and the rotor, reducing the risk of the anode target disc falling off, and ensuring the safe operation of the X-ray tube.

[0027] Further, the first thread and the second thread of the second segment are opposite in rotation direction, and the effect of opposite movement direction in thread disengagement is achieved through the opposite design of the rotation direction of the threads, which is simple and reliable in structure and avoids the connection failure of the fixed nut and the anode target disc due to loosening in the same direction from the basic structure of the threads, further consolidating the stability of the connection.

[0028] Further, the first segment and the second segment are alternately provided with the first thread and the second thread on the outer circumferential surface, increasing the contact length and complexity of the thread engagement, making the thread connection between the anode target disc and the fixed nut more secure, and the alternating rotation direction inhibiting the loosening trend of both, further enhancing the anti-loosening ability of the overall connection and improving the durability of the structure.

[0029] Further, the installed anode target disc and fixed nut resist each other in the first direction to provide a continuous axial pre-tightening force, preventing axial movement of the anode target disc and the fixed nut. The opposite loosening directions of the anode target disc and the fixed nut prevent simultaneous loosening from the movement trend, and the combination of the two forms a double anti-loosening guarantee, significantly reducing the risk of connection failure due to loosening during long-term use and improving the reliability of the anode assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 is an exploded view of an anode assembly according to an embodiment of the application;

[0031] Figure 2 is Figure 1 is a sectional view along the A-A direction of the anode assembly shown in the assembled state;

[0032] Figure 3 is Figure 2 is a local enlarged view of the connection between the fixed nut, the anode target and the rotor in the anode assembly;

[0033] Figure 4 is Figure 2 is a sectional view of the anode target disc in the anode assembly;

[0034] Figure 5 is Figure 1 is a schematic view of the fixed nut in the anode assembly;

[0035] Figure 6 is Figure 5the structure shown along B-B;

[0036] Figure 7 is Figure 1 schematic diagram of the first segment and the second segment in the structure shown;

[0037] Figure 8 is Figure 7 schematic diagram of a variation of the structure shown;

[0038] Figure 9 is Figure 7 schematic diagram of another variation of the structure shown;

[0039] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of a first pad cylinder according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a second pad cylinder according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] As described in the background, the anode assembly of the existing X-ray tube is prone to loosening of the anode target disc and the fixing nut during use.

[0042] To solve the above technical problem, an embodiment of the present application provides an anode assembly for an X-ray tube, comprising: an anode target disc, a first through hole being formed in the center of the anode target disc, the first through hole extending along a first direction; a rotor for sleeving the anode target disc to drive the anode target disc to rotate, the rotor comprising a first segment protruding from the anode target disc and a second segment located in the first through hole, the anode target disc and the second segment being threadedly connected; a fixing nut threadedly connected with the first segment; wherein the movement direction of the anode target disc and the second segment when threadedly disconnected is opposite to the movement direction of the fixing nut and the first segment when threadedly disconnected.

[0043] By adopting the technical solution of the present application, the movement direction of the anode target disc and the second segment when threadedly disconnected is opposite to the movement direction of the fixing nut and the first segment when threadedly disconnected, so that when one of them tends to loosen, the fastening state of the other will be strengthened due to the opposite movement direction, effectively preventing the anode target disc and the fixing nut from loosening at the same time, significantly improving the stability of the connection between the anode target disc and the fixing nut and the rotor, reducing the risk of the anode target disc falling off, and ensuring the safe operation of the X-ray tube.

[0044] In order to make the above-mentioned purposes, features and beneficial effects of the present application more obvious and easy to understand, the specific embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0045] Figure 1 is an exploded view of an anode assembly according to an embodiment of the present application, Figure 2 isFigure 1 Figure 6 is a sectional view along the direction A-A of the anode assembly shown in the assembled state.

[0046] In combination Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the anode assembly 10 can include: an anode target disk 1, a first through hole 11 is formed in the center of the anode target disk 1, the first through hole 11 extends along a first direction D1; a rotor 2 for the anode target disk 1 to be sleeved to drive the anode target disk 1 to rotate, the rotor 2 includes a first section 21 protruding from the anode target disk 1 and a second section 22 located in the first through hole 11, the anode target disk 1 and the second section 22 are threadedly connected; a fixed nut 3 threadedly connected with the first section 21; wherein the movement direction of the anode target disk 1 and the second section 22 threadedly connected is opposite to the movement direction of the fixed nut 3 and the first section 21 threadedly connected.

[0047] Specifically, the anode assembly 10 can be used in a ray tube, wherein the X-ray tube (also known as X-ball tube, CT ball tube) can be used in an X-ray machine in the medical field, such as a CT machine and other disease detection instruments. With the development of technology, the CT machine is popularized and widely used in the medical field due to its high resolution capability and intuitive and accurate diagnosis effect. The X-ray tube can be used as a core component in the CT machine and is widely used in practice to generate X-rays, so the perfection of the X-ray tube directly affects the working effect of the CT machine.

[0048] In the X-ray tube, the principle of generating X-rays is that the filament in the cathode assembly generates an electron beam by heating, the electron beam is accelerated by the high-voltage electric field between the cathode assembly and the anode target disk 1 to bombard the anode target disk 1, thereby generating X-rays, the X-rays are reflected by the target surface of the anode target disk 1 and emitted from the electron emission window, pass through the patient and are received by the CT detector to form an image. The process of electron bombardment of the anode target disk 1 generates a large amount of heat, if the bombardment position remains unchanged, the area of the anode target disk 1 bombarded by the electron beam will generate a large amount of heat, and the heat generation speed is much higher than the heat dissipation speed. When the heat accumulates to a critical value, the target surface of the bombarded area is melted, causing the anode to fail. Therefore, the X-ray tube in the prior art generally uses a rotating anode, that is, the anode target disk 1 is in a rotating state during operation, so that the position of the electron beam bombarding on the anode target disk 1 continuously changes, avoiding the phenomenon of local temperature rise damaging the anode target disk 1.

[0049] Further, the anode assembly 10 can include the anode target disk 1, the rotor 2 and the fixed nut 3.

[0050] The anode target disk 1 is a core component for generating X-rays, and the anode target disk 1 has a first through hole 11 formed in the center and extending along a first direction D1, the first through hole 11 is used to connect with the rotor 2 to realize the driving of the anode target disk 1 by the rotor 2.

[0051] Further, the fixing nut 3 is threadedly engaged with the first section 21 of the rotor, for axially fixing the anode target disk 1.

[0052] The movement direction of the anode target disk 1 and the second section 22 of the rotor being threadedly disengaged is opposite to the movement direction of the fixing nut 3 and the first section 21 of the rotor being threadedly disengaged. Thus, when the rotor 2 drives the anode target disk 1 to rotate, the anode target disk 1 and the fixing nut 3 will be tightened with each other, avoiding the risk of thread loosening, and ensuring the stability of the anode assembly 10.

[0053] In some embodiments, the outer circumferential surface of the first section 21 is provided with a first thread, and the outer circumferential surface of the second section 22 is provided with a second thread, the rotation directions of the first thread and the second thread being opposite.

[0054] Specifically, in the production and processing process, the outer circumferential surface of the first section 21 of the rotor 2 can be processed with a first thread, which is used to form a thread engagement with the inner thread of the fixing nut 3, so as to achieve the axial locking of the fixing nut 3 to the anode target disk 1. Further, the outer circumferential surface of the second section 22 of the rotor 2 is processed with a second thread, which is used to form a thread engagement with the inner thread of the inner wall of the first through hole 11 of the anode target disk 1, so as to achieve the connection of the anode target disk 1 and the rotor 2.

[0055] Further, the rotation directions of the first thread and the second thread are opposite. For example, if the first thread is a right-handed thread, the second thread is a left-handed thread. For another example, if the first thread is a left-handed thread, the second thread is a right-handed thread.

[0056] In actual application, based on the inherent characteristics of thread engagement, when the thread pair (for example, the first section 21 and the fixing nut 3 in the present embodiment, and the second section 22 and the anode target disk 1) needs to be disengaged, the relative rotation direction is determined by the thread rotation direction. Therefore, the design of the opposite rotation directions of the first thread and the second thread directly leads to the opposite relative rotation directions of the fixing nut 3 and the first section 21 being disengaged, and the anode target disk 1 and the second section 22 being disengaged, thereby ensuring the technical effect of the opposite movement directions of the thread disengagement from the structure, effectively avoiding the synchronous loosening of the anode target disk 1 and the fixing nut 3 in the working condition.

[0057] In some embodiments, the anode target disk 1 and the fixing nut 3 are screwed into the corresponding sections of the same end of the rotor 2 in opposite rotation directions, and the corresponding sections are selected from the first section 21 and the second section 22.

[0058] In some embodiments, the rotor 2 comprises a second section 22 and a first section 21, wherein the first section 21 is located on one side of the second section 22 facing the first direction D1.

[0059] Further, the inner wall of the first through hole 11 of the anode target disk 1 is provided with internal threads adapted to the second threads of the second section 22. The inner wall of the second through hole 311 of the fixing nut 3 is provided with internal threads adapted to the first threads of the first section 21.

[0060] In practical applications, the anode target disk 1 and the fixing nut 3 can be screwed from the end of the first section 21 away from the second section 22.

[0061] In some embodiments, the outer circumferential surface of the first section 21 is further provided with second threads, and the outer circumferential surface of the second section 22 is further provided with first threads. The first threads and the second threads are alternately provided along the first direction D1.

[0062] In some embodiments, the installed anode target disk 1 and the fixing nut 3 are in mutual resistance in the first direction D1. Thus, when the anode target disk 1 and the second section 22, and the fixing nut 3 and the first section 21 are all threadedly fitted in place, the anode target disk 1 and the fixing nut 3 form direct axial resistance in the first direction D1. The end surface of the fixing nut 3 and the end surface of the anode target disk 1 are in close contact and are pressed against each other, generating a continuous axial pre-tightening force. This makes the threads of the anode target disk 1 and the second section 22, and the threads of the fixing nut 3 and the first section 21 always closely engaged, increases the normal pressure between the threads, thereby increasing the friction, fundamentally preventing the relative rotation of the threaded pair, and reducing the risk of loosening.

[0063] Further, when the X-ray tube is frequently started and stopped, or generates inertial load due to high-speed rotation, if the anode target disk 1 shows a loosening trend, its movement direction will be opposite to the loosening trend of the fixing nut 3, which is equivalent to the fixing nut 3 generating a reverse resistance to the loosening of the anode target disk 1; vice versa.

[0064] In some embodiments, in combination with Figure 2 and Figure 7 , the outer circumferential surfaces of the first section 21 and the second section 22 are alternately provided with first threads and second threads, wherein the anode target disk 1 is first fitted with the second threads provided on the first section 21, and is rotated along the third direction D3 to move the anode target disk 1 as a whole towards the second section 22. During the movement, when the anode target disk 1 passes through the first thread section on the first section 21, because the internal threads and the first threads have different rotation directions, they are in clearance fit, and the anode target disk 1 can continue to rotate along the third direction D3 and advance axially.

[0065] Further, after the anode target disk 1 starts to contact the second section 22, the internal threads of the anode target disk 1 engage with the second threads on the second section 22, and continue to rotate along the third direction D3, finally completing the threaded connection with the second section 22 and realizing the assembly and positioning of the anode target disk 1.

[0066] Further, the fixing nut 3 is sleeved from the end of the first section 21 away from the second section 22, and the inner thread on the inner wall of the second through hole 311 of the fixing nut 3 is engaged with the first thread on the first section 21. Then, the fixing nut is rotated in the second direction D2 and screwed into the first section 21. As the fixing nut is screwed in, the end face thereof towards the anode target disc 1 gradually approaches the anode target disc 1, and when the fixing nut 3 is installed in place, the fixing nut 3 and the anode target disc 1 abut against each other in the first direction D1. The second direction D2 is opposite to the third direction D3.

[0067] Due to the thread rotation direction design of the first section 21 and the second section 22, the loosening direction of the anode target disc 1 relative to the second section 22 (for example, the second direction D2) is opposite to the loosening direction of the fixing nut 3 relative to the first section 21 (for example, the third direction D3), the anode target disc 1, the fixing nut 3 and the axial abutment form interlocking, further hinder the respective loosening tendency, structurally strengthen the stability of the connection, effectively prevent loosening and falling off in long-term working condition.

[0068] In a variant, in combination with Figure 2 and Figure 8 , the outer peripheral surface of the first section 21 can be alternatively provided with the first thread and the second thread, and the outer peripheral surface of the second section 22 is only provided with the second thread.

[0069] The anode target disc 1 is first engaged with the second thread provided on the first section 21 and rotated in the third direction D3, so that the anode target disc 1 as a whole moves towards the second section 22. During the movement, when the anode target disc 1 passes through the first thread section on the first section 21, the anode target disc 1 can continue to rotate in the third direction D3 and axially advance, because the inner thread on the inner wall of the anode target disc 1 is different in rotation direction from the first thread, and the two are in clearance fit.

[0070] Further, after the anode target disc 1 starts to contact the second section 22, the inner thread on the inner wall of the anode target disc 1 is engaged with the only second thread provided on the second section 22, and the anode target disc 1 continues to rotate in the third direction D3, and finally completes the thread connection with the second section 22, realizing the assembly and positioning of the anode target disc 1.

[0071] Further, the fixing nut 3 is sleeved from the end of the first section 21 away from the second section 22, and the inner thread on the inner wall of the second through hole 311 of the fixing nut 3 is engaged with the first thread on the first section 21. Then, the fixing nut is rotated in the second direction D2 and screwed into the first section 21. As the fixing nut is screwed in, the end face thereof towards the anode target disc 1 gradually approaches the anode target disc 1, and when the fixing nut 3 is installed in place, the fixing nut 3 and the anode target disc 1 abut against each other in the first direction D1. The second direction D2 is opposite to the third direction D3.

[0072] Due to the design that the first thread is alternately arranged on the first section 21 and the second thread is arranged on the second section 22, the loosening direction of the anode target disk 1 relative to the second section 22 (for example, the second direction D2) is opposite to the loosening direction of the fixing nut 3 relative to the first section 21 (for example, the third direction D3), the anode target disk 1 and the fixing nut 3 are interlocked by axial abutment, further hindering the respective loosening tendency, structurally strengthening the stability of the connection, and effectively preventing loosening and falling off in long-term operation. Compared with the prior art Figure 7 , Figure 8 In the embodiment shown, only the second thread can be machined on the second section 22, which can simplify the production process and improve the overall structural strength of the rotor 2.

[0073] In another variant, in combination with Figure 2 and Figure 9 , the rotor 2 can further include a transition section 24 between the first section 21 and the second section 22, the anode target disk 1 is screwed along the second direction D2 through the first section 21, then passes through the transition section 24 along the first direction D1, and is screwed along the third direction D3 on the second section 22, the fixing nut 3 is screwed along the second direction D2 on the first section 21, the fixed fixing nut 3 and the anode target disk 1 abut, and the second direction D2 and the third direction D3 are opposite.

[0074] In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the transition section 24 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the first section 21 and the cross-sectional area of the second section 22.

[0075] In some embodiments, the outer peripheral surface of the transition section 24 is smooth.

[0076] In a specific application scenario, the assembly process of the anode target disk 1 is divided into three stages: first, the anode target disk 1 is sleeved from the end of the first section 21 away from the second section 22, the inner thread on the inner wall of the first through hole 11 is engaged with the first thread of the first section 21, and is screwed along the second direction D2 to move along the first direction D1 towards the transition section 24; when the anode target disk 1 is completely separated from the first section 21, it directly passes through the transition section 24 along the first direction D1; then, the anode target disk 1 is in contact with the second section 22, the inner thread on the inner wall is engaged with the thread of the second section 22, and is screwed along the third direction D3, finally completing the threaded connection with the second section 22 and realizing the assembly and positioning of the anode target disk 1.

[0077] Further, the fixing nut 3 is sleeved into the first section 21 from the end away from the second section 22, the internal thread of the inner wall of the second through hole 311 is engaged with the thread of the first section 21, and the fixing nut 3 is screwed into the first section 21 along the second direction D2. As the fixing nut 3 is screwed in, the end face thereof gradually approaches the anode target disc 1, and when the fixing nut 3 is installed in place, the fixing nut 3 and the anode target disc 1 abut against each other in the first direction D1. The second direction D2 is opposite to the third direction D3.

[0078] In some embodiments, after installation, the transition section 24 is located in the first through hole 11, or in the second through hole 311, or partially in the first through hole 11 and partially in the second through hole 311.

[0079] Since the direction in which the anode target disc 1 is screwed into the second section 22 (the third direction D3) is opposite to the direction in which the fixing nut 3 is screwed into the first section 21 (the second direction D2), the loosening direction of the anode target disc 1 relative to the second section 22 is opposite to the loosening direction of the fixing nut 3 relative to the first section 21. The two are interlocked by axial abutment, and when one of them has a loosening tendency, the tightening state of the other is strengthened due to the opposite direction, further hindering the respective loosening tendency, and improving the connection stability from the structure.

[0080] Compared with the foregoing embodiments, Figure 9 In the illustrated embodiment, the provision of the transition section 24 physically separates the threaded regions of the first section 21 and the second section 22, avoiding mutual interference of the two threaded regions during machining or assembly, and simplifying the transition process of the anode target disc 1 from the first section 21 to the second section 22 (no need to advance through the threaded gap). This not only improves the assembly fluency, but also enhances the overall rigidity of the rotor 2 due to the integrated structure of the transition section 24.

[0081] In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the transition section 24 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the first section 21 and the cross-sectional area of the second section 22.

[0082] In some embodiments, in combination with Figures 1 to 3 The rotor 2 further comprises a stop section 25 arranged in the first direction D1 and spaced apart from the first section 21, the cross-sectional area of the stop section 25 is greater than the cross-sectional area of the first through hole 11, and the anode target disc 1 is clamped between the fixing nut 3 and the stop section 25.

[0083] Specifically, when the anode target disk 1 is screwed into place with the second section 22, the fixing nut 3 is screwed into the first section 21 and abuts against the anode target disk 1, the anode target disk 1 is axially clamped between the fixing nut 3 and the stop section 25. At this time, the stop section 25 limits the axial movement of the anode target disk 1 from one side of the first direction D1, and the fixing nut 3 applies an axial pre-tightening force from the other side, forming a bidirectional clamping constraint structure. Thus, by the axial clamping of the stop section 25 and the fixing nut 3, the axial displacement space of the anode target disk 1 is completely limited, avoiding the axial movement due to inertia during the operation of the X-ray tube (such as high-speed rotation, sudden stop), preventing the wear or loosening of the threaded connection due to the movement. The pre-tightening force generated by the axial clamping makes the anode target disk 1 and the second section 22 always maintain close engagement with the threads of the fixing nut 3 and the first section 21, increases the normal pressure between the threads, thereby increasing the friction, and fundamentally hinders the relative rotation of the threaded pair, further reducing the risk of loosening. The axial constraint of bidirectional clamping cooperates with the circumferential constraint of reverse rotation of the threads, reinforcing the connection of the anode target disk 1 and the rotor 2 from the axial and circumferential dimensions, significantly improving the stability and durability of the anode assembly under long-term complex working conditions.

[0084] In some embodiments, in combination Figures 2 to 4 , along the first direction D1, the first through hole 11 includes a threaded section 111 and a smooth section 112 in communication, wherein the threaded section 111 is adapted to be screwed with the second section 22, and the rotor 2 further includes a third section 23 located at the smooth section 112, the outer peripheral surface of the third section 23 is smooth and closely fitted with the inner wall of the smooth section 112, so that the central axis of the smooth section 112 coincides with the central axis of the rotor 2.

[0085] Specifically, the inner wall of the threaded section 111 is provided with internal threads for threaded connection with the threads on the outer peripheral surface of the second section 22 of the rotor 2, achieving the threaded connection of the anode target disk 1 and the rotor 2.

[0086] Further, the inner wall of the smooth section 112 is a smooth surface, and the rotor 2 further includes a third section 23, the outer peripheral surface of which is smooth and closely fitted with the inner wall of the smooth section 112.

[0087] Thus, the close fitting of the third section 23 and the smooth section 112 can guide the precise alignment of the axis of the anode target disk 1 and the central axis of the rotor 2 during assembly, avoiding the problem of poor thread engagement and accelerated wear due to eccentricity of the threaded section 111 and the second section 22. Further, under the high-speed rotating condition of the X-ray tube, the fitting of the third section 23 and the smooth section 112 can maintain the high coaxiality of the anode target disk 1 and the rotor 2, reduce the vibration and additional stress caused by eccentricity, and thus improve the operation stability and service life of the anode assembly.

[0088] In some embodiments, the aperture of the smooth section 112 is larger than the aperture of the threaded section 111.

[0089] In some embodiments, along the first direction D1, the aperture of the smooth section 112 is larger than the aperture of the threaded section 111, and the outer circumferential dimension of the third section 23 is fully matched with the aperture of the smooth section 112, both forming a precise face-to-face fit. That is, the outer circumferential surface of the third section 23 is in almost no-gap contact with the inner wall of the smooth section 112. In this way, the small aperture of the threaded section 111 is adapted to the threaded structure of the second section 22, ensuring that the threaded engagement is tight, and the larger aperture of the smooth section 112 is matched with the outer circumferential dimension of the third section 23, forming a face-to-face fit guiding structure. This can effectively simplify the installation process and facilitate the realization of coaxial installation.

[0090] Further, the face-to-face fit of the third section 23 and the smooth section 112 provides additional radial support when the X-ray tube is rotating at high speed, in combination with the threaded connection of the threaded section 111 and the second section 22, further inhibiting the radial wobble of the anode target disc 1, while the aperture difference between the smooth section 112 and the threaded section 111 ensures that this radial support does not weaken the axial pre-tightening force of the threaded connection due to size conflicts, both of which synergistically improve the stability of the overall structure under dynamic working conditions.

[0091] In some embodiments, in combination with Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the fixing nut 3 comprises: a circular plate portion 31, which is provided with a second through hole 311, at least a portion of the first section 21 is accommodated in the second through hole 311, and the inner wall of the second through hole 311 is threadedly connected with the first section 21; a support portion 32, which extends from the circular plate portion 31 towards the anode target disc 1, and an end of the support portion 32 away from the circular plate portion 31 is supported on the anode target disc 1.

[0092] Specifically, the circular plate portion 31 is the main part of the fixing nut 3, which is provided with a second through hole 311. During assembly, at least a portion of the first section 21 of the rotor 2 is accommodated in the second through hole 311, and the inner wall of the second through hole 311 is threadedly engaged with the outer circumference of the first section 21 (such as the first thread), thereby realizing the threaded connection of the fixing nut 3 and the rotor 2, and providing the fixing nut with circumferential thread locking force.

[0093] Further, the support portion 32 is in contact with the anode target disc 1 through the end face, converting the thread pre-tightening force of the circular plate portion 31 into axial support force on the anode target disc 1, ensuring that the anode target disc 1 is stably clamped between the fixing nut 3 and the rotor stop section.

[0094] Further, the support portion 32 increases the contact area of the fixing nut and the anode target disc 1, avoiding local stress concentration when the circular plate portion 31 directly contacts the anode target disc 1, and improving the fatigue resistance of the structure.

[0095] Further, the support portion 32 is supported on the anode target disk 1, the contact area between the support portion 32 and the anode target disk 1 is smaller, the pressure and friction force between the support portion 32 and the anode target disk 1 are larger, and the loosening phenomenon can be effectively avoided.

[0096] In some embodiments, a scraping portion 5 is arranged on the surface of the anode target disk 1 and the support portion 32, which is used to increase the roughness of the contact surface between the anode target disk 1 and the support portion 32 during assembly.

[0097] Specifically, when the fixing nut 3 is screwed into the first section 21 along the second direction D2, the end of the support portion 32 away from the disc portion 31 gradually approaches and finally abuts against the abutting surface of the anode target disk 1. At this time, the scraping portion 5 is in extrusion contact with the end surface of the support portion 32. With the continuous tightening of the fixing nut 3, the axial pre-tightening force increases, and the scraping portion 5 will produce scraping or extrusion deformation on the end surface of the support portion 32. If the scraping portion 5 is a protrusion, it will be embedded in the end surface of the support portion 32; if it is a pit, the end surface of the support portion 32 will be filled into the pit due to extrusion. This process makes the originally smooth contact surface form irregular concave-convex engagement.

[0098] Therefore, the static friction coefficient of the rough contact surface is much higher than that of the smooth surface, which can effectively hinder the relative rotation between the anode target disk 1 and the support portion 32. Even under the working conditions of high-speed rotation and sudden stop of the X-ray tube, the two are not easy to produce circumferential sliding due to inertia, avoiding the attenuation of the thread pre-tightening force caused by sliding.

[0099] In some embodiments, the mechanical engagement formed by the scraping portion 5 changes the abutment of the anode target disk 1 and the support portion 32 from surface contact to concave-convex engagement, reduces the gap between the contact surfaces due to vibration and thermal deformation, and ensures stable transmission of the axial pre-tightening force.

[0100] In one specific embodiment, the scraping portion 5 includes at least one blind hole structure 51 opened on the surface of the anode target disk 1 and the support portion 32. During the process of screwing the fixing nut 3 on the first section 21, the end surface of the support portion 32 towards the anode target disk 1 is deformed, and at least a part of the support portion 32 is extruded into the blind hole structure 51 to realize the mutual engagement of the support portion 32 and the blind hole structure 51.

[0101] In the actual application process, when the fixing nut 3 is screwed into the first section 21 along the second direction D2, the support part 32 gradually approaches the end face of the anode target disc 1 and presses against the opening area of the blind hole structure 51. As the fixing nut 3 continues to be tightened, the axial pre-tightening force continues to increase, the end face of the support part 32 is plastically deformed or scratched under the pressure, and part of the material of the end face is extruded into the internal space of the blind hole structure 51, and the scratched part is continuously crushed between the fixing nut 3 and the anode target disc 1, resulting in an increase in the roughness of the contact surface. Finally, the deformed part of the support part 32 is in close engagement with the inner wall of the blind hole structure 51. Thus, compared with simple rough surface contact, the engagement of the blind hole structure 51 and the deformed part of the support part 32 belongs to the mechanical locking of concave-convex fitting, which can directly hinder the relative rotation of the two from the physical structure. Even under the action of high-frequency vibration or instantaneous inertia force, the deformed part of the support part 32 will be stuck by the inner wall of the blind hole, and it is difficult to slide along the circumference, further improving the anti-loose effect.

[0102] In other embodiments, the scratching part 5 includes at least one protruding part (not shown in the figure) opened on the surface where the anode target disc 1 and the support part 32 are attached. During the process of screwing the fixing nut 3 on the first section 21, the support part 32 is deformed under the extrusion of the protruding part, so that at least part of the protruding part is embedded in the end face of the support part 32.

[0103] In some embodiments, the protruding part may, for example, be a tooth-like structure.

[0104] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 1 , the anode assembly 10 can further include a connecting filler 4 arranged between two adjacent components selected from the rotor 2, the anode target disc 1 and the fixing nut 3, the connecting filler 4 being used to penetrate the gap between the two adjacent components to connect the two adjacent components. Thus, the connecting filler 4 can penetrate the gap between the two adjacent components to achieve a more secure connection between the components.

[0105] Further, the connecting filler 4 is usually made of a material with a penetrating filling property. In the process of assembly, under the environment of the axial pressure generated by the tightening of the fixing nut and the relative extrusion between the components, the connecting filler 4 will gradually penetrate into the micro gap of the contact surface of the adjacent components due to the pressure or the material properties of the connecting filler 4, such as the gap between the concave-convex structures formed by the scratching part 5, and a stable connecting structure will be formed in the gap, mechanically connecting the adjacent components into one. Thus, the "bridge" structure formed by penetration enables the adjacent components to be upgraded from simple mechanical contact to material fitting, increasing the bonding force between the components. Even under the action of high-frequency vibration or long-term stress, the connecting filler can further hinder the relative loosening between the components together with the structures such as threads and scratching parts.

[0106] In some embodiments, the penetration occurs when the temperature of the connecting pad 4 exceeds a preset temperature threshold.

[0107] In some embodiments, the temperature threshold can be, for example, 400°C.

[0108] In some embodiments, the penetration occurs when the pressure of the connecting pad 4 exceeds a preset pressure threshold.

[0109] In some embodiments, the pressure threshold can be, for example, 120 MPa.

[0110] In some embodiments, the temperature of the connecting pad 4 can reach the preset temperature threshold during the testing of the anode assembly 10.

[0111] In some embodiments, the temperature of the connecting pad 4 can reach the preset temperature threshold during the use of the anode assembly 10.

[0112] In some embodiments, the pressure of the connecting pad 4 can reach the preset pressure threshold during the assembly of the anode assembly 10.

[0113] In some embodiments, the connecting pad 4 can be filled in the space surrounded by the support part 32, the circular plate part 31 and the anode target 1.

[0114] In some embodiments, the connecting pad 4 can include a connecting pad ring 42 arranged on the side of the fixing nut 3 away from the anode target disc 1, and the connecting pad ring 42 is located at the connecting part of the fixing nut 3 and the first section 21 of the rotor 2.

[0115] In some embodiments, the connecting pad ring 42 can be excited by, for example, EBM (Electron Beam Melting) or baking, exhaust and other processing procedures and normal use of the anode assembly 10, and penetration occurs.

[0116] In some embodiments, the connecting pad 4 can further include a connecting pad piece 41, which can be arranged between the end face of the support part 32 and the anode target disc 1.

[0117] In some embodiments, the connecting pad piece 41 can also be arranged between the stop section 25 and the anode target disc 1.

[0118] In a typical application scenario, during the assembly process of screwing the fixing nut 3 into the first section 21, as the fixing nut 3 is continuously screwed, the connecting gasket 41 between the support part 32 of the fixing nut 3 and the anode target disk 1, or between the anode target disk 1 and the rotor stop section 25, will be subjected to axial pre-tightening pressure. When the pressure exceeds the preset pressure threshold, the connecting gasket 41 will plastically deform or flow, actively penetrating into the micro-joint of the adjacent component contact surface. This process is completely realized by the screwing action during assembly, without the need for additional pressure or the introduction of other processes.

[0119] Further, when the anode assembly 10 is applied to devices such as X-ray tubes, or when the anode assembly 10 is tested before being shipped, the operation of the X-ray tube generates heat, causing the temperature of the connecting gasket 41 to gradually rise. When the temperature exceeds the preset temperature threshold, the material flowability of the connecting gasket 41 (such as a heat plastic sealing material) or the penetration effect is intensified, which can further penetrate into the deep joint between the components, and even fill the fine gaps caused by processing or long-term wear. This process is triggered by the natural heat environment of the device during operation, without the need for additional heating or other temperature control processes. In summary, the penetration behavior of the connecting gasket 41 is completely realized by the pressure generated by the screwing of the fixing nut 3 during assembly and the natural temperature rise during device operation, without the need for additional process steps. This design not only utilizes the mechanical force during assembly, but also adapts to the thermal characteristics of the working environment, and through the dual natural triggers of pressure and temperature, ensures that the connecting gasket 41 fully penetrates the joint, strengthens the connection and sealing between components, and improves the reliability of the anode assembly.

[0120] In some embodiments, in combination with Figures 2 to 5 and Figure 10 , the connecting gasket 4 can further include: a first gasket cylinder 43 arranged between the inner wall of the first through hole 11 and the outer peripheral surface of the second section 22, the outer thread of the first gasket cylinder 43 being adapted to the inner thread of the first through hole 11, the inner thread of the first gasket cylinder 43 being adapted to the outer thread of the second section 22, and the anode target disk 1 being indirectly threadedly connected with the second section 22 through the first gasket cylinder 43.

[0121] In some embodiments, in combination with Figures 2 to 5 and Figure 11 , the connecting gasket 4 can further include: a second gasket cylinder 44 arranged between the inner wall of the second through hole 311 and the outer peripheral surface of the first section 21, the outer thread of the second gasket cylinder 44 being adapted to the inner thread of the second through hole 311, the inner thread of the second gasket cylinder 44 being adapted to the outer thread of the first section 21, and the fixing nut 3 being indirectly threadedly connected with the first section 21 through the second gasket cylinder 44.

[0122] In some embodiments, the first and second gasket cylinders 43 and 44 can have a thickness of less than 0.5 mm.

[0123] In some embodiments, the first and second gasket cylinders 43 and 44 can be formed by compression molding, suction molding, or the like. In some embodiments, the material of the connecting gasket 4 is zirconium, palladium-cobalt alloy, or palladium-nickel alloy.

[0124] In practical applications, zirconium, palladium-cobalt alloy, and palladium-nickel alloy all have excellent high-temperature resistance and can maintain stable structure and performance in the working environment (usually accompanied by high temperature) of X-ray tubes and the like. When the working temperature triggers the permeation behavior of the connecting gasket 4 (such as exceeding a preset temperature threshold), these materials will not be oxidized, decomposed, or have a sudden drop in performance due to high temperature, and can continuously maintain the “bridging” effect after permeation, ensuring the long-term reliability of the connection between components. Such alloys have excellent ductility and plasticity, and during assembly (such as when the pressure generated by tightening the fixing nut 3 exceeds a preset threshold), plastic deformation easily occurs, thereby smoothly permeating into the micro gaps between adjacent components, achieving a “material fitting” type of tight connection, and strengthening the mechanical locking effect between components.

[0125] The embodiment of the present application also provides an X-ray tube comprising the anode assembly 10 as described above or the like. The specific structure and assembly method of the anode assembly 10 are as described above, and will not be described here. Figures 1 to 9

[0126] As described above, by using the technical solution of the present application, the movement direction in which the anode target disc 1 and the second section 22 of the rotor 2 are threadedly disengaged is opposite to the movement direction in which the fixing nut 3 and the first section 21 of the rotor 2 are threadedly disengaged, so that when one of them has a loosening trend, the tightening state of the other will be strengthened due to the opposite movement direction, effectively preventing both of them from loosening at the same time, significantly improving the stability of the connection between the anode target disc 1 and the fixing nut 3 and the rotor 2, reducing the risk of the anode target disc 1 falling off, and ensuring the safe operation of the X-ray tube.

[0127] Further, the first thread has a second thread direction opposite to that of the second section 22 of the rotor 2, and by reversely designing the thread direction, the effect of the movement direction in which the thread is disengaged is opposite, which is simple and reliable in structure, and avoids the connection failure of the fixing nut 3 and the anode target disc 1 due to loosening in the same direction from the basic structure of the thread, further consolidating the stability of the connection with the rotor 2.

[0128] ​Further, the outer circumferential surfaces of the first section 21 and the second section 22 of the rotor 2 are alternately provided with the first thread and the second thread, which increases the contact length and complexity of the threaded connection, makes the threaded connection between the anode target disk 1 and the fixing nut 3 tighter, and simultaneously, the alternately opposite rotation directions of the anode target disk 1 and the fixing nut 3 inhibit the loosening tendency of each other, further enhances the anti-loosening capability of the connection between the anode target disk 1 and the rotor 2, and improves the durability of the structure.

[0129] Further, the anode target disk 1 and the fixing nut 3 installed in place can provide a continuous axial pre-tightening force in the first direction D1, which prevents the axial movement of the anode target disk 1 and the fixing nut 3. The loosening directions of the anode target disk 1 and the fixing nut 3 are opposite, which avoids the synchronous loosening from the movement tendency, and the combination of the two forms a double anti-loosening guarantee, significantly reduces the risk of connection failure caused by loosening in long-term use, and improves the reliability of the anode assembly 10.

[0130] It should be understood that the term "and / or" used herein is only to describe the association relationship of the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B can mean that A exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " in this paper represents that the front and rear associated objects are a "or" relationship. As used herein, unless otherwise explicitly stated, the term "or" encompasses all possible combinations, unless not feasible. For example, if it is stated that a component can include A or B, then unless explicitly stated otherwise or not feasible, the component can include A, or B, or A and B. As a second example, if it is stated that a component can include A, B or C, then unless explicitly stated otherwise or not feasible, the component can include A, or B, or C, or A and B, or A and C, or B and C, or A and B and C.

[0131] The "multiple" appearing in the embodiments of the present disclosure means two or more.

[0132] The relationship terms appearing in the embodiments of the present disclosure, such as first, second, etc., are only used to distinguish entities or operations from another entity or operation, and do not require or imply any actual relationship or order between them. In addition, the words "include", "have" and "contain" and other similar forms are intended to be equivalent in meaning and open, and one or more items following any of these words do not mean that it is an exhaustive list of one or more items, or means only the listed one or more items. In the drawings and the specification, exemplary embodiments have been disclosed. However, many changes and modifications can be made to these embodiments. Therefore, although specific terms are used, they are only used in a general and descriptive sense, and not for limiting purposes.

[0133] Although the present application has been disclosed with reference to the above embodiments, the application is not limited to the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the application. The scope of the application should be limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An anode assembly for an X-ray tube, characterized by The application relates to an anode target disc, a rotor and a fixing nut. The anode target disc has a first through hole in the center, and the first through hole extends along a first direction; The rotor is used for sleeving the anode target disc to drive the anode target disc to rotate, and the rotor comprises a first section protruding from the anode target disc and a second section located in the first through hole; the anode target disc is directly or indirectly threadedly connected with the second section; The fixing nut is directly or indirectly threadedly connected with the first section; The movement direction of the anode target disc and the second section when the anode target disc and the second section are threadedly disconnected is opposite to the movement direction of the fixing nut and the first section when the fixing nut and the first section are threadedly disconnected. The outer periphery of the first section is provided with a first thread, and the outer periphery of the second section is provided with a second thread, and the rotation directions of the first thread and the second thread are opposite.

2. The anode assembly of claim 1, wherein, The anode target disc and the fixing nut are screwed into corresponding sections from the same end of the rotor in opposite rotation directions, and the corresponding sections are selected from the first section and the second section.

3. An anode assembly according to claim 2, wherein The outer periphery of the first section is also provided with a second thread, and the first thread and the second thread on the outer periphery of the first section are alternately provided along the first direction.

4. The anode assembly of claim 2, wherein, The anode target disc and the fixing nut abut against each other in the first direction when they are installed in place; and / or 5. The anode assembly of claim 2, wherein, The loosening direction of the anode target disc relative to the second section is opposite to the loosening direction of the fixing nut relative to the first section. Along the first direction, the first through hole comprises a threaded section and a smooth section which are connected, wherein the threaded section is suitable for threadedly connecting with the second section, and the rotor further comprises a third section located in the smooth section, the outer periphery of the third section is smooth and is in close contact with the inner wall of the smooth section, so that the central axis of the smooth section is kept coincident with the central axis of the rotor.

6. The anode assembly of claim 2, wherein, The aperture of the smooth section is larger than the aperture of the threaded section.

7. The anode assembly of claim 6, wherein, The rotor further comprises a transition section between the first section and the second section, the anode target is screwed along the second direction through the first section, then passes through the transition section along the first direction, and then is screwed along the third direction on the second section; the fixing nut is screwed along the second direction on the first section; the fixing nut and the anode target disc abut against each other when they are installed in place, and the second direction is opposite to the third direction.

8. The anode assembly of claim 2, wherein, The cross-sectional area of the transition section is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the first section and the cross-sectional area of the second section.

9. The anode assembly of claim 8, wherein, The rotor further comprises a stop section which is spaced apart from the first section along the first direction, and the cross-sectional area of the stop section is larger than the cross-sectional area of the first through hole, and the anode target disc is clamped between the fixing nut and the stop section.

10. The anode assembly of claim 1, wherein, The fixing nut comprises:

11. The anode assembly of claim 1, wherein, A circular plate part provided with a second through hole, and at least a part of the first section is accommodated in the second through hole and is threadedly connected with the inner wall of the second through hole; A support part which extends from the circular plate part towards the anode target disc, and one end of the support part away from the circular plate part supports the anode target disc. A scraping part is arranged on the surface of the anode target disc and the support part, and the scraping part is used for increasing the roughness of the contact surface of the anode target disc and the support part during assembly.

12. The anode assembly of claim 11, wherein, ​ 13. The anode assembly of claim 12, wherein, The scratch part comprises at least one blind hole structure opened on the surface of the anode target disc and the support part, and at least a part of the support part is extruded into the blind hole structure to realize the mutual engagement of the support part and the blind hole structure during the screwing of the fixing nut on the first segment.

14. The anode assembly of claim 12, wherein, The scratch part comprises at least one protruding part opened on the surface of the anode target disc and the support part, and the support part is deformed under the extrusion of the protruding part to make the protruding part embedded in the end surface of the support part during the screwing of the fixing nut on the first segment.

15. The anode assembly of claim 1, wherein, Further comprising: A connecting pad is arranged between two adjacent components selected from the rotor, the anode target disc and the fixing nut, and the connecting pad is used to infiltrate the gap between the two adjacent components to connect the two adjacent components.

16. The anode assembly of claim 15, wherein, The connecting pad is infiltrated under at least one of the following conditions: The temperature of the connecting pad exceeds a preset temperature threshold; The pressure of the connecting pad exceeds a preset pressure threshold.

17. The anode assembly of claim 15, wherein, The material of the connecting pad is zirconium, palladium-cobalt alloy or palladium-nickel alloy.

18. An X-ray tube, characterized by An anode assembly for an X-ray tube comprises any one of claims 1 to 17.

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