X-ray detector
The flexible X-ray detector design addresses the issue of component damage during bending by using flexible circuit sections and support boards, ensuring reliable operation and image quality during industrial pipe inspections.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- RAYENCE
- Filing Date
- 2022-12-23
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-19
AI Technical Summary
Existing X-ray detectors used for industrial pipe inspections are prone to damage when bent due to rigid circuit parts, leading to image distortion and potential component failure.
The X-ray detector incorporates a flexible sensor panel with flexible circuit sections and support boards, eliminating the need for a rigid gate IC driving circuit by transmitting gate control signals through flexible circuit sections, allowing the detector to be bent without damaging components.
The flexible design prevents damage to circuit parts during bending, ensuring reliable operation and image quality by maintaining component integrity during pipe inspections.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to an X-ray detector.
Background Art
[0002] An X-ray detector is a digital X-ray image sensor device and is used for medical or industrial purposes.
[0003] Generally, an X-ray detector includes a sensor panel, a gate IC connected to one side of the sensor panel and mounted on an FPCB (flexible printed circuit board), a readout IC connected to the other side adjacent to one side of the sensor panel and mounted on another FPCB, a gate circuit part such as a PCB electrically connected to the gate IC, and a readout circuit part such as another PCB electrically connected to the readout IC.
[0004] In the case of an X-ray detector used for detecting defects in pipes as an industrial X-ray detector, in order to prevent image distortion, the X-ray detector needs to be bent along the round outer shape of the pipe. When bending the X-ray detector in this way, there is a risk that at least one of the gate circuit part or the readout circuit part may be damaged.
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a solution capable of preventing damage to the circuit part when bending the X-ray detector.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a sensor panel with flexible properties, at least one first flexible circuit section mounted along a first edge of the sensor panel and on which a gate IC is mounted, at least one second flexible circuit section mounted along a second edge of the sensor panel, and a drive circuit section connected to the second flexible circuit section. Located adjacent to the first edge The aforementioned 2 It includes a third flexible circuit section attached to one end of the edge, and a main circuit section connected to the third flexible circuit section on the second edge of the sensor panel, on which a timing controller is mounted, The drive circuit section and the main circuit section are positioned on one side of the second edge so as not to overlap the sensor panel in a planar manner. The gate control signal output from the main circuit section is provided to the gate IC via the third flexible circuit section, thereby providing an X-ray detector.
[0007] The sensor panel may include a first connecting wire that connects the third flexible circuit section and the first flexible circuit section.
[0008] The sensor panel is provided with a number of first flexible circuit sections, each of which a gate IC is mounted along the first edge, and the sensor panel may also include second connecting wiring that electrically connects the gate ICs of adjacent first flexible circuit sections.
[0010] The system may further include a first support board having flexible properties that supports the rear of the sensor panel.
[0011] The system may further include a second support board on which the drive circuit section is arranged on one side and the main circuit section is arranged on the other side. [Effects of the Invention]
[0013] In the X-ray detector of the present invention, the gate control signal can be transmitted by electrically connecting the main circuit section and the gate IC via a third flexible circuit section, thereby eliminating the need for a rigid gate IC driving circuit section.
[0014] As a result, when the sensor panel on which the gate IC is located is bent along its longitudinal direction during X-ray inspection, there is no separate gate IC driving circuit in that direction, so the X-ray detector can be bent without damaging any components of the X-ray detector. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0015] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view showing an X-ray detector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic perspective view showing the main circuit section, the second support board, and the second and third flexible circuit sections of an X-ray detector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a schematic block diagram showing an X-ray detector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0016] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.
[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an X-ray detector according to an embodiment of the present invention. For convenience of explanation, Figure 1 shows some of the components of the X-ray detector. Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the main circuit section, the second support board, and the second and third flexible circuit sections of the X-ray detector according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram showing the X-ray detector according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the X-ray detector 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a sensor panel 100, a first flexible circuit section 200 on which a gate IC 210 is mounted, a second flexible circuit section 300 on which a readout IC 310 is mounted, a third flexible circuit section 400, a drive circuit section 350, a main circuit section 500, a first support board 610, and a second support board 620.
[0019] In the X-ray detector 10, at least one gate IC 210 can be used. In this embodiment, a case where a large number of gate ICs 210 and a large number of first flexible circuit parts 200 on which these are respectively mounted are used will be taken as an example. The first flexible circuit part can be constituted by, for example, an FPCB. And in the X-ray detection device 10, at least one readout IC 310 can be used. In this embodiment, a case where a large number of readout ICs 310 and a large number of second flexible circuit parts 300 on which these are respectively mounted are used will be taken as an example. The second flexible circuit part can be constituted by, for example, an FPCB.
[0020] The sensor panel 100 generates an electrical signal corresponding to the incident X-ray. In the sensor panel 100, pixels P, which are unit elements for detecting X-rays, can be arranged in a matrix. The sensor panel 100 is a direct method that directly converts X-rays into electrical signals, or an indirect method that converts X-rays into visible light and then into electrical signals.
[0021] On the other hand, when the sensor panel 100 is an indirect method, the X-ray detector 10 may further include a phosphor. This phosphor is arranged on the front surface of the sensor panel 100 where X-rays are incident and can convert the incident X-rays into visible light.
[0022] In the sensor panel 100, a large number of gate wirings GL and a large number of readout wirings RL that cross each other can be formed.
[0023] The large number of gate wirings GL extend, for example, along the first direction (or row direction) and can be connected to the pixels P arranged in the corresponding row lines. For each frame, gate signals are sequentially applied from a large number of gate ICs 210 to the large number of gate wirings GL, and the gate signals can be transmitted to the pixels P of the row line.
[0024] A plurality of readout wirings RL can extend, for example, along a second direction (or column direction) and be connected to pixels P arranged in corresponding column lines. The readout wiring RL can receive an application of an electrical signal generated from the pixel P of the column line, and this electrical signal can be transmitted to the readout IC310.
[0025] The sensor panel 100 can be configured to have flexible characteristics. In this regard, for example, the substrate on which the sensor array elements of the sensor panel 100 are formed can be made of a material with flexible characteristics such as plastic, or can be made of thin glass so as to have flexible characteristics.
[0026] A first flexible circuit portion 200 with flexible characteristics on which a gate IC210 is mounted can be connected to one side edge of the sensor panel 100, for example, the first edge portion. One end of a corresponding gate wiring GL is connected to the output end of the first flexible circuit portion 200, so that a gate signal output from the gate IC210 mounted on the first flexible circuit portion 200 can be applied to the gate wiring GL.
[0027] And a second flexible circuit portion 300 with flexible characteristics on which a readout IC310 is mounted can be connected to the other side edge of the sensor panel 100 adjacent to the first edge portion where the gate IC210 is arranged, for example, the second edge portion. One end of a corresponding readout wiring RL is connected to the output end of the second flexible circuit portion 300, so that an electrical signal of the pixel transmitted through the readout wiring RL can be input to the readout IC310 mounted on the second flexible circuit portion 300.
[0028] The drive circuit section 350 corresponds to the drive circuit section for the read IC 310 and can be connected to a number of second flexible circuit sections 300. The drive circuit section 350 can receive electrical signals output from the read IC 310. The drive circuit section 350 can also output a read control signal to the read IC 310 to control its operation. Such a drive circuit section 350 may be made of a rigid material such as a PCB, which has substantially non-flexible properties.
[0029] The flexible third flexible circuit section 400 may be connected to one end of the first edge. In this regard, for example, the third flexible circuit section 400 may be connected to one end of the first edge adjacent to the second edge. In other words, the third flexible circuit section 400 may be attached to the first edge region between the corner located between the first edge and the second edge and the region where the first flexible circuit section 210 adjacent to the second edge is attached.
[0030] The main circuit section 500 and the gate IC 210 can be electrically connected via this third flexible circuit section 400. As a result, a gate control signal that controls the driving of the gate IC 210 can be output from the main circuit section 500 and then transmitted to the gate IC 210 via the third flexible circuit section 400.
[0031] In this way, by electrically connecting the main circuit section 500 and the gate IC 210 via the third flexible circuit section 400 to transmit the gate control signal, the rigid gate IC driving circuit section can be eliminated.
[0032] Since no gate IC driving circuit is used, even if the X-ray detector 10 is bent so that the sensor panel 100 flexes along the longitudinal direction of the first edge, there is no gate IC driving circuit that will be damaged. Therefore, the X-ray detector 10 can be freely bent in the direction to which the gate IC 210 is attached.
[0033] On the other hand, the electrical connection structure between the third flexible circuit section 400 and the gate ICs 210 will be explained in more detail. For the sake of explanation, among the many gate ICs 210, the gate IC 210 closest to the third flexible circuit section 400 will be referred to as the first gate IC 210a, and the remaining gate ICs 210 will be referred to as the second gate ICs 210b.
[0034] The first flexible circuit section 200 on which the first gate IC 210a is mounted and the third flexible circuit section 400 can be connected via a first connection wiring 121 formed on the substrate of the sensor panel 100. This allows the gate control signal output from the third flexible circuit section 400 to be input to the first flexible circuit section 200 via the first connection wiring 121 and transmitted to the first gate IC 210a.
[0035] Similarly, adjacent gate ICs 210, and more specifically adjacent first flexible circuit sections 200, can be connected via second connection wiring 122 formed on the substrate of the sensor panel 100. In connection with this, for example, a first flexible circuit section 200 on which the first gate IC 210a is mounted can be connected to an adjacent first flexible circuit section 200 on which the second gate IC 210b is mounted via second connection wiring 122 formed on the substrate of the sensor panel 100. Similarly, a first flexible circuit section 200 on which the second gate IC 210b is mounted can be connected to a first flexible circuit section 200 located at its rear end (or adjacent to it) on which the second gate IC 210b is mounted via second connection wiring 122 formed on the substrate of the sensor panel 100. As a result, the gate control signal provided to the first flexible circuit section 200 on which the first gate IC 210a is mounted can be transmitted to the second gate IC 210b via second connection wiring 122.
[0036] The main circuit unit 500 outputs control signals to control the driving of the sensor panel 100, gate IC 210, and readout IC 310, and can receive electrical signals output from the readout IC 310. In connection with this, a timing controller 510 is implemented in the main circuit unit 500, and the timing controller 510 can generate various control signals, including gate control signals and readout control signals. The gate control signal can be output to the third flexible circuit unit 400 and provided to the gate IC 210, and the readout control signal can be output to the drive circuit unit 350 and then provided to the readout IC 310. On the other hand, the electrical signals of the pixels output from the readout IC 310 are provided to the main circuit unit 500 via the drive circuit unit 350 and can be processed by the timing controller 510.
[0037] A first support board 610 may be attached to the sensor panel 100. The first support board 610 may be made of a flexible material. The first support board 610 may have the function of supporting and protecting the sensor panel 100. For example, the first support board 610 may cover (or conceal) the rear surface of the sensor panel 100, and may also cover the sides of the sensor panel 100.
[0038] Such a first support board 610 can be bent together with the sensor panel 100, and in the bent state, it can support the sensor panel 100 and maintain its shape.
[0039] The second support board 620 may have the drive circuit section 350 on one side, or the main circuit section 500 on the other side. For example, the drive circuit section 350 may be attached to the front side of the second support board 620, and the main circuit section 500 may be attached to the rear side of the second support board 620.
[0040] On the other hand, within the X-ray detector 10, the second support board 620 can be positioned so as not to overlap with the sensor panel 100 in a planar manner. In other words, the drive circuit unit 350 and the main circuit unit 500 can be positioned so as not to overlap with the sensor panel 100 in a planar manner. In connection with this, the industrial X-ray detector 10 can have an X-ray detection area where the sensor panel 100 is positioned in a planar manner, and a peripheral area on one side thereof where a handle is formed on one side of the second edge of the sensor panel 100, and the drive circuit unit 350 and the main circuit unit 500 can be positioned in this peripheral area.
[0041] In such cases, when performing an X-ray inspection, the X-ray detection area can be bent to conform to the outline of the object being inspected, while the surrounding area where the handle is formed can remain substantially flat without being bent.
[0042] Thus, when the X-ray detection area is bent during X-ray inspection, the direction of bending is the longitudinal direction of the first edge of the sensor panel 100 where the gate IC 210 is located, and there is no separate gate IC driving circuit in this direction. Therefore, the X-ray detector 10 can be bent without damaging any components of the X-ray detector 10.
Claims
1. A sensor panel with flexible properties, Mounted along the first edge of the sensor panel, at least one first flexible circuit section on which a gate IC is mounted, At least one second flexible circuit section is attached along the second edge of the sensor panel, The drive circuit section connected to the second flexible circuit section, A third flexible circuit portion is attached to one end of the second edge portion, which is located adjacent to the first edge portion, The sensor panel includes a main circuit section connected to the third flexible circuit section on the second edge of the sensor panel, on which a timing controller is mounted, The drive circuit section and the main circuit section are positioned on one side of the second edge so as not to overlap the sensor panel in a planar manner. The gate control signal output from the main circuit section is provided to the gate IC via the third flexible circuit section, which is used for the X-ray detector.
2. The X-ray detector according to claim 1, wherein the sensor panel includes a first connecting wire connecting the third flexible circuit section and the first flexible circuit section.
3. The sensor panel is provided with a number of first flexible circuit sections, each of which a gate IC is mounted along the first edge. The X-ray detector according to claim 1, wherein the sensor panel includes a second connecting wire that electrically connects the gate ICs of adjacent first flexible circuit sections.
4. The X-ray detector according to claim 1, further comprising a first support board having flexible properties that supports the rear of the sensor panel.
5. The X-ray detector according to claim 1, further comprising a second support board on which the drive circuit section is arranged on one side and the main circuit section is arranged on the other side.