Adjustable Guide Wheel for Axial Positioning of CT Gantry
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
CT scanners face challenges in maintaining accurate axial alignment of rotatable structures due to manufacturing tolerances and wear-and-tear, leading to unpredictable tangential displacement and reduced component lifespan, resulting in increased maintenance costs and downtime.
Innovation Solution
A guide unit with a frame member and a guide wheel that rolls along the periphery of the rotatable structure, featuring a wheel adjustment system allowing linear translation and locking mechanism to ensure precise axial alignment without disassembly, thereby reducing tangential movement and extending component life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an eccentric cam is used to adjust the axial position of the rotatable structure, then the position can be adjusted, but unpredictable tangential displacement occurs and component lifespan is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A guide wheel is introduced as an intermediary element that rolls along the periphery of the rotatable structure. This mediator provides a stable, predictable interface between the adjustment mechanism and the rotatable structure, eliminating the unpredictable tangential displacement caused by eccentric cam mechanisms while maintaining precise axial alignment capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the eccentric cam mechanical system with a guide wheel rolling system. This substitution transforms the adjustment mechanism from one that produces unpredictable tangential forces to one that provides stable, controlled axial positioning through rolling contact, thereby extending component lifespan
2Measurement precision
If the mechanical restraint is completely removed and replaced for maintenance, then alignment accuracy can be restored, but significant downtime and labor costs occur
Solution Approach 1:
The guide wheel assembly is designed to be dynamically adjustable and repositionable along the rotatable structure's periphery. This dynamic capability allows maintenance personnel to adjust the guide wheel position to accommodate wear and manufacturing tolerances without complete disassembly, restoring alignment accuracy while minimizing downtime
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical restraint system is segmented into modular components including the guide wheel, frame member, and mounting mechanisms. This segmentation allows selective adjustment or replacement of individual components rather than complete system disassembly, reducing maintenance time and labor costs while maintaining alignment precision
3Measurement precision
If manufacturing tolerances and assembly inconsistencies are strictly controlled, then axial alignment accuracy is maintained, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guide wheel system allows adjustment of positional parameters along the rotatable structure's periphery. By enabling post-manufacturing parameter adjustment, the system compensates for manufacturing tolerances and assembly inconsistencies without requiring extremely tight manufacturing controls, thereby reducing device complexity and manufacturing costs while maintaining alignment accuracy
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The guide unit enables precise and repeatable axial alignment of the rotatable structure, improving image acquisition accuracy and extending the lifespan of scanner components by minimizing maintenance-related downtime and costs.
Implementation Method 1
A guide wheel coupled to the frame member is configured to roll along a periphery of the rotatable structure
Data Source
AI summary
Among other things, a guide unit and a radiation system including a guide unit are provided. The guide unit limits axial movement of a rotatable structure supporting a radiation source and a detector array of the radiation system. Embodiments of the guide unit include a frame member configured to be supported by a stationary unit that forms a portion of the radiation system. A guide wheel coupled to the frame member is configured to roll along a periphery of the rotatable structure of the radiation system as the rotatable structure supporting the radiation source and the detector array is rotated about an axis of rotation during operation of the radiation system. A wheel adjustment system coupled to the frame member linearly translates the guide wheel toward the periphery of the rotatable structure supported by the stationary unit of the radiation system.