Alignment Pins for X-ray Detector Collimator Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing X-ray CT systems face challenges in accurately aligning detector elements and collimator plates, leading to position displacement and reduced alignment accuracy due to separate referencing methods.

Innovation Solution

The use of alignment pins extending along the radiation direction, with concave holes or grooves in the rails and through holes in the modules, allows for precise positioning of collimator and detector modules, preventing tolerance accumulation and enhancing alignment accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If separate reference positioning methods are used for collimator plates and detector elements, then each component can be positioned independently, but tolerance accumulation occurs and alignment accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIndependent positioning capabilityVSAvoidAlignment accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the separate reference positioning systems for collimator plates and detector elements into a unified reference system. Both components are positioned relative to the same reference marks on the rail, eliminating tolerance accumulation and achieving high alignment accuracy while maintaining independent positioning capability through modular module design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate positioning references are used, then positioning flexibility is improved, but position displacement between components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePositioning flexibilityVSAvoidPosition displacement control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universal reference marks that serve multiple functions: they provide positioning references for both collimator plates and detector elements, and serve as alignment benchmarks for the entire detection apparatus. This multi-functional reference system maintains positioning flexibility while controlling position displacement through a common reference framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2704155B1Radiation detecting apparatus and radiation imaging apparatus
Publication Date: 2018.02.28 GE MEDICAL SYSTEMS GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY CO LLC
  • EP2704155B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2704155B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2704155B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

A radiation detecting apparatus 20 is provided for highly accurately aligning detecting elements 51 and collimator plates 41 with each other. Each of collimator modules 41 have a plurality of collimator plates 40 that are configured so as to have a pair of alignment pins 45, 46 that extend along an irradiation direction of radiation. Concave holes or grooves 47 in which one ends of the alignment pins are fitted, are formed in a pair of rails 43, 44. Each of the detector modules has a plurality of detecting elements and is configured so as to have concave holes or through holes in which the other ends of the alignment pins 45, 46 are fitted. That is, the positioning of the collimator modules 41 and the detector modules 51 relative to a frame 30 is performed using the alignment pins 45, 46.