CT Gantry Bearing Layout for Long Vertical Stroke Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-ray CT apparatuses face design restrictions due to the need for a larger bearing diameter to support the scanner unit, which compromises moment load and up-down strokes, and the arrangement of drive mechanisms like drivers and brakes, limiting the scanner's mobility.
Innovation Solution
The X-ray CT apparatus employs a bearing with an inner ring and outer ring connected by rolling elements, where the driver engages with internal teeth to rotate the inner ring, allowing the gantry to switch between standing and spine position imaging states while maximizing the bearing diameter within the scanner unit's thickness, and the driver and brake are arranged horizontally to minimize space constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the bearing diameter is increased to support the scanner unit weight, then the moment load support is improved, but the up-down strokes of the scanner unit are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The driver and brake are rearranged from a vertical arrangement (along the thickness direction of the scanner unit) to a horizontal arrangement (along the width direction of the scanner unit). This dimensional change allows the bearing to have a larger diameter without increasing the vertical thickness, thereby maintaining moment load support while enabling greater up-down strokes of the scanner unit.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the driver and brake are arranged vertically to support the scanner unit, then the structural stability is improved, but the space for up-down movement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The driver and brake are repositioned from the vertical dimension to the horizontal dimension. The driver is arranged along the width direction of the scanner unit, and the brake is positioned to engage with the bearing in the horizontal plane. This allows vertical movement space to be maximized while maintaining structural stability through the horizontal arrangement of supporting components.
3Length of moving object
If the bearing diameter is reduced to increase up-down strokes, then the movement range is improved, but the moment load support is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By transitioning the arrangement of the driver and brake from vertical to horizontal, the bearing can achieve a larger diameter in the horizontal dimension without increasing the vertical thickness. This enables the scanner unit to have both large up-down strokes and adequate moment load support capacity simultaneously.
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
This configuration enables unrestricted up-down strokes of the scanner unit, maintaining moment load support and reducing design restrictions, facilitating seamless transitions between imaging positions.
Implementation Method 1
a bearing (16) connected to the gantry (11) and including an inner ring (161) with a plurality of teeth (167) on an inner circumferential surface and an outer ring (165) connected to an outer circumference of the inner ring (161) via a plurality of rolling elements (163)
Data Source
AI summary
An X-ray computer tomographic apparatus according to an embodiment includes a gantry, a bearing, a driver, and a stand. The gantry rotatably supports a rotation unit on which an X-ray tube is mounted. The bearing is connected to the gantry and includes an inner ring with a plurality of teeth on an inner circumferential surface and an outer ring that is connected to an outer circumference of the inner ring via a plurality of rolling elements. The driver causes the inner ring to rotate via the teeth. The driver is mounted on the stand and the stand is connected to the outer ring and is provided on a floor surface.