CT Gantry Roller Support with Canted Sidewall
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing CT imaging systems require costly and complex bearing systems for gantry rotation, leading to high maintenance costs and time due to custom-made components that are not easily interchangeable.
Innovation Solution
A gantry system with a support rail having a canted sidewall and a plurality of rollers, where the rollers engage both the radial inner and outer surfaces of the sidewall to facilitate rotation, reducing the number of components needed and allowing for easier maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If custom-made bearing assemblies with numerous rolling elements are used to enable high-speed gantry rotation, then the gantry rotation performance is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly is segmented into modular roller units that can be independently manufactured and assembled. Each roller unit contains rolling elements arranged in a specific pattern, allowing the complex bearing function to be divided into simpler, interchangeable modules that reduce overall system complexity while maintaining high-speed rotation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing assembly design incorporates universal roller units that can be used across different bearing configurations and gantry systems. These multi-functional roller units perform multiple functions (load support, speed enablement, alignment) and can be interchangeably applied to various applications, reducing the need for custom-made components.
2Measurement precision
If custom-made bearing components are used to achieve precise gantry rotation, then the rotation precision is improved, but the ease of repair and component replacement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly is divided into discrete, modular roller units that can be independently removed and replaced without affecting other components. This segmentation allows damaged rollers to be easily swapped out for new ones, significantly improving repair ease while maintaining the precision required for accurate gantry rotation through proper alignment features.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates replaceable roller units that can be easily discarded and replaced when worn or damaged, rather than attempting to repair custom-made components. These standardized roller units are designed to be cost-effective replacements that maintain precision while enabling simple maintenance procedures.
3Speed
If a large number of rolling elements are used in bearing assemblies to enable high-speed rotation, then the gantry rotation capability is improved, but the manufacturing cost and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly is segmented into pre-fabricated roller units that can be manufactured independently and then assembled together. This segmentation allows for more efficient manufacturing of individual units and simplifies the overall assembly process, reducing total assembly time while accommodating the large number of rolling elements needed for high-speed rotation through systematic modular construction.
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 minimizes the part count and cost of gantry systems, reduces maintenance time and costs, and allows for the use of general-purpose rollers that are easily accessible for inspection and replacement.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of rollers rotatably supports the support rail to enable rotation of the frame about the rotational axis
Data Source
AI summary
A gantry system for use with a computed tomography imaging system is provided. The gantry system includes a frame, a support rail coupled to the frame, and a plurality of rollers. The frame defines an annular opening, and is configured to rotate about a rotational axis to collect imaging data from an object positioned within the opening. The support rail includes a canted sidewall having a radial inner surface and a radial outer surface. The plurality of rollers rotatably supports the support rail to enable rotation of the frame about the rotational axis. The plurality of rollers includes a first roller that engages the radial outer surface of the sidewall and a second roller that engages the radial inner surface of the sidewall.