CT Gantry Multi-Point Support for Low-Power Rotation Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing CT machines face high power consumption, complex motor installation, and difficult maintenance due to the use of a single large bearing and poly V-belt drive system, which complicates repairs when the motor or rotatable portion fails.

Innovation Solution

A CT machine design featuring a frame with multiple support devices, each comprising a pivotable arm, pivot, and rotating wheels, where at least one wheel is a driving wheel, directly connected to a driving motor, allowing for distributed and adaptive multi-point support, reducing power consumption and simplifying maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a single large bearing and poly V-belt drive system is used, then the CT imaging system can be supported and driven to rotate, but the power consumption is high and the installation is complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single large bearing support system into multiple small bearing support devices. Each support device independently supports a portion of the rotatable portion, distributing the mechanical load and reducing the power required by each driving motor. This segmentation also simplifies installation and maintenance compared to a single complex large bearing system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If a single large bearing and poly V-belt drive system is used, then the CT imaging system can be supported and driven to rotate, but the motor installation becomes relatively complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor installation easeVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single motor drive system into multiple independent driving motors, each associated with a separate support device. This segmentation allows for simpler, more modular motor installation and easier replacement or maintenance of individual motors without affecting the entire system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of repair

If a single large bearing is used as rotary support, then the entire CT imaging system can be installed on it, but disassembly and repair become inconvenient when failure occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisassembly and repair easeVSAvoidsystem integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the monolithic large bearing into multiple independent support devices that can be easily detached and reattached. When a support device or driving motor fails, only that specific component needs to be removed and replaced, rather than disassembling the entire CT imaging system from a single large bearing, significantly improving ease of repair.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Use of energy by moving object

If multiple support devices with pivotable arms and rotating wheels are used, then power consumption is reduced and maintenance is simplified, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidsupport device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional single large bearing mechanical support system with a novel configuration of multiple support devices featuring pivotable arms and rotating wheels. This mechanical substitution reduces power consumption by distributing the support function across multiple lighter components and simplifies maintenance through modular design, despite increasing the number of individual parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 design achieves easy maintenance, reduced power consumption, and improved rotational stability, enhancing imaging quality and detection accuracy while extending the service life of structural components.

Implementation Method 1

a driving motor and at least two rotating wheels, the pivotable arm is pivotally connected to the frame through the pivot, and the at least two rotating wheels are arranged on the pivotable arm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the pivotable arm is pivotally connected to the frame through the pivot, the at least two rotating wheels are arranged on the pivotable arm and are located on two sides of a pivot axis of the pivotable arm respectively

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPivotal rotation: Hinge

Implementation Method 3

the driving wheel is capable of driving the rotatable portion to rotate around the rotation axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4644885A1CT machine
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 NUCTECH CO LTD
  • EP4644885A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4644885A1 patent drawingFigure 1B~2A
  • EP4644885A1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a CT machine, which relates to the field of radiation inspection technology. The CT machine includes: a frame; a plurality of support devices on the frame; a rotatable portion being capable of rotating around a rotation axis, the rotatable portion being jointly supported by the plurality of support devices during rotation; and a scan device comprising a ray source and a detector, the ray source and the detector being arranged opposite to each other along a radial direction of the rotatable portion. At least one of the plurality of support devices includes a pivotable arm, a pivot, a driving motor and at least two rotating wheels, the pivotable arm is pivotally connected to the frame through the pivot, and the at least two rotating wheels are arranged on the pivotable arm and are located on two sides of a pivot axis of the pivotable arm respectively. At least one of the at least two rotating wheels is a driving wheel, the driving motor is directly connected to the driving wheel, the driving wheel is capable of driving the rotatable portion to rotate around the rotation axis, and the driving motor includes a power output shaft parallel to the pivot.