CT Imaging System Tilt Mechanism Using Planetary Gears
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Solution Overview
Problem
CT imaging systems face challenges in minimizing their profile while maximizing tilt capability, maintaining tilt angles, and ensuring structural integrity and stability during high-speed scanning, particularly due to centrifugal forces affecting rotating components.
Innovation Solution
The use of a planetary gear mechanism for tilting the torus of the CT imaging system, a fail-safe brake to maintain tilt in case of power loss, and a rotating cup-shaped disc with enhanced structural integrity and novel mounting of components to mitigate centrifugal forces, along with a slip ring for power transfer and a position sensor for real-time positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional tilting mechanism is used to maximize tilt capability, then the tilt angle range is improved, but the system profile and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tilting mechanism is nested within the existing gantry structure, with the torus assembly integrated into the gantry's internal space. This allows the tilting functionality to be incorporated without significantly increasing the external profile of the imaging system, resolving the contradiction between tilt capability and system compactness
2Productivity
If high-speed scanning is performed to improve productivity, then scan speed is improved, but structural stability deteriorates due to centrifugal forces
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating disc is designed with a cup-shaped curved structure rather than a flat configuration. This curvature provides structural rigidity that resists centrifugal forces during high-speed rotation, maintaining component alignment and stability while enabling faster scanning speeds
3Stability of the object's composition
If the rotating disc structure is strengthened to improve stability, then structural integrity is improved, but the system weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating disc utilizes a composite construction combining rigid structural elements with lighter supporting components. The cup-shaped design provides structural integrity through its geometry rather than requiring excessive material, achieving stability while controlling the weight of the rotating assembly
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 allows for efficient and safe tilting of the CT imaging system with reduced profile, stable high-speed scanning, and improved image quality by maintaining component alignment and stability, while ensuring safety through fail-safe mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
a planetary gear comprising a curved lower planet gear mounted to said base, a curved upper planet gear mounted to said torus, and a sun gear disposed between said curved lower planet gear and said curved upper planet gear; and a motor for rotating said sun gear; wherein rotation of said sun gear causes said sun gear to move longitudinally relative to said curved lower planet gear, and also causes said curved upper planet gear to move longitudinally relative to said sun gear, whereby to move said upper planet gear longitudinally relative to said lower planet gear; and further wherein longitudinal movement of said curved upper planet gear relative to said curved lower planet gear tilts said torus relative to said base
Implementation Method 2
a slip ring for transferring power and/or data between said fixed gantry and said rotating disc while said rotating disc is rotating
Implementation Method 3
a position sensor for determining the rotational disposition of said rotating disc relative to said fixed gantry, said position sensor comprising: a fixed encoder reader mounted to said fixed gantry; and a rotating rotary encoder strip mounted to said rotating disc and extending circumferentially around said rotating disc; wherein said fixed encoder reader is disposed adjacent to said rotating rotary encoder strip such that said fixed encoder reader can read said rotating rotary encoder strip so as to determine the rotational disposition of said rotating rotary encoder strip relative to said fixed encoder reader
Implementation Method 4
maintaining tilt angles, and ensuring structural integrity and stability during high-speed scanning, particularly due to centrifugal forces affecting rotating components
Data Source
AI summary
An anatomical imaging system of the sort having a fixed gantry and a rotating disc, with an adjustable angle of tilt and increased structural integrity, and with improved power transmission and position sensing.