CT Scanner Rotary Support Segmentation for Easier Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing CT machines face maintenance challenges due to the use of a single large bearing as a rotary support, which is difficult to repair and replace, and the poly V-belt transmission system is prone to failure under excessive tension, affecting the service life and rigidity of the imaging system.

Innovation Solution

A CT machine design featuring a distributed multi-point rotary support system with multiple supporting devices, each comprising rotating wheels and a 'seesaw' structure, along with axial and radial limiting mechanisms, to stabilize the rotatable portion and improve maintenance accessibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single large bearing is used as rotary support, then the structure is simple, but the component is difficult to repair and replace

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidmaintenance accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single large bearing into multiple smaller supporting devices (at least three), each independently supporting the rotatable portion. This segmentation makes each component smaller, easier to access, repair, and replace while maintaining the overall support function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If a poly V-belt transmission system is used, then the structure is compact, but the system is prone to failure under excessive tension

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure compactnessVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the poly V-belt transmission system entirely and replaces it with a direct drive mechanism where the driving wheel is directly connected to the driving motor. This eliminates the transmission belt and its associated tension problems, improving reliability while maintaining compactness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Stability of the object's composition

If a single large bearing is used, then the support function is sufficient, but the maintenance complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation stabilityVSAvoidmaintenance complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the single large bearing into multiple smaller supporting devices that can be independently maintained. This reduces maintenance complexity by allowing individual component replacement without affecting the entire system, while the collective arrangement maintains rotation stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Stability of the object's composition

If the rotatable portion is heavily supported, then the rotation stability is improved, but the imaging system rigidity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation stabilityVSAvoidimaging system rigidity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses axial limiting mechanisms and radial limiting mechanisms that apply localized constraints at specific positions. This provides rotation stability through targeted support while maintaining the overall rigidity of the imaging system by avoiding excessive generalized support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4644886A1CT scanning apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 NUCTECH CO LTD
  • EP4644886A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4644886A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4644886A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A CT machine is provided, including: a first frame; a plurality of supporting devices on the first frame; a rotatable portion capable of rotating around a rotation axis when driven by a driving wheel, and the rotatable portion being jointly supported by the plurality of supporting devices during rotation; a scanning device comprising a ray source and a detector, the ray source and the detector being both arranged on the rotatable portion; and an axial limiting mechanism for limiting movements of the rotatable portion along a first direction and a second direction, the first direction and the second direction being both parallel to the rotation axis, and the first direction being opposite to the second direction. The plurality of supporting devices are further configured to limit a movement of the rotatable portion along a first radial direction, the CT machine further comprises a radial limiting mechanism on the first frame, the radial limiting mechanism is configured to limit a movement of the rotatable portion along a second radial direction, the first radial direction and the second radial direction are both parallel to the radial direction of the rotatable portion and opposite to each other.