CT Slip Ring Belt Layout for Faster Belt Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The replacement of the multi-ribbed belt in traditional CT scanning apparatuses is cumbersome and time-consuming, requiring significant manpower and time due to the need to remove and sleeve the belt from the slip ring, leading to inefficiencies in maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A CT scanning apparatus design featuring a slip ring in contact with an endless belt on its outer side, driven by a driving wheel and guided by multiple guide wheels, allowing the slip ring to rotate without the belt being sleeved, and incorporating a tensioning wheel to maintain belt tension, reducing the need for complete disassembly during maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a multi-ribbed belt is used to drive the slip ring, then the slip ring can be driven to rotate, but the belt replacement becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces guide wheels that divide the belt path into segments, allowing the belt to be accessed and replaced at multiple points along the slip ring circumference rather than requiring complete disassembly from a single location
Solution Approach 2:
The guide wheels act as intermediary components that redirect the belt path, enabling easier access to the belt for replacement without requiring removal from the slip ring itself, thus simplifying the maintenance operation
2Productivity
If the belt is sleeved onto the slip ring from the transmission channel side, then the slip ring can be driven, but the replacement requires significant manpower and time
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of sleeving the belt onto the slip ring from the transmission channel side as in traditional designs, the patent configures the belt to contact the slip ring on its outer side, allowing replacement from the opposite direction and reducing installation complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial dimension of belt-slip ring contact from internal (through the transmission channel) to external (outer side), providing easier access for maintenance operations without increasing device complexity
3Ease of repair
If a single large bearing supports the slip ring, then the slip ring can rotate, but the belt replacement requires complete disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The introduction of guide wheels segments the belt path into multiple accessible sections, allowing the belt to be replaced at specific locations without requiring complete disassembly of the entire drive system
Solution Approach 2:
The guide wheels create localized access points along the belt path where maintenance can be performed, allowing belt replacement at specific locations rather than requiring global disassembly of the entire drive mechanism
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
Facilitates quicker and less labor-intensive belt replacement or maintenance, extending the belt's lifespan and reducing operational downtime by minimizing the need for full disassembly, while maintaining effective rotation and scanning performance.
Implementation Method 1
the endless belt is in contact with the slip ring, the driving wheel and the guide wheel, so that the driving wheel drives the slip ring and the guide wheel to rotate through the endless belt
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a CT scanning apparatus, including: a support frame; a slip ring rotatably mounted on the support frame; a driving mechanism mounted on the support frame, wherein the driving mechanism includes a driving wheel; a plurality of guide wheels mounted on the support frame; and an endless belt enclosing a closed periphery, wherein the endless belt is in contact with the slip ring, the driving wheel and the guide wheels, so that the driving wheel drives the slip ring and the guide wheels to rotate through the endless belt. The slip ring is in contact with the endless belt on an outer side of the periphery. During mounting, repairing or replacing the endless belt, other components at an outer periphery of the slip ring are not required to be completely removed, so that the operation time of combining the endless belt with the slip ring or removing the endless belt from the slip ring may be significantly shortened.