Electron Beam Emitter Positioning for Stable Long Discharge Units

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing electron beam emission devices are unstable due to reliance on the accuracy of the rail and connecting plate arrangement, leading to potential misalignment and instability of the electron discharge unit.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of positioning parts between the electron discharge unit and the unit accommodation part, which are slidably in contact, allows for stable disposition of the electron discharge unit by supporting it at multiple positions, facilitating easy attachment and detachment, and ensuring accurate alignment even for long-shaped units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a long connecting plate is used to support the electron discharge unit, then the electron discharge unit can be disposed in the housing, but the arrangement accuracy is affected by rail and plate manufacturing tolerances leading to instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of electron discharge unit dispositionVSAvoidarrangement accuracy of rail and connecting plate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces positioning parts (positioning protrusions and positioning grooves) as intermediary elements between the connecting plate and the electron discharge unit. These positioning parts act as mediators that transfer and ensure accurate relative positioning without requiring high manufacturing precision of the main components. The positioning protrusions on the connecting plate fit into corresponding positioning grooves on the electron discharge unit, creating a mechanical interface that guarantees arrangement accuracy independent of rail and plate tolerances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the electron discharge unit has a long shape, then it can accommodate the discharge structure, but it becomes difficult to dispose stably in the housing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of attachment and detachmentVSAvoidstability of long electron discharge unit in housing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the positioning function into multiple independent positioning parts distributed along the long electron discharge unit. Instead of relying on a single support point, multiple positioning protrusions and grooves are provided at different locations, dividing the positioning task into several smaller, manageable interfaces. This segmentation allows each positioning interface to be simple and easy to engage, while collectively providing stable support for the entire long unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If multiple positioning parts are provided, then the electron discharge unit can be stably disposed, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestable disposition of electron discharge unitVSAvoidnumber of positioning parts
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple positioning functions into integrated positioning parts that are formed as integral components of the connecting plate and electron discharge unit. The positioning protrusions and grooves are not separate auxiliary components but are merged into the main structures, eliminating the need for additional fasteners or adjustment mechanisms. This merging approach provides stable positioning through the inherent geometry of the components themselves, avoiding the complexity that would arise from adding numerous separate positioning elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4131322B1Energy beam irradiation device
Publication Date: 2025.01.08 HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS KK
  • EP4131322B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4131322B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4131322B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is an energy beam emission device including: an electron discharge unit having a long electron discharge part; a housing having a window from which energy beams are emitted on the basis of electrons discharged from the electron discharge part; and a unit accommodation part capable of accommodating the electron discharge unit. A plurality of positioning parts are provided between an outer surface of the electron discharge unit and an inner surface of the unit accommodation part, the positioning parts being slidably in contact with an outer surface of the electron discharge unit or an inner surface of the unit accommodation part and performing positioning of the electron discharge part with respect to the unit accommodation part.