X-Ray Folded Field-of-View Optics for Triple-Reflection Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current X-ray detection devices, such as CT devices, are too large, costly, or unable to form images of an object's interior with appropriate resolution, and suffer from errors in 3D reconstruction due to triple reflections in the folded field-of-view.
Innovation Solution
An X-ray device with a folding mirror that reduces size by folding the field-of-view, using a single mirror to minimize triple reflections by adjusting the angle and position of the scintillator, mirror, and camera to ensure only single reflections are detected, and employing a shroud to block stray light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a folding mirror is used to reduce the size of the X-ray device, then the device dimensions are reduced, but triple reflections occur causing errors in 3D reconstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a folding mirror to fold the optical path in a spatial dimension, allowing the camera to receive off-axis light while maintaining a compact device footprint. This dimensional manipulation enables the optical path to fold back on itself without creating triple reflections, resolving the contradiction between compact size and imaging accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts the angle of the folding mirror relative to the optical axis as a critical parameter. By optimizing this angle, the device achieves minimal folded field-of-view volume while preventing triple specular reflections. This parameter optimization allows the device to maintain both compact dimensions and reliable 3D reconstruction by controlling the reflection geometry.
2Volume of moving object
If the angle of the mirror is decreased from forty-five degrees to reduce the volume of the folded field-of-view, then the device size is reduced, but the risk of triple specular reflections increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent systematically adjusts the mirror angle as a controllable parameter, finding the optimal balance between minimizing folded field-of-view volume and preventing triple specular reflections. By carefully selecting the mirror angle, the device achieves compact dimensions while maintaining imaging fidelity through controlled reflection geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent proactively designs the optical geometry to prevent triple specular reflections before they can occur. By establishing appropriate angular relationships between the mirror, scintillator, and camera from the design stage, the system eliminates the harmful reflection pathway while achieving compact folded field-of-view dimensions.
3Volume of moving object
If the relative orientations of the scintillator, mirror, and camera are optimized to minimize the folded field of view, then the device size is reduced, but triple reflections between mirror and scintillator occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses spatial dimensional manipulation through the folding mirror to achieve compact detection subsystem volume while maintaining accurate light path information. The folded optical path allows the system to capture off-axis light without creating ambiguous reflection pathways that would corrupt the 3D reconstruction data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a single folding mirror rather than multiple mirrors or complex optical trains, simplifying the detection subsystem while achieving the dual goals of compact volume and accurate light path tracking. This streamlined approach eliminates unnecessary reflection surfaces that could generate triple reflections.
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 solution reduces the size of the X-ray device while improving 3D reconstruction accuracy by minimizing artifacts and errors in imaging, allowing for smaller dimensions without compromising image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a scintillator arranged to absorb, on a first side of the scintillator, the X-rays after interaction with an object that has been placed in the X-ray device, the scintillator being configured to emit light from a second side of the scintillator in response to absorption of the X-rays
Implementation Method 2
a single mirror arranged to reflect the light from the second side of the scintillator toward a camera
Data Source
AI summary
An X-ray device includes an X-ray source, a scintillator, a single mirror, and a camera. The camera has a field-of-view around an optical axis of the camera. The single mirror fully contains the field-of-view as the field-of-view is folded by the single mirror toward the scintillator. The single mirror is positioned at an angle with respect to a plane that is normal to the optical axis at a point where the optical axis intersects the single mirror. The angle is decreased from forty-five degrees to reduce a volume of the folded field-of-view of the camera. The angle is greater than or equal to a threshold angle that prevents triple specular reflections of light between the single mirror and the scintillator.