Imaging System Coupling for Misalignment Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Machining inaccuracies and misalignment in the mechanical linear actuator of imaging system subject supports lead to undesired horizontal force, causing imaging system downtime, increased manufacturing costs, and the need for tighter machining tolerances.
Innovation Solution
A coupling with three or more degrees of freedom is used to compensate for machining inaccuracies and misalignment, allowing the tabletop to translate and rotate freely, reducing unwanted force and enabling relaxed machining tolerances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If tight machining tolerances are used in the mechanical linear actuator, then manufacturing precision is improved, but manufacturing cost and build time increase
Solution Approach 1:
A coupling mechanism with multiple degrees of freedom is introduced as an intermediary between the mechanical linear actuator and the tabletop. This coupling compensates for machining inaccuracies and misalignment through its ability to accommodate positional variations, thereby allowing relaxed machining tolerances while maintaining functional performance. The coupling acts as a mediator that absorbs the effects of manufacturing variations without requiring tighter tolerances in the actuator components.
2Manufacturing precision
If tight alignment tolerances are used in the mechanical linear actuator, then manufacturing precision is improved, but imaging system downtime increases due to replacement or realignment needs
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism changes the operational parameters by introducing multiple degrees of freedom that allow it to accommodate misalignment. This parameter change enables the system to function with relaxed alignment tolerances, reducing the frequency of replacements and realignments, thereby decreasing imaging system downtime while maintaining acceptable manufacturing precision.
3Strength
If a rigid coupling is used to maintain stiff assembly, then structural rigidity is improved, but horizontal force compensation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism incorporates dynamic elements that allow it to adapt to misalignment conditions while maintaining overall structural rigidity. The multi-degree-of-freedom design enables the coupling to compensate for horizontal forces and misalignment through controlled movement, while still providing a stiff assembly that maintains positional stability during operation.
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 solution reduces imaging system downtime, maintains consistent horizontal force across product lines, and decreases manufacturing build time and overall system cost while maintaining a stiff assembly with minimal backlash.
Implementation Method 1
The threaded shaft rotates which provides a helical raceway for the nut, which translates along the threaded shaft. Rotating the threaded shaft causes the nut to linearly translate along the axis of the threaded shaft and hence the table top to linearly translate along the slides.
Data Source
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AI summary
A subject support (114) of an imaging system (100) includes a tabletop (124) that supports a subject or object in an examination region of the imaging system, a base (116), including a mechanical linear actuator (118), and a coupling (128) that mechanically couples the tabletop and the linear mechanical actuator such that the linear mechanical actuator translates the tabletop with respect to the examination region. The coupling rotates in two directions and translates in two directions, thereby providing four degrees of freedom, compensating for at least one of machining inaccuracies or misalignment of the linear mechanical actuator.