Magnetic X-Ray Collimator Assembly for Backlash-Free Aperture Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-ray spectrometer devices face challenges in achieving high lateral spatial resolution and precise alignment of collimator apertures due to positional inaccuracy caused by backlash in the worm gear assembly, leading to compromised analysis performance.
Innovation Solution
A collimator assembly with a rotatable gear assembly, a worm screw, and a magnet arrangement that uses magnetic forces to maintain precise alignment of apertures with the predefined axis, overcoming backlash issues and ensuring accurate collimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a worm gear assembly is used to rotate the collimator plate, then the collimator apertures can be positioned and switched between different locations, but backlash in the worm gear assembly causes positional inaccuracy and misalignment of the apertures with the predefined axis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical worm gear positioning system with a hybrid system that incorporates a magnetic field. A permanent magnet is positioned near the collimator plate, and a magnetizable material is applied to the surface of the collimator plate. The magnetic field interacts with the magnetizable material to provide precise positioning and eliminate backlash effects, thereby maintaining alignment precision while retaining the ability to switch between different apertures.
2Measurement precision
If the aperture size is reduced to achieve high lateral spatial resolution, then the spatial resolution is improved, but the positioning precision requirement becomes more stringent and is compromised by backlash
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic field interaction between the permanent magnet and the magnetizable material on the collimator plate provides fine positional control that is not limited by mechanical backlash. This enables the system to achieve and maintain the high positioning precision required for small aperture sizes, thereby realizing high lateral spatial resolution without compromising positioning accuracy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an electro-mechanical collimator assembly is used to enable switching between apertures of different sizes and shapes, then the adaptability is improved, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator plate is segmented to include multiple apertures of different sizes and shapes, each serving a specific collimation function. The permanent magnet and magnetizable material are integrated into the collimator assembly structure, providing a compact and relatively simple implementation of aperture switching capability without requiring complex electro-mechanical actuation systems.
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 provides improved spatial precision and alignment of collimator apertures, enhancing the analysis performance of X-ray spectrometer devices by maintaining accurate positioning of the collimated X-ray beam on the sample surface.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet arrangement for generating a magnetic force that is arranged to push or pull the gear assembly into a predefined direction of rotation to prevent rotational movement due to backlash
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4A
Figure 4B~4C
AI summary
In accordance with the invention, a collimator assembly 100 for a X-ray spectrometer device is provided, the collimator assembly comprising a rotatable gear assembly 103 including a collimator plate having a plurality of apertures 109 of different size and/or shape arranged therein; a driving assembly 101 for rotating the gear assembly to bring the gear assembly into a rotational position where a selected one of the plurality of apertures is spatially aligned with a predefined axis B along which a collimated X-ray beam is to be provided from the X-ray spectrometer device; and a magnet arrangement 105,108 for generating a magnetic force that is arranged to push or pull the gear assembly into a predefined direction of rotation to keep the selected one of the plurality of apertures spatially aligned with said predefined axis.