Rotational-to-Translational Manipulator for CT Detector Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
In industrial computed tomography examinations, eccentric positioning of the measurement object leads to suboptimal utilization of the X-ray detector area, resulting in lower magnification and reconstruction complexity, which increases costs due to the need for additional mechanics and effort to achieve optimal centering.
Innovation Solution
A manipulator design that converts rotational movement into translational movement using a mechanism with a first component having a curved guide, a second component with multiple joint interfaces, and reversing levers with guide follower sections, allowing optimal positioning of the measurement object between the X-ray tube and detector, thereby maximizing detector usage without the need for additional drives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the measurement object is positioned centrally to maximize detector utilization, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional positioning mechanics and drives
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex active positioning systems to move the measurement object to the center, the patent inverts the approach by using a manipulator that actively moves the detector to follow the object's position. The detector is coupled to the manipulator via reversing levers that convert rotational movement into translational movement, allowing the detector to adapt to the object's position rather than forcing the object into a fixed position.
Solution Approach 2:
The manipulator system enables the detector to automatically adjust its position to maintain optimal alignment with the measurement object. The reversing lever mechanism self-adjusts through the coupled rotational and translational movements, eliminating the need for external positioning systems or additional drives to center the object.
2Measurement precision
If additional positioning drives and mechanics are added to achieve optimal object centering, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manipulator serves multiple functions: it positions the detector in the radial direction, maintains optimal alignment with the measurement object, and enables both rotational and translational movements. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate positioning systems, reducing the number of components and manufacturing costs while achieving the same measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The reversing lever acts as an intermediary mechanism that couples the rotational movement of the manipulator to the translational movement of the detector. This intermediary mechanism efficiently converts motion types without requiring additional drives or complex positioning systems, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
3Device complexity
If the measurement object is positioned off-center, then device complexity is reduced, but detector area utilization decreases leading to lower magnification
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static positioning approach to a dynamic one. The manipulator enables the detector to dynamically adjust its position and orientation to follow the measurement object during rotation. The reversing lever mechanism continuously adapts the detector's translational position based on the rotational movement, maximizing detector area utilization without requiring complex fixed positioning structures.
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 design enables cost-effective optimal positioning of the measurement object, reducing unused detector pixels and maintaining measurement accuracy, thus improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of computed tomography examinations.
Implementation Method 1
a first guide (162) which extends along a trajectory (162') that essentially corresponds to a curve curved towards an axis of rotation (RA) of the first component (130), oblique to a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation and oblique to any planes containing the axis of rotation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
Manipulator (100; 200, 200') for producing a translational movement from a rotational movement, having a first component (130; 260) in which there is formed a first guide (162) which extends along a trajectory (162') that corresponds substantially to a curve that is curved towards a rotation axis of the first component, said curve extending in an inclined manner with respect to a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis (RA) and in an inclined manner with respect to any planes which contain the rotation axis; a second component (120; 250) with at least three first joint interfaces (142b, 144b, 146b, 148b; 213, 217, 219) in a first joint plane (131); a third component (110; 210) with at least three second joint interfaces (122b, 124b, 126b, 128b; 212, 214, 216, 218) in a second joint plane (121), wherein the at least three first joint interfaces and the at least three second joint interfaces are arranged in a congruent manner with one another and the first and the second joint planes are parallel to one another; and at least three deflection levers (112, 114, 116, 118; 222, 224, 226, 228) which are each connected in an articulated manner to a third joint interface (142a, 144a, 146a, 148a) by a particular one of the at least three first joint interfaces (142b, 144b, 146b, 148b) and are each connected in an articulated manner to a fourth joint interface (122a, 124a, 126a, 128a) by a particular one of the at least three second joint interfaces (122b, 124b, 126b, 128b), wherein a first of the deflection levers (112) has a first guide following section (152) which is mounted in the first guide (162); wherein the manipulator is configured such that the first component (130) and the second component (120) are rotatable about the rotation axis (RA) with respect to one another by the rotational movement, with the result that the third component (110) is moved translationally by the first guide following section (152) being guided in the first guide (162).