X-ray Detector Filter Insertion via Side Opening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing X-ray detection devices face difficulties in flexibly changing detection sensitivity across various energy ranges without altering the device's height, and replacing filters can scratch the detector or require adjusting camera height, making system design challenging.

Innovation Solution

A radiation detection device with a filter member that can be inserted through a side opening of the housing to cover the detector, allowing for easy adjustment of detection sensitivity without changing the device's height, and a configuration where the filter is disposed apart from the detector to prevent scratching and artifacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the filter is disposed on the upper surface of the scintillator, then the detection sensitivity can be adjusted for various energy ranges, but the filter may scratch the detector during adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection sensitivity adjustmentVSAvoiddetector integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The filter is moved from the upper surface (vertical dimension) to the side surface (horizontal dimension) of the housing, changing the spatial dimension of filter placement. This allows filter adjustment without direct contact with the detector, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the filter is disposed to cover a slit on the upper surface of the metal box, then the detection sensitivity can be adjusted, but the camera height must be changed in conformity with the filter type thickness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection sensitivity adjustmentVSAvoidsystem design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter placement is shifted from the upper surface to the side surface of the housing, and the adjustment mechanism moves from vertical (height) adjustment to horizontal (lateral) insertion. This eliminates the need to change camera height for different filter thicknesses, reducing system design complexity while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If the filter is disposed apart from the detector, then the risk of scratching the detector is reduced, but the filter must be inserted through a side opening requiring additional housing structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetector integrityVSAvoidhousing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented with a dedicated side opening specifically for filter insertion, separating the filter access path from the detector area. This allows the filter to be disposed apart from the detector, protecting detector integrity while the opening provides a controlled access point that minimizes additional structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables easy adjustment of detection sensitivity across various energy bands without altering the device's height, reducing the risk of filter-detector contact and artifacts, and simplifying system design by allowing filter replacement without compromising detection accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

a filter that attenuates at least a part of the incident radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAttenuation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3396362B1Radiation detection device, radiation testing system, and method for adjusting radiation detection device
Publication Date: 2021.01.27 HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS KK
  • EP3396362B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3396362B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3396362B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(c)

AI summary

An X-ray detection device 10 is a device detecting X-rays having transmitted through a test subject, and comprises a filter member 40 including a filter 42 that attenuates some of X-rays, a detector 20 that detects the X-rays partially attenuated by the filter 42, and a housing 30 that places the detector 20 therein. The housing 30 includes a principal surface 32 including a slit 31 capable of going through the X-rays, and a side surface 34 including an opening 35 which extends in the direction orthogonal to the principal surface 32 and through which the filter 42 can be inserted. The filter 42 of the filter member 40 is disposed in the housing 30 so as to cover a line sensor 22 of the detector 20 and a scintillator 25 in a state of being apart from the detector 20.