Patent Description:
A traditional CT scanning apparatus mainly includes: a scanning device, a computer system, a power supply and an auxiliary apparatus. The scanning device includes a slip ring (rotating gantry), an X-ray tube and a detector which are mounted on the slip ring. An X-ray beam generated by the X-ray tube performs a transverse scanning to an inspected object such as a human body or a cargo through a collimator. Each detector receives an attenuation signal from an X-ray penetrating a human tissue or a cargo, converts the attenuation signal to an electrical signal, and then the electrical signal is converted into a digital signal (i.e., the original data) by an analog-to-digital conversion, and the digital signal is then stored in a memory. A magnitude of attenuation of the X-ray penetrating the inspected object is a function of a density of a substance through which a radiation beam passes. An attenuated X-ray is detected, and an X-ray photo image of the inspected object is generated to illustrate a result of the inspection.

In an existing CT scanning apparatus, a single large bearing is used as a rotating support for a slip ring. The slip ring, the X-ray tube and the detector are rotatably mounted on the large bearing, and a driving mechanism drives the slip ring to rotate through a multi-ribbed belt. A transmission channel for transmitting an inspected object passes through the large bearing and the slip ring, and the inspected object is detected while moving in the transmission channel. Generally, the slip ring is located inside a closed endless belt enclosed by the multi-ribbed belt. Since the multi-ribbed belt is a consumable part, it is required to be replaced within a certain period of time. During removal or mounting of the multi-ribbed belt, the ribbed belt is required to be removed from the slip ring or sleeved onto the slip ring from a side of the transmission channel. In this case, the operation of replacing the multi-ribbed belt is cumbersome and a.

The objective of the present disclosure is to solve at least one aspect of the above problems and defects in the related art.

According to an embodiment in an aspect of the present disclosure, a CT scanning apparatus is provided, including: a support frame; a slip ring rotatably mounted on the support frame; a driving mechanism mounted on the support frame, wherein the driving mechanism comprises a driving wheel; a guide wheel mounted on the support frame; and an endless belt enclosing a closed periphery, wherein the endless belt is in contact with the slip ring, the driving wheel and the guide wheel, so that the driving wheel drives the slip ring and the guide wheel to rotate through the endless belt, wherein the slip ring is in contact with the endless belt on an outer side of the periphery.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the driving wheel is in contact with the endless belt on the outer side of the periphery.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the guide wheel comprises a plurality of guide wheels arranged around the slip ring, and the plurality of guide wheels are in contact with the endless belt on an inner side of the periphery.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, one of the plurality of guide wheels serves as a tensioning wheel configured to tension the endless belt.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the CT scanning apparatus further includes a tensioning wheel configured to tension the endless belt.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the support frame comprises: an outer frame; and an inner frame having a cylinder shape, wherein the inner frame is fixed in the outer frame through a plurality of connecting members, the slip ring is rotatably mounted in the inner frame through a bearing mechanism and protruding axially from the inner frame to form a protruding portion, and the protruding portion is combined with the endless belt.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the driving mechanism further comprises: a supporting seat mounted on the outer frame and facing the inner frame; and a motor mounted on an outer side of the supporting seat opposite to the inner frame, wherein an output shaft of the motor passes through the supporting seat and extends parallel to an axis of the slip ring, and the driving wheel is mounted on the output shaft on an inner side of the supporting seat.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of guide wheels comprise a first guide wheel, a second guide wheel, a third guide wheel and a fourth guide wheel respectively located at vertexes of a quadrangle, the endless belt between the first guide wheel and the second guide wheel is combined with the driving wheel, and the first guide wheel and the second guide wheel are rotatably mounted on the inner side of the supporting seat.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the endless belt between the first guide wheel and the second guide wheel is combined with the slip ring, and the first guide wheel is rotatably mounted on one of the connecting members.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the fourth guide wheel is rotatably mounted on another one of the connecting members.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the endless belt is made of a multi-ribbed belt, and the protruding portion of the slip ring is provided with a sheave cooperating with the multi-ribbed belt.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an X-ray tube configured to emit an X-ray and a detector array radially opposite to the X-ray tube are mounted on the slip ring.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the endless belt is in contact with a portion of an outer circumference of the slip ring located between the X-ray tube and the detector array.

Technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part, not all of the embodiments of the present disclosure. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is actually illustrative only and is in no way intended to limit the present disclosure and an application or use of the present disclosure. Based on the embodiments of the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative work fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.

In the following detailed descriptions, for ease of explanation, various specific details are set forth in order to provide a comprehensive understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, however, one or more embodiments may be implemented without these specific details. In other circumstances, well-known structures and devices are shown in a diagram form to simplify the drawings. Technologies, methods, and apparatuses known to those of ordinary skill in the related art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such technologies, methods, and apparatuses should be considered as a part of the authorized specification.

In the descriptions of the present disclosure, it should be understood that orientations or positional relationships indicated by orientation words such as "front, rear, upper, lower, left, right", "transverse, vertical, perpendicular, horizontal" and "top, bottom" are usually orientations or positional relationships based on the drawings, and are based on a travel direction of a vehicle. They are only used for ease of describing the present disclosure and simplifying the description. Unless stated in contrary, these orientation words do not indicate and imply that a device or an element referred to necessarily has a specific orientation or is configured and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as a limitation on the protection scope of the present disclosure. The orientation words "inner" and "outer" refer to an inside and an outside relative to a profile of each component itself.

In the descriptions of the present disclosure, it should be understood that words such as "first" and "second" used to define components are only for ease of distinguishing the corresponding components. Unless otherwise stated, the above-mentioned words have no special meaning, and therefore, they may not be construed as a limitation on the protection scope of the present disclosure.

According to a general inventive concept of the present disclosure, there is provided a CT scanning apparatus, including: a support frame; a slip ring rotatably mounted on the support frame; a driving mechanism mounted on the support frame and including a driving wheel; a plurality of guide wheels mounted on the support frame; and an endless belt enclosing a closed periphery, wherein the endless belt is in contact with the slip ring, the driving wheel and the guide wheel, so that the driving wheel drives the slip ring and the guide wheel to rotate through the endless belt. The slip ring is in contact with the endless belt on an outer side of the periphery.

<FIG> shows a simplified schematic diagram of a CT scanning apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> shows a principle schematic diagram of a CT (computed tomography) scanning apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

In an exemplary embodiment, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a CT scanning apparatus <NUM> is suitable for inspecting a presence of prohibited items such as drugs, explosives, and flammables in an object <NUM> such as a package, a suitcase and a handbag at a place such as a station, an airport, a dock and the like. The CT scanning apparatus <NUM> includes: an inspection channel <NUM>; a transmission device <NUM> transmitting an inspected object <NUM> in the inspection channel <NUM>; and a scanning device configured to inspect the object <NUM> transmitted by the transmission device <NUM>. The transmission device <NUM> includes a transmission belt <NUM> for carrying the inspected object and a driving roller <NUM> for driving the transmission belt to move.

<FIG> shows a simplified stereo diagram of a CT scanning apparatus of an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> shows a front view of the CT scanning apparatus shown in <FIG>, wherein a supporting seat and a motor of a driving mechanism are not shown. <FIG> shows a side view of the CT scanning apparatus shown in <FIG>, including a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of <FIG>. <FIG> shows an enlarged schematic diagram of part A shown in <FIG>. <FIG> shows an enlarged schematic diagram of part B shown in <FIG>. <FIG> shows a simplified schematic diagram of a driving manner of a slip ring according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

In an exemplary embodiment, referring to <FIG>, the CT scanning apparatus <NUM> further includes: a support frame <NUM> having an outer profile of a substantially arched shape and being supported on a pedestal <NUM>; a slip ring <NUM> rotatably supported on the support frame <NUM>, an inspection passage <NUM> penetrating the slip ring <NUM>; a driving mechanism <NUM> mounted on the support frame <NUM> and including a driving wheel <NUM>; a plurality of guide wheels <NUM> mounted on the support frame <NUM>; and an endless belt <NUM> enclosing a closed periphery, wherein the endless belt <NUM> is in contact with the slip ring <NUM>, the driving wheel <NUM> and the guide wheels <NUM>, so that the driving wheel drives <NUM> the slip ring <NUM> and the guide wheels <NUM> to rotate through the endless belt <NUM>. The slip ring <NUM> is in contact with the endless belt <NUM> on an outer side of the periphery. That is, the slip ring <NUM> is located on an inner side of a closed annular space enclosed by the endless belt <NUM>. The scanning device includes the slip ring (rotating gantry) <NUM>, and an X-ray tube <NUM> and a detector array <NUM> which are mounted on the slip ring <NUM>.

During an inspection of the object <NUM>, a controller receives an operation instruction input by a user through a computer at a workstation, and controls an action of the driving mechanism <NUM> according to the operation instruction. The slip ring drives the X-ray tube and the detector <NUM> to rotate under a drive of the driving mechanism <NUM>, while the X-ray tube <NUM> may generate an X-ray beam under a control of the controller. The X-ray beam penetrates the inspected object <NUM> moving on the transmission device <NUM> and is irradiated onto a detector array <NUM>. The detector array <NUM> converts the X-ray beam received into an electrical signal and transmits the electrical signal to a data acquisition module. An image recognition module receives data of the data acquisition module, reconstructs the data received and generates image data. The image data generated is transmitted to the computer for recognition and inspection of the inspected object.

In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the driving wheel <NUM> is in contact with the endless belt <NUM> on the outer side of the periphery. In this way, the endless belt is in contact with at least a portion of an outer circular ring of the driving wheel without being sleeved on the driving wheel, which facilitates an operation of combing the endless belt with the slip ring or removing the endless belt from the slip ring.

In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the guide wheels include a plurality of guide wheels arranged around the slip ring. The plurality of guide wheels are in contact with the endless belt <NUM> on an inner side of the periphery, and are respectively located at vertexes of a polygon. It may be understood that each guide wheel is rotatably connected to a fixed shaft through a bearing mechanism.

Further, one of the plurality of guide wheels serves as a tensioning wheel configured to tension the endless belt <NUM>. In another exemplary embodiment, the CT scanning apparatus <NUM> further includes a tensioning wheel <NUM> configured to tension the endless belt <NUM>. By providing the tensioning wheel, the endless belt <NUM> may be kept in close contact with the driving wheel <NUM> and the slip ring <NUM>, and a friction force between the endless belt and the driving wheel as well as the slip ring is increased.

In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the support frame <NUM> includes: an outer frame <NUM> mounted on the pedestal <NUM>; and an inner frame <NUM> having a cylinder shape, wherein the inner frame <NUM> is fixed in the outer frame <NUM> through a plurality of connecting members <NUM>. The slip ring <NUM> is rotatably mounted in the inner frame <NUM> through a bearing mechanism <NUM> and protrudes axially from the inner frame <NUM> so as to form a protruding portion <NUM>, and the protruding portion <NUM> is combined with the endless belt <NUM>.

In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the driving mechanism <NUM> further includes: a supporting seat <NUM> mounted on the outer frame <NUM> and facing the inner frame <NUM>; and a motor <NUM> mounted on an outer side of the supporting seat <NUM> opposite to the inner frame <NUM>, wherein an output shaft <NUM> of the motor passes through the supporting seat <NUM> and extends parallel to an axis of the slip ring <NUM>, and the driving wheel <NUM> is mounted on the output shaft <NUM> on an inner side of the supporting seat <NUM>.

In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the plurality of guide wheels include a first guide wheel <NUM>, a second guide wheel <NUM>, a third guide wheel <NUM> and a fourth guide wheel <NUM> respectively located at vertexes of a quadrangle. An endless belt <NUM> between the second guide wheel <NUM> and the third guide wheel <NUM> is combined with the driving wheel <NUM>, and the second guide wheel <NUM> and the third guide wheel <NUM> are rotatably mounted on the inner side of the supporting seat <NUM>. In this way, there is a predetermined space between the inner frame <NUM> and the supporting seat <NUM>, and the predetermined space may be used to accommodate the driving wheel <NUM>, the second guide wheel <NUM> and the third guide wheel <NUM>, so that a thickness of the CT scanning apparatus <NUM> may be reduced.

In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the endless belt <NUM> between the first guide wheel <NUM> and the second guide wheel <NUM> is combined with the slip ring <NUM>. That is, the second guide wheel <NUM> is configured to abut the endless belt <NUM> against the driving wheel <NUM> and the slip ring <NUM>. The first guide wheel <NUM> is rotatably mounted on one of the connecting members <NUM>. The fourth guide wheel <NUM> is rotatably mounted on another one of the connecting members. That is, the first guide wheel <NUM> and the fourth guide wheel <NUM> are respectively rotatably mounted on the two connecting members <NUM> between the outer frame <NUM> and the inner frame <NUM>, and rotation shafts of the first guide wheel <NUM> and the fourth guide wheel <NUM> are parallel to the axis of the slip ring <NUM>, and do not exceed the protruding portion <NUM> of the slip ring <NUM>, so that the thickness of the CT scanning apparatus <NUM> is reduced.

According to an exemplary embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the endless belt <NUM> is made of a multi-ribbed belt, and the protruding portion <NUM> of the slip ring <NUM> is provided with a sheave <NUM> cooperating with the multi-ribbed belt. A plurality of protruding tooth-shaped portions of the multi-ribbed belt cooperate with a plurality of annular grooves of the sheave <NUM>. This may increase a friction between the multi-ribbed belt and the sheave, and prevent the multi-ribbed belt from sliding with respect to the slip ring. The slip ring <NUM> is in contact with a side of the multi-ribbed belt provided with the tooth shaped portions, and the guide wheels are in contact with a side of the multi-ribbed belt opposite to the tooth-shaped portions. That is, the side of the multi-ribbed belt provided with the tooth shaped portions is arranged toward the outside. It may be understood that similar sheaves are also provided on the guide wheel <NUM> and the driving wheel <NUM>. In an alternative embodiment, a cross section of the endless belt <NUM> is substantially triangular or trapezoidal. In another alternative embodiment, the endless belt <NUM> is a flat belt.

<FIG> shows a simplified schematic diagram of a driving manner of a slip ring according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the guide wheels include a first guide wheel <NUM>, a second guide wheel <NUM>, a third guide wheel <NUM> and a fourth guide wheel <NUM> which are arranged around the slip ring. The slip ring is in contact with the endless belt on the outer side of the closed periphery enclosed by the endless belt <NUM>. The first guide wheel <NUM>, the second guide wheel <NUM>, the third guide wheel <NUM> and the fourth guide wheel <NUM> are in contact with the endless belt <NUM> on the inner side of the periphery and are respectively located at vertexes of a quadrilateral. The CT scanning apparatus <NUM> further includes a tensioning wheel <NUM> configured to tension the endless belt <NUM>. The third guide wheel <NUM> and the fourth guide wheel <NUM> are rotatably mounted on the support frame, and the endless belt <NUM> between the third guide wheel <NUM> and the fourth guide wheel <NUM> is combined with the driving wheel <NUM>. The endless belt <NUM> between the first guide wheel <NUM> and the second guide wheel <NUM> is combined with the slip ring <NUM>.

In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, an X-ray tube <NUM> configured to emit an X-ray and a detector array <NUM> radially opposite to the X-ray tube <NUM> are mounted on the slip ring <NUM>. The X-ray tube <NUM> and the detector array <NUM> are driven by the driving mechanism <NUM> to rotate around the transmission channel <NUM> so as to perform an X-ray scanning inspection on the inspected object <NUM> moving in the transmission channel. The endless belt <NUM> is in contact with a portion of an outer circumference of the slip ring <NUM> between the X-ray tube <NUM> and the detector array <NUM>. That is, the endless belt <NUM> is not in contact with a portion of the outer circumference of the slip ring <NUM> where the X-ray tube <NUM> and the detector array <NUM> are arranged. In this way, the removal and mounting of the endless belt will not affect the X-ray tube <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a simplified schematic diagram of a driving manner of a slip ring according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the guide wheels include a first guide wheel <NUM> and a second guide wheel <NUM> which are arranged around the slip ring, and the slip ring is in contact with the endless belt on the outer side of the closed periphery enclosed by the endless belt <NUM>. The first guide wheel <NUM>, the second guide wheel <NUM> and the driving wheel <NUM> are in contact with the endless belt <NUM> on the inner side of the periphery, and are respectively located at vertexes of a triangle. The CT scanning apparatus <NUM> further includes a tensioning wheel <NUM> configured to tension the endless belt <NUM>. Those skilled in the art may understand that different numbers of guide wheels may be arranged and the guide wheels may be arranged in different positions as required, as long as the slip ring is in contact with the endless belt <NUM> on the outer side of the closed periphery enclosed by the endless belt <NUM>.

According to the CT scanning apparatus of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the slip ring <NUM> is in contact with the endless belt <NUM> on the outer side of the periphery, and the endless belt <NUM> is in contact with the slip ring <NUM>, the driving wheel <NUM> and the guide wheels <NUM>, so that the driving wheel <NUM> drives the slip ring <NUM> and the guide wheels <NUM> to rotate through the endless belt <NUM>. An outer diameter of the driving wheel <NUM> as a drive wheel may be very small, while an outer diameter of the slip ring as a driven wheel remains unchanged. By arranging a plurality of guide wheels <NUM>, the slip ring may be driven to rotate around the axis. The slip ring is in contact with the endless belt on the outer side of the periphery, and the endless belt is in contact with at least a portion of a circular ring outside the slip ring without being sleeved on the slip ring. In this way, during mounting, repairing or replacing the endless belt, other components, such as a protective housing, at an outer periphery of the slip ring are not required to be completely removed, so that an operation time of combining the endless belt with the slip ring or removing the endless belt from the slip ring may be significantly shortened. At the same time, due to an increase of the number of the guide wheels, the endless belt becomes longer, which is beneficial to reduce a wear amount of the endless belt and prolong a life of the endless belt.

Claim 1:
A CT scanning apparatus (<NUM>), comprising:
a support frame (<NUM>);
a slip ring (<NUM>) rotatably mounted on the support frame;
a driving mechanism (<NUM>) mounted on the support frame, wherein the driving mechanism comprises a driving wheel (<NUM>);
a guide wheel (<NUM>) mounted on the support frame; and
an endless belt (<NUM>) enclosing a closed periphery, wherein the endless belt is in contact with the slip ring, the driving wheel and the guide wheel, so that the driving wheel drives the slip ring and the guide wheel to rotate through the endless belt,
wherein the slip ring is in contact with the endless belt on an outer side of the periphery.