CN219499365U

CN219499365U - Apparatus and method for controlling the operation of a device

Info

Publication number: CN219499365U
Application number: CN202223064930.2U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 安德烈亚斯·法克尔迈尔; 彼得·米夏埃尔·迪彭贝克; 拉尔夫·特罗默尔; 菲利普·奎德瑙
Original assignee: Siemens Healthineers AG
Current assignee: Siemens Healthineers AG
Priority date: 2021-11-19
Filing date: 2022-11-18
Publication date: 2023-08-08
Anticipated expiration: 2032-11-18
Also published as: DE102021213027A1

Abstract

The utility model relates to a device having two parts that are movable relative to each other. One signal line each is provided in both sections. Together, the two signal lines form a directional coupler for contactless overcoupling of a signal from one signal line into the other signal line or vice versa even during movement of the two parts relative to each other. The two lines each have two end regions. The transmitting means is coupled to an end region of one signal line and the receiving means is coupled to an end region of the other signal line. The signal fed into a signal line by the transmitting device can thus be received by the receiving device. The other transmitting device is coupled to one of the two remaining end regions, and the other receiving device is coupled to the now remaining end region. The other signal fed into one signal line or into another signal line by another transmitting device may be received by another receiving device.

Description

Apparatus and method for controlling the operation of a device

Technical Field

The present utility model is based on the object of an apparatus,

wherein the device has a first part and a second part movable relative to the first part,

wherein the device has a first signal line arranged in the first part and a second signal line arranged in the second part,

wherein the first signal line and the second signal line have a first end region and a second end region respectively,

wherein the first signal line and the second signal line are arranged relative to each other such that the first signal line and the second signal line together form a directional coupler for contactless overcoupling of a signal from the first signal line into the second signal line or from the second signal line into the first signal line even during movement of the second part relative to the first part,

wherein the device has a first transmitting means arranged in the first part and coupled to the first end region of the first signal line for feeding an electrical, electromagnetic or optical first signal into the first signal line,

-wherein the device has first receiving means arranged in the second part and coupled to the first end region of the second signal line for receiving the first signal.

Background

Such devices are generally known. Reference may be made purely by way of example to DE 10 2016 208 539 A1 and EP 3 503 349 A1.

In a computed tomography scanner, the detected image signal data must be transmitted from a rotating part (gantry) to a stationary part (base). The transmission may take place by means of slip rings. However, slip rings require contact and are therefore unreliable, especially for higher transmission rates. Furthermore, the slip ring is subjected to mechanical wear.

In the prior art, see the two documents mentioned at the beginning, it is therefore known to transmit data without contact. For this purpose, a first transmitter is provided in the housing, which feeds the data to be transmitted into a first signal line which is likewise provided in the housing. A second signal line is arranged in the base body, which second signal line forms a directional coupler together with the first signal line, so that a signal fed into the first signal line is over-coupled into the second signal line. Furthermore, a first receiving device is arranged in the base body, which receives the first signal that has been coupled into the second signal line. In the opposite direction, control signals are also transmitted in a similar manner from the base body (or the control device fixed in position relative to the base body) to the components arranged in the machine frame. In this case, the individual signal line pairs are used for data transmission in the opposite direction, i.e. from the base body to the rack. Thus, only one-way data transmission is performed via the corresponding signal line pairs, respectively.

Disclosure of Invention

The aim of the utility model is to create the following possibilities: by means of which data transmission can be simplified and components can be saved.

The object is achieved by a device having the features of the embodiments of the present utility model. An advantageous design of the device is the subject of the embodiments.

According to the utility model, a device of the type mentioned at the outset is designed in the following manner: the device has: a second transmitting device disposed in the first portion and coupled to the second end region of the first signal line for feeding an electrical, electromagnetic or optical second signal into the first signal line; and having second receiving means arranged in the second part and coupled to the second end region of the second signal line for receiving the second signal or vice versa, the device having: a second transmitting device disposed in the second portion and coupled to the second end region of the second signal line for feeding an electrical, electromagnetic or optical second signal into the second signal line; and a second receiving device disposed in the first portion and coupled to the second end region of the first signal line for receiving a second signal.

Thus, the same signal line pair (i.e., the first signal line and the second signal line) may be used to transmit two different signals. Here, alternatively, via the signal line pair, unidirectional transmission (i.e. twice from the first part to the second part) or bidirectional transmission (i.e. once each from the first part to the second part and from the second part to the first part) of two signals is possible.

Preferably, the first receiving means has a first filter on the input side and the second receiving means has a second filter on the input side. Thus, the resulting signal-to-noise ratio and thus the transmission security can be improved.

It is particularly possible for the first filter and the second filter to be designed as a Diplexer (Diplexer). The first filter being configured as a diplexer means that the second signal is known to the first filter and thus the first filter is able to subtract the second signal from the signal fed to the first filter and thereby extract the first signal. Similar embodiments apply to the second filter. When the second transmitting device then feeds the second signal into the second signal line, it is particularly conceivable to form a diplexer, i.e. to transmit data in both directions via the signal line pair.

The signal lines may be constructed as desired. For example, the signal line may be configured as a coaxial waveguide with a coaxial coupler or as another line structure with a suitable coupler. However, the first signal line and the second signal line are preferably configured as dielectric waveguides. The design scheme has the following advantages: it is possible to almost completely over-couple a signal from a first signal line into a second signal line and to almost completely over-couple a signal from a second signal line into a first signal line.

Preferably, the first signal line and the second signal line each have a termination in their two respective end regions, by means of which the reflection of the first signal and the second signal is attenuated or suppressed. Thereby improving the quality of the signal transmission. The respective termination may be an integral part of the respective transmitting device or receiving device.

According to a further embodiment of the signal transmission, it can be provided that the first transmitting device feeds a first signal in a specific frequency range into the first signal line and the second transmitting device feeds a second signal in the same frequency range into the first signal line or the second signal line. However, preferably, the first transmitting device is configured such that it feeds a first signal in a first frequency range into the first signal line, and the second transmitting device is configured such that it feeds a second signal in a second frequency range into the first signal line or the second signal line. Here, the first frequency range and the second frequency range are frequency ranges different from each other.

Preferably, the centre frequency of the first frequency range is at most 20% more spaced from the centre frequency of the second frequency range than the bandwidth of the first frequency range and/or the second frequency range. Thus, although the spacing should be greater than the average of the two bandwidths of the two frequency ranges, it should not be very large. Thus, the overall bandwidth required for both signal transmissions in its entirety (and in particular for EMV and EMI cases must be considered) can be kept low.

The movement of the second part relative to the first part may be a linear movement. However, in many cases, the movement of the second part relative to the first part is a rotational movement. This is then particularly the case when the device is configured as a computer tomography scanner with a gantry and the first or the second part is the gantry of the computer tomography scanner.

Drawings

The above features, features and advantages, and the manner and manner of how the same are accomplished, will become more readily apparent and more clearly understood from the following description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Here, a schematic diagram is shown:

figure 1 shows in a cross-sectional view a device having a first part and a second part,

figure 2 shows a system for data transmission,

figure 3 shows the end of the signal line and the transmitting means,

figure 4 shows the end of the signal line and the receiving means,

FIG. 5 shows a frequency chart, and

fig. 6 shows another system for data transmission.

Detailed Description

According to fig. 1, the device 1 has a first part 2 and a second part 3. The second part 3 is movable relative to the first part 2. In many cases, one of the two parts 2, 3, for example the base body of the device 1, is stationary. The manner of movement of the second part 3 relative to the first part 2 may be arbitrary. Typically a rotational movement. In which case there is a rotation axis 4 and the second part 3 can rotate about the rotation axis 4 relative to the first part 2. This is given by way of example, the device 1 is configured as a computed tomography scanner with a gantry, and one of the two parts 2, 3, the first part 2 according to fig. 1, is the gantry of the computed tomography scanner.

A first signal line 5 (see also fig. 2) is provided in the first part 2. In a similar manner, a second signal line 6 is provided in the second part 3. The two signal lines 5, 6 each have a first end region 7,8 and a second end region 9, 10. The two signal lines 5, 6 are preferably designed as dielectric waveguides. But other designs are possible. Possible structural designs of the signal lines 5, 6 are known, for example, from EP 3 503 349 A1.

In the first part 2, a first transmitting means 11 is provided. The first transmitting means 11 is coupled to the first end region 7 of the first signal line 5. Thereby, the first transmitting device 11 is able to feed the first signal S1 into the first signal line 5. The first signal S1 may be an electrical signal, an electromagnetic signal (signal wave), or an optical signal, as desired. By means of the first signal S1, data detected by components arranged in the first part 2 can be fed into the first signal line 5 in digital form, for example.

In the case of a computed tomography scanner, the data may be, for example, detected X-ray image data. However, irrespective of the type of data, the data is digital and is converted to the transmission frequency by the first transmitting means 11 before being fed into the first signal line 5. The transmission frequency is typically in the one-digit or two-digit GHz range, for example at 24GHz or 60GHz. In some cases, transmission frequencies in the three-digit GHz range, for example at 120GHz, are also possible.

In the second part 3 a first receiving means 12 is provided. The first receiving means 12 are coupled to the first end region 8 of the second signal line 6. Thereby, the first receiving device 12 is able to receive the signal guided by the second signal line 6.

The two signal lines 5, 6 are arranged relative to each other such that the signal lines 5, 6 together form a directional coupler. The first signal S1 can thus be coupled out of the first signal line 5 into the second signal line 6 without contact, i.e. across an air gap, i.e. coupled out of the first signal line 5 and into the second signal line 6. Thus, the signal received by the first receiving means 12 is the first signal S1. The first signal S1 received by the first receiving means 12 is in turn converted back from the transmission frequency by the first receiving means 12.

The coupling by the directional coupler is based on electrical or electromagnetic effects. Whereby in particular capacitive coupling and optical coupling are also included together.

The two signal lines 5, 6 are arranged such that the first signal S1 can be overcoupled from the first signal line 5 into the second signal line 6 even during movement of the second part 3 relative to the first part 2. For this purpose, the first signal line 5 in the first part 2 may for example form a loop, corresponding to the illustration in fig. 2. The ring is almost completely closed. Only at the transition of the first end region 7 to the second end region 9 of the first signal line 5 there is a small gap (a few degrees, typically less than 10 °). The second signal line 6 extends along the first signal line 5 only over a relatively small section 13 (coupling region 13), typically along a few percent (i.e. in any case less than 10%) of the first signal line 5. Alternatively, the opposite embodiment is also possible, i.e. the second signal line 6 forms an almost completely closed loop, and the first signal line 5 extends along the second signal line 6 only over a relatively small section 13.

As described so far, the device 1 is known and is described, for example, in EP 3 503,349 A1.

However, additionally, second transmitting means 14 are provided in the second part 3. The second transmitting device 14 is coupled to the second end region 10 of the second signal line 6. Thereby, the second transmitting means 14 can feed the second signal S2 into the second signal line 6. The second signal S2 is of the same type as the first signal S1. Thus, the second signal S2 may be an electrical signal, an electromagnetic signal (signal wave), or an optical signal. By means of the second signal S2, data generated by components arranged in the second part 3 can be fed into the second signal line 6 in digital form, for example. In the case of a computer tomography scanner, the data can be, for example, control signals for components arranged in the first part 2. However, irrespective of the specific type of data, the data transmitted by means of the second signal S2 are different data from the data transmitted by means of the first signal S1. In the embodiment according to fig. 2, this has already been shown from the fact that the data sources from which the data are provided on the different parts 2, 3 of the device 1.

Furthermore, additionally, second receiving means 15 are provided in the first part 2. The second receiving means 15 are coupled to the second end region 9 of the first signal line 5. Thereby, the second receiving means 15 is able to receive the signal guided by the first signal line 5. The signal received by the second receiving means 15 is the second signal S2, since the two signal lines 5, 6 together form a directional coupler.

Thus, by means of the embodiment according to fig. 2, the two signal lines 5, 6 can be used for transmitting two signals S1, S2 simultaneously. So that no alternate transmission in time multiplexed fashion is performed. The transmission of these two signals S1, S2 takes place bi-directionally. The first signal S1 is transmitted via the region of the first signal line 5 extending from the first end region 7 of the first signal line 5 to the coupling region 13 and via the region of the second signal line 6 extending from the coupling region 13 to the first end region 8 of the second signal line 6. The second signal S2 is transmitted via the region of the second signal line 6 extending from the second end region 10 of the second signal line 6 to the coupling region 13 and via the region of the first signal line 5 extending from the coupling region 13 to the second end region 9 of the first signal line 5.

According to fig. 3, the first signal line 5 has a termination 16 in its first end region 7. Furthermore, the first signal line 5 according to fig. 4 likewise has a termination 16 in its second end region 9. By means of the termination 16 (which termination 16 may be connected to ground, for example), reflections of the first signal S1 and the second signal S2 are suppressed or at least attenuated. Termination 16 is generally known to those skilled in the art.

The two transmitting means 11, 14 do not affect each other. In an ideal case, the two receiving devices 12, 15 receive only the first signal S1 and the second signal S2, respectively. However, a filter may additionally be present. The second receiving device 15 according to fig. 4 may have a filter 17 on the input side, for example. Thus, possible remaining disturbances of the second signal S2 can be filtered out by the first signal S1. The filter 17 can be configured, for example, as a diplexer to which the first signal S1 is directly supplied, i.e. not via the first signal line 5 but directly by the first transmitting device 11 (not shown in fig. 4). Particularly reliable filtering is possible as a design of the diplexer.

A similar design is generally present for the second signal line 6.

Corresponding to the diagram in fig. 5, the first transmitting device 11 feeds a first signal S1 in a first frequency range into the first signal line 5. Thus, the first signal S1 is transmitted at a center frequency f1, wherein the bandwidth is δf1. In a similar manner, the second transmitting means 14 feeds a second signal S2 in a second frequency range into the second signal line 6. Thus, the second signal S2 is transmitted at the center frequency f2, with a bandwidth δf2.

In some cases, the center frequencies f1, f2 and bandwidths δf1, δf2 may be selected independently of each other. In this case, the center frequencies f1, f2 and the bandwidths δf1, δf2 may in particular also be selected such that the frequency ranges coincide or overlap. However, it is generally preferred that the frequency ranges are selected such that the frequency ranges do not overlap. This situation is shown in fig. 5. On the other hand, the frequency ranges are preferably not too far from each other. Therefore, preferably, the center frequency f1 of the first frequency range is at most 20% more distant from the center frequency f2 of the second frequency range than the bandwidths δf1, δf2 of the first frequency range and/or the second frequency range.

Fig. 6 shows an alternative embodiment to fig. 2. The difference is that the second transmitting means 14 and the second receiving means 15 exchange their positions. The second transmitting means 14 is therefore not arranged in the second part 3 and is not coupled there to the second end region 10 of the second signal line 6, but is arranged in the first part 2 and is coupled there to the second end region 9 of the first signal line 5. In contrast, the second receiving means 15 are not arranged in the first part 2 and are not coupled there to the second end region 9 of the first signal line 5, but are arranged in the second part 3 and are coupled there to the second end region 10 of the second signal line 6. Furthermore, the embodiments described above in connection with fig. 2 to 5 are also applicable in a similar manner to the design according to fig. 6.

Thus, by means of the embodiment according to fig. 6, as in the embodiment according to fig. 2, two signal lines 5, 6 can be transmitted for simultaneously transmitting two signals S1, S2. The only difference is that now unidirectional signal transmission is performed.

However, in the embodiment according to fig. 6, the data transmitted by means of the second signal S2 also relate to data that differ from the data transmitted by means of the first signal S1. Thus, redundant transmission of the same information via two signal paths only for transmission security is not involved. This applies regardless of the specific type of data.

In some cases it may even be possible to design the first transmitting means 11 and the first receiving means 12 as combined transmitting and receiving means. In this case, not only the signal S1 can be transmitted between the first transmitting device 11 and the first receiving device 12 via the two signal lines 5, 6, but additionally, conversely, a further signal can be transmitted which is forwarded from the first receiving device 12 to the first transmitting device 11. Thus, in addition to signals S1 and S2, a third signal may also be transmitted. In this case, the second transmitting device 14 and the second receiving device 15 can additionally also be designed in a similar manner as a combined transmitting and receiving device. In this case, not only the signal S2 can be transmitted between the second transmitting device 14 and the second receiving device 15 via the two signal lines 5, 6, but additionally, conversely, a further signal can be transmitted which is forwarded from the second receiving device 15 to the second transmitting device 14. As a result, not only the two signals S1 and S2 and the third signal but also the fourth signal can be transmitted.

In summary, the utility model thus relates to the following cases:

the device 1 has two parts 2, 3 which are movable relative to each other. One signal line 5, 6 is arranged in each of the two parts 2, 3. Together, the two signal lines 5, 6 form a directional coupler for contactless overcoupling of the signals S1, S2 from the signal line 5 into the other signal line 6 or vice versa even during a movement of the two parts 2, 3 relative to each other. The two lines 5, 6 each have two end regions 7 to 10. The transmitting means 11 are coupled to the end region 7 of one signal line 5 and the receiving means 12 are coupled to the end region 8 of the other signal line 6. Thereby, the signal S1 fed into the signal line 5 by the transmitting device 11 can be received by the receiving device 12. A further transmitting device 14 is coupled to one of the two remaining end regions 9, 10, and a further receiving device 15 is coupled to the now remaining end region 10, 9. Thereby, the further signal S2 fed into one or the further signal line 5, 6 by the further transmitting device 14 can be received by the further receiving device 15.

The present utility model has a number of advantages. Thus, by means of the same transmission hardware (first and second signal lines 5, 6) a larger amount of data can be transmitted, i.e. both the first signal S1 and the second signal S2 can be transmitted. In many cases, components ("off the shelf") that are also used for other purposes of use, for example, as the transmitting means 11, 14 or as the receiving means 12, 15, can be used. Such components are generally cost-effective.

While the details of the present utility model have been illustrated and described in detail by the preferred embodiments, the present utility model is not limited by the examples disclosed and other variations can be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. An apparatus for the treatment of a patient,

wherein the device has a first part (2) and a second part (3) movable relative to the first part (2),

wherein the device has a first signal line (5) arranged in the first part (2) and a second signal line (6) arranged in the second part (3),

wherein the first signal line (5) and the second signal line (6) have a first end region (7, 8) and a second end region (9, 10), respectively,

wherein the first signal line (5) and the second signal line (6) are arranged relative to each other such that the first signal line (5) and the second signal line (6) together form a directional coupler for contactless overcoupling of signals (S1, S2) from the first signal line (5) into the second signal line (6) or from the second signal line (6) into the first signal line (5) even during a movement of the second part (3) relative to the first part (2),

wherein the device has a first transmitting means (11) arranged in the first part (2) and coupled to a first end region (7) of the first signal line (5) for feeding an electrical, electromagnetic or optical first signal (S1) into the first signal line (5),

wherein the device has a first receiving means (12) arranged in the second part (3) and coupled to the first end region (8) of the second signal line (6) for receiving the first signal (S1),

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the device has: -second transmitting means (14) arranged in the first portion (2) and coupled to the second end region (9) of the first signal line (5) for feeding an electrical, electromagnetic or optical second signal (S2) to the first signal line (5); and having a second receiving means (15) arranged in the second portion (3) and coupled to a second end region (10) of the second signal line (6) for receiving the second signal (S2), or conversely, the device has: -a second transmitting device (14) arranged in the second part (3) and coupled to a second end region (10) of the second signal line (6) for feeding an electrical, electromagnetic or optical second signal (S2) into the second signal line (6); and a second receiving device (15) arranged in the first part (2) and coupled to the second end region (9) of the first signal line (5) for receiving the second signal (S2).

2. The apparatus according to claim 1,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the first receiving device (12) has a first filter on the input side, and the second receiving device (15) has a second filter (17) on the input side.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the first filter and the second filter (17) are configured as a diplexer.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, 2 or 3,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the first signal line (5) and the second signal line (6) are designed as dielectric waveguides.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 to 3,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the first signal line (5) and the second signal line (6) each have a termination (16) in their two respective end regions (7 to 10), with the aid of which termination (16) the reflections of the first signal (S1) and the second signal (S2) are attenuated or suppressed.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 to 3,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the first transmitting device (11) is configured such that the first transmitting device (11) feeds the first signal (S1) in a first frequency range into the first signal line (5), and the second transmitting device (14) is configured such that the second transmitting device (14) feeds the second signal (S2) in a second frequency range into the first signal line (5) or the second signal line (6).

7. The apparatus according to claim 6,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the center frequency (f 1) of the first frequency range is at most 20% more spaced from the center frequency (f 2) of the second frequency range than the bandwidths (δf1, δf2) of the first and/or second frequency ranges.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1 to 3,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the movement of the second part (3) relative to the first part (2) is a rotational movement.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the apparatus is configured as a computed tomography scanner having a gantry, and the first part (2) or the second part (3) is the gantry of the computed tomography scanner.