Damping mechanism, RF coil device and MRI equipment

Abstract

The present invention provides a damping mechanism, which includes a first member. The first member includes a base portion, an elastic damping portion, and a closed cavity defined by the inner surfaces of the base portion and the elastic damping portion. The elastic damping portion is centered on a rotation axis, and the closed cavity is disposed radially inside the elastic damping portion and configured to accommodate the deformation of the elastic damping portion. A second member is pivotally attached to the base portion of the first member to rotate about the rotation axis relative to the base portion. Damping protrusions extend from the second member toward the elastic damping portion. The elastic damping portion includes an outer surface facing away from the closed cavity, and the outer surface is configured to engage with the damping protrusions to cause deformation of the elastic damping portion and provide damping for the rotation of the second member relative to the base portion. According to the present invention, the damping mechanism has a simple structure and is easy to manufacture and assemble.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a damping mechanism. More specifically, the present invention relates to an RF (radio frequency) coil device having a damping mechanism, which is adapted to be used with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device. The present invention also relates to an MRI device including the RF coil device.

[0002] RF coil devices are used in MRI devices. Some coil devices, for example, those used for MRI scanning on areas of a patient such as the head, shoulder or ankle, generally include a base assembly and a top coil assembly pivotally attached to the base assembly. For scanning, first the top coil assembly is flipped, the area of the patient to be scanned, such as the head, shoulder or ankle, is supported on the base assembly, and then the top coil assembly is flipped back to the area of the patient to be scanned. To prevent the top coil assembly from accidentally dropping onto the area of the patient to be scanned, a damping mechanism is provided between the top coil assembly and the base assembly. However, the existing damping mechanisms for MR applications are complex in structure and difficult to manufacture and assemble.

[0003] CN106842086 discloses a radio frequency (RF) coil assembly for magnetic resonance imaging, in which the upper coil of the RF coil assembly can be flipped relative to the bottom coil. The RF coil assembly provides a buffer element 311 and a stud 309, which interact as a braking mechanism to prevent rotation at a certain angle when the forces applied to the buffer element 311 are balanced with each other. US20130237328A1 discloses a stop device having coaxially arranged first and second hubs to establish a user experience indicating the original position, closed position or operating position by providing a relationship between force and angle. EP0255879A2 relates to a door hinge for a vehicle door. The hinge includes a hinge pin body 3 and a central eyelet 7 arranged coaxially. A steel pin 14 installed in the pin 3 acts as a locking element and cooperates with three shaped blades 15 supported on the inner surface of the central eyelet 17.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need to improve the existing damping mechanism. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a damping mechanism with a simple structure and easy to manufacture and assemble.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a damping mechanism, comprising:

[0007] A first member, which includes a base portion, an elastic damping portion, and a closed cavity defined by the base portion and the inner surface of the elastic damping portion, wherein the elastic damping portion is centered on a rotation axis, and the closed cavity is arranged radially inside the elastic damping portion and is configured to accommodate the deformation of the elastic damping portion;

[0008] A second member pivotally attached to a base portion of the first member to rotate about a rotation axis relative to the base portion; and

[0009] A damping protrusion extending from the second member toward the elastic damping portion;

[0010] wherein the elastic damping portion includes an outer surface facing away from the enclosed cavity, the outer surface being configured to engage with the damping protrusion to cause deformation of the elastic damping portion and provide damping for the rotation of the second member relative to the base portion.

[0011] According to the present invention, by engaging the damping protrusion with the outer surface of the elastic damping portion, damping for the rotation of the second member relative to the base portion is provided in an easy and simple manner. In addition, the damping mechanism according to the present invention requires very little space, making it an ideal solution for compact devices with damping capabilities, such as RF coils, rotatable mirrors, and patient mounts for various medical devices.

[0012] In one embodiment, the elastic damping portion is configured as a substantially arcuate rack having a plurality of outer teeth, and the outer surface includes a toothed surface defined by the plurality of outer teeth. In this way, the rotation of the second member relative to the first member can be reliably stopped at a plurality of desired positions.

[0013] In one embodiment, the damping mechanism is made of a plastic material, and the elastic damping portion is sized to deform during rotation. In this way, the damping mechanism can be used in an MRI environment, and due to the size configuration, the deformation generated by the elastic damping portion allows the rotational movement to continue without applying a significantly increased external force.

[0014] In one embodiment, a predetermined portion of the elastic damping portion is provided with outer teeth to provide damping for a predetermined rotation range of the second member. In this way, damping for the rotation of the second member relative to the base portion is provided within a predetermined stroke range of the second member.

[0015] In one embodiment, each outer tooth includes a first side surface and a second side surface, and one of the first side surface and the second side surface facing the central portion of the substantially arcuate rack is inclined at a greater angle relative to the root surface of the substantially arcuate rack than the other of the first side surface and the second side surface facing away from the central portion of the substantially arcuate rack. In this way, the second member can be easily moved from the end of the elastic damping portion toward the central portion of the elastic damping portion while preventing the second member from accidentally falling.

[0016] In one embodiment, the outer surface of the elastic damping portion may have a gradually increasing radius at least in a portion adjacent to the end of the elastic damping portion, such that a gradually increasing damping force is generated when the second member rotates from the central portion of the elastic damping portion toward the end of the elastic damping portion. In this configuration, it is not necessary to form external teeth on the outer surface of the elastic damping portion.

[0017] In one embodiment, when the second member rotates relative to the base portion, the elastic damping portion may elastically deform to move toward the closed cavity. In one embodiment, the elastic damping portion may recover from the deformed state to prevent the rotation of the second member relative to the base portion. By means of the elastically deformable elastic damping portion, a damping mechanism with a simple structure can be provided.

[0018] In one embodiment, the damping protrusion may extend from the second member in a direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis. In this way, it is easy to manufacture the damping mechanism.

[0019] In one embodiment, the elastic damping portion may be integrally formed with the base portion. In this way, a damping mechanism with a simple structure is provided.

[0020] In one embodiment, an outer cover may be provided radially outside the elastic damping portion and separated therefrom radially. In this way, further protection can be provided for the elastic damping portion.

[0021] In one embodiment, the damping mechanism includes two first members and two damping protrusions, each damping protrusion being adapted to engage with the outer surface of the elastic damping portion of a corresponding one of the two first members.

[0022] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an RF coil device, comprising:

[0023] a base assembly; and

[0024] a top coil assembly pivotally attached to the base assembly by the damping mechanism as described above,

[0025] wherein the first member is supported on the base assembly and the second member is connected to the top coil assembly.

[0026] In one embodiment, the damping mechanism is made of a plastic material. In this way, an RF coil device more friendly to MRI equipment can be provided.

[0027] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for an RF coil assembly, the method comprising:

[0028] rotating the top coil assembly relative to the base assembly about a rotation axis;

[0029] During the rotational movement of the damping projection relative to the base assembly, the damping projection is brought into engagement with the outer surface of the elastic damping portion of the base assembly, wherein the outer surface of the elastic damping portion is centered on and faces away from the axis of rotation, and the damping projection is connected to or is an integral part of the top coil assembly so as to rotate with the top coil assembly;

[0030] Due to the engagement between the damping projection and the elastic damping portion during the rotational movement, the elastic damping portion is deformed to move radially inwards;

[0031] The deformation of the elastic damping portion is accommodated by a closed cavity partially defined by the inner surface of the elastic damping portion and disposed inside the elastic damping portion; and

[0032] The rotation of the top coil assembly is damped by the deformation of the elastic damping portion.

[0033] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an MRI apparatus including the RF coil device as described above.

[0034] These and other objects, features, and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the operating methods and functions of the related elements of the structure and the combination and economy of manufacture of the parts, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various drawings. However, it should be clearly understood that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a damping mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a top view of the damping mechanism shown in

[0037] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2

[0038] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 3

[0039] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 3

[0040] Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view showing an RF coil device according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the top coil assembly is pivotally connected to the base assembly. ​​​

[0041] Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view showing Figure 6 the RF coil device shown in, in which the top coil assembly is flipped over from the base assembly.

[0042] Figure 8 is Figure 6 a partial exploded perspective view of a part of the RF coil device shown in.

[0043] Figure 9 is a flowchart schematically showing a method of providing damping for the rotation of one component relative to other components using a damping mechanism according to the present invention. Detailed Description

[0044] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a damping mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is Figure 1 a top view of the damping mechanism shown in. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line Figure 2 3-3 of. As Figures 1-3 shown, a damping mechanism 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first member 3 and a second member 5 pivotally attached to the first member 3. The pivotal connection allows the second member 5 to rotate relative to the first member 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the first member 3 is shown as a base box 7, which includes at least a pair of opposite side walls 9 in the shape of flat plates and spaced apart from each other, and the second member 5 is shown as a generally U-shaped handle. The U-shaped second member 5 includes two legs 11a, and the two legs 11a extend parallel or substantially parallel to the plane of the flat side walls 9 respectively, and are interconnected by a connecting portion 11b of the U-shaped second member 5. The legs of the U-shaped second member 5 are pivotally attached to the opposite side walls 9 in any known manner.

[0045] It should be understood that Figure 1 exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of the first member 3 and the second member 5 are provided. In some embodiments, the first member 3 and the second member 5 are formed in different shapes, as long as the first member 3 serves as a mounting frame and the second member 5 is pivotally attached to the first member 3 to rotate about a rotation axis. For example, the first member 3 may also be in the shape of a flat plate, and the second member 5 is a straight rod pivotally attached to the flat plate-shaped first member 3. Of course, the first member 3 may also be in the shape of a block, a cylinder, or any other suitable shape.

[0046] Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3 embodiments, the first member 3 includes a base portion 13, an elastic damping portion 15, and a space 17 located between the base portion 13 and the elastic damping portion 15. As Figure 3As shown, the space 17 is surrounded by the inner surface 15b of the elastic damping portion and the base portion. The base portion 13 serves as a mounting frame, and one leg 11a of the second member 5 is pivotally attached to the mounting frame by a stud 11c. As Figure 2 shown, the pivotal connection allows the second member 5 to rotate relative to the first member 3 about a rotation axis OO' with respect to the base portion 13. The damping protrusion 19 is provided on the surface of the leg 11a that extends radially outward from the rotation axis and faces the elastic damping portion 15. The elastic damping portion 15 has an outer surface 15a facing away from the rotation axis OO' and an inner surface 15b facing the rotation axis OO'. The damping protrusion 19 can engage with the outer surface 15a of the elastic damping portion 15, and the engagement between the damping protrusion 19 and the outer surface 15a provides damping for the rotational movement of the second member 5 relative to the base portion 13.

[0047] More specifically, in one embodiment, the damping protrusion 19 is rigidly connected to the second member 5, and this rigid connection causes the damping protrusion 19 and the second member 5 to be integral with each other. Alternatively, the damping protrusion 19 is an integral part of the second member 5 itself. Thus, the damping protrusion 19 itself rotates about the rotation axis OO' due to the rigid connection with the second member 5 or as an integral part of the second member 5. Since the damping protrusion 19 further engages with the outer surface 15a of the elastic damping portion 15, this engagement provides damping for the rotational movement of the damping protrusion 19, and thus damps the rotational movement of the second member 5. In one embodiment, the damping protrusion 19 extends parallel to the rotation axis OO'. It is contemplated that the damping protrusion 19 extends slightly inclined with respect to the rotation axis OO', as long as this inclination can still provide a firm engagement between the damping protrusion 19 and the outer surface 15a of the elastic damping portion 15.

[0048] In one embodiment of the present invention, the elastic damping portion 15 receives the damping protrusion 19 at a plurality of different positions on the outer surface 15a of the elastic damping portion 15. Specifically, as Figure 3 shown, the elastic damping portion 15 is configured as a substantially arcuate rack 21 having a plurality of outer teeth 23. In this case, the outer surface 15a of the elastic damping portion 15 is a toothed surface defined by the plurality of outer teeth 23. The elastic damping portion 15 is centered on the rotation axis OO'. In the present embodiment, the elastic damping portion 15 is formed of an elastically deformable material. Although the elastic damping portion 15 can be formed separately from the base portion 13 and then attached to the base portion 13, it is contemplated that the elastic damping portion 15 is integral with the base portion 13.

[0049] A closed cavity 17, such as a groove, is formed radially inward of the elastic damping portion 15 and preferably has a substantially arcuate shape. The size of the closed cavity 17 is set to be large enough to accommodate the elastic deformation of the elastic damping portion 15 when the second member 5 rotates relative to the base portion 13 about the rotation axis OO'. Specifically, when the second member 5 pivots relative to the base portion 13, the second member 5 radially inwardly presses the outer teeth 23 on the elastic damping portion 15, causing the elastic damping portion 15 to elastically deform toward the closed cavity 17 under the action of the external force applied to the second member 5. As a result, the elastic damping portion 15 moves toward the closed cavity 17, causing the damping protrusion 19 on the second member 5 to move out of one tooth gap 25 and into the next tooth gap. At the same time, the external force applied to the second member 5 is released, and under the action of the reaction force provided by the elastic deformation of the elastic damping portion 15 itself, the elastic damping portion 15 returns to its original (undeformed) state. This process is repeated until the second member 5 pivots to the desired position, at which the damping protrusion 19 on the second member 5 is received in a new tooth gap to stop the second member 5 at this position. In the present embodiment, the term "tooth gap" refers to the recessed space between two adjacent outer teeth on the second member 5 formed as a substantially arcuate rack. When the damping protrusion 19 has a cylindrical shape, the tooth gap 21 can be semi-circular, and each tooth can have a symmetric shape. Further, a housing 27 can be provided radially outside the elastic damping portion 15 and radially separated from the elastic damping portion 15 to protect the damping mechanism and improve safety.

[0050] In addition, the damping protrusion 19 can also have a semi-circular, triangular, square, or other cross-sections. The damping protrusion 19 can be formed separately from or integrally with the second member 5. In Figure 3 the embodiment, the base portion 13 and the elastic damping portion 15 are disposed in the same plane of the side wall. However, it is contemplated that neither the base portion 13 nor the elastic damping portion 15 need to be in the side wall, and the elastic damping portion 15 does not need to be disposed in the same plane as the base portion 13. For example, the base portion 13 can be formed in any shape for the pivotal connection of the second member. The elastic damping portion 15 can be attached to or integral with the base portion 13 and is disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis OO'. In addition, the size of the elastic damping portion 15 is configured to achieve the desired deformation and damping. For example, the width of the elastic damping portion 15 along the rotation axis OO', i.e., the thickness of the elastic damping portion 15, should be thin enough to facilitate the deformation of the elastic damping portion 15 and thick enough to provide sufficient damping force for rotation.

[0051] Alternatively, the frictional engagement between the damping protrusion 19 and the outer surface 15a of the second member 5 damps the rotational movement. In the free state where no external force is applied to the second member 5, the frictional engagement between the damping protrusion 19 and the outer surface 15a of the elastic damping portion 15 allows the second member 5 to stop at any position. In the operating state where an external force is applied to the second member 5 to start the rotational movement, the damping protrusion 15 radially inwardly presses the elastic damping portion 15, causing the elastic damping portion 15 to elastically deform towards the closed cavity. This deformation enables the damping protrusion 19 to move on the outer surface 15a of the elastic damping portion 15 without applying a significantly increased external force. When the external force is removed, the elastic damping portion 15 returns from the deformed state to the free state, and the frictional engagement between the damping protrusion 19 and the outer surface 15a causes the second member 5 to stop at a predetermined position.

[0052] Figure 4 is similar to Figure 3 a cross-sectional view. In Figure 3 the illustrated embodiment, the entire outer surface 15a of the elastic damping portion 15 is provided with external teeth 23 such that the outer surface 15a can engage with the damping protrusion 19 within a 180° stroke range of the second member 5. Different from the embodiment shown in Figure 3 , in the embodiment shown in Figure 4 , a part of the elastic damping portion 15 is provided with external teeth 23 such that the outer surface 15a can engage with the damping protrusion 19 within the first 90° stroke range of the second member 5, and the outer surface 15a does not engage with the damping protrusion 19 within the second 90° stroke range of the second member 5. Therefore, the damping force is generated only within the first 90° stroke range of the second member 5. It should be understood that the external teeth 23 can be formed on the outer surface 15a of the elastic damping portion 15 within any stroke range (such as 60° or 90°) of the second member 5. The external teeth 23 can be formed on the middle part of the elastic damping portion 15.

[0053] Figure 5 is similar to Figure 3 a cross-sectional view. Different from the embodiment in which each external tooth 23 on the elastic damping portion 15 is symmetrically arranged in Figure 3 , in the embodiment as shown in Figure 5In the illustrated embodiment, each of the external teeth 23 on the elastic damping portion 15 is asymmetrically configured. Specifically, each external tooth 23 on the elastic damping portion 15 includes a first side surface 23a and a second side surface 23b, which can engage the damping protrusion 19 when the damping protrusion 19 is received in the tooth gap. The first side surface 23a and the second side surface 23b are inclined with respect to the root surface 24 of the elastic damping portion 15. In one embodiment, one of the first side surface 23a and the second side surface 23b facing the central portion C of the elastic damping portion 15 is inclined with respect to the root surface 24 at a greater angle than the other of the first side surface 23a and the second side surface 23b facing away from the central portion C of the elastic damping portion 15. Specifically, as Figure 5 shown, for a tooth 23 on the right side of the central portion C of the elastic damping portion 15, the first side surface 23a is inclined with respect to the root surface 24 at a greater angle than the second side surface 23b; as Figure 5 shown, for a tooth 23 on the left side of the central portion C of the elastic damping portion 15, the second side surface 23b is inclined with respect to the root surface 24 at a greater angle than the first side surface 23a. Therefore, the second member 5 can easily move from the end E of the elastic damping portion 15 toward the central portion C, while preventing the second member 5 from accidentally falling off. In addition, Figure 5 the shape of the base portion 13 shown in Figure 3 is different from that shown in

[0054]

[0055] It should be understood that the base portion 13 can be in any suitable form. Here, the end E of the elastic damping portion 15 refers to the end of the elastic damping portion 15 attached to the base portion 13, and the central portion C of the elastic damping portion 15 refers to a portion of the elastic damping portion 15 that is substantially centered between the two ends E of the elastic damping portion 15. Although in the illustrated embodiment, the damping protrusion 19 on the second member 5 is received in the tooth gap defined by the external teeth uniformly distributed on the outer surface 15a of the elastic damping portion 15, the damping protrusion 19 can be received in other forms of notches, and the notches can be unevenly distributed on the outer surface 15a. In addition, although in the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of external teeth 23 are formed on the outer surface 15a of the elastic damping portion 15, it is also feasible that there are no external teeth on the outer surface 15a of the elastic damping portion 15. In this case, the radius of the outer surface 15a of the elastic damping portion 15 can gradually increase from the central portion C to the end E of the elastic damping portion 15. Therefore, a gradually increasing damping force is generated when the second member 5 rotates from the central portion C of the elastic damping portion 15 toward the end E of the elastic damping portion 15. Of course, the outer surface 15a of the elastic damping portion 15 can also have a gradually increasing radius only in a portion adjacent to the end E of the elastic damping portion 15.

[0056] Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view showing an RF coil device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a top coil assembly is pivotally attached to a base assembly. Figure 7 is showing Figure 6 a schematic perspective view of the RF coil device shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown in Figure 7 and Figure 6 the RF coil device 30 according to the present invention includes a base assembly 31 and a top coil assembly 33, and the top coil assembly 33 is pivotally attached to the base assembly 31 by a damping mechanism 35. The RF coil device 30 can be used for MRI scanning of areas such as the head, shoulder or ankle of a patient. As shown in

[0057] Figure 8 is Figure 6 a partial exploded perspective view of a part of the RF coil device shown in Figure 8 As shown in Figure 8 the damping mechanism 35 includes a pair of opposing walls 37 provided on the base assembly 31. A substantially arcuate rack 39 having outer teeth 41 formed on its radially outer surface is disposed in the walls 37, and a groove 43 is formed between the radially inner side of the substantially arcuate rack 39 and the base portion 42 of the wall. The damping mechanism 35 further includes a disk 45 having a pivot 47 and a damping projection 49. The pivot 47 passes through a through hole 51 formed in the base portion of the wall 37 and is inserted into a recess 53 formed in a part of the top coil assembly 33 located between the opposing walls 37, so that the disk 45 can rotate together with the top coil assembly 33. At the same time, the damping projection 49 on the disk 45 engages with the substantially arcuate rack 39. If necessary, a screw 55 can pass through the pivot 47 and be screwed into a part of the top coil assembly 33 located between the opposing walls 37. It should be understood that the connection between the disk 45 and the top coil assembly 33 is not limited to

[0058] It should also be understood that the above reference to Figures 1-5All of the features described apply to the damping mechanism 35. All components of the damping mechanism 35 can be made of a plastic material that is more friendly to the MR non-magnetic environment. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other materials suitable for the MRI environment and having sufficient elasticity to deform can also be used. In addition, the damping mechanism according to the present invention can be applied to other devices, such as laptop computers.

[0059] Figure 9 is a flowchart schematically showing a method for an RF coil assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. As Figure 9 shown, in step S1, the top coil assembly rotates relative to the base assembly about the rotation axis OO'. For example, in Figure 8 the top coil assembly 33 rotates relative to the base assembly 31. In step S2, during the rotational movement of the damping protrusion relative to the base assembly, the damping protrusion engages with the outer surface of the elastic damping portion of the base assembly. For example, the damping protrusion 49 engages with the outer teeth 41 formed on the radial surface of the elastic damping portion in the form of an arcuate rack 39 facing away from the rotation axis OO'. The damping protrusion 49 is rigidly connected to the top coil assembly 33 through the disk 45, the shaft 47, the through hole 51, and the recess 53. This rigid connection allows the damping protrusion 49 to rotate together with the top coil assembly 33. Instead of the rigid connection, the damping protrusion 49 can be formed as an integral part of the top coil assembly 33, which extends from the top coil assembly 33 towards the radial surface of the elastic damping portion. In step S3, the rotation of the top coil assembly is damped by the engagement between the damping protrusion and the outer surface of the elastic damping portion. For example, the engagement between the damping protrusion 49 and the outer teeth 41 provides a damping force to the rotational movement.

[0060] Although the present invention has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, it should be understood that these details are for that purpose only and that the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.

Claims

1. An RF coil device (30) adapted to be used with a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, the RF coil device (30) comprising: A damping mechanism (1) including a first member (3) and a second member (5); A base assembly (31); And A top coil assembly (33) pivotally attached to the base assembly (31) about a rotation axis (OO') by the damping mechanism (1), Wherein the first member (3) is supported on the base assembly (31), and the second member (5) is connected to the top coil assembly (33); Wherein the first member (3) includes a base portion (13), an elastic damping portion (15), and a closed cavity (17) defined by an inner surface (15b) of the base portion (13) and the elastic damping portion (15), wherein the elastic damping portion (15) is centered on the rotation axis (OO'), and the closed cavity (17) is provided radially inside the elastic damping portion (15) and configured to accommodate deformation of the elastic damping portion (15); Wherein the second member (5) is pivotally attached to the base portion (13) of the first member (3) to rotate about the rotation axis (OO') relative to the base portion (13); Wherein the damping mechanism (1) further includes a damping protrusion (19) extending from the second member (5) toward the elastic damping portion (15); and Wherein the elastic damping portion (15) includes an outer surface (15a) facing away from the closed cavity (17), the outer surface (15a) being configured to engage with the damping protrusion (19) to cause the deformation of the elastic damping portion (15), and to provide damping for the rotation of the second member (5) relative to the base portion (13).

2. The RF coil device (30) according to claim 1, wherein, The damping mechanism (1) is made of a plastic material.

3. The RF coil device (30) according to claim 2, wherein, The elastic damping portion (15) is sized to cause the deformation during the rotation.

4. The RF coil device (30) according to claim 1, wherein, The elastic damping portion (15) is configured as an arcuate rack (21) having a plurality of outer teeth (23), and the outer surface (15a) includes a toothed surface defined by the plurality of outer teeth (23).

5. The RF coil device (30) according to claim 4, wherein, A predetermined portion of the elastic damping portion (15) is provided with the plurality of outer teeth (23) to provide the damping for a predetermined rotation range of the second member (5).

6. The RF coil device (30) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein, Each of the plurality of outer teeth (23) includes a first side surface (23a) and a second side surface (23b), and one of the first side surface (23a) and the second side surface (23b) facing the central portion (C) of the arcuate rack (21) is inclined at a greater angle relative to the root surface (23c) of the arcuate rack (21) than the other of the first side surface (23a) and the second side surface (23b) facing away from the central portion (C) of the arcuate rack (21).

7. The RF coil device (30) according to claim 1, wherein, The elastic damping portion (15) is configured to elastically deform and move towards the closed cavity (17) when the second member (5) rotates relative to the base portion (13).

8. The RF coil device (30) according to claim 7, wherein, The elastic damping portion (15) is configured to recover from the deformed state to stop the rotation of the second member (5) relative to the base portion (13).

9. The RF coil device (30) according to claim 1, wherein, The damping mechanism (1) further includes a cover (27) that is positioned above and spaced apart from the elastic damping portion (15).

10. A method for damping an RF coil device (30) according to claim 1, the method comprising: rotating a top coil assembly (33) relative to a base assembly (31) about a rotation axis (OO'); during a rotational movement of the damping protrusion (19) relative to the base assembly (31), causing the damping protrusion (19) to engage an outer surface (15a) of the elastic damping portion (15) of the base assembly (31), wherein the outer surface (15a) of the elastic damping portion (15) is centered on and faces away from the rotation axis (OO'), and the damping protrusion (19) is connected to or an integral part of the top coil assembly (33) so as to rotate with the top coil assembly (33); due to the engagement between the damping protrusion (19) and the elastic damping portion (15) during the rotational movement, deforming the elastic damping portion (15) to move radially inwards; accommodating the deformation of the elastic damping portion (15) by the closed cavity (17); and damping the rotation of the top coil assembly (33) by the deformation of the elastic damping portion (15).

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The elastic damping portion (15) is in an arc shape centered on the rotation axis (OO').

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein, The method further includes: causing the elastic damping portion (15) to recover from the deformed state to stop the top coil assembly (33) at a predetermined position on the outer surface (15a) of the elastic damping portion (15).

13. A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprising an RF coil device (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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