Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of providing an ultrasonic diagnostic device having a monitor unit capable of rotating with respect to a device main body, the ultrasonic diagnostic device suppressing rotation of the monitor unit located at a closed position. The monitor part (18) can be opened and closed relative to the device main body (16) and can rotate around a rotation axis (R). The monitor section (18) is biased toward the closed position in the vicinity of the closed position. The rotation axis (R) inclines backwards relative to the direction perpendicular to the operation panel (20) on the upper surface of the device body (16). When the monitor unit (18) in the closed position revolves around a retroverted rotation axis (R), the trajectory (T) of a point (P) on the monitor unit (18) interferes with the device body (16). Therefore, by turning, the monitor unit (18) interferes with the device main body (16), and turning of the monitor unit (18) in the closed position is suppressed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic device, and more particularly to an ultrasonic diagnostic device in which a device body and a monitor portion are closed when not in use. Background Art

[0002] An ultrasonic diagnostic device is known that includes: a device body having an operation panel with a keyboard or pointing device; and a monitor unit rotatably supported relative to the device body. When the ultrasonic diagnostic device is not in use, the monitor unit overlaps the device body and is in a closed position. When in use, the monitor unit is rotated and raised to an open position.

[0003] Patent document 1 below discloses an ultrasonic diagnostic device (10) having a main body (12) and an operation panel (14), wherein the main body (12) has a display unit (15). When not in use, the main body (12) and the operation panel (14) are closed so that the display unit (15) is positioned inside. The main body (12) and the operation panel (14) are maintained in a closed state by engaging a guide plate (108) with a follower protrusion (106) provided on a slide rod (104).

[0004] Patent document 2 below discloses an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus (10) comprising: a main body unit (12); a lower panel (18) having a display surface (40); an upper panel (20) having a main display surface (44); and a flat auxiliary component (22). When not in use, the lower panel (18), the upper panel (20), and the auxiliary component (22) are folded in a zigzag manner and overlapped with the main body unit (12).

[0005] Note that the symbols in parentheses are symbols used in Patent Documents 1 and 2 listed below, and have nothing to do with the symbols used in the description of the embodiments of the present application.

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-253592

[0007] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-240072 Summary of the Invention

[0008] When an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a monitor unit that can be opened and closed relative to the apparatus body and can also be rotated is carried, the closed monitor unit may rotate.

[0009] The ultrasonic diagnostic device according to the present invention includes: a device body having an operation panel; a monitor unit capable of being positioned in a closed position overlapping the operation panel and in an open position disposed upright at the rear edge of the device body; and a hinge member supported by the device body at the rear edge of the device body and supporting the monitor unit. The hinge member is supported by the device body so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis that is tilted rearward from a direction perpendicular to the operation panel, and the monitor unit is rotated by the hinge member about the rotation axis. Furthermore, the hinge member supports the monitor unit so as to be rotatable about an opening and closing axis that is orthogonal to the direction in which the rotation axis extends, and the monitor unit is opened and closed between a closed position and an open position by rotation about the opening and closing axis. Furthermore, the hinge member includes a biasing mechanism for biasing the monitor unit, which is located near the closed position, toward the closed position.

[0010] Since the monitor unit is rotatable about a rotation axis that is tilted rearward relative to the operation panel, if the monitor unit in the closed position rotates, the monitor unit and the device body interfere with each other, thereby suppressing the rotation of the monitor unit. Furthermore, the monitor unit is biased toward the closed position by the biasing mechanism, thereby suppressing the lifting caused by the rotation of the monitor unit in the closed position. As a result, the biasing mechanism contributes to suppressing the rotation of the monitor unit.

[0011] Furthermore, when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is placed at a predetermined position, the front side of the operation panel may be lowered, and the rotation axis may extend in the vertical direction.

[0012] Effects of the Invention

[0013] By suppressing the rotation of the monitor portion in the closed position, it is possible to suppress the movement of the monitor portion when transporting the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, for example. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 This is a front perspective view of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment in a state of being mounted on a cart.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a rear perspective view of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment in a state of being mounted on a cart.

[0016] Figure 3 It is a perspective view showing the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment, and shows a state in which the monitor unit is opened.

[0017] Figure 4 It is a side view showing the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment, and illustrates a state in which the monitor unit is opened.

[0018] Figure 5It is a rear view showing the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment, and shows a state in which the monitor unit is closed.

[0019] Figure 6 It is a front view showing the hinge part.

[0020] Figure 7 It is a side view showing the hinge part.

[0021] Figure 8 It is a top view showing the hinge member.

[0022] Figure 9 This is an explanatory diagram of a biasing mechanism for biasing the monitor portion toward the closed position.

[0023] Figure 10 This is a diagram for explaining how the rotation of the monitor portion in the closed position is suppressed.

[0024] Explanation of symbols:

[0025] 10-ultrasonic diagnostic device, 14-cart, 16-device body, 18-monitor part, 20-operation panel, 22-display, 36-hinge component, 38-spindle, 40-hinge shaft, 40a-step difference (of hinge shaft), 42-main body bracket, 46-monitor bracket, 50-cam follower washer, 50a-inclined surface (of cam follower washer), 56-cam, 56a-inclined surface (of cam), 58-friction pad, R-rotation axis, Q-opening and closing axis, α-caster angle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 and Figure 2 This figure shows a state where the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 is installed on a cart 14 . Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the front surface side, Figure 2 The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 includes a flat, substantially rectangular apparatus body 16 and a flat-plate-shaped monitor unit 18 supported on the rear edge of the apparatus body 16. Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , if the monitor unit 18 is overlapped with the device body 16, the overall shape of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 becomes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. Figure 1 The ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 is shown in a standing position. The device body 16 houses circuits for processing ultrasonic transmission and reception signals, circuits for display image processing, power supply circuits, batteries, and storage devices. An operation panel 20, including pointing devices such as a trackball and touchpad, and buttons for operation, is located on the top surface of the device body 16. A display 22 is located on the monitor unit 18.

[0027] The cart 14 includes a leg 26 having four casters 24, a columnar portion 28 erected on the leg 26, and a mounting platform 30 fixed to the upper end of the columnar portion 28. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 is mounted on the mounting platform 30. A cart handle 34 is provided around the mounting platform 30, extending substantially along its entire circumference.

[0028] The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 can be transported in a state of being placed on the cart 14 , and can also be transported in a state of being removed from the cart 14 and independently.

[0029] Figures 3-5 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a single-unit ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10. Figures 3-5 In the following figures, the arrow FR points forward, the arrow UP points upward, and the arrow LH points leftward. Figure 3 It is a perspective view showing a state in which the monitor unit 18 is opened. The monitor unit 18 is provided upright at the rear edge of the device body 16 . Figure 4 It is a side view showing a state where the monitor unit 18 is opened. Figure 5 It is a rear view showing a state where the monitor unit 18 is closed.

[0030] When the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 is placed on a flat surface, the operation panel 20 is also positioned horizontally. The monitor unit 18 is supported by a hinge member 36 at the rear edge of the device body 16. The hinge member 36 supports the monitor unit 18 so that it can rotate about a rotation axis R and also so that it can rotate about an opening and closing axis Q that is perpendicular to the direction in which the rotation axis R extends. In this ultrasonic diagnostic device 10, the rotation axis R and the opening and closing axis Q are perpendicular. Hereinafter, the rotation of the monitor unit 18 about the rotation axis R is referred to as rotation, and the rotation about the opening and closing axis Q is referred to as opening and closing.

[0031] The rotation axis R is fixed to the device body 16. Figure 3-5 The tilt angle d can be set to 5° to 15°, and in particular, 10°. When the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 is placed on the cart 14, the tilt angle d can be set so that the rotation axis R extends in the vertical direction. Figure 1 As shown, when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 is placed on the cart 14 , it can be placed tilted relative to the horizontal so that the front edge of the operation panel 20 , ie, the edge near the front side of the operator, becomes lower. Figure 1The dashed line H shown indicates horizontal orientation, with the operating panel 20 tilted at an angle β. By making the tilt angle α equal to the tilt angle β of the operating panel 20, the rotation axis R extends vertically. The opening and closing axis Q rotates along with the monitor unit 18 and, when the monitor unit 18 faces forward, is positioned horizontally, that is, parallel to the surface of the operating panel 20.

[0032] Figures 6-8 3 is a diagram showing a hinge member 36. Figure 6 is the main view, Figure 7 It is a side view. Figure 8 It is a top view. The hinge component 36 has a spindle 38 and a hinge shaft 40, and the hinge shaft 40 is arranged along a direction orthogonal to the spindle 38. The spindle 38 and the hinge shaft 40 are integrated and can be arranged in a roughly T-shape, and the central part of the hinge shaft 40 is connected to the upper end of the spindle 38. The spindle 38 is fixed to the main body bracket 42 of the device body 16 in a manner that allows it to rotate around the rotation axis R. Therefore, the center line of the spindle 38 is consistent with the rotation axis R. The monitor part 18 rotates around the spindle 38. Regarding the spindle 38, the flange 38a of the spindle 38 and the washer 38b clamp the connection surface 42a of the main body bracket 42, so that it is supported by the main body bracket 42. By tightening the nut 43 threadedly connected to the lower end of the spindle 38, a force is applied to the washer 38b via the stacked multiple disc springs 44, and the connection surface 42a is clamped by this applied force. The position of the monitor portion 18 in the rotational direction is maintained by friction between the flange 38 a and the washer 38 b and the connecting surface 42 a .

[0033] The hinge shaft 40 supports an L-shaped monitor bracket 46 fixedly coupled to the monitor unit 18 at its left and right ends, allowing rotation about the opening and closing axis Q. The portion of the monitor bracket 46 extending in the left-right direction is fastened to the lower edge of the monitor unit 18 using fasteners such as bolts. A step 40a is formed by reducing the diameter of the hinge shaft 40's end. This step 40a and a washer 48 sandwich a cam follower washer 50 and the monitor bracket 46. The cam follower washer 50 is integral with the monitor bracket 46 regarding rotation about the opening and closing axis Q and rotates along with the monitor bracket 46 as the monitor unit 18 opens and closes. Tightening a nut 52 threaded onto the end of the hinge shaft 40 applies a biasing force to the washer 48 via a plurality of stacked disc springs 54. The biasing force acts on the left monitor bracket 46 from the left, and on the right monitor bracket 46 from the right, thereby sandwiching the left and right monitor brackets 46. The friction acting between the monitor bracket 46 and the disc spring 54 provides resistance to the opening and closing operation of the monitor portion 18 .

[0034] Figure 9These are enlarged views of the cam 56 formed on the step 40a of the hinge shaft 40 and the cam follower washer 50. (a) shows the monitor unit 18 in the open position, and (b) shows the monitor unit in the closed position. Cam 56, serving as an end cam, is formed on the step 40a of the hinge shaft. As shown in the figure, cam 56 has an inclined surface 56a. The cam follower washer 50 also has an inclined surface 50a formed on the surface facing cam 56.

[0035] The cam follower washer 50 rotates together with the monitor bracket 46, but can move independently from the monitor bracket 46 in the direction along the opening and closing axis Q. The cam follower washer 50 faces the step 40a, that is, Figure 9 The cam follower is urged to the right, always in contact with the step 40a. This urging force can be imparted by a spring, such as a disc spring, provided between the cam follower washer 50 and the monitor bracket 46.

[0036] When the monitor portion 18 is in the open position, as shown in (a), the inclined surface 56a of the cam 56 does not face the inclined surface 50a of the cam follower washer 50. When the monitor portion 18 is in the closed position, as shown in (b), the inclined surfaces 50a and 56a face each other.

[0037] During the process of the monitor portion 18 rotating from the open position to the closed position, if the inclined surface 50a of the cam follower washer abuts against a portion of the inclined surface 56a of the cam, the cam follower washer 50 is urged to rotate toward the closed position by the applied force acting thereon. Through this action, if the monitor portion 18 approaches the closed position, the applied force toward the closed position acts on the monitor portion 18. The cam 56, the cam follower washer 50, and the spring that applies the cam follower washer 50 toward the cam 56 constitute a biasing mechanism that biases the monitor portion 18 toward the closed position. The applied force toward the closed position can act within a range of 5 to 15 degrees from the closed position, and preferably within a range of 10 degrees from the closed position. This applied force also acts as a force to maintain the monitor portion 18 in the closed position. Furthermore, when the monitor portion 18 moves away from the closed position, the applied force can be made inactive.

[0038] Figure 10These are explanatory diagrams for suppressing the rotation of the monitor portion 18 in the closed position. (a) is a side view, and (b) is a front view. When the monitor portion 18 rotates around the rotation axis R, an arbitrary point P on the monitor portion 18 describes a trajectory T of a circular arc centered on the rotation axis R in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis R. Since the rotation axis R is tilted backward, the trajectory T of the point P interferes with the device body 16. Therefore, if the monitor portion 18 in the closed position attempts to rotate, it interferes with the device body 16, thereby suppressing the rotation. In addition, the force applied to the monitor portion 18 toward the closed position suppresses the floating of the monitor portion 18 when it attempts to rotate, and helps to suppress the rotation of the monitor portion 18.

[0039] When the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 is placed on the cart 14 and moved, or when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 is transported independently, the monitor unit 18 in the closed position can be prevented from rotating due to vibration and shaking during movement.

[0040] In order to suppress the rotation of the monitor portion 18 in the closed position, friction pads 58 may be provided near the left and right edges of the operation panel 20 (see FIG. Figure 3 The friction pad 58 can be made of a material with a high friction coefficient such as rubber. In addition, instead of or in addition to the operation panel 20, friction pads can be arranged near the left and right edges of the surface of the monitor portion 18 facing the operation panel 20.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic diagnostic device, comprising: The device body has an operation panel; a monitor portion capable of being positioned in a closed position overlapping the operation panel and in an open position disposed upright at a rear edge of the device body; and a hinge member supported by the device body at the rear edge of the device body and supporting the monitor unit; Regarding the hinge component, The hinge is supported by the device body in a manner that allows rotation around a rotation axis that is tilted backward from a direction perpendicular to the operation panel, and the monitor portion is rotated by the rotation of the hinge member around the rotation axis. The monitor portion is supported so as to be rotatable about an opening and closing axis orthogonal to the extending direction of the rotation axis, and the monitor portion is opened and closed between the closed position and the open position by rotating about the opening and closing axis. And has: The urging mechanism urges the monitor portion located near the closed position toward the closed position.

2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein When the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is set at a predetermined position, the front side of the operation panel is lowered. The rotation axis extends along the vertical direction.

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