User panel assembly and ultrasonic diagnostic system

Abstract

The utility model provides a user panel assembly and an ultrasonic diagnosis system. The user panel assembly comprises a base and a user panel, and the user panel is slidably arranged on the base through a sliding mechanism. According to the user panel assembly, an operator is allowed to adjust the position of the user panel by himself / herself according to needs so as to adapt to different heights and / or hand extension lengths of the operator, the convenience of using the user panel by the operator is improved, and better use experience is brought to the operator.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a user panel assembly and an ultrasound diagnostic system including the user panel assembly. Background Technology

[0002] Medical testing, diagnostic, or imaging equipment, such as ultrasound diagnostic systems, or various other monitoring devices, typically include a user panel. This user panel features various physical buttons or virtual buttons displayed on the operating screen. Operators can input various parameters or execute corresponding functions of the equipment by activating these physical and / or virtual buttons. The user panel is usually mounted on a support structure; however, the height and / or reach of operators may vary, leading to inconvenience and a poor user experience when operating the user panel.

[0003] Therefore, the user panel needs to be improved. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to overcome at least one of the defects in the prior art and provide a user panel assembly and an ultrasound diagnostic system including the user panel assembly. This user panel assembly can automatically adjust the position of the user panel according to the needs of the operator to adapt to different heights and / or hand extension lengths of the operator, thereby increasing the convenience of the operator in using the user panel and providing the operator with a better user experience.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a user panel assembly is provided, characterized in that the user panel assembly includes a base and a user panel, the user panel being slidably disposed on the base via a sliding mechanism.

[0006] Preferably, the sliding mechanism includes a guide rail fixedly mounted on the base and a slider slidably mounted on the guide rail so as to slide relative to the guide rail, and the user panel is fixedly connected to the slider.

[0007] Preferably, the user panel assembly further includes a locking device for locking the user panel in place relative to the base.

[0008] Preferably, the user panel assembly further includes a drag chain cable disposed between the user panel and the base.

[0009] Preferably, the user panel assembly further includes an electromagnetic locking device for locking the user panel in place relative to the base.

[0010] Preferably, the electromagnetic locking device includes an electromagnet disposed on one of the user panel and the base, a locking pin that interacts electromagnetically with the electromagnet, a spring sleeved on the locking pin, and a locking rack disposed on the other of the user panel and the base. The locking rack has a plurality of spaced-apart locking grooves formed thereon. The end of the locking pin can be inserted into or disengaged from one of the plurality of locking grooves in order to lock the user panel in place relative to the base or allow the user panel to slide relative to the base.

[0011] Preferably, the guide rail is fixedly mounted on the base body of the base, the base body including a base plate and sidewalls extending from and surrounding the base plate.

[0012] Preferably, the base further includes a top plate mounted to the side wall, the top plate being designed to allow the guide rail and the slider to be exposed, and the top plate being provided with an elongated groove through which the locking pin extends.

[0013] Preferably, rubber pads are provided on the sidewalls above both ends of the guide rail.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, an ultrasound diagnostic system is provided, characterized in that the ultrasound diagnostic system includes a user panel assembly as described above.

[0015] Preferably, the ultrasound diagnostic system further includes:

[0016] The host, wherein the user panel assembly is movably supported on the host via a first support arm;

[0017] The display device is movably supported on the user panel assembly via a second support arm; and

[0018] The probe connected to the host computer;

[0019] The base is mounted on the first support arm so that it can rotate in a horizontal plane relative to the first support arm, and the second support arm is supported on the user panel.

[0020] Since the user panel assembly according to this utility model includes a base and a user panel, and the user panel is slidably mounted on the base via a sliding mechanism, the user panel assembly according to this utility model allows the operator to adjust the position of the user panel as needed to accommodate different heights and / or hand extension lengths of the operator, thereby increasing the convenience of the operator in using the user panel and providing the operator with a better user experience. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 An ultrasound diagnostic system including a user panel assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown in a perspective view;

[0022] Figure 2 Showing Figure 1 A portion thereof, specifically showing the user panel components according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 The base and sliding mechanism of the user panel assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention are schematically shown in a perspective view;

[0024] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 An exploded perspective view of the base and sliding mechanism shown.

[0025] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of a user panel assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, to show its internal structure;

[0026] Figure 6 Is with Figure 2 Similar illustrations, but showing the user panel relative to... Figure 2 The indicated position has moved forward; and

[0027] Figure 7 Is with Figure 2 Similar illustrations, but showing the user panel relative to... Figure 2 The position shown has moved backward. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the drawings are only used to illustrate the present invention and do not constitute a limitation on the present invention.

[0029] Figure 1 An ultrasound diagnostic system including a user panel assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown in a perspective view. Figure 1As shown, the ultrasound diagnostic system 1 with a user panel assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a main unit 3, a user panel assembly 7 movably supported on the main unit 3 via a first support arm 5, a display device 11 movably supported on the user panel assembly 7 via a second support arm 9, and a probe connected to the main unit. The probe is an ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving device used to convert electrical signals generated by the main unit into ultrasonic waves that are transmitted into the human body and to convert the ultrasonic waves reflected back from the human body back into electrical signals. The main unit 3 processes the signals received from the probe and generates images for display on the display device 11. The user panel assembly 7 is the interface for the operator to interact with the ultrasound diagnostic system, used to adjust the settings of the ultrasound diagnostic system, such as frequency, gain, and depth of focus.

[0030] A first support arm 5, supporting the panel assembly 7 and the display device 11, is movably mounted on the host 3 at one end relative to the host 3, such that the first support arm 5 is rotatable relative to the host 3 in a horizontal plane and swingable relative to the host 3 in a vertical plane. The panel assembly 7 is rotatably mounted on the other end of the first support arm 5 in a horizontal plane. A second support arm 9, supporting the display device 11, is mounted on the panel assembly 7 at one end swingable relative to the panel assembly 7 in a vertical plane, and the display device 11 is swingable relative to the second support arm 9 at the other end in a vertical plane. In the illustrated embodiment, the second support arm 9 may include a first portion 9a and a second portion 9b, one end of the first portion 9a being hingedly mounted on the panel assembly 7, the other end of the first portion 9a being hingedly mounted on the second portion 9b, and the display device 11 being hingedly mounted on the other end of the second portion 9b.

[0031] Figure 2 Showing Figure 1 A portion thereof, specifically showing the user panel components according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the user panel assembly 7 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a base 13 and a user panel 15. The base 13 is rotatably mounted on the other end of the first support arm 5 in a horizontal plane, while the user panel 15 is slidably disposed on the base 13 in a front-to-back direction relative to the base 13 and serves as the interface for the operator to interact with the ultrasound diagnostic system. In this application, "front" refers to the direction in which the user panel assembly 7 faces the operator, and "rear" refers to the direction in which the user panel assembly 7 moves away from the operator. Therefore, the fact that the user panel 15 can slide in a front-to-back direction relative to the base 13 means that the user panel 15 can slide closer to or further away from the position where the operator is located. In a preferred embodiment, the user panel 15 is slidably disposed on the base 13 by means of a sliding mechanism 17.

[0032] Figure 3 The base and sliding mechanism of the user panel assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention are schematically shown in a perspective view. Figure 4 yes Figure 3 An exploded perspective view of the base and sliding mechanism shown. Figure 3 and 4 As shown, the base 13 includes a base body 13a, which is mounted on the other end of the first support arm 5 and serves to support the user panel 15. The sliding mechanism 17 includes a guide rail 17a fixedly mounted on the base body 13a and a slider 17b slidably mounted on the guide rail 17a so as to slide relative to the guide rail 17a. In a preferred embodiment, the guide rail 17a is fixedly mounted on the base body 13a by a first screw 17c. It should be understood that the guide rail 17a can be fixedly mounted on the base body 13a by other connection methods such as snap-fit, riveting, or welding. Furthermore, although two guide rails 17a are shown parallel to each other on the base body 13a in the preferred embodiment, it should be understood that having only one guide rail or more than two guide rails is also feasible. The user panel 15 is fixedly connected to the slider 17b, for example, at its bottom, so that the user panel 15 can slide synchronously on the guide rail 17a with the slider 17b. Although the base body 13a can be generally plate-shaped, to prevent foreign objects such as dust from falling onto the guide rails and sliders and to improve the aesthetics of the ultrasound diagnostic system, the body 13a preferably includes a base plate 13b and sidewalls 13c extending around and generally surrounding the base plate 13b, forming a generally box-shaped shape with an open top. Furthermore, the base 13 may also include a top plate 13e, for example, mounted to the sidewalls 13c by a second screw 13d, the top plate 13e being designed to allow the guide rails and sliders to be exposed so that the user panel 15 can be attached to the sliders.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the user panel assembly 7 may further include a locking device for locking the user panel 15 relative to the base 13 in place after the user panel 15 has slid to a suitable position relative to the base 13. Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of a user panel assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, to show its internal structure. For example... Figure 5As shown, the locking device of the user panel assembly 7 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is an electromagnetic locking device 19, which includes an electromagnet 19a disposed within the user panel 15, a locking pin 19b electromagnetically interacting with the electromagnet 19a, and a spring 19c sleeved on the locking pin 19b. The electromagnetic locking device 19 also includes a locking rack 19d disposed on the base body 13a. The locking rack 19d is elongated and has multiple spaced locking grooves 19e formed thereon, and can be disposed substantially parallel to the guide rail. When the electromagnet 19a of the electromagnetic locking device 19 is de-energized, the locking pin 19b moves downward away from the electromagnet 19a under the action of the spring 19c, so that the end of the locking pin 19b is inserted into the locking groove 19e on the locking rack 19d, so that the user panel 15 cannot move relative to the base 13, thereby locking the user panel 15 in place relative to the base 13. When the electromagnet 19a of the electromagnetic locking device 19 is energized, the electromagnet 19a generates a magnetic field. The locking pin 19b is attracted by the magnetic force and overcomes the action of the spring 19c, moving upward toward the electromagnet 19a. The end of the locking pin 19b disengages from the locking groove 19e on the locking rack 19d, allowing the user panel 15 to move relative to the base 13, thereby allowing the operator to adjust the position of the user panel 15 relative to the base 13. It should be understood that the electromagnetic locking device 19 can be configured to lock the user panel 15 in place relative to the base 13 when energized, and allow the operator to adjust the position of the user panel 15 relative to the base 13 when de-energized. Furthermore, it is also feasible to mount the electromagnet 19a on the base body 13a and the locking rack 19d on the user panel 15. In order to facilitate the extension of the locking pin 19b from the user panel 15 into the locking groove 19e of the locking rack 19d on the base body 13a, an elongated slot 13f may be provided on the top plate 13e of the base 13.

[0034] Although the locking device is shown as an electromagnetic locking device in the preferred embodiment, it should be understood that the locking device may also be other suitable and similar locking devices, such as purely mechanical locking devices, i.e., locking devices that rely solely on manual operation by an operator without electromagnetic action.

[0035] In the ultrasound diagnostic system, the cable for power supply and signal transmission extends from the main unit through the first support arm, the user panel assembly, the second support arm, and finally to the display device. During use, the user panel 15 moves back and forth relative to the base 13. Therefore, a drag chain cable 21 is used for the cable extending between the base 13 and the user panel to prevent the cable from tangling, abrasion, pulling off, and scattering during the movement of the user panel, thus improving safety. To facilitate the connection and extension of the drag chain cable 21, a notch 13g is provided at a corresponding position on the side wall 13c of the base 13 to allow the drag chain cable 21 to pass through.

[0036] The following will be combined with the appendix Figure 6 and 7 To describe the movement of the user panel 15 relative to the base 13 of the user panel assembly 7 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Under normal circumstances, the locking device of the user panel assembly 7 is in a locked state, at which time the user panel 15 is in a locked position relative to the base 13 and cannot be moved. When it is necessary to move the user panel 15 relative to the base 13, the operator, for example, operates a switch on the user panel 15, which energizes the electromagnet 19a of the electromagnetic locking device 19. The locking pin 19b is attracted by magnetic force and overcomes the action of the spring 19c. The end of the locking pin 19b disengages from the locking groove 19e on the locking rack 19d, allowing the operator to slide the user panel 15 relative to the base 13 to a position such that... Figure 6 The position shown is closer to the operator, or the user panel 15 can be slid relative to the base 13 to a position such as... Figure 7 The position shown is further away from the operator. When the user panel 15 slides relative to the base 13 to the desired position, the operator de-energizes the electromagnet 19a of the electromagnetic locking device 19 again. The electromagnetic force disappears, and the locking pin 19b, under the action of the spring 19c, inserts into the locking groove 19e on the locking rack 19d, thereby locking the user panel 15 in place relative to the base 13. The locking rack 19d, with multiple spaced locking grooves 19e, allows the operator to adjust the position of the user panel 15 almost seamlessly relative to the base 13, providing a better user experience and instant accessibility. During the sliding of the user panel 15 relative to the base 13, to prevent the slider 17b from directly colliding with the side wall 13c of the base 13, rubber pads 13h can be placed on the side wall 13c above both ends of the guide rail 17a to mitigate the impact of the collision.

[0038] The user panel assembly of this utility model allows operators to adjust the position of the user panel as needed to accommodate different heights and / or hand extension lengths, increasing the convenience of using the user panel and providing a better user experience.

[0039] Although the present invention has been described in detail in conjunction with an ultrasound diagnostic system, it should be understood that such detailed description is for illustrative purposes only and does not constitute a limitation thereof. For example, the user panel assembly according to the present invention is applicable not only to ultrasound diagnostic systems but also to other medical devices such as magnetic resonance imaging systems or various monitoring devices. The scope of the present invention is determined by the technical solutions defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A user panel assembly, the user panel assembly (7) comprising a base (13) and a user panel (15) which is slidably arranged on the base (13) by means of a sliding mechanism (17), characterized in that, The user panel assembly (7) further comprises an electromagnetic locking device for locking the user panel (15) in position relative to the base (13), the electromagnetic locking device comprising an electromagnet (19a) provided on one of the user panel (15) and the base (13), a locking pin (19b) electromagnetically acting with the electromagnet (19a), a spring (19c) sleeved on the locking pin (19b), and a locking rack (19d) provided on the other of the user panel (15) and the base (13), the locking rack (19d) being formed with a plurality of locking grooves (19e) spaced apart, a terminal end of the locking pin (19b) being capable of being inserted into one of the plurality of locking grooves (19e) or being withdrawn therefrom so as to lock the user panel (15) in position relative to the base (13) or allow the user panel (15) to slide relative to the base (13).

2. The user panel assembly of claim 1, wherein, The sliding mechanism (17) comprises a guide rail (17a) fixedly mounted on the base (13) and a sliding block (17b) slidably assembled on the guide rail (17a) so as to be slidable relative to the guide rail (17a), the user panel (15) being fixedly connected to the sliding block (17b).

3. The user panel assembly of claim 1, wherein, The user panel assembly (7) further comprises a locking device for locking the user panel (15) in position relative to the base (13).

4. The user panel assembly of claim 1, wherein, The user panel assembly (7) further comprises a drag chain cable (21) provided between the user panel (15) and the base (13).

5. The user panel assembly of claim 2, wherein, The guide rail (17a) is fixedly mounted on a base body (13a) of the base (13), the base body (13a) comprising a bottom plate (13b) and a side wall (13c) extending from around the bottom plate (13b) and surrounding the bottom plate (13b).

6. The user panel assembly of claim 5, wherein, The base (13) further comprises a top plate (13e) mounted to the side wall (13c), the top plate (13e) being designed to allow the guide rail (17a) and the sliding block (17b) to be exposed, and the top plate (13e) being provided with an elongated slot (13f) for the locking pin (19b) to extend through.

7. The user panel assembly of claim 5, wherein, Rubber pads (13h) are provided on the side wall (13c) above both ends of the guide rail (17a).

8. The user panel assembly of claim 1, wherein, The user panel (15) is provided with a switch for controlling the electromagnetic locking device.

9. An ultrasonic diagnostic system characterized by comprising: The ultrasonic diagnostic system comprises the user panel assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1-8.

10. The ultrasonic diagnostic system of Claim 9, wherein, The ultrasonic diagnostic system further comprises: a main machine (3), the user panel assembly (7) being movably supported on the main machine (3) through a first support arm (5); a display device (11) movably supported on the user panel assembly (7) through a second support arm (9); and a probe connected with the main machine (3). The ultrasonic diagnostic system further comprises: a main machine (3), the user panel assembly (7) being movably supported on the main machine (3) through a first support arm (5); a display device (11) movably supported on the user panel assembly (7) through a second support arm (9); and a probe connected with the main machine (3). wherein said base (13) is mounted on said first support arm (5) so as to be rotatable in a horizontal plane with respect to said first support arm (5), and said second support arm (9) is supported on said user panel (15).

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