Radiation imaging apparatus

Abstract

To provide a radiation imaging apparatus capable of accurately detecting a battery residual amount.SOLUTION: The radiographic imaging device 1A includes the battery 60 that has the positive electrode 61 and the negative electrode 62 and drives the radiographic imaging device 1A, the A / D converter 70 that converts analog signals corresponding to the voltage between the positive electrode 61 and the negative electrode 62 of the battery 60 into digital signals and outputs the voltage values of the converted digital signals, and the controller 10 that detects the remaining battery level of the battery 60 based on the voltage values of the digital signals output from the A / D converter 70. The positive terminal 61 and the negative terminal 62 of the battery 60 are mounted on the charge board 80 on which the A / D converter 70 is mounted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a radiation imaging apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, portable, wirelessly connectable cassette-type radiation imaging devices have come into widespread use. Cassette-type radiation imaging devices are called FPDs (Flat Panel Detectors) and are powered by a built-in battery. When a cassette-type radiation imaging device is battery-powered, the battery may run out of charge during imaging. In this case, the power to the radiation imaging device is turned off, the imaging is interrupted, and re-imaging is required. Re-imaging increases the burden on the patient and reduces work efficiency.

[0003] To avoid such a situation, radiation imaging devices have been developed that execute each imaging mode depending on the remaining battery power. Patent Document 1 describes a radiation imaging device that notifies the user whether high power consumption imaging is possible, low power consumption imaging is possible, or both are possible depending on the remaining battery power. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-87712 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Generally, cassette-type radiation imaging devices are required to be able to be used for long periods of time in a wireless connection state. However, in conventional technology, a microcomputer on a main board converts an analog signal corresponding to the voltage between the battery terminals into a digital signal. This results in a long transmission path for the analog signal used for voltage monitoring, and the influence of path resistance can make it difficult to accurately detect the remaining battery capacity. In this case, the battery capacity cannot be fully utilized, resulting in a problem that the cassette-type radiation imaging device cannot be used for long periods of time.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a radiation imaging apparatus that can accurately detect the remaining battery charge. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The radiation imaging device according to the present invention comprises: A radiation imaging device for capturing a radiation image, a battery having a positive terminal and a negative terminal and configured to drive the radiation imaging device; an A / D converter that converts an analog signal corresponding to the voltage between the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the battery into a digital signal and outputs a voltage value of the converted digital signal; a battery remaining capacity detection unit that detects a remaining capacity of the battery based on the voltage value of the digital signal output from the A / D converter, The positive terminal and the negative terminal of the battery are connected to a first substrate on which the A / D converter is mounted. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the positive and negative terminals of the battery are connected to the first board on which the A / D converter is mounted, thereby shortening the transmission path of the analog signal, thereby reducing the voltage drop due to the path resistance of the analog signal and enabling accurate detection of the remaining battery charge. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of a radiation imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a plan view showing an example of a schematic configuration of a radiation imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA' of the radiation imaging device shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of a schematic configuration of a conventional radiation imaging apparatus. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an example of a schematic configuration of a radiation imaging apparatus according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A radiation imaging apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] First Embodiment [Block configuration example of radiation imaging device 1A] 1 is a block diagram of a radiation imaging apparatus 1A according to the first embodiment. The radiation imaging apparatus 1A is a portable, wirelessly connectable cassette-type FPD. The radiation imaging apparatus 1A includes a control unit 10, a detector 20, a memory unit 30, a communication unit 40, a power switch 50, a battery 60 including a positive terminal 61 and a negative terminal 62, and an A / D converter 70. The control unit 10, the detector 20, the memory unit 30, the communication unit 40, the power switch 50, and the battery 60 are connected via wiring 5 such as a bus. The control unit 10, the battery 60, and the A / D converter 70 are connected via a first wiring 81, a fourth wiring 85, a wiring 120, etc. in a system that detects the remaining charge of the battery 60.

[0012] The control unit 10 may be configured with a microcomputer including a processor such as a CPU, a memory, and the like. CPU is an abbreviation for Central Processing Unit. The control unit 10 realizes functions such as controlling radiography and detecting the remaining battery charge by reading and executing various programs stored in the storage unit 30. Specifically, the control unit 10 functions as a battery charge detector that detects the remaining charge of the battery 60 based on the voltage value between the positive terminal 61 and the negative terminal 62 of the battery 60. The voltage value is a digital signal obtained by digitally converting an analog signal corresponding to the voltage between the positive terminal 61 and the negative terminal 62 of the A / D converter 70. The control unit 10 may be configured with, for example, a microcomputer having a function of controlling radiography and the like, and a microcomputer having a function of detecting the remaining battery charge.

[0013] The detector 20 has a glass substrate or the like. A plurality of detection elements are two-dimensionally arranged at predetermined positions on the glass substrate. Each detection element detects radiation emitted from a radiation source and transmitted through a subject according to its intensity, converts the detected radiation into an electrical signal, and accumulates the signal. Each detection element is composed of a semiconductor image sensor such as a photodiode. Each detection element is connected to a switching unit such as a TFT (Thin Film Transistor). The switching unit controls the accumulation and readout of the electrical signal to acquire image data. The radiation imaging device 1A may be an indirect conversion type in which radiation is converted into an electrical signal by a photoelectric conversion element via a scintillator, or a direct conversion type in which radiation is directly converted into an electrical signal.

[0014] The storage unit 30 includes a non-volatile semiconductor memory, etc. The storage unit 30 stores various programs executed by the control unit 10, parameters required for executing processes by the programs, data such as processing results, etc.

[0015] The communication unit 40 transmits and receives data via wireless communication with a console, a radiation irradiation control device, etc. (not shown). Examples of wireless communication methods include wireless LANs such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The communication unit 40 can also communicate data via a wired connection using a LAN cable. The power switch 50 is a switch for turning the power of the radiation imaging device 1A on and off.

[0016] The battery 60 is a power storage unit that serves as a drive source for the radiation imaging apparatus 1A and is built into the radiation imaging apparatus 1A. For example, a lithium ion capacitor, a lithium ion secondary battery, or the like is used as the battery 60. The battery 60 supplies a predetermined amount of power to each component of the radiation imaging apparatus 1A, such as the control unit 10.

[0017] The A / D converter 70 converts an analog signal corresponding to the voltage between the positive terminal 61 and the negative terminal 62 of the battery 60 into a digital signal. The control unit 10 detects the remaining charge of the battery 60 based on the voltage value converted into digital by the A / D converter 70.

[0018] [Configuration example of a system for detecting remaining battery power of the battery 60 of the radiation imaging device 1A] Fig. 2 is a plan view showing an example of a schematic configuration of a radiation imaging device 1A according to the first embodiment. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA' of the radiation imaging device 1A shown in Fig. 2. Note that the drawings are schematic, and the dimensional relationships and ratios may differ between the drawings.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the radiation imaging apparatus 1A includes a charge board 80 and a main board 90 in addition to the above-described control unit 10, battery 60, A / D converter 70, and the like.

[0020] The charging board 80 is provided with a charging path to the battery 60, a path for supplying power from the battery 60, and a path for supplying power from an external power source such as an AC power source. The charging board 80 is capable of switching to at least one of the above-mentioned paths in accordance with path switching information. An A / D converter 70 is mounted approximately in the center of the top surface of the charging board 80. In addition to the A / D converter 70, electronic components for switching power sources and the like are also mounted on the charging board 80, but these are omitted from the illustration for convenience.

[0021] A positive terminal 61 and a negative terminal 62 of the battery 60 are mounted on one end of the upper surface of the charging board 80. As shown in Fig. 3, the positive terminal 61 of the battery 60 is attached to the upper surface of the charging board 80 by a screw 63. The screw 63 is supported by a terminal pressing member 64 arranged on the positive terminal 61.

[0022] A first wiring 81 is formed on the upper surface of the charge board 80 between the positive terminal 61 of the battery 60 and the A / D converter 70. The first wiring 81 is a path for transmitting an analog signal corresponding to the voltage between the positive terminal 61 and the negative terminal 62 of the battery 60. The first wiring 81 is made of a conductive material such as chromium, nickel, or copper, and is formed by a sputtering method or the like. As shown in FIG. 3 , one end of the first wiring 81 is electrically connected to the positive terminal 61 of the battery 60. The other end of the first wiring 81 is electrically connected to the lead 71 of the A / D converter 70.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3 , the charge substrate 80 has a through-hole 83 formed therethrough in the thickness direction. A third wiring 84 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the through-hole 83. The third wiring 84 is made of a metal material such as copper, chromium, or nickel and is formed by electroless plating or the like. A second wiring 82 is formed on the back surface of the charge substrate 80 between the negative terminal 62 of the battery 60 and the A / D converter 70. The second wiring 82 is made of a metal material such as chromium, nickel, or copper and is formed by sputtering or the like. The first wiring 81 and the second wiring 82 are electrically connected via the third wiring 84. This configuration of the wiring in multiple layers makes it easier to ensure the wiring pattern width, thereby reducing impedance. For example, even if the pattern width of the first wiring 81 cannot be sufficiently ensured on the top surface of the charge substrate 80 alone, the pattern width for the positive electrode can be substantially widened by forming the second wiring 82 on the back surface of the charge substrate 80.

[0024] The negative terminal 62 of the battery 60, like the positive terminal 61, is attached to the upper surface of the charge board 80 by a screw 63 via a terminal pressing member 64. A negative ground wiring (not shown) is formed on the back surface of the charge board 80 between the negative terminal 62 of the battery 60 and the A / D converter 70. The negative wiring may be formed, for example, as the second wiring 82 formed on the back surface of the charge board 80 shown in FIG. 3. The negative wiring is made of a metal material such as chromium, nickel, or copper, and is formed by a method such as sputtering. Note that in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, if the pattern width of the first wiring 81 can be sufficiently secured on the upper surface side of the charge board 80, the second wiring 82 formed on the back surface of the charge board 80 may be used as the negative ground wiring.

[0025] 3 illustrates an example of a two-layer multilayer board in which first wiring 81 and second wiring 82 are formed on both sides of charge board 80, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, charge board 80 may be composed of a multilayer board with three or more layers. This allows for a multi-layer configuration by stacking positive electrode wiring, for example, which can reduce wiring impedance and suppress voltage drop.

[0026] 2, an interface 100 such as a connector is mounted on the other end of the top surface of the charge board 80. A fourth wiring 85 is formed on the top surface of the charge board 80 between the A / D converter 70 and the interface 100. The fourth wiring 85 is a path for transmitting a digital signal indicating the voltage value between the positive terminal 61 and the negative terminal 62 of the battery 60 converted by the A / D converter 70. The fourth wiring 85 is made of a conductive material such as chromium, nickel, or copper, and is formed by a method such as sputtering.

[0027] 2, a control unit 10 incorporating a microcomputer is mounted approximately in the center of the top surface of the main substrate 90. An interface 110 such as a connector is mounted on one end of the top surface of the main substrate 90. Wiring 91 is formed on the top surface of the main substrate 90 between the interface 110 and the control unit 10. The wiring 91 is a path for transmitting a digital signal indicating the voltage value between the positive terminal 61 and the negative terminal 62 of the battery 60 converted by the A / D converter 70. The wiring 91 is made of a conductive material such as chromium, nickel, or copper, and is formed by a method such as sputtering.

[0028] The interface 100 of the charge board 80 and the interface 110 of the main board 90 are electrically connected by a wiring 120 such as a cable. The wiring 120 is a path for transmitting a digital signal indicating the voltage value between the positive terminal 61 and the negative terminal 62 of the battery 60 converted by the A / D converter 70.

[0029] [Analog signal transmission path length in this embodiment and the conventional example] Here, the length of the transmission path of the analog signal in the radiation imaging device 1A according to this embodiment will be compared with the length of the transmission path of the analog signal in a conventional radiation imaging device 200. Fig. 4 is a plan view showing an example of the schematic configuration of the conventional radiation imaging device 200. Note that components that are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and common explanations will be omitted or simplified.

[0030] The positive terminal 61 and negative terminal 62 of the battery 60 are mounted on one end of the upper surface of the tab substrate 130. An interface 140 such as a connector is mounted on the other end of the upper surface of the tab substrate 130. A wiring 132 is formed on the upper surface of the tab substrate 130 between the positive terminal 61 of the battery 60 and the interface 140. The wiring 132 is a path for transmitting an analog signal corresponding to the voltage between the positive terminal 61 and the negative terminal 62 of the battery 60.

[0031] An interface 150 such as a connector is mounted on one end of the upper surface of the charging substrate 80. An interface 100 such as a connector is mounted on the other end of the upper surface of the charging substrate 80. A first wiring 85 is formed on the upper surface of the charging substrate 80 between the interface 150 and the interface 100. The first wiring 85 is a path for transmitting an analog signal corresponding to the voltage between the positive terminal 61 and the negative terminal 62 of the battery 60.

[0032] The interface 140 of the tab substrate 130 and the interface 150 of the charge substrate 80 are connected by a wiring 160 such as a cable. The wiring 160 is a path for transmitting an analog signal corresponding to the voltage between the positive terminal 61 and the negative terminal 62 of the battery 60.

[0033] The control unit 10 is mounted approximately in the center of the upper surface of the main board 90. The control unit 10 has an A / D converter 70 built in. An interface 110 such as a connector is mounted on one end of the upper surface of the main board 90. A wiring 91 is formed on the upper surface of the main board 90 between the interface 110 and the control unit 10. The wiring 91 is a path for transmitting an analog signal corresponding to the voltage between the positive terminal 61 and the negative terminal 62 of the battery 60.

[0034] The interface 100 of the charge board 80 and the interface 110 of the main board 90 are electrically connected by a wiring 120 such as a cable. The wiring 120 is a path for transmitting an analog signal corresponding to the voltage between the positive terminal 61 and the negative terminal 62 of the battery 60.

[0035] As described above, in this embodiment, analog signals are A / D converted on the charge board 80, whereas in the conventional example, analog signals are A / D converted on the main board 90. Therefore, in the radiation imaging device 1A according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 and other figures, the analog signal of the monitor voltage of the battery 60 is transmitted to the A / D converter 70 via a path consisting only of the first wiring 81 on the charge board 80. In contrast, in the radiation imaging device 200 of the conventional example, the analog signal of the monitor voltage of the battery 60 is transmitted to the A / D converter 70 in the control unit 10 via the following path. Specifically, the path is the wiring 132 on the tab board 130, the wiring 160 between the tab board 130 and the charge board 80, the first wiring 81 on the charge board 80, the wiring 120 between the charge board 80 and the main board 90, and the wiring 91 on the main board 90.

[0036] According to this embodiment, the path length for transmitting the analog signal of the battery 60 monitor voltage can be made shorter than the path length for transmitting the analog signal of the battery 60 monitor voltage in the conventional example. This reduces the voltage drop due to the path resistance of the analog signal, allowing the control unit 10 to acquire an accurate digital signal voltage value between the positive terminal 61 and the negative terminal 62 of the battery 60. As a result, the remaining charge of the battery 60 can be accurately detected, and the battery capacity can be fully utilized, allowing for extended use in a wirelessly connected state even in a cassette-type radiographic imaging device. Furthermore, by configuring the charge board 80 with multilayer wiring, for example, the first wiring 81 for the positive electrode can be stacked to form a multiple-layer structure. This allows the wiring pattern width to be substantially widened, thereby reducing impedance.

[0037] Second Embodiment In the second embodiment, the function of detecting the remaining battery charge is separated from the functions of the control unit 10, and the separated function is configured as a control unit 10A. The control unit 10A can be configured, for example, by a microcomputer having a processor. Furthermore, the control unit 10A separated from the control unit 10 has an A / D converter 70 built in. Note that components that are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and common descriptions will be omitted or simplified.

[0038] 5 is a plan view showing an example of a schematic configuration of a radiation imaging device 1B according to the second embodiment. Note that components that are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and common descriptions will be omitted or simplified.

[0039] The control unit 10A, which has the function of detecting the remaining battery charge, is mounted on the upper surface of the charging board 80. The positive terminal 61 of the battery 60 and the control unit 10A are electrically connected by a first wiring 81. The negative terminal 62 of the battery 60 and the control unit 10A are electrically connected by a ground wiring (not shown). The first wiring 81 and the like are paths for transmitting an analog signal corresponding to the voltage between the positive terminal 61 and the negative terminal 62 of the battery 60.

[0040] The control unit 10, which mainly controls radiography, is mounted on the upper surface of the main board 90. The main board 90 and the charge board 80 are electrically connected via wiring 120 such as a cable.

[0041] In the second embodiment, the control unit 10A A / D converts the analog signal of the monitor voltage of the battery 60 on the charging board 80. Furthermore, the control unit 10A detects the remaining charge of the battery 60 on the charging board 80 using the voltage value of the A / D converted digital signal. This allows the process of detecting the remaining charge of the battery 60 to be completed on the charging board 80.

[0042] According to the second embodiment, the length of the path for transmitting the analog signal of the monitor voltage of the battery 60 can be made shorter than the length of the path for transmitting the analog signal of the monitor voltage of the battery 60 in the conventional example. This reduces the voltage drop due to the path resistance of the analog signal, and the control unit 10A can acquire an accurate voltage value of the digital signal between the positive terminal 61 and the negative terminal 62. As a result, the remaining charge of the battery 60 can be accurately detected, making it possible to make maximum use of the battery capacity and allowing the cassette-type radiation imaging device to be used for a long period of time in a wirelessly connected state.

[0043] While the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. Furthermore, various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art will naturally fall within the scope of the technical ideas described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1A, 1B Radiation imaging device 10,10A control unit (battery remaining capacity detection unit) 60 Battery 61 Positive terminal 62 Negative terminal 70 A / D converter 80 Charge board (first board) 81 1st wiring 82 2nd wiring 90 Main board (second board)

Claims

1. A radiation imaging device for capturing a radiation image, a battery having a positive terminal and a negative terminal and configured to drive the radiation imaging device; an A / D converter that converts an analog signal corresponding to a voltage between the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the battery into a digital signal and outputs a voltage value of the converted digital signal; a battery remaining capacity detection unit that detects a remaining capacity of the battery based on the voltage value of the digital signal output from the A / D converter, the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the battery are connected to a first substrate on which the A / D converter is mounted; Radiography equipment.

2. the battery remaining capacity detection unit is mounted on a second substrate different from the first substrate; The radiation imaging apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. the A / D converter is incorporated in the battery remaining capacity detection unit, the battery remaining capacity detection unit is mounted on the first substrate; The radiation imaging apparatus according to claim 1 .

4. The first substrate is provided with wiring to which at least one of the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal is connected, The first substrate is a multilayer substrate having two or more layers. The radiation imaging apparatus according to claim 1 .

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