Automatic membrane replacement system and method therefor

Abstract

Disclosed are an automatic membrane replacement system and a method therefor. An automatic membrane replacement system according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a power providing unit which provides rotational power; a power transmission unit which is connected to the power providing unit to transmit the rotational power; and a rotation unit in which, when an ultrasonic head from which a used membrane has been removed is inserted into the automatic membrane replacement system after an unused membrane is inserted into the automatic membrane replacement system and filled with a medium fluid, while the unused membrane rotates inside the automatic membrane replacement system by means of the rotational power transmitted by the power transmission unit, the membrane is assembled with the ultrasonic head disposed thereon.

Description

Automatic membrane replacement system and method

[0001] The present invention relates to ultrasonic head technology, and more specifically, to a technology for replacing the membrane of an ultrasonic head.

[0002] The ultrasonic head uses a transducer to generate high-frequency vibrations, converting them into mechanical energy and delivering them deep into the skin or muscles of the subject. The membrane acts as an intermediary to transmit these vibrations to the skin. The membrane plays a crucial role in efficiently and evenly delivering ultrasonic energy to the skin, maximizing therapeutic effects, and ensuring safety and comfort during the treatment process. Without this membrane, ultrasonic energy may not be properly delivered, or excessive heat may be generated, potentially reducing the therapeutic effect.

[0003] In this way, by periodically replacing the membrane of the ultrasonic head, which plays an important role in ultrasonic treatment equipment, efficiency can be increased and maintenance work minimized.

[0004] Conventional membrane replacement is performed manually. In the manual method, there is a risk of contamination because the user directly handles the membrane, and the surrounding area may become wet as a mediating fluid, such as water, drips during replacement. Additionally, since the internal mediating fluid must be drained as quickly as possible for replacement, there is a problem in that it takes time to completely remove the air remaining inside after replacement.

[0005] According to one embodiment, a membrane automatic replacement system and a method capable of automatically replacing the membrane of an ultrasonic head are proposed.

[0006] A membrane automatic replacement system according to one embodiment includes a power supply unit that provides rotational power, a power transmission unit connected to the power supply unit that transmits rotational power, and a rotating unit that, when a membrane before use is inserted into the membrane automatic replacement system and a medium fluid is filled, and an ultrasonic head from which the used membrane has been removed is inserted into the membrane automatic replacement system, rotates the membrane before use inside the membrane automatic replacement system by the rotational power transmitted by the power transmission unit and assembles the membrane with the ultrasonic head above it.

[0007] The rotating part may include a rotating body that rotates by rotational power transmitted by a power transmission part, a rotating ring connected to the rotating body to rotate the membrane above it and push the membrane upward to connect the membrane to the ultrasonic head, and an elastic body provided between the rotating body and the rotating ring, which is pressed against the ultrasonic head before the operation of the automatic membrane replacement system and pushes the membrane upward after the operation of the automatic membrane replacement system.

[0008] The membrane can be inserted into an automatic membrane replacement system in the form of a membrane assembly in which the membrane is assembled to a membrane cap.

[0009] The rotating part can connect the membrane to the ultrasonic head by engaging the external threads of the membrane with the internal threads of the ultrasonic head.

[0010] The power transmission unit may include a first gear connected to a power supply unit to transmit rotational power, and a second gear connected to the first gear to transmit rotational power to a rotating unit.

[0011] The elastomer can push the membrane upward so that the external threads of the membrane and the internal threads of the ultrasonic head engage when the automatic membrane replacement system is in operation, and can support the two threads to be engaged while the membrane replacement is performed in the medium fluid.

[0012] The power supply unit rotates the rotating part so that the external threads of the membrane and the internal threads of the ultrasonic head engage, and can be operated automatically until the membrane replacement operation is completed.

[0013] The automatic membrane replacement system may further include a fluid tube that, after membrane replacement, discharges air between the membrane and the ultrasonic head so that only the mediating fluid exists between the ultrasonic head and the membrane.

[0014] The automatic membrane replacement system may further include a waterproofing unit to maintain waterproofing between the power supply unit and the rotating unit.

[0015] A membrane automatic replacement method according to another embodiment includes the steps of preparing a membrane before use, inserting the membrane into a membrane automatic replacement system and filling the membrane with a medium fluid, inserting an ultrasonic head from which a used membrane has been removed into the membrane automatic replacement system, and, when the membrane automatic replacement system operates, rotating the membrane before use inside the membrane automatic replacement system by rotational power and assembling it with the ultrasonic head thereon.

[0016] In the step of preparing the membrane, the membrane can be prepared in the form of a membrane assembly in which the membrane is assembled in a membrane cap.

[0017] The step of filling the membrane with a mediating fluid may include the step of inserting the membrane into an automatic membrane replacement system, the step of fitting and combining the membrane with the automatic membrane replacement system, and the step of filling the membrane with a mediating fluid.

[0018] The step of assembling with an ultrasonic head may include a step of providing rotational power through a power supply unit, a step of a power transmission unit connected to the power supply unit transmitting rotational power, a step of a rotating body rotating by the rotational power of the power transmission unit, a step of a membrane rotating by a rotating ring connected to the rotating body, and a step of engaging and fastening the external threads of the membrane and the internal threads of the ultrasonic head through the rotation of the membrane.

[0019] In the fastening step, when the automatic membrane replacement system is operated, the elastic body pushes the membrane upward so that the external threads of the membrane and the internal threads of the ultrasonic head interlock, and the two threads can be fastened while the membrane replacement is performed in the medium fluid.

[0020] The automatic membrane replacement method may further include the step of exhausting air between the membrane and the ultrasonic head through a fluid tube so that only the medium fluid exists between the ultrasonic head and the membrane.

[0021] The present invention reduces the risk of contamination because the user does not have to directly touch the membrane when replacing the membrane of an ultrasonic head, prevents degradation of ultrasonic performance because air removal is performed in a medium fluid, and makes the work simple and efficient because the membrane replacement is performed in an automated manner rather than a manual operation.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating an automatic membrane replacement system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating a membrane assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[0024] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the flow of an automatic membrane replacement method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating a membrane preparation operation for membrane replacement according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating the process of inserting an ultrasonic head into an automatic membrane replacement system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating an automatic membrane replacement system for explaining a membrane replacement operation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] The advantages and features of the present invention and the methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below but can be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided merely to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same components.

[0029] In describing the embodiments of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of known functions or configurations may unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention, such detailed description will be omitted. Furthermore, the terms described below are defined considering the functions in the embodiments of the present invention, and these may vary depending on the intentions or conventions of the user or operator. Therefore, such definitions should be based on the content throughout this specification.

[0030] Additionally, each block or each step may represent a module, segment, or part of code containing one or more executable instructions for executing specific logical functions, and it should be noted that in some alternative embodiments, the functions mentioned in the blocks or steps may occur out of order. For example, two blocks or steps described in succession may actually be performed substantially simultaneously, and the blocks or steps may also be performed in the reverse order of the corresponding functions as needed.

[0031] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, the embodiments of the present invention exemplified below may be modified in various different forms, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. The embodiments of the present invention are provided to more completely explain the present invention to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating an automatic membrane replacement system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] The automatic membrane replacement system (1) is applied to industries that use ultrasonic heads. In particular, it can be used to automatically replace the membrane inside the ultrasonic head used in ultrasonic therapeutic devices, medical devices, industrial ultrasonic equipment, camera equipment, etc.

[0034] To replace the membrane, the membrane before use is inserted into the membrane automatic replacement system (1), and a medium fluid, such as water or oil, is filled. Then, when the ultrasonic head from which the used membrane has been removed is inserted into the membrane automatic replacement system (1), the membrane before use rotates inside the membrane automatic replacement system (1) and engages with the ultrasonic head above it, thereby assembling the membrane and the ultrasonic head. Accordingly, the membrane of the ultrasonic head can be automatically replaced.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 1, the automatic membrane replacement system (1) includes a power supply unit (101), a power transmission unit, a rotating unit, and a waterproofing unit.

[0036] The power supply unit (101) provides power to the automatic membrane replacement system (1) according to an electrical signal. The power supply unit (101) may be a digitally controlled motor, and may be a step motor. The step motor provides power to the automatic membrane replacement system (1) by rotating at a predetermined angle, and is designed so that one step rotates by a certain angle.

[0037] The power supply unit (101) rotates the rotating unit so that the membrane and the ultrasonic head are combined for membrane replacement, and can be operated automatically until the membrane replacement operation is completed.

[0038] The power transmission unit is connected to the power supply unit (101) to transmit rotational power to the rotating unit. The power transmission unit may include, for example, a first gear (102) and a second gear (103). The first gear (102) is connected to the power supply unit (101) to transmit rotational power, and the second gear (103) is connected to the first gear (102) to transmit rotational power to the rotating body (106). In FIG. 1, a gear is shown as an example of the power transmission unit, but it can be replaced with a belt, etc.

[0039] The rotating part is a module that rotates by power transmission from the power transmission part. The rotating part may include a first thrust bearing (104), a second thrust bearing (105), a rotation body (106), a rotation ring (107), and an elastic body (108).

[0040] The first thrust bearing (104) and the second thrust bearing (105) serve to hold the rotating part, which includes the first gear (102), the second gear (103), and the rotating body (106), so that it can rotate smoothly without shaking.

[0041] After the ready state, the rotating body (106) rotates by the rotational power transmitted by the power transmission unit. The ready state is a state in which a membrane assembly, in which a membrane that is not yet in use is assembled to a membrane cap, is inserted into the automatic membrane replacement system (1), and after the membrane of the membrane assembly is filled with a medium fluid, the ultrasonic head from which the used membrane has been removed is placed on the automatic membrane replacement system (1) and pressed.

[0042] A rotating ring (107) provided on a rotating body (106) is provided with a plurality of protrusions (1070) (e.g., 8) and is coupled to a plurality of holes provided in the membrane cap of a membrane assembly. When the automatic membrane replacement system (1) is operated, the rotating ring (107) is connected to the rotating body (106) to rotate the membrane cap of the membrane assembly, thereby pushing the membrane upward by means of an elastic body (108) to connect the membrane assembly to an ultrasonic head.

[0043] The elastic body (108) is an object having elastic force, and may be, for example, a spring. A plurality of elastic bodies (108) are provided between the rotating body (106) and the rotating ring (107). The elastic body (108) is pressed against the ultrasonic head before the operation of the automatic membrane replacement system (1). Then, after the operation of the automatic membrane replacement system (1), it is restored by elastic force and pushes the membrane of the membrane assembly upward.

[0044] The waterproofing part serves to waterproof the space between the rotating body (106) and the power supply part (101). The waterproofing part may include, for example, an oil seal (109), an O-ring (110), and a rotation frame center (111). The oil seal (109) and the O-ring (110) perform a sealing function. At this time, the rotation frame center (111) assembles the oil seal (109) and the O-ring (110) to waterproof the space between the rotating body (106) and the power supply part (101).

[0045] When the membrane and the ultrasonic head are combined, the air layer inside the transducer of the ultrasonic head enters the medium fluid. At this time, the fluid tube (not shown) discharges the air between the membrane and the ultrasonic head after the membrane replacement, so that only the medium fluid exists between the ultrasonic head and the membrane.

[0046] FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating a membrane assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the membrane (21) may be provided in the form of a membrane assembly (2) assembled in a membrane cap (22). For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the membrane (21) is inserted into the membrane cap (22) to provide a membrane assembly (2).

[0048] The membrane cap (22) is provided with a plurality of holes (220), for example, eight, and when the membrane assembly (2) is inserted into the membrane automatic replacement system (1), the plurality of holes (220) of the membrane cap (22) are aligned and joined with the plurality of protrusions (for example, eight) of the rotating ring (107) provided in the membrane automatic replacement system (1).

[0049] The membrane assembly (2) is subsequently inserted into the automatic membrane replacement system (1).

[0050] The membrane cap (22) of the membrane assembly (2) is provided with an external thread (222). This external thread (222) can subsequently be combined with the internal thread of the ultrasonic head.

[0051] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the flow of an automatic membrane replacement method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Referring to FIGS. 1 and FIGS. 3, a membrane before use is prepared (S310). In the membrane preparation step (S320), the membrane can be prepared in the form of a membrane assembly in which the membrane is assembled to a membrane cap.

[0053] Next, the membrane is inserted into the automatic membrane replacement system (1), and the membrane is filled with a medium fluid (S320).

[0054] In the step (S320) where the mediating fluid is filled into the membrane, the membrane is inserted into the automatic membrane replacement system (1), and after the membrane is fitted and coupled to the automatic membrane replacement system (1), the mediating fluid can be filled into the membrane.

[0055] Next, the ultrasonic head from which the used membrane has been removed is inserted into the automatic membrane replacement system (1) (S330).

[0056] Steps S310, S320, and S330 correspond to the preparation steps before the automatic membrane replacement system (1) operates.

[0057] Next, when the automatic membrane replacement system (1) is operated, the membrane that is not yet in use is rotated inside the automatic membrane replacement system (1) by rotational power and assembled with the ultrasonic head above it (S340).

[0058] In the step of assembling with the ultrasonic head (S340), the automatic membrane replacement system (1) provides rotational power through the power supply unit.

[0059] Next, the membrane automatic replacement system (1) transmits rotational power through a power transmission unit connected to a power supply unit.

[0060] Next, the membrane automatic replacement system (1) rotates its rotating body by the rotational power of the power transmission unit.

[0061] Next, the membrane automatic replacement system (1) rotates the membrane by means of a rotating ring connected to a rotating body.

[0062] Next, the membrane automatic replacement system (1) engages the external threads of the membrane and the internal threads of the ultrasonic head through the rotation of the membrane. In the engagement step, when the membrane automatic replacement system (1) is operated, the elastic body pushes the membrane upward so that the external threads of the membrane and the internal threads of the ultrasonic head engage, allowing the two threads to be engaged while the membrane replacement is performed in the medium fluid.

[0063] Furthermore, the automatic membrane replacement system (1) can discharge air between the membrane and the ultrasonic head through a fluid pipe after membrane replacement so that only the medium fluid exists between the ultrasonic head and the membrane.

[0064] Hereinafter, each step of membrane replacement will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

[0065] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a membrane preparation operation for membrane replacement according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] Referring to FIGS. 1, FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 4, an automatic membrane replacement system (1) is prepared (S410).

[0067] Next, the membrane assembly (2) is inserted into the automatic membrane replacement system (1), and the membrane cap (22) is fitted to the rotating ring (107) of the automatic membrane replacement system (1) (S420). For example, a plurality of holes (220 in FIG. 2) of the membrane cap (22) within the membrane assembly (2) are fitted and coupled with a plurality (e.g., 8) of protrusions (1070) of the rotating ring (107) provided in the automatic membrane replacement system (1).

[0068] Next, a medium fluid, such as water or oil, is filled into the membrane (21) (S430). At this time, the medium fluid is filled up to a line (400) that fills the membrane (21) of the membrane assembly (2). At this time, the membrane assembly (2) is in a state where it is raised by the elastic body (108).

[0069] FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating the process of inserting an ultrasonic head into an automatic membrane replacement system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] Referring to FIGS. 1, FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 5, an ultrasonic head (3) is introduced into the membrane automatic replacement system (1) (S510).

[0071] Next, the ultrasonic head (3) is inserted into the automatic membrane replacement system (1) (S520). For example, it can be placed on the rotating body (106) of the automatic membrane replacement system (1).

[0072] Next, the ultrasonic head (3) is pressed down within the membrane automatic replacement system (1) until it no longer goes down (S530). At this time, the elastic body (108) is pressed down, and the membrane assembly (2) is lowered.

[0073] FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating an automatic membrane replacement system for explaining a membrane replacement operation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] Referring to FIGS. 1, FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 6, the automatic membrane replacement system (1) operates the power supply unit (101).

[0075] Next, the membrane automatic replacement system (1) rotates the first gear (102) connected to the power supply unit (101) by the power supply unit (101).

[0076] Next, the membrane automatic replacement system (1) rotates the second gear (103) connected to the first gear (102).

[0077] Next, the membrane automatic replacement system (1) rotates the rotating body (106) connected to the second gear (103). At this time, the first thrust bearing (104) and the second thrust bearing (105) serve to hold the first gear (102), the second gear (103), and the rotating body (106) so that they can rotate smoothly without shaking.

[0078] Next, the membrane cap (22) of the membrane assembly (2) rotates on a rotating ring (107) connected to a rotating body (106) in the automatic membrane replacement system (1).

[0079] Next, the membrane automatic replacement system (1) is connected by engaging the external threads (610) of the membrane cap (22) of the membrane assembly (2) with the internal threads (620) of the ultrasonic head (3). At this time, the ultrasonic head (3) is fixed, and as the membrane cap (22) of the membrane assembly (2) rotates and moves upward by the force of the elastic body (108), the external threads (610) of the membrane cap (22) and the internal threads (620) of the ultrasonic head (3) engage and are connected.

[0080] Because the elastic body (108) lifts the membrane assembly (2) upward, the two screw threads (610, 620) interlock with each other, and the membrane (21) of the ultrasonic head (3) and the membrane assembly (2) are assembled together.

[0081] Next, the automatic membrane replacement system (1) removes air through a fluid tube from the air layer located below the transducer of the ultrasonic head (3) after membrane replacement.

[0082] Since all of the above processes take place within a mediating fluid, no bubbles are generated.

[0083] The present invention has been described above with reference to its embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention may be implemented in modified forms without departing from the essential characteristics of the invention. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims, not by the foregoing description, and all variations within the scope of the claims should be interpreted as being included in the invention.

Claims

1. In an automatic membrane replacement system, Power supply unit providing rotational power; A power transmission unit connected to a power supply unit to transmit rotational power; and A rotating part that assembles the membrane with the ultrasonic head thereon by rotating the membrane inside the automatic membrane replacement system by means of rotational power transmitted by a power transmission part, wherein a membrane unused is inserted into the automatic membrane replacement system, and after the mediating fluid is filled, the ultrasonic head from which the used membrane has been removed is inserted into the automatic membrane replacement system; An automatic membrane replacement system characterized by including 2. In claim 1, the rotating part A rotating body that rotates by rotational power transmitted by a power transmission unit; A rotating ring connected to a rotating body that rotates the membrane above it to push the membrane upward and combine the membrane with an ultrasonic head; and An elastic body provided between a rotating body and a rotating ring, which is pressed by an ultrasonic head prior to the operation of the automatic membrane replacement system and pushes the membrane upward after the operation of the automatic membrane replacement system; An automatic membrane replacement system characterized by including 3. In claim 1, the membrane is An automatic membrane replacement system characterized by the membrane being inserted into the automatic membrane replacement system in the form of a membrane assembly assembled in a membrane cap.

4. In claim 1, the rotating part An automatic membrane replacement system characterized by engaging the external threads of the membrane with the internal threads of the ultrasonic head to connect the membrane to the ultrasonic head.

5. In claim 1, the power transmission part A first gear connected to a power supply unit to transmit rotational power; and A second gear connected to the first gear to transmit rotational power to the rotating part; An automatic membrane replacement system characterized by including 6. In claim 1, the elastic body An automatic membrane replacement system characterized by pushing the membrane upward so that the external threads of the membrane and the internal threads of the ultrasonic head engage when the automatic membrane replacement system is in operation, and supporting the connection of the two threads while the membrane replacement is performed in a medium fluid.

7. In claim 1, the power supply unit An automatic membrane replacement system characterized by rotating a rotating part so that the external threads of the membrane and the internal threads of the ultrasonic head interlock, and operating automatically until the membrane replacement operation is completed.

8. In claim 1, the automatic membrane replacement system A fluid tube that, after membrane replacement, exhausts air between the membrane and the ultrasonic head so that only the mediating fluid exists between the ultrasonic head and the membrane; An automatic membrane replacement system characterized by further including 9. In claim 1, the automatic membrane replacement system Waterproofing part for maintaining waterproofing between the power supply part and the rotating part; An automatic membrane replacement system characterized by further including 10. A method for automatically replacing the membrane of an ultrasonic head using an automatic membrane replacement system, Step of preparing the membrane before use; A step in which the membrane is inserted into an automatic membrane replacement system and the membrane is filled with a mediating fluid; A step of inserting the ultrasonic head from which the used membrane has been removed into an automatic membrane replacement system; and When the automatic membrane replacement system is activated, a step of rotating the membrane before use inside the automatic membrane replacement system by rotational power and assembling it with the ultrasonic head above it; A method for automatically replacing a membrane characterized by including 11. In claim 10, the step of preparing the membrane An automatic membrane replacement method characterized by preparing a membrane in the form of a membrane assembly in which the membrane is assembled to a membrane cap.

12. In claim 10, the step of filling the membrane with a mediating fluid Step of inserting the membrane into an automatic membrane replacement system; A step in which the membrane is fitted and combined with an automatic membrane replacement system; and A step in which a mediating fluid is filled into the membrane; A method for automatically replacing a membrane characterized by including 13. In claim 10, the step of assembling with the ultrasonic head A step of providing rotational power through a power supply unit; A step in which a power transmission unit connected to a power supply unit transmits rotational power; A step in which a rotating body rotates by the rotational power of a power transmission unit; A step in which the membrane rotates by a rotating ring connected to a rotating body; and A step of engaging and securing the external threads of the membrane and the internal threads of the ultrasonic head through the rotation of the membrane; A method for automatically replacing a membrane characterized by including 14. In Paragraph 13, the step of concluding A method for automatic membrane replacement characterized by, during the operation of an automatic membrane replacement system, an elastic body pushing the membrane upward so that the external threads of the membrane and the internal threads of the ultrasonic head engage, thereby engaging the two threads while the membrane replacement is performed in a medium fluid.

15. In claim 10, the automatic membrane replacement method A step of, after replacing the membrane, exhausting air between the membrane and the ultrasonic head through a fluid tube so that only the mediating fluid exists between the ultrasonic head and the membrane; A method for automatically replacing a membrane characterized by further including

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