Articulated Arm Maintaining X-ray Head Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current portable radiographic imaging apparatuses, such as mobile X-ray units, are cumbersome and heavy, making them difficult to operate, safe, and reliable.
Innovation Solution
A radiographic imaging apparatus featuring an articulated arm with a proximal and distal arm section, an intermediate linkage, and a mounting system that allows the X-ray head to be pivotally connected, maintaining a constant rotational orientation, along with ground-engaging wheels and a braking system for easy maneuverability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional portable radiographic imaging apparatuses are used, then the apparatus can be moved to different locations, but the apparatus becomes cumbersome and heavy making it difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into separate functional modules: a mobile platform with articulated arm mechanism, an X-ray generation unit, and a control system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall weight while maintaining functionality. The articulated arm uses multiple lightweight linkages instead of a single heavy support structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional heavy mechanical support structures are replaced with an articulated arm mechanism using parallel linkages and pneumatic or electric actuators. This substitution reduces weight while providing precise positioning capabilities and improving ease of operation through controlled movement.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the articulated arm uses parallel linkages to maintain constant rotational orientation, then the mounting orientation remains stable, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The parallel linkage system uses asymmetric arrangement of linkages relative to the articulated arm segments. This asymmetric configuration provides inherent mechanical constraints that maintain constant rotational orientation of the mounting without requiring additional sensors or control systems, thus stabilizing orientation while managing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The parallel linkage mechanism creates a mechanical equipotential system where the mounting orientation remains constant regardless of the arm's position in its workspace. This is achieved through geometric constraints of the parallel linkages that compensate for gravitational and positional variations, maintaining stable orientation throughout the range of motion.
3Ease of operation
If the articulated arm is designed with collapsible sections for portability, then the apparatus becomes more portable, but the structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The articulated arm features collapsible sections where distal arm sections can be nested within proximal sections during transport. This nesting capability significantly reduces the overall footprint and improves portability while maintaining full structural strength during operation through proper locking mechanisms and support structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulated arm transitions from a static rigid structure during operation to a dynamic collapsible structure during transport. Hydraulic or pneumatic actuators enable controlled folding and nesting of arm sections, providing both portability when collapsed and full structural strength when extended and locked into position for imaging procedures.
Data Source
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AI summary
An articulated arm to suspend an X-ray head from a support section in a radiographic imaging apparatus comprising two pairs of linkages separated and joined to an intermediate linkage wherein the proximal end of the first pair of linkages is connected to the support section and the distal end of the second pair of linkages is connected to the X-ray head, and further wherein the linkages in the first pair of linkages are parallel and rotatable about the connection to the support section, the linkages in the second pair of linkages are parallel and rotatable about the intermediate linkage, and whereby a rotational orientation of a mounting for the X-ray head about an axis which is parallel to the axes about which the first pair of linkages are rotatable remains constant when the first pair of linkages is rotated relative to the support section and/or the second pair of linkages is rotated relative to the intermediate linkage.