Bendable Radiation Detector Wheels for Curved-Surface Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radiation detectors face challenges in protection and mobility, particularly when used on curved surfaces, due to bulky cases that affect image quality and difficulty in maintaining a consistent distance from the subject during rotation.

Innovation Solution

A bendable radiation detector with a flexible front protection unit and rotatable detector wheels that allow for protection and mobility, featuring a detachable front protection unit and wheels that maintain a constant distance from the subject.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a case is used to protect the radiation detector, then the detector surface is protected, but the detector becomes bulky and image quality degrades

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetector surface protectionVSAvoiddetector bulkiness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The protection unit is designed as a separate, detachable component that can be attached only when needed, rather than being permanently integrated into the detector housing. This allows the detector to remain compact during normal operation while providing protection when required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protective function is extracted from the main detector body as a separate front protection unit. This unit can be attached to the detector surface and removed when not needed, preventing the detector from being permanently bulky while still providing protection when required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a case is used to protect the radiation detector, then the detector surface is protected, but the distance between detector and subject increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetector surface protectionVSAvoiddetector-to-subject distance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The front protection unit is designed as a thin protective layer that provides surface protection without adding significant thickness. This thin film approach ensures that the detector can maintain close proximity to the subject while still protecting the detector surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If the radiation detector is made larger to improve protection, then durability increases, but mobility around curved surfaces decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetector durabilityVSAvoidability to rotate around subject
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The detector system is segmented into a main detector body and a separate protective front unit. This segmentation allows the detector to maintain its compact, mobile form factor while providing enhanced protection through the attachable front unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protective front unit is designed to be dynamically attachable and detachable, allowing the detector to adapt its configuration based on operational needs. When protection is needed, the front unit is attached; when mobility is prioritized, it can be removed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Measurement precision

If a fixed arm is provided on the detector to maintain constant distance, then image quality improves, but portability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstant distance maintenanceVSAvoiddetector portability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of a fixed, heavy arm structure, the system uses a flexible cable connection that allows the detector to maintain connection to the imaging system while moving freely around the subject. The cable provides dynamic positioning capability without the weight and rigidity constraints of a fixed arm.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

5Adaptability or versatility

If the radiation detector is made bendable to adapt to curved surfaces, then adaptability improves, but manufacturing difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to conform to curved surfaceVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The bendable detector is constructed from modular components including flexible circuit boards, flexible display panels, and flexible battery packs. This modular segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using standard processes, then assembled into a flexible configuration that can conform to curved surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The detector employs composite material construction with flexible substrates, flexible electronics, and flexible power sources. These composite materials and structures enable the detector to bend and conform to curved surfaces while maintaining functionality and ease of manufacture through established flexible electronics techniques.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides durable protection for the detector surface without affecting image quality, enhances portability, and allows for easy bending and movement around curved surfaces.

Implementation Method 1

a front protection unit that is positioned in a third direction of the radiation detection panel to protect the radiation detection panel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadiation absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of rotatable detector wheel assemblies that are positioned on at least one of an upper side and a lower side of the bending support unit, allow the radiation detector to maintain a predetermined distance from a subject, and allow the radiation detector to move along an outer circumferential surface of the subject

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling motion: Wheel

Data Source

PatentEP4679141A1Bendable radiation detector comprising wheels
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 DRTECH CORP
  • EP4679141A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4679141A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4679141A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a radiation detector for detecting radiation, and the radiation detector includes a flexible radiation detection panel that extends in a first direction, and detects radiation incident on a first surface thereof, a bending support unit that is in contact with a second surface opposite to the first surface of the radiation detection panel, supports the radiation detection panel, and adjusts bending of the radiation detection panel around a bending axis parallel to a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a plurality of rotatable detector wheel assemblies that are positioned on at least one of an upper side and a lower side of the bending support unit, allow the radiation detector to maintain a predetermined distance from a subject, and allow the radiation detector to move along an outer circumferential surface of the subject.