C-Arm Sheet Metal and Cast Coupling for Robot Payload
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical examination or treatment facilities with C-arms face challenges in achieving a balance between minimizing the size of the support bracket and maximizing payload capacity due to the heavy weight of C-arm components, which restricts movement kinematics and requires large robot and support bracket dimensions.
Innovation Solution
The C-arm is predominantly made of sheet metal parts with a cast metal coupling unit, eliminating additional cast metal parts and using deep-drawn sheet metal parts for arm segments, which reduces weight while maintaining stability and allowing for large payloads through appropriate geometry and arrangement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the C-arm is made of cast aluminum framework structure, then the payload capacity is increased, but the weight of the C-arm increases and movement kinematics are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The C-arm combines sheet metal parts (aluminum or steel) with a cast metal coupling unit, creating a composite structure that optimizes the balance between weight and strength. The sheet metal parts provide lightweight construction while the cast coupling unit provides precise mounting interfaces and structural integrity where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The C-arm is divided into multiple segments: sheet metal brackets or arm segments extending from the coupling unit, and a separate cast metal coupling unit. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently for its specific function, reducing overall weight while maintaining payload capacity.
2Reliability
If the robot and support bracket dimensions are increased, then the payload capacity is increased, but the movement space required is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The support bracket uses a composite construction with sheet metal parts and a cast metal coupling unit, allowing the bracket to be lightweight yet maintain high payload capacity. This reduces the overall size and footprint of the support bracket while preserving its load-bearing capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical examination or treatment facility includes a C-arm, arranged on a support bracket of a robot configured to move the C-arm in space. In an embodiment, the C-arm is made up of a plurality of arm elements in the form of sheet metal parts and at least one coupling unit including at least one cast metal part for coupling the C-arm to the support bracket.