Cassette Radiation Detector Shock Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cassette-type radiation image detectors face challenges in achieving sufficient shock resistance without compromising size reduction, weight reduction, ease of assembly, and maintenance, as existing solutions either obstruct size reduction, increase weight, or complicate manufacturing and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A cassette design featuring a box-shaped housing with a light-shielding and radiation-transmissive front member and back member, a two-dimensional array radiation detection sensor supported by a sensor supporting member with engaging members and shock-absorbing materials placed between them, allowing for effective shock absorption while maintaining compactness and light weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If shock absorbing material is provided at the edges on the interior of the cassette, then shock resistance is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshock resistanceVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor supporting member is nested within the cassette housing, with engaging members that interlock with the housing walls. The shock absorbing members are integrated into this nested structure, positioned between the engaging members and the housing interior surface, creating a compact hierarchical arrangement that provides shock protection without adding external complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Shock absorbing members are strategically positioned only at specific locations where shock transmission to the sensor is most critical - between the engaging members and the housing interior. This localized approach provides effective shock resistance only where needed, rather than uniformly throughout the entire cassette interior, thereby reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If filler materials are used to fill the interior of the cassette, then shock resistance is improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshock resistanceVSAvoidcassette weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of filling the entire cassette interior with heavy filler materials, shock absorbing members are placed only at specific strategic locations between the engaging members and the housing interior where shock transmission to the sensor is most critical. This localized shock absorption provides effective protection while minimizing the total amount of shock absorbing material required, thereby controlling the weight increase

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If shock absorbing material is provided in the cassette, then shock resistance is improved, but ease of assembly and maintenance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshock resistanceVSAvoidease of assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cassette is divided into modular segments: the sensor supporting member with its engaging members, the shock absorbing members as separate insertable elements, and the housing. This segmentation allows the shock absorbing members to be independently installed or removed without disassembling the entire cassette, greatly facilitating both manufacturing assembly and field maintenance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The nested structure allows the sensor supporting member to be assembled within the housing, with shock absorbing members positioned in the spaces between engaging members and the housing interior. This nested arrangement enables straightforward assembly by simply placing components into their designated positions without complex fastening operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 design provides adequate shock resistance to protect the radiation detection sensor when dropped, while maintaining a small size and light weight, and facilitates easy assembly and maintenance by using strategically placed shock-absorbing materials and engaging members.

Implementation Method 1

a shock absorbing member positioned between the first engaging member and the second engaging member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShock absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP1923723B1Cassette type radiation image detector
Publication Date: 2013.08.21 KONICA MINOLTA MEDICAL & GRAPHICS INC
  • EP1923723B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP1923723B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP1923723B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

A cassette type radiation image detector (30) having a box-shaped cassette housing configured by engaging a front member (10) that is light-shielding and radiation-transmissive, with a light-shielding back member, and a two-dimensional array type radiation detection sensor for detecting radiation images incorporated in the radiation image detector, the radiation image detector including: a sensor supporting member (31) that supports the radiation detection sensor; a first engaging member (311 to 314) provided at the sensor supporting member; a second engaging member (211 to 214) provided at the back member; and a shock absorbing member positioned between the first engaging member and the second engaging member, wherein the box-shaped cassette housing is formed by engaging the first engaging member with the second engaging member via the shock absorbing member (511 to 514).