Collapsible Column for Mobile X-Ray Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile x-ray apparatuses with fixed vertical columns obstruct the technician's view during transport, leading to potential collisions and reduced productivity, and require excessive effort for boom height adjustment due to the need for coordinated movement of column and boom heights.
Innovation Solution
A mobile radiography apparatus with a sectioned vertical column and counterbalance apparatus, featuring a cable and pulley system that assists users in adjusting the boom height, allowing for easy movement and improved visibility by enabling the column to collapse and the boom to be raised or lowered over a wide range of heights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a fixed vertical column is used to support the x-ray source, then the structural stability is improved, but the technician's visibility during transport is obstructed and mobility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical column is designed to be collapsible rather than fixed, allowing it to transition between an extended stable position during imaging operations and a collapsed position during transport. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by providing structural stability when needed while eliminating visibility obstruction during movement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the column height is increased to allow greater boom movement range, then the imaging capability is improved, but the effort required to adjust boom height increases
Solution Approach 1:
A counterbalance apparatus is implemented that uses a cable and pulley system to provide mechanical assistance when adjusting the boom height. The counterbalance mechanism offsets the weight of the boom and x-ray source, significantly reducing the effort required by the technician to move the boom through its full range of motion while maintaining the extended column height for improved imaging capability.
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
Enhances mobility and visibility during transport by reducing the obstruction caused by the column, while simplifying the adjustment of boom heights, thereby improving operational efficiency and reducing the risk of accidents.
Implementation Method 1
One or more cable and pulley systems within the vertical column and/or within the transport frame assist a user to adjust a height of the boom and the x-ray source
Implementation Method 2
a counterbalance apparatus coupled to the at least one movable section of the vertical column
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile radiography apparatus with a portable transport frame has a sectioned vertical column mounted on the transport frame. The sectioned vertical column defines a vertical axis and has a vertically fixed base section and an upper section that is movable with respect to the base section along the vertical axis. Cable and pulley systems are coupled to the vertical column sections and/or the transport frame. A boom is coupled to the movable section for positioning an x-ray source attached to the boom.