Detent Spring Fastening System for MRIs
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Solution Overview
Problem
In magnetic resonance systems, the design requires invisible screw connections for aesthetics while ensuring easy accessibility and vibration decoupling, as direct screw connections between the inlet funnel and the body coil lead to noise due to vibration transmission.
Innovation Solution
A fastening system using a detent spring locked into a groove of a detent pin, with a Bowden cable allowing for releasable attachment and detachment without visible screws, utilizing a receptacle with a bias spring for automatic release and adjustable Bowden cables for force distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screw connections are used to fasten the inlet funnel to the body coil, then the fastening is secure and reliable, but vibrations are transmitted from the body coil to the inlet funnel causing noise
Solution Approach 1:
A vibration-damping element is introduced as an intermediary component between the body coil and the inlet funnel. This mediator absorbs and dissipates vibrations, preventing them from being transmitted to the inlet funnel while still maintaining a secure fastening connection.
2Ease of operation
If screw connections are made visible or accessible for service, then easy accessibility is improved, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is segmented into modular components including the inlet funnel, body coil, and separate fastening elements. This segmentation allows the fastening mechanism to be positioned and designed independently, enabling aesthetic coverage while maintaining service accessibility through appropriate component placement and design.
3Shape
If decorative covers are added to hide screw connections, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet funnel and body coil components are designed to serve multiple functions: they provide the primary structural connection, accommodate the fastening mechanism, and simultaneously serve as aesthetic elements that cover or conceal the fastening components. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate decorative covers.
4Productivity
If direct screw connections are used, then assembly is simple, but vibration transmission occurs causing noise
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration-damping element is pre-positioned or pre-installed as part of the fastening system before final assembly. This preliminary action ensures that the vibration-damping function is already in place during assembly, maintaining simple assembly procedures while preventing vibration transmission from the outset.
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
This solution reduces tool and part costs, shortens assembly and disassembly times, and prevents vibration-induced noise by eliminating direct screw connections, allowing for easy and secure fastening and release of components without manual effort.
Implementation Method 1
a detent spring arranged on the apparatus is engaged with a groove of a detent pin arranged on the component
Implementation Method 2
the receptacle has a bias spring fastened to the receptacle. When fastening the component to the apparatus, the detent pin is inserted into the receptacle counter to the bias spring, so that the bias spring is pretensioned after insertion of the detent pin into the receptacle
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a fastening system for the releasable fastening of a component to an apparatus are described. Here the fastening system comprises a detent spring arranged on the apparatus, a detent pin with a groove arranged on the component and a Bowden cable arranged on the apparatus. If the component is fastened to the apparatus, the detent spring locks in the groove in a locking position. The Bowden cable is connected to the detent spring such that when pulling on the Bowden cable, the detent spring releases from the locking position in the groove, as a result of which the fastening of the component to the apparatus is released.