Tactile Gel Sheet Scale for Ultrasonic Probe Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasonic inspection devices are difficult for users, especially those unaccustomed to operation, to accurately identify and set measurement positions and settings due to the need for advanced skills, leading to unsuitable initial settings and inefficient adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A gel sheet with formed portions featuring projections, recesses, or surface treatments is interposed between the ultrasonic probe and the subject, providing differential movement resistance to facilitate easy positioning and setting by tactile sensation, and can include digital information conversion for automated settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional ultrasonic gel sheet without tactile features is used, then the ultrasonic inspection can be performed, but the user cannot easily identify the measurement position by tactile sensation
Solution Approach 1:
The gel sheet incorporates formed portions (projections, recesses, or unevenness) at specific locations corresponding to measurement positions. These localized tactile features allow users to identify measurement positions by touch alone, without requiring visual confirmation or advanced operational skills.
Solution Approach 2:
The formed portions on the gel sheet serve as an intermediary between the ultrasonic probe and the user's tactile sense. They transmit positional information from the probe-gel interface to the user's fingers, enabling intuitive position identification through differential movement resistance.
2Ease of operation
If the gel sheet has uniform surface properties, then manufacturing is simple, but the user cannot distinguish measurement positions through tactile feedback
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than making the entire gel sheet complex, only specific localized areas contain formed portions (projections, recesses, or periodic unevenness). This approach provides the necessary tactile differentiation while keeping the overall manufacturing process relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The formed portions are pre-formed into the gel sheet during manufacturing, embedding the positional information directly into the product. This preliminary action ensures that the tactile features are already in place before use, eliminating the need for additional marking or positioning steps.
3Measurement precision
If the ultrasonic probe is positioned without tactile guides, then the device structure remains simple, but users unaccustomed to operation cannot accurately identify measurement positions
Solution Approach 1:
The gel sheet incorporates formed portions (projections, recesses, or periodic unevenness) at specific locations corresponding to measurement positions. These localized tactile features allow users to identify measurement positions by touch alone, without requiring visual confirmation or advanced operational skills.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex electronic positioning systems or visual guidance mechanisms with simple tactile mechanical features on the gel sheet. The differential movement resistance provided by the formed portions enables intuitive position identification through touch, substituting for more complex technological solutions.
Data Source
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Figure 4a
AI summary
An object is to provide a gel sheet, an ultrasonic inspection system, and a method for manufacturing a gel sheet that enables positioning and setting of an ultrasonic probe to be performed easily. A gel sheet 20 used in an ultrasonic inspection system 1 includes, in a predetermined region of a front surface of sheet form, a formed portion 21 differing in movement resistance in comparison to other regions. The formed portion 21 has a plurality of projections 211 and recesses 212 formed periodically at a predetermined uniform width in correspondence to a scanning position of the ultrasonic probe 12 and functions as a scale. During measurement, by counting the number of scale marks from a starting point O of the projections 211, a measurement site that is specific to each subject M can be ascertained as a scale mark position and therefore, a user can easily identify the scanning position of the ultrasonic probe 12 without checking his/her hand.