Radiological Imaging Device Controller Weight Balancing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Radiographic image capturing apparatuses with electronic cassettes face challenges in stable carrying due to unbalanced weight distribution caused by centralized and heavy power supplies and communication units, leading to potential damage from impacts during use.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus features a controller that is thicker than the panel unit or protrudes from it, allowing for translation or rotation along the panel unit's surface, which adjusts the center of gravity to balance the device, and includes a moving mechanism to reposition the controller outside the image capturing area, minimizing weight imbalance and obstacles during image capture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the power supply and communication unit are centralized in a certain area of the controller, then the controller can be compactly designed, but the weight distribution of the electronic cassette becomes unbalanced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontroller structureVSAvoidweight distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The controller is designed to be movable along the panel unit surface, allowing dynamic repositioning to balance weight distribution. The moving mechanism enables the controller to shift its position, transforming a static weight imbalance into a dynamically adjustable configuration that achieves stable weight distribution during carrying.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If the controller is made thicker or protruding to house power supply and communication unit, then these components can be integrated, but the controller may obstruct the image capturing area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent integrationVSAvoidimage capturing area
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The controller's position is made dynamic through the moving mechanism, allowing it to be repositioned to protrude from the panel unit in directions that do not obstruct the image capturing area. This enables the controller to maintain its integrated form while adapting its spatial relationship to the imaging zone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The controller is designed to move along the surface of the panel unit, utilizing the two-dimensional surface space rather than occupying three-dimensional space within the image capturing area. This dimensional approach allows the controller to be positioned on the panel surface without blocking the imaging path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the controller is made heavier to include power supply and communication unit, then the electronic cassette gains necessary functionality, but the electronic cassette feels heavier and is harder to carry

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectronic functionalityVSAvoidcarrying weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The moving mechanism acts as a counterbalancing system, allowing the heavy controller to be repositioned to optimize the center of gravity. By adjusting the controller's position, the system compensates for the weight imbalance caused by the heavy power supply and communication unit, making the electronic cassette feel lighter and easier to carry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

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 configuration enables stable and easy carrying of the radiographic image capturing apparatus by distributing the weight evenly, reducing the risk of damage and improving user comfort during handling.

Implementation Method 1

a direct-conversion-type radiation conversion panel, which employs a solid-state detector for converting radiation directly into electric signals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDirect conversion:

Implementation Method 2

an indirect-conversion-type radiation conversion panel, which employs a scintillator for converting radiation into visible light and a solid-state detector for converting the visible light into electric signals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIndirect conversion:

Data Source

PatentEP2541281B1Radiological imaging device
Publication Date: 2019.11.13 FUJIFILM CORP
  • EP2541281B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2541281B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2541281B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A radiological imaging device (20A-20E) has a panel section (30) which houses radiation conversion panels (92, 600) for converting radiation (16) to a radiological image, and a control section (32) which is disposed on the panel section (30) and which controls the radiation conversion panels (92, 600). The control section (32) is thicker than the panel section (30), or protrudes from the panel section (30).