Power-Assisted Imaging Trolley for High-Resistance Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile medical imaging apparatuses, such as X-ray machines, are difficult to transport between different operating rooms due to their large self-weight, which results in high rolling resistance on soft ground surfaces, making manual transportation cumbersome and limiting further integration and addition of auxiliary functions.
Innovation Solution
A mobile medical imaging apparatus equipped with a moving trolley that includes a trolley body with a power-assisted travelling mechanism, a force detection unit, and a control unit. The force detection unit detects the operator's driving force, and the control unit adjusts the power-assisted travelling mechanism to facilitate easier movement of the trolley, reducing the required operator force and improving maneuverability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the X-ray machine is mounted on a wheeled trolley for manual transportation, then the machine can be moved between different operating rooms, but the rolling resistance becomes very large (exceeding 100 N) on soft ground surfaces, making transportation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical manual pushing system with an electromechanical system. A force detection unit (strain gauge) detects the operator's pushing force, and an motor-driven wheel provides power assistance to overcome rolling resistance on soft surfaces, reducing the physical effort required while maintaining mobility control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a control system as an intermediary between the operator and the trolley movement. The force detection unit acts as a mediator that translates the operator's small pushing force into controlled motor activation, which then assists the wheel in moving the heavy X-ray machine with minimal direct physical effort from the operator.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the X-ray machine is designed with sufficient power and optional functions to meet clinical needs, then the machine achieves required performance, but the self-weight increases to 250-400 kg, exacerbating transportation difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the trolley system automatically compensates for its own weight and the heavy load it carries. The force detection unit senses the operator's input and the motor provides proportional power assistance, enabling the heavy equipment to essentially move itself with minimal operator effort rather than requiring the operator to overcome the full weight directly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the transportation system by introducing variable power assistance. The motor output is dynamically adjusted based on the detected pushing force and operational conditions, allowing the system to adapt its mechanical output to match the actual transportation needs while carrying heavy equipment with advanced functions.
3Reliability
If the trolley is designed to support the heavy X-ray machine with all its functions, then the structure must be robust, but the device complexity increases, limiting further integration of auxiliary functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a unified control architecture. The force detection unit serves both as a safety mechanism (detecting operator presence and intent) and as a control input for the motor-driven wheel. The control unit coordinates both the power assistance and the steering mechanisms, reducing overall system complexity while enabling robust support for heavy equipment with auxiliary functions.
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 solution significantly reduces the effort required to transport the mobile medical imaging apparatus, enhances its mobility on various ground surfaces, and allows for easier integration of additional functions, thereby improving operational efficiency in clinical settings.
Implementation Method 1
a force detection unit arranged on the trolley body and configured to detect force information on a driving force applied to the trolley body by an operator
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile medical imaging apparatus and a moving trolley thereof are disclosed. The mobile medical imaging apparatus has an imaging device mounted on the moving trolley. The moving trolley includes a trolley body, a force detection unit and a control unit. The trolley body includes a power-assisted travelling mechanism. The force detection unit is arranged on the trolley body and configured to detect force information on a driving force applied to the trolley body by an operator. The force information on the driving force includes at least a direction of the driving force. The control unit is connected to the force detection unit and configured to acquire the force information, and control, based on the force information, the power-assisted travelling mechanism to move relative to ground.