Latchless X-ray Detector Bin With Spring Retainers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional digital X-ray detector storage bins face issues with door manufacturing complexity, premature wear-and-tear due to forceful operation, time-consuming door operation, damage to detectors from latch mechanisms and hard rubber bumpers, and unsightly screws proximity to detectors.
Innovation Solution
The use of shock absorbers and spring guides within the storage bin eliminates the need for doors, providing secure retention and vibration damping, reducing manufacturing defects and damage to detectors while facilitating faster and more gentle handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a door with latch mechanism is used on the storage bin, then the detectors are retained securely, but the manufacturing complexity increases due to screws, spacers, and washers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the door and latch mechanism entirely from the storage bin design. Instead of using a traditional door with screws, spacers, and washers, the invention uses spring-loaded retainers that automatically engage with the detector edges to secure it in place. This extraction of the door assembly eliminates the manufacturing complexity associated with multiple small components while maintaining secure detector retention through the spring retainer mechanism.
2Reliability
If a door with latch is used to secure detectors, then detectors are retained, but wear-and-tear occurs prematurely due to forceful operation
Solution Approach 1:
By eliminating the door assembly entirely and replacing it with spring-loaded retainers, the patent removes the component subject to repeated forceful opening and closing. The spring retainers are passively activated by detector insertion and removal, avoiding the mechanical stress that causes premature door failure in conventional designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded retainers provide cushioning during detector insertion and removal. The springs absorb the impact forces when detectors are placed into or taken from the storage bin, preventing the harsh mechanical shocks that would otherwise damage a door latch mechanism and extending the service life of the retention system.
3Reliability
If a door mechanism is used, then detectors are secured, but operational time increases due to door opening and closing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the door and its associated opening/closing operations. The spring-loaded retainers are automatically engaged when a detector is inserted into the bin and disengage when removed, eliminating the time-consuming manual door operation while maintaining secure detector retention during storage.
4Ease of operation
If screws and latch mechanisms are placed near the detector, then the door functions properly, but detectors are scratched by the hardware
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the door, screws, and latch mechanisms that come into contact with detectors during insertion and removal. The spring-loaded retainers are positioned to engage with detector edges without requiring proximity to the detector surface, eliminating the scratching hazard while maintaining operational functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded retainers act as intermediaries between the storage bin structure and the detectors. Instead of screws and latches directly contacting the detectors, the spring mechanisms provide a cushioned, non-abrasive interface that secures detectors without causing surface damage.
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 wear-and-tear on storage bin doors, minimizes damage to detectors, and enhances operational efficiency by eliminating the need for doors, allowing for quicker and more secure insertion and removal of detectors without the risk of scratches from latch mechanisms or hard rubber bumpers.
Implementation Method 1
The shock absorber is configured to press any item inserted into the digital X-ray detector storage bin against a surface inside the digital X-ray detector storage bin
Implementation Method 2
providing secure retention and vibration damping
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which a bin that is operable to store digital X-ray detectors includes one or more shock absorbers on the inside of the digital X-ray detector storage bin.