Magnetic Cable Guide Chain for Rotating Gantry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gantry systems for nuclear medicine cameras face challenges in efficiently guiding cables around rotating structures and accurately sensing the ends of travel, often requiring complex and costly mechanisms with many moving parts.
Innovation Solution
A plastic cable guide chain held in place by clipped-on metal plates and a magnetic surface, combined with limit switches, is used to maintain the chain's position and sense the ends of travel, allowing for robust and cost-effective cable management and motion control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a plastic cable guide chain is used to guide cables around the rotating gantry, then the device complexity and manufacturing cost are reduced, but the chain requires a support system to resist falling during most of its travel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical support systems with a magnetic field-based retention system. Magnets embedded in the gantry structure hold the cable guide chain in place during rotation, eliminating the need for complex mechanical pulleys, accumulators, and tensioning mechanisms while maintaining chain stability throughout the 540-degree travel range
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state or properties of the interaction between the chain and gantry by introducing magnetic attraction. This allows the chain to be retained without physical mechanical supports, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability through the magnetic holding force
2Measurement precision
If limit switches are used to sense ends of travel, then the measurement precision of travel ends is improved, but the system complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary element (the cable guide chain itself) that serves dual purposes: guiding cables and providing a physical indicator for limit switch sensing. The chain's position at the ends of the 540-degree travel range directly actuates the limit switches, eliminating the need for separate sensing mechanisms while maintaining precise end-of-travel detection
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 provides a reliable and cost-effective method for guiding cables around a rotating gantry, ensuring accurate sensing of travel ends and reducing the complexity and expense of cable management systems.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic strip positioned adjacent to at least one of the stationary portion and the rotating portion of the rotating gantry
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for guiding cables around a rotating gantry which includes a guide chain having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to a stationary portion of the rotating gantry and the second end is connected to a rotating portion of the gantry. The apparatus for guiding cables around a rotating gantry also includes means for maintaining the guide chain adjacent to at least one of the stationary portion and the rotating portion of the rotating gantry. Specifically, the means for maintaining the guide chain adjacent to at least one of the stationary portion and the rotating portion of the rotating gantry includes a plurality of plates connected to the guide chain and a magnetic strip positioned adjacent to at least one of the stationary portion and the rotating portion of the rotating gantry. The plurality of plates is preferably formed of a ferrous metal. In the apparatus for guiding cables around a rotating gantry, the magnetic strip may be connected adjacent to an inner diameter of the stationery portion of the rotating gantry, or any other suitable surface.