Mammography C-Arm Fall Prevention Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mammography devices do not effectively prevent the compression paddle from falling during an emergency shutdown or power failure when the C-arm is rotated beyond a certain angle, potentially causing damage to the device and its components.
Innovation Solution
A mammography device with a fall prevention unit that includes a braking unit, swing gear unit, and contact controller to restrict the operation of the belt support unit when the C-arm's rotation angle exceeds a predetermined range, using a braking gear and swing gear to engage and stop the belt operation, and a spring to provide elastic force for contact, ensuring the compression paddle remains stable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the C-arm is rotated beyond a predetermined angle range, then the mammography device can perform imaging from different angles, but the compression paddle may fall and cause structural damage due to gravity
Solution Approach 1:
The fall prevention unit is activated in advance when the C-arm rotation angle exceeds a predetermined threshold. The braking unit applies braking force to the belt before the compression paddle can fall, and the swing gear unit rotates to engage with the belt support unit, creating preliminary counter-actions that prevent the harmful effect of paddle falling even when power is cut off during emergency situations
Solution Approach 2:
The swing gear unit acts as an intermediary mechanical component between the braking unit and the belt support unit. When activated, it physically contacts the belt support unit to restrict belt operation, serving as a mechanical mediator that transmits the braking action to prevent compression paddle falling without requiring continuous electrical power
2Reliability
If a fall prevention unit is added to prevent compression paddle falling, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fall prevention unit is integrated with the existing drive unit components. The braking unit utilizes the same motor or drive mechanism that operates the carrying unit, and the swing gear unit is mechanically coupled to the existing belt support structure. This merging approach allows the fall prevention function to be added without creating entirely separate systems, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity
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
Prevents the compression paddle from falling even when the C-arm's rotation angle exceeds a predetermined range, thereby preventing structural damage due to sudden falls and ensuring safety during power failures.
Implementation Method 1
a spring to provide elastic force for contact
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
Provided is a mammography device including: a C-arm including an irradiation unit configured to emit radioactive rays to a subject, and a detection unit on which the subject is disposed; a compression paddle coupled to the C-arm and configured to compress the subject; a carrying unit configured to move the compression paddle upward or downward; a drive unit configured to transmit power to the carrying unit; a belt support unit coupled to an upper portion of a main body of the C-arm and configured to support one side of a belt that operates in conjunction with an operation of the carrying unit; and a fall prevention unit coupled to one side of the belt support unit and configured to restrict an operation of the belt support unit when a rotation angle of the C-arm is a predetermined angle or more.