Medical Table Top Plate Collision Detection Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual movement of a medical table top plate parallel to a pedestal base in X-ray imaging systems poses a risk of finger collision with the pedestal, especially when a patient is on the table, due to inertia and lack of safety mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a detecting device, such as a travel sensor with a linearly moving member and a shift sensor, including a contact plate with a cushion member and an optical sensor, to detect impending collisions and activate a stopping device to prevent finger contact with the pedestal base.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the top plate is designed to move manually over the pedestal base, then ease of operation is improved, but safety deteriorates due to risk of finger collision with the pedestal base
Solution Approach 1:
The detecting device is activated before collision occurs to sense fingers approaching the pedestal base. The system performs preliminary detection and triggers the stopping device in advance, preventing the harmful collision before it can happen while maintaining smooth manual operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The detecting device acts as an intermediary between the operator's fingers and the pedestal base. It senses the approach of fingers and mediates by activating the stopping device, preventing direct contact between fingers and the pedestal base while allowing normal operation to continue.
2Productivity
If the top plate moves by inertia when a patient is on it, then productivity is improved by reducing manual effort, but safety deteriorates due to increased collision risk
Solution Approach 1:
The detecting device continuously monitors the position of fingers relative to the pedestal base during inertial movement. When fingers approach the dangerous zone, the system provides feedback by activating the stopping device, creating a safety loop that allows efficient inertial movement while preventing operator injury.
Solution Approach 2:
The stopping device applies preliminary anti-action by counteracting the inertial movement of the top plate before collision can occur. When the detecting device senses approaching fingers, the stopping device engages to prevent the harmful effect of collision, allowing the system to maintain productivity through inertial movement while protecting the operator.
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
Ensures high safety and stability during manual movement of the medical table top plate by detecting finger proximity to the pedestal base and automatically stopping the plate to prevent collisions, enhancing operator safety and reducing the risk of injury.
Implementation Method 1
a linearly moving member which is given a recovery force by a spring
Implementation Method 2
the shift sensor is an optical sensor
Implementation Method 3
the optical sensor includes a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element which face each other with a clearance between them, and a light-shielding element which enters or leaves the clearance
Implementation Method 4
the contact plate has a cushion member on a surface of it
Data Source
AI summary
A medical table in which a top plate for a patient to lie on is supported by a pedestal base in a manner to be able to move parallel to a plate surface, includes a detecting device for detecting that fingers holding the top plate are about to collide against the pedestal base when moving the top plate, and a stopping device for stopping movement of the top plate according to a detection signal from the detecting device.