Mobile X-ray Imaging Device Foldable Arm and Balancer Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile X-ray imaging devices face challenges in maintaining a clear forward view during transit due to the obstruction caused by the X-ray tube strut and struggle with stability due to the off-centered weight distribution, limiting the flexibility and range of the X-ray tube positioning.
Innovation Solution
A mobile X-ray imaging device with a foldable arm unit equipped with an X-ray tube, where the arm can be slidably stored in a concave on the main body, allowing for expanded mobility and visibility without elongating the arm, and featuring a balancer mechanism to maintain stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the X-ray tube is connected to the console via a movable supporter (pantograph arm), then imaging at various heights and angles is enabled, but the strut positioned forward of the console obstructs the forward view during transit
Solution Approach 1:
The movable supporter is divided into two separate arms: a first arm that rotates about a vertical axis at the console, and a second arm that rotates about a horizontal axis at the end of the first arm. This segmentation allows the X-ray tube to be positioned forward for imaging while the arms can be folded back during transit to clear the forward view.
Solution Approach 2:
The arms are designed with multiple rotational degrees of freedom, allowing dynamic reconfiguration between imaging position (arms extended forward) and transit position (arms folded back). The dynamic positioning enables the system to adapt between operational and transport states.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the X-ray tube unit is moved according to the movable supporter during imaging, then various imaging postures are achieved, but the center of gravity becomes off-centered causing the device to topple
Solution Approach 1:
A balancer mechanism is introduced to counteract the weight of the X-ray tube unit and compensate for the shifting center of gravity as the arms move to various imaging positions. The balancer maintains device stability throughout the range of motion by providing opposing gravitational force.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the arm unit is made longer to expand the movable range of the X-ray tube, then imaging flexibility is improved, but the arm unit cannot be stored in the storage concave and forward view is obstructed during transit
Solution Approach 1:
The two-arm configuration with rotational joints allows the arms to be extended forward for imaging and then folded back along the longitudinal axis of the console for storage. This dynamic reconfiguration provides a movable range comparable to longer arms while maintaining compact storage and clear forward view during transit.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a mobile X-ray imaging device having a foldable arm unit equipped with an X-ray tube unit, and a storage concave for storing the folded arm unit on the front side of a main body. An end of the arm unit fixed to the main body side is made slidable with respect to the main body. With this configuration, it is possible to provide the mobile X-ray imaging device having a high degree of flexibility in arranging the X-ray tube when imaging is performed, and also the forward view is never be obstructed by the device in transit.