Obstruction-Sensing Pedal Assembly for Scanning Bed Movement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Operators unintentionally stepping on the pedal during medical imaging device operation causes unexpected movement of the scanning bed, affecting examination accuracy and posing a risk of injury or device damage.

Innovation Solution

A pedal assembly equipped with a first sensor to detect obstruction of a predetermined position on the pedaling surface and a switch, outputting a control signal based on the sensor's detection and switch state to control the scanning bed's movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a simple pedal switch is used to control scanning bed movement, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to unintentional activation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepedal operation convenienceVSAvoidunintentional activation prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection through the first sensor to determine whether the pedal surface is obstructed before the switch can be activated. This preliminary action prevents unintentional activation by requiring both pedal depression and proper foot positioning, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a sensor-based obstruction detection system is added to the pedal assembly, then the reliability is improved by preventing unintentional activation, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunintentional activation preventionVSAvoidpedal assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical interlocking mechanisms with a simpler sensor-based detection system. The first sensor optically detects foot positioning and the switch detects pedal depression, using electronic signal processing instead of mechanical complexity to achieve reliable unintentional activation prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20250331785A1Pedal assembly, control method therefor, and medical imaging scanning bed assembly

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC

AI summary

A pedal assembly, a control method therefor, and a medical imaging scanning bed assembly are described herein. The pedal assembly includes a pedal, having a first end portion close to an inner side of the pedal assembly in a first direction and a second end portion away from the inner side of the pedal assembly; a switch, connected to the pedal, and being in a triggered state when the pedal leaves a predetermined position in a second direction; a first sensor, detecting, via a through hole on a surface of the pedal, whether a first region of the surface of the pedal is obstructed; and a controller, outputting a control signal based on a detection result of the first sensor and a state of the switch. The present application can prevent unexpected movement of a mechanism, such as a scanning bed, caused by an operator mistakenly pressing the pedal.