Patient Support Arm Brake for Stable X-Ray Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient supporting apparatuses for medical image photographing struggle to balance ease of position adjustment with the need for secure position holding, as easier adjustments lead to instability during X-ray photography, while increased stability complicates position adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A patient supporting apparatus with a horizontal and vertical arm portion, a rail for perpendicular movement, and a brake mechanism utilizing a moment of rotation to prevent arm movement, ensuring position holding when in use and allowing easy adjustment when not in use, using a sub-rail and brake shoe with a driven gear for effective friction-based braking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the vertical arm is made easily adjustable, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of position holding deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The brake mechanism dynamically changes its braking force based on the operational state. During positioning, the brake allows easy movement with minimal resistance. Once positioned, the brake automatically engages to firmly hold the vertical arm in place, transforming the system from a free-moving state to a locked state to resolve the contradiction between ease of adjustment and position holding reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake mechanism changes the friction parameter between the brake shoe and rail based on operational needs. When adjustment is needed, the friction is minimized allowing smooth movement. When positioning is complete, the friction parameter is maximized through brake engagement to prevent any movement, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability of position holding.
2Reliability
If the vertical arm is made difficult to move, then the reliability of position holding is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The brake mechanism dynamically adjusts its engagement level based on the operational phase. During the adjustment phase, the brake is disengaged or lightly engaged to allow smooth movement. During the holding phase, the brake is fully engaged to provide firm position holding. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by making the system easy to move when needed and difficult to move when position holding is required.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake mechanism applies a preliminary restraining force that prevents unwanted movement while allowing intentional movement through proper operation. The brake is designed to engage automatically when positioning force is applied, providing preliminary anti-action against inadvertent movement, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of adjustment and position holding reliability.
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
The apparatus achieves both ease of position adjustment and secure position holding, preventing patient arm movement during X-ray photography, ensuring accurate and stable support for medical imaging.
Implementation Method 1
a brake for preventing movement of the arm along the rail by utilizing a moment of rotation with the vertical arm portion of the arm being as an axis
Implementation Method 2
the brake shoe adapted to be pressed against the sub-rail by utilizing the moment of rotation... braking is applied the brake by utilizing friction induced between the fitting portion and an inner wall of the groove
Data Source
AI summary
With a view to attaining both easiness of position adjustment and sureness of position holding, a patient supporting apparatus comprises an arm for supporting a patient, the arm comprising a horizontal arm portion and a vertical arm portion, a rail for supporting the arm movably in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal arm portion and the vertical arm portion, and a brake for preventing movement of the arm along the rail by utilizing a moment of rotation with the vertical arm portion of the arm being as an axis.