Pedal Mechanism for Medical Imaging Bed Docking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical imaging apparatus beds require complex mechanical and electrical docking mechanisms, which are cumbersome and prone to errors due to the need for precise alignment and large connectors, making them difficult to connect and disconnect safely and efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A pedal mechanism with first and second pedals, and a locking bar system that ensures mechanical and electrical docking occur in a specific order, preventing accidental locking and providing feedback only when operated correctly, thus ensuring safe and efficient coupling and decoupling of the bed from the apparatus main body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a docking mechanism with multiple signal lines and large connectors is used to ensure reliable electrical connection, then the reliability of electrical docking is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The docking mechanism performs electrical docking automatically through mechanical engagement. When the bed is mechanically docked with the apparatus main body, the connectors engage automatically without requiring manual insertion or complex alignment procedures, allowing the system to serve itself in establishing electrical connections
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines mechanical docking and electrical docking into a single integrated operation. The mechanical coupling structure and electrical connectors are positioned such that one docking action simultaneously achieves both mechanical attachment and electrical connection, eliminating the need for separate operations
2Reliability
If manual insertion of large connectors is used for electrical docking, then the reliability of connection is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connectors are designed to engage automatically through the mechanical docking motion itself. The system uses the movement of the bed during mechanical docking to drive the connectors together, eliminating the need for operators to manually insert or align large connectors
3Reliability
If mechanical docking is performed before electrical docking in a multi-step process, then the reliability of the docking process is improved, but the productivity and ease of operation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges mechanical docking and electrical docking into a single simultaneous operation. The docking structure is designed so that when the bed is pushed against the apparatus main body, both the mechanical coupling and electrical connector engagement occur in one continuous motion, eliminating multiple separate steps
Solution Approach 2:
The connectors are pre-positioned and aligned through the mechanical docking structure itself. The mechanical guide surfaces and connector housings are designed to automatically align the electrical connectors before engagement, so that the preliminary alignment action is built into the main docking motion rather than requiring separate alignment steps
Data Source
AI summary
Realized is a pedal mechanism that does not lock and does not provide an operation feeling unless operated in a determined order. The pedal mechanism has first and second pedals 105 and 106, first and second plates 108 and 109, and a locking bar 115. The radius of the second plate 109 is smaller than that of the first plate 108, and the second plate does not come into contact with the locking bar in a state where a circular-arc region of the first plate supports the locking bar 115. Therefore, the second pedal does not give an operation feeling even when stepped on, and the second plate cannot be locked. In a locked state where the locking bar is located in a cutout region of the first plate, the locking bar contacts the second plate, the second pedal provides an operation feeling, and the second plate can be locked.