Storage Phosphor Plate Alignment via Controlled Roll Slippage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for reading out storage phosphor plates, especially those oriented horizontally, fail to ensure reliable alignment with the alignment edge due to gravity-induced leading edge misalignment.
Innovation Solution
The use of rotating conveyance rolls that apply adjustable pressure to the storage phosphor plate, allowing for slack or slippage when it contacts the alignment edge, ensuring proper orientation and alignment, even when the plate is horizontally oriented, by setting different distances and pressures between the rolls and the plate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pivotable support bar with slide is used for conveying the storage phosphor plate, then the plate can be moved along the support bar, but reliable alignment cannot be guaranteed when the plate is horizontally orientated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the static pivotable support bar system with dynamic rotating conveyance rolls that can actively adjust their rotation and pressure. The control unit dynamically controls the rotation of the conveyance rolls to create slack or slippage, enabling the system to adapt to different plate orientations (vertical or horizontal) and reliably align the leading edge against the alignment edge regardless of orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by controlling the pressure and rotation speed of the conveyance rolls. The control unit adjusts the pressure with which the rolls press onto the plate and controls their rotation to create controlled slack or slippage. This parameter control enables reliable alignment for both vertical and horizontal plate orientations, resolving the limitation of the previous static system.
2Reliability
If the conveyance rolls press firmly onto the storage phosphor plate, then the plate is securely conveyed, but alignment through slippage cannot occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by controlling the pressure and rotation of the conveyance rolls to create a specific degree of slack or slippage only when needed for alignment. The control unit regulates the rotation of the rolls so that they press onto the plate with controlled pressure, allowing just enough slippage to enable the leading edge to align properly against the alignment edge, while still maintaining sufficient grip for secure conveyance.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit dynamically adjusts the pressure and rotation parameters of the conveyance rolls. By controlling the pressure with which the rolls press onto the plate and regulating their rotation speed, the system creates controlled slack or slippage that enables precise alignment while maintaining reliable conveyance. This parameter control resolves the contradiction between firm pressing and alignment slippage.
3Manufacturing precision
If the leading edge of the storage phosphor plate does not extend parallel to the alignment edge, then misalignment occurs, but the existing device cannot correct this orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables self-service alignment by allowing the storage phosphor plate to self-correct its orientation through controlled slippage between the rotating conveyance rolls and the plate. When the leading edge is not parallel to the alignment edge, the differential pressure and rotation of the rolls create slack that allows the plate to naturally rotate and align itself against the alignment edge without manual intervention, improving both precision and ease of operation.
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
Guarantees reliable alignment of the storage phosphor plate to the alignment edge, enabling accurate and precise positioning for effective X-ray information reading, including horizontal orientations, through controlled pressure and slippage mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
a slack or slippage occurs between the rotating conveyance rolls and the storage phosphor plate being conveyed when the storage phosphor plate comes into contact with the alignment edge
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for reading out storage phosphor plates (2) for storing X-ray information with one or more rotating conveyance rolls (11 to 14) for conveying the storage phosphor plate (2), an alignment edge (19, 22) to which the storage phosphor plate (2) can be aligned, and a read-out device for reading out the X-ray information stored in the storage phosphor plate (2). For more reliable alignment of the storage phosphor plate (2), in particular also with a storage phosphor plate (2) orientated substantially horizontally, provision is made such that the storage phosphor plate (2) is conveyed by the rotating conveyance rolls (11, 12) in direction (R, R′) towards the alignment edge (19, 22) and a control device is provided for setting a pressure with which the conveyance rolls (11, 12) press onto the storage phosphor plate (2), the pressure being set such that a slack or slippage occurs between the rotating conveyance rolls (11, 12) and the storage phosphor plate (2) being conveyed when the storage phosphor plate (2) comes into contact with the alignment edge (19, 22), by means of which the storage phosphor plate (2) can change its orientation and thus be aligned to the alignment edge (19, 22).