Storage Phosphor Eraser Reflector Redirects Radiation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing storage phosphor layer erasing apparatuses suffer from low efficiency due to high reflection of erasing radiation, leading to wasted energy and reduced effectiveness in removing undesired picture information.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus incorporates a reflector designed to capture and redirect erasing radiation reflected by the storage phosphor layer, using a combination of specular and diffuse reflection surfaces to enhance erasure efficiency, reduce power requirements, and extend the lifespan of the radiation source, potentially eliminating the need for cooling and optimizing space usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a radiation source is used to emit erasing radiation onto the storage phosphor layer, then the storage phosphor layer can be erased, but a large part of the erasing radiation is reflected without being used, leading to low efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveerasure efficiencyVSAvoidreflected erasing radiation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful reflected erasing radiation into a beneficial resource by using a reflector to redirect it back onto the storage phosphor layer. The reflector captures the reflected radiation and redirects it to contribute to the erasure process, transforming the waste energy into useful erasing radiation that enhances overall erasure efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent recovers the reflected erasing radiation that would otherwise be discarded. By positioning a reflector to intercept the reflected radiation and redirect it back onto the storage phosphor layer, the system recovers and reuse the energy, thereby improving erasure efficiency and reducing energy waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Reliability

If the storage phosphor layer has high reflection, then the layer maintains its properties, but the reflected erasing radiation does not contribute to erasure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage phosphor layer propertiesVSAvoiderasure effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the high reflection property, which initially causes erasing radiation to be wasted, into a beneficial effect. By using a reflector to redirect the reflected radiation back onto the storage phosphor layer, the system utilizes the layer's reflective property to enable multiple passes of erasing radiation through the layer, thereby improving erasure effectiveness while maintaining the layer's inherent properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If more erasing radiation is used to compensate for reflection losses, then erasure effectiveness may improve, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveerasure effectivenessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of increasing power consumption to compensate for reflection losses, the patent recovers the reflected radiation and redirects it back onto the storage phosphor layer. This approach maintains or improves erasure effectiveness while avoiding additional power consumption, as the system reuse existing radiation rather than generating more.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the reflected radiation, which would represent energy loss, into a beneficial resource that contributes to erasure effectiveness. By redirecting the reflected radiation back onto the storage phosphor layer, the system achieves improved erasure performance without requiring additional power input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 solution significantly improves erasure efficiency, reduces power consumption, and extends the lifespan of the radiation source, making the apparatus more cost-effective and compact while ensuring thorough erasure of the storage phosphor layer.

Implementation Method 1

a reflector (11) for reflecting radiation, wherein the reflector (11) is arranged and designed to reflect erasing radiation reflected by the storage phosphor layer (2) in the direction of the storage phosphor layer (2)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a further reflecting surface is provided for reflecting erasing radiation which is positioned opposite the reflector, as considered in a direction at right angles to the direction of the relative movement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS7498597B2Storage phosphor layer and system and method for erasing same

Publication Date: 2009.03.03 AGFA NV

AI summary

An apparatus (1) for erasing a storage phosphor layer (2) includes a radiation source (8) for producing and emitting erasing radiation, a drive (5) for producing a relative movement between the storage phosphor layer (2) and the radiation source (8), the storage phosphor layer (2) lying or being moved in a holding plane (7), and a reflector (11) for reflecting radiation. The reflector (11) is arranged and designed to reflect erasing radiation reflected by the storage phosphor layer (2) in the direction of the storage phosphor layer (2). A further reflecting surface (31) is provided for reflecting erasing radiation which is positioned opposite the reflector (11), as considered in a direction at right angles to the direction (6) of the relative movement.