Pivotable Tablet Mount for Cable Torque and Viewing Angle Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile C-arm x-ray imaging systems face challenges in providing an optimal viewing angle and minimizing cable torque when the tablet device is rotated between landscape and portrait orientations, which can obstruct the operator's view and cause cable strain.

Innovation Solution

A tablet arm with a rotatable and tiltable head that couples to the rear side of the tablet device, allowing adjustment between landscape and portrait orientations without detaching cables, and featuring a mounting plate that rotates 90 degrees and is locked in place using ball spring plungers, along with friction hinges for maintaining the tilted position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the tablet device is rotated between landscape and portrait orientations, then the viewing angle flexibility is improved, but cable torque increases causing strain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviewing angle flexibilityVSAvoidcable torque

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A cable management system with a cable exit positioned at the bottom of the mount serves as an intermediary element. This design guides cables vertically downward, creating a buffer zone that absorbs rotational forces and minimizes torque transmission to the tablet device during orientation changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable exit is positioned at the bottom of the mount rather than at the side, changing the spatial dimension of cable routing. This vertical cable path creates additional space and flexibility, allowing cables to accommodate tablet rotation without experiencing excessive lateral tension or torque.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the tablet device is rotated between landscape and portrait orientations, then the viewing angle flexibility is improved, but the operator's view is obstructed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviewing angle flexibilityVSAvoidview obstruction

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mount incorporates friction hinges that enable dynamic adjustment of the tablet device to multiple tilted positions. This dynamic positioning capability allows operators to tilt the tablet away from their line of sight when in certain orientations, preventing view obstruction while maintaining orientation flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting system is segmented into multiple adjustable components including friction hinges and a rotatable head, allowing independent adjustment of tilt and rotation angles. This segmentation enables precise positioning to optimize both viewing angle and operator visibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If the tablet device is securely mounted, then the positioning stability is improved, but the adjustment flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning stabilityVSAvoidadjustment flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Friction hinges provide dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the tablet to be easily tilted to various angles during operation. Once positioned, the friction mechanism maintains stability without requiring additional locking components, thus achieving both adjustability and security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The friction hinge mechanism is self-regulating, providing enough friction to hold the tablet securely in any tilted position while still allowing easy manual adjustment. The system serves itself by using friction both for adjustment and for positioning stability without needing separate locking and unlocking mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables flexible and secure adjustment of the tablet device's orientation, minimizing cable torque and maintaining clear visibility for operators, while keeping cables organized and protected within the arm.

Implementation Method 1

ball spring plungers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

ball spring plungers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

friction hinges for maintaining the tilted position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS11262021B2Methods and systems for a pivotable tablet mount

Publication Date: 2022.03.01 GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC

AI summary

A system for mounting a medical imaging device on a tablet arm is provided. In one embodiment the tablet arm includes an upper portion configured to rotate a mounted electronic device relative to a central axis of the upper portion and a lower portion coupled to the upper portion and extending downwards, away from the upper portion along a vertical axis perpendicular to the central axis, the upper portion and lower portion forming a hollow structure configured to house cables of an electronic device.