Power-Assisted Imaging Trolley for Heavy X-Ray Mobility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile medical imaging apparatuses, such as X-ray machines, are difficult to transport between different operating rooms due to their large self-weight, which results in high rolling resistance on soft ground surfaces, making manual transportation cumbersome and limiting further integration and addition of auxiliary functions.
Innovation Solution
A mobile medical imaging apparatus equipped with a moving trolley featuring a power-assisted travelling mechanism, a force detection unit, and a control unit. The trolley includes a driving wheel that is rotatable and swivelable, allowing independent movement and steering, and is controlled by the unit to adapt to the detected force information applied by the operator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the medical imaging apparatus is made heavier with more power and functions, then the imaging capability and versatility are improved, but the transportation difficulty and rolling resistance increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional manual mechanical pushing system with an electric power-assisted traveling mechanism. Motors are integrated into the wheel assembly to provide electric propulsion, substituting human mechanical force with electric power. This allows the heavy medical imaging apparatus (weighing 250-400 kg) to be moved easily without increasing the physical effort required, thus resolving the contradiction between improved imaging capability and transportation difficulty
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a force detection unit as an intermediary between the operator and the traveling mechanism. This sensor-based intermediary detects the operator's pushing force and transmits this information to the control unit, which then activates the motors to provide assistance. This intermediary system enables seamless collaboration between human intent and electric power, making the apparatus easy to operate while maintaining heavy-duty imaging capabilities
2Power
If the medical imaging apparatus is made heavier, then the power and imaging quality are improved, but the rolling resistance on soft ground exceeds 100 N making movement difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates motors directly into the wheel assembly to replace the mechanical pushing system. When the apparatus encounters high rolling resistance (over 100 N) on soft ground, the force detection unit senses the increased resistance and the control unit activates the motors to provide compensating force. This electric substitution eliminates the direct relationship between apparatus weight and required pushing force, allowing high-power imaging equipment to move easily on various surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control loop where the force detection unit continuously monitors the operator's pushing force and the resistance encountered during movement. This force information is fed back to the control unit, which adjusts the motor output accordingly. When rolling resistance increases on soft ground, the feedback mechanism ensures the motors provide sufficient assistance to maintain easy mobility, regardless of the apparatus's heavy weight and high imaging power
3Device complexity
If manual transportation is used for heavy X-ray machines, then the device structure can be simpler, but the operator effort and transportation difficulty increase greatly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the simple manual trolley structure with an electrically-assisted traveling mechanism. Motors are integrated into the wheel assembly, and a control system is added to manage the electric assistance. This substitution of mechanical pushing with electric propulsion dramatically reduces operator effort while maintaining relatively simple overall device structure, as the electric components are compact and integrated into the existing trolley design
Data Source
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AI summary
A mobile medical imaging apparatus and a moving trolley (100) thereof are disclosed. The mobile medical imaging apparatus has an imaging device (200) mounted on the moving trolley (100). The moving trolley includes a trolley body (10), a force detection unit (20) and a control unit (90). The trolley body (10) includes a power-assisted travelling mechanism (11). The force detection unit (20) is arranged on the trolley body (10) and configured to detect force information on a driving force applied to the trolley body (10) by an operator. The force information on the driving force includes at least a direction of the driving force. The control unit (90) is connected to the force detection unit (20) and configured to acquire the force information, and control, based on the force information, the power-assisted travelling mechanism (11) to move relative to ground.