Radiation Imaging Arm Locking Control for Detector Detachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiography apparatuses face issues with inadvertent arm rotation due to rapid changes in weight balance when the image receiving unit is attached or detached, requiring complex mechanisms like weight adjustment tanks and pumps.
Innovation Solution
Implement a control unit that prohibits the release of the arm's lock when the image receiving unit is detached, using a locking mechanism and friction mechanisms to prevent inadvertent rotation, and allows rotation only when the unit is properly attached, thus avoiding complex mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a weight balance adjustment mechanism using a weight adjustment tank, liquid, and pump is implemented, then the arm can maintain balance in any posture, but the device complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex weight balance adjustment mechanism (tank, liquid, pump) from the system and replaces it with a simple locking mechanism. The locking mechanism directly secures the arm in desired positions without requiring continuous active balance adjustment, thereby eliminating the complicated components while maintaining operational stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism enables the arm to maintain its position autonomously through mechanical locking, eliminating the need for external active control systems like pumps and liquid adjustment mechanisms. The system serves itself by using the locking mechanism to hold the arm steady without requiring continuous energy input or complex adjustments.
2Ease of operation
If the lock release function is enabled when the image receiving unit is detached, then the operation flexibility is improved, but the arm may rotate inadvertently causing safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary checking of the attachment/detachment state before allowing lock release. When the image receiving unit is detected as detached, the control unit preemptively prohibits lock release, preventing potential inadvertent rotation before it can occur. This anticipatory control ensures safety without compromising operational flexibility when units are properly attached.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses attachment/detachment detection units to provide real-time feedback to the control unit about the state of the image receiving unit. Based on this feedback, the control unit dynamically controls the locking mechanism's release function, allowing operation only when the unit is properly attached, thereby maintaining both safety and operational flexibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the arm rotation is allowed during continuous radiation emission, then the imaging coverage is improved, but unnecessary radiation exposure may occur due to inadvertent rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors the attachment state of the image receiving unit and provides feedback control over the locking mechanism. When the unit is properly attached, the lock can be released to allow arm rotation for comprehensive imaging coverage. When detached, the lock remains engaged to prevent inadvertent rotation and unnecessary radiation exposure, thus balancing imaging versatility with safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system preemptively prevents arm rotation when the image receiving unit is detached by maintaining lock engagement. This preliminary protective action blocks potential harmful rotation before it can occur, ensuring that radiation is only emitted when the imaging system is properly configured and ready, thereby eliminating unnecessary radiation exposure while preserving imaging capability when properly set up.
Data Source
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AI summary
A radiography apparatus includes: an irradiation unit that emits radiation; an arm that holds the irradiation unit and an image receiving unit in a facing posture such that the image receiving unit is attachable and detachable; a connection portion or a main body portion that rotatably supports the arm; a first locking mechanism and a second locking mechanism that lock a rotation of the arm with respect to the connection portion or the main body portion; a photo sensor that detects whether or not the image receiving unit is detached from the arm; and a control unit that performs control to prohibit a release of the lock even in a case in which an unlock operation for releasing the lock of the rotation by the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism is performed in a state in which the image receiving unit is detached from the arm.