Radiographic Arm Revolution Control via Dynamic Constraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radiographic imaging apparatuses with revolvable arm units supporting a radiation source often risk the radiation source bumping against subjects due to the design's limitations in controlling the arm's movement, particularly when the arm is divided into upper and lower parts with the upper part being revolvable.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a revolution regulating unit, such as a tubular member or a gas spring mechanism, to prevent the radiation source-side part from revolving when the body-side part is shorter than a predetermined length, ensuring the radiation source is safely positioned and avoiding accidental contact with subjects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the arm unit is divided into upper and lower arm parts with the upper arm part being revolvable to adjust height position and emission direction, then the adaptability and positioning flexibility are improved, but the risk of radiation source bumping against subjects increases due to uncontrolled revolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the revolvability of the upper arm part conditional rather than fixed. The system dynamically adjusts the degree of freedom based on the lower arm part's extension state: when the lower arm part is retracted below a predetermined length, the upper arm part is constrained from revolving; when the lower arm part is extended beyond the predetermined length, the upper arm part is allowed to revolve. This dynamic control mechanism resolves the contradiction by enabling positioning flexibility only when the system is in a safe state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control through a control unit that monitors the extension length of the lower arm part and automatically adjusts the revolution constraint of the upper arm part accordingly. The control unit receives feedback about the lower arm part's position and responds by enabling or disabling the revolution function of the upper arm part. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that the radiation source can only be positioned flexibly when the lower arm part is sufficiently extended, preventing bumping risks.
2Ease of operation
If the upper arm part is allowed to revolve freely to adjust emission direction, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of safe positioning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically controls the revolution capability of the upper arm part based on real-time monitoring of the lower arm part's extension state. When the lower arm part is retracted, the system automatically constrains the upper arm part's revolution to prevent unsafe positioning. When the lower arm part is extended beyond the predetermined length, the system enables free revolution for easy emission direction adjustment. This dynamic enablement/disabling mechanism maintains reliability while preserving ease of operation when safe.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors the lower arm part's extension length and provides feedback control for the upper arm part's revolution. When the monitored length exceeds the predetermined threshold, the control unit enables revolution for easy operation. When the length falls below the threshold, the control unit disables revolution to ensure safe positioning. This feedback-based automatic control resolves the contradiction between operational ease and positioning reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A radiographic imaging apparatus comprises: a leg unit that is capable of traveling on an apparatus-placement surface by a wheel unit; a body unit that is held on the leg unit; an arm unit that is connected to the body unit and is capable of protruding upward from the body unit; and a radiation source that is mounted on the arm unit, wherein the arm unit includes a body-side part that is capable of extending and retracting in a direction of the protruding of the arm unit and is connected to the body unit, and a radiation source-side part on which the radiation source is mounted, the radiation source-side part is connected to a distal end side of the body-side part so as to be revolvable in a direction where an angle between the radiation source-side part and the body-side part changes, and revolution regulating unit.