Mobile Radiography Caster Switching for Tight-Turn and Stable Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing mobile radiography apparatus faces challenges in operability, as it is difficult to change the direction of the carriage portion in small radii without operating the steering, and fixing the traveling direction is cumbersome, especially in narrow hospital rooms and during surgery, where precise imaging is required.
Innovation Solution
A mobile radiography apparatus with a switching mechanism that selectively switches between grounded states of free casters and steering casters, allowing for adjustable operability by grounding either for small radius turns or fixed direction, using a pedal system to easily switch between states, and incorporating always-grounded casters for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If steering casters are always grounded to fix the traveling direction, then the traveling direction can be fixed by the position of the steering, but it becomes difficult to change the direction of the carriage portion without operating the steering and the carriage portion cannot be turned in a small radius
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the caster grounding state changeable rather than fixed. The switching mechanism allows the caster to dynamically transition between grounded and ungrounded states, enabling the system to adapt its behavior based on operational requirements. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the carriage portion to have fixed direction stability when needed while also enabling easy direction changes when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by altering the grounding state parameter of the casters. By switching between grounded and ungrounded states, the system changes the physical parameter of caster-ground interaction, which directly affects both the stability of traveling direction and the ease of changing direction. This parameter change enables the system to resolve the technical contradiction between fixed direction and easy maneuverability.
2Ease of operation
If only free casters without steering casters are used, then the carriage portion can be turned in a small radius, but the traveling direction cannot be fixed when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the caster grounding state changeable. The switching mechanism allows the system to transition between having fixed direction (when casters are grounded) and easy maneuverability (when casters are ungrounded), resolving the contradiction between these two opposing requirements for different operational scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies periodic action through the switching mechanism that periodically changes the grounding state of the casters based on operational needs. This allows the system to alternate between states of fixed direction stability and states of easy direction change, effectively resolving the contradiction by applying the appropriate state at the appropriate time during operation.
3Ease of operation
If the carriage portion is used in narrow hospital rooms with many obstacles, then small radius turns are required, but operating the steering continuously is cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the taking out principle by extracting the steering function from the continuous operation requirement. By using ungrounded casters that allow free movement, the steering mechanism is effectively taken out of the continuous operation loop, eliminating the need for continuous steering adjustments and reducing operational time loss in narrow spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service by allowing the carriage portion to automatically achieve desired movement without continuous steering input. The ungrounded casters enable the carriage to self-adjust its direction through natural movement dynamics, eliminating the need for continuous manual steering operation and reducing time loss.
4Reliability
If the carriage portion sways during imaging, then appropriate imaging cannot be performed, but fixing the position requires complex steering operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using the changeable grounding state to provide stability when needed. During imaging operations, the switching mechanism grounds the casters to fix the carriage portion position, eliminating sway and ensuring imaging reliability. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction between imaging stability and ease of position fixing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by altering the grounding state parameter during imaging operations. By switching to the grounded state, the physical parameter of caster-ground interaction changes, providing the necessary stability for reliable imaging while maintaining ease of operation through the simple switching mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A radiography apparatus includes: an irradiator that emits radiation; a carriage portion on which the irradiator is mounted and which is capable of traveling; steering casters which are provided in the carriage portion and are connected to a steering and whose steering angle is given by an operation of the steering; free casters which are provided in the carriage portion and are not connected to the steering and whose steering angle is changed subordinately according to a direction of force applied to the carriage portion; and a switching mechanism that selectively switches between a first grounded state in which the free casters are separated from a floor and the steering casters are grounded to the floor and a second grounded state in which the free casters are grounded to the floor and the steering casters are separated from the floor.