Digital Radiography Detector Shock Protection and Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital radiography detectors face challenges in ease of assembly, shock protection, and fluid ingress, with current solutions either requiring complex assembly processes, providing inadequate shock absorption, or increasing the detector's size and thickness.
Innovation Solution
A digital radiography detector design featuring a casing with protrusion and recess features for easy assembly, an external shock absorber for shock protection, and a clamp mechanism to secure the scintillator screen, along with an elastic member for auxiliary shock absorption and fluid sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid support is mounted directly to shock absorbing mounts, then shock protection is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional parts and assembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the rigid support structure and shock absorption function into a single integrated baseplate assembly. The baseplate incorporates both the rigid mounting surface for the detector array and the shock-absorbing elastomeric feet, eliminating the need for separate shock absorbing mounts and reducing assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The baseplate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides rigid structural support for the detector array, acts as a shock-absorbing mounting platform through its elastomeric feet, and serves as the interface for locating the assembly within the cassette housing. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components required.
2Reliability
If shock absorbers are placed on side walls, then shock protection is improved, but device dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing shock absorbers on the side walls (horizontal dimension), the patent positions the elastomeric feet on the bottom surface of the baseplate (vertical dimension). This allows shock absorption to occur within the existing thickness envelope of the cassette without increasing its external dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The shock-absorbing elastomeric feet are integrated within the footprint of the baseplate itself, nesting the shock absorption function within the existing structural boundary rather than adding external protrusions that would increase cassette thickness.
3Ease of manufacture
If protrusion and recess features are used for locating baseplate, then ease of assembly is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses elastomeric material for the shock-absorbing feet, which introduces compliance and tolerance absorption through material deformation. This change in material parameter allows the protrusion and recess features to accommodate slight dimensional variations while still providing precise locating and easy assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric feet act as flexible elements that can deform to accommodate manufacturing tolerances in the protrusion and recess features. This flexibility allows for easier assembly without requiring extremely tight manufacturing precision, as the elastomeric material compensates for minor dimensional variations.
4Reliability
If clamp is used to secure scintillator screen, then reliability is improved by preventing movement, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp mechanism is integrated with the aluminum extrusion frame structure, using the frame itself as part of the clamping system. This merging of the structural frame and clamping function eliminates the need for separate clamping components and reduces assembly complexity while ensuring the scintillator screen remains securely positioned.
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
The solution simplifies assembly, provides effective shock protection, prevents component damage from accidental drops, and seals the detector from fluid ingress, ensuring reliable operation in portable imaging environments.
Implementation Method 1
a first shock absorber made of an elastomeric material
Implementation Method 2
an elastic member disposed between the baseplate and the planar member of the casing
Implementation Method 3
the means including protrusion features projecting from one of the baseplate and the casing planar member and complementary recess features on the other of the baseplate and the casing planar member, the protrusion features mating with the recess features
Implementation Method 4
including a clamp mounted on the baseplate for clamping the scintillator screen on the one or more edges to the photodetector array to prevent movement of the screen
Implementation Method 5
an elastic member disposed between the baseplate and the planar member of the casing
Data Source
AI summary
A digital radiography detector includes a casing having a planar member and side walls defining a cavity; a baseplate located within the cavity; and a radiography detector assembly mounted on the baseplate. Means are provided for locating the baseplate on the casing planar member. The means includes protrusion features projecting from one of the baseplate and the casing planar member and complementary recess features on the other of the baseplate and the casing planar member, the protrusion features mating with the recess features. The radiography detector assembly includes a photodetector array mounted on the baseplate and a scintillator screen in contact with the photodetector array, wherein the scintillator screen has one or more edges, and including a clamp mounted on the baseplate for clamping the scintillator screen on the one or more edges to the photodetector array to prevent movement of the screen.