Radiography Apparatus Locking Mechanism for Radiation Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radiography apparatuses face inefficiencies in capturing moving images due to continuous radiation emission when the irradiation and image receiving units do not face each other, leading to unnecessary radiation exposure.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a locking mechanism and control unit that locks the irradiation unit's rotation when the irradiation opening faces the image receiving surface, and a posture detection unit to ensure radiation is only emitted when the units are in the correct orientation, thereby preventing unnecessary radiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the irradiation unit is made rotatable to adjust irradiation direction, then adaptability is improved, but unnecessary radiation emission occurs when units are not facing each other
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit receives detection signals from the detection unit about the relative position between the irradiation unit and image receiving unit, then automatically controls the irradiation unit to prohibit emission when units are not facing each other. This closed-loop feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by making radiation emission conditional on proper alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
A detection unit is introduced as an intermediary component to detect the relative position between the irradiation unit and image receiving unit. This intermediary provides positional information that enables the control unit to make intelligent decisions about whether to permit radiation emission, preventing unnecessary emission while maintaining rotational adjustability.
2Productivity
If radiation is continuously emitted for moving image capture, then productivity is improved, but harmful radiation exposure increases when units are misaligned
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors the detection signal from the detection unit during moving image capture and dynamically controls the irradiation unit based on real-time alignment status. This allows continuous productivity when aligned while automatically preventing harmful emission when misaligned.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the irradiation emission state based on real-time detection of unit alignment. The control unit can switch between permitting and prohibiting emission depending on the detected relative position, making the radiation emission adaptive rather than static.
3Ease of operation
If the irradiation unit rotation is unlocked for flexible positioning, then ease of operation is improved, but unnecessary radiation emission occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The detection unit continuously provides feedback on the relative position between the irradiation unit and image receiving unit. This feedback enables the control unit to permit radiation emission only when units are properly facing each other, even when the rotation is unlocked for flexible positioning.
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
This configuration effectively suppresses unnecessary radiation emission, reducing exposure to medical staff and improving image capture efficiency by ensuring radiation is only emitted when necessary for moving image capture.
Implementation Method 1
an irradiation unit (18) having an irradiation opening (34A) through which radiation is emitted
Implementation Method 2
an image receiving unit (20) that has an image receiving surface (20A) receiving the radiation, which has been emitted from the irradiation unit (18) and transmitted through a subject (H), and outputs a radiographic image of the subject (H)
Data Source
AI summary
The radiography apparatus includes: an irradiation unit having an irradiation opening through which radiation is emitted; an image receiving unit that has an image receiving surface receiving the radiation emitted from the irradiation unit; an arm that has one end at which the irradiation unit is rotatably supported and the other end at which the image receiving unit is supported in a posture in which the irradiation opening and the image receiving surface face each other; a solenoid that locks the rotation of the irradiation unit with respect to the arm in a facing posture in which the irradiation opening and the image receiving surface face each other; and a control unit that permits the moving image capture irradiation in a state in which the rotation of the irradiation unit is locked and prohibits the moving image capture irradiation in a state in which the rotation is unlocked.