Radiology Holding Unit Actuation via Cable Drum
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiology holding devices face challenges in reliable actuation and hygiene due to rope sag and unpredictable release mechanisms, which complicate the transfer and positioning of bedridden patients during radiology procedures.
Innovation Solution
A radiology holding device with a pivotable supporting arm, an attachment device, and an actuating mechanism featuring a flexible pull member and a force direction unit that ensures direct and controlled actuation of the locking device, preventing rope sag and improving hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pull rope is guided horizontally along the supporting arm radially farther outwardly by means of guide sleeves, then operation is simplified and actuation can be performed radially farther outwardly, but rope sag occurs and actuation becomes unpredictable
Solution Approach 1:
A cable drum is introduced as an intermediary component between the pull rope and the locking mechanism. The cable drum winds the pull rope, converting the horizontal pulling motion into controlled rotational motion that reliably actuates the locking device without rope sag or unpredictable behavior
Solution Approach 2:
The direct mechanical connection between the pull rope and locking mechanism is replaced with a cable drum system. This substitution transforms the actuation mechanism from a direct pull system prone to sag into a controlled winding system with predictable mechanical advantage
2Adaptability or versatility
If the pull rope is allowed to sag to enable flexible actuation, then operation flexibility is improved, but the actuation travel becomes undefined and unpredictable release may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The cable drum serves as a mediator that accepts flexible pull rope input while delivering controlled, non-sagging actuation to the locking mechanism, reconciling flexibility with reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The cable drum changes the physical state of the pull rope from a sagging flexible cable to a tensioned winding system, transforming the actuation characteristics from unpredictable to controlled
3Ease of operation
If multiple actuation points are provided along the supporting arm, then operation flexibility is improved, but the risk of unpredictable bolt release increases when shifting persons
Solution Approach 1:
The cable drum system provides a universal actuation mechanism that can be operated from multiple positions along the supporting arm while maintaining consistent and predictable locking behavior, eliminating the unpredictability associated with multiple direct actuation points
Data Source
AI summary
Radiology holding device for a radiology apparatus comprises an attachment device and pivotally accommodated thereat, a supporting arm with at least one axle component and a supporting component. A locking device is provided for locking the supporting arm in at least one locking position. An actuating mechanism actuates the locking device. A patient may grip a holding device attached to the supporting arm. The axle component of the supporting arm is pivotally accommodated on the attachment device. The actuating mechanism comprises a force direction unit that locks force transfer in one direction, so as to specifically transfer to the locking device an operating force introduced into the flexible pull member for actuation.