Radiotherapy Bed Tilting Unit for Backlash-Free Inclination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiotherapy devices face issues with accuracy due to tolerance-related backlash, which affects pitch and roll control precision, and the operation becomes complicated when these controls are simultaneously adjusted on the same plane.
Innovation Solution
A bed for radiotherapy devices featuring a tilting unit with a first bearing, guide members, and a biasing unit that maintains a specific angle between flat plate members, using elastic bodies to prevent backlash and enable independent control of pitch and roll axes, ensuring high accuracy and simplicity in operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a bearing mechanism is used for pitch control, then the inclination can be adjusted, but backlash due to tolerance reduces positioning accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful backlash effect into a beneficial feature by introducing a biasing unit that intentionally maintains a predetermined angle between the first and second flat plate members. This biasing force eliminates the harmful gap caused by bearing tolerance, ensuring continuous contact and eliminating backlash while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the angular parameter between the first and second flat plate members from a variable state (affected by backlash) to a fixed predetermined angle state. By using the biasing unit to maintain this specific angular relationship, the system achieves high positioning accuracy while preserving the ability to adjust inclination.
2Adaptability or versatility
If roll and pitch control mechanisms are disposed in parallel on the same plane, then both controls can be performed, but the position changes depending on the order of adjustment complicating the operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the roll and pitch control functions into independent tilting units, each with its own bearing and biasing mechanism. This segmentation allows each axis to be controlled independently without interference, eliminating the position dependency on adjustment order while maintaining full adaptability for both roll and pitch control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a third dimensional aspect by using biased spring forces to maintain predetermined angles between plate members. This adds a force dimension that constrains the relative positioning of components, ensuring that roll and pitch adjustments are independent and do not affect each other's positional accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If the angle between first and second directions is reduced to improve pitch control accuracy, then positioning precision increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it maintains the predetermined angle between flat plate members, eliminates backlash in the bearing mechanism, and ensures continuous contact for accurate positioning. This multi-functionality achieves high pitch control accuracy without requiring additional complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing unit is a self-regulating mechanism that automatically maintains the predetermined angle and eliminates backlash without requiring external control systems or complex adjustment mechanisms. The spring force self-adjusts to maintain continuous contact, achieving high accuracy while keeping the device structure relatively simple.
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 provides highly accurate inclination control with simplified operations, reducing backlash-related inaccuracies and enabling precise positioning for radiotherapy subjects.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing unit configured to selectively bias the first flat plate member and the second flat plate member with the first bearing as a rotation axis
Implementation Method 2
a first bearing configured to pivotally support a first flat plate member and a second flat plate member
Data Source
AI summary
Highly accurate inclination control of a bed for a radiotherapy device is implemented by a simple operation. The bed has a tilting unit configured to change an inclination of the bed's top plate and includes a first bearing pivotally supporting first (lower) and second (upper) flat plate members while maintaining a distance therebetween. A movement unit moves a first guide member, a second guide member, and a connection member connecting a second bearing and the second flat plate member, the second bearing being configured to move the second guide member. A biasing unit is configured to selectively bias the first flat plate member and the second flat plate member with the first bearing as a rotation axis to cause an angle formed by the first flat plate member and the second flat plate member to be in a specific direction.