Robot Arm Shielding for BNCT via Segmented Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robot arms used in patient positioning devices are not designed with shielding against ionizing radiation, which can cause damage and hinder maintenance, and existing shielding solutions are not adaptable to the geometry of these arms.
Innovation Solution
A housing arrangement surrounding the robot arm with a shield that is detachable and designed to maintain air circulation and prevent heat damage, featuring a geometry that deviates from the robot arm's shape, allowing for easy maintenance and protection from ionizing radiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If shielding is arranged directly on the robot arm, then radiation protection is provided, but heat damage occurs and air circulation is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding is segmented from the robot arm by placing it on a separate housing unit. This segmentation allows the shielding to be positioned at a distance from heat-generating components, preventing thermal damage while maintaining radiation protection. The housing unit acts as an independent carrier that decouples the thermal and radiative environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing unit serves as an intermediary between the robot arm and the shielding. It provides a mounting surface for the shielding while maintaining spatial separation from the robot arm's thermal sources. This intermediary structure enables both radiation shielding and thermal management to coexist.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If shielding is fixed directly on the robot arm, then radiation protection is achieved, but maintenance and repair become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding is segmented from the robot arm structure and mounted on a removable housing unit. This segmentation enables independent access to the robot arm for maintenance while the shielding remains protected on the housing unit. The housing unit can be detached to facilitate repairs without damaging or relocating the shielding.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing unit is designed with dynamic accessibility - it can be removed or opened to provide access to the robot arm components behind it. This dynamic configuration allows the shielding to remain in place during normal operation while being easily accessible during maintenance periods.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If shielding geometry matches the robot arm geometry, then coverage is optimized, but manufacturing and adaptation become complex
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding is segmented from the robot arm's complex geometry and implemented on a simplified housing unit with standard geometric forms. This segmentation allows the shielding to be manufactured separately using conventional methods on regular shapes, then mounted on the housing unit which provides the necessary coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adapting the shielding to the robot arm's complex geometry, the approach is inverted: a simple geometric housing unit is created, and the shielding is applied to this regular shape. The housing unit's geometry is then adapted to provide appropriate coverage of the robot arm, reversing the traditional adaptation direction.
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 effective shielding against ionizing radiation while allowing for easy maintenance and repair of the robot arm, extending the service life of the shielding and ensuring the robot arm remains operational in radiation environments.
Implementation Method 1
a shield (33) against ionizing radiation, with at least part of the shielding being arranged on the housing unit
Implementation Method 2
This distance prevents damage to the shielding due to heat and also ensures sufficient air circulation around parts of the robot arm that heat up, such as the drives
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~8
Figure 9
AI summary
A patient positioning device (1), particularly for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), comprises a robotic arm (2) and a patient receptacle (3) held on the robotic arm (2). The patient positioning device (1) includes a housing assembly (4) for the robotic arm (2). The housing assembly (4) comprises at least one housing unit (17, 18, 19, 20, 21) that at least partially surrounds the robotic arm (2). The housing unit (17, 18, 19, 20, 21) is fixed to the robotic arm (2). The patient positioning device (1) has a shield (33) against ionizing radiation. At least a portion of the shield (33) is arranged on the housing unit (17, 18, 19, 20, 21).