Narrow Roller Coupling Mechanism for MRI Bed Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing medical imaging bed systems, such as those for MRI apparatuses, face issues with insufficient holding force during coupling to the apparatus main body, leading to potential shaking and insecurity for patients, and the current solutions either fail to prevent shaking effectively or hinder examiner access and operativity due to wide docking mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A medical imaging apparatus with a coupling mechanism featuring a coupling plate on the bed side and rollers on the apparatus main body side, where the rollers sandwich and hold the coupling plate from both sides, providing a secure attachment without obstructing access, and a hook mechanism for additional stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a wide docking mechanism is used to prevent bed shaking, then holding stability is improved, but examiner access and operativity are hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The docking mechanism is segmented into multiple functional components: guide rollers for lateral guidance, a latch mechanism for secure coupling, and a release mechanism for detachment. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, achieving stable holding while maintaining a compact overall structure that does not hinder examiner access.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking mechanism transitions from a purely lateral coupling approach to a multi-dimensional coupling system that incorporates vertical engagement through the latch mechanism. This dimensional change allows the bed to be securely held in both lateral and vertical directions, improving stability without requiring an excessively wide lateral structure.
2Device complexity
If a single-point coupling mechanism is used, then device complexity is reduced, but bed shaking occurs due to insufficient holding force
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism merges multiple coupling actions into a single integrated system: the guide rollers provide lateral guidance and constraint, while the latch mechanism provides vertical engagement. This merging of functions into a unified mechanism achieves stable bed holding without requiring multiple separate coupling devices, thus maintaining acceptable complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism acts as an intermediary element between the bed and the apparatus main body, providing a reliable mechanical connection that prevents bed shaking. This intermediary component distributes the holding force across multiple contact points, ensuring stability while keeping the overall coupling mechanism relatively simple.
3Ease of operation
If the docking mechanism is made narrow to improve operativity, then examiner access is improved, but holding force becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism functions as a counterweight to the gravitational and inertial forces that cause bed shaking. By providing a strong vertical engagement force through the latch, the system compensates for the reduced lateral holding capacity of the narrow coupling structure, maintaining sufficient overall holding force despite the compact width.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism utilizes composite structural elements combining rigid guide rollers, elastic latch components, and robust coupling plates. This composite approach allows the narrow docking mechanism to achieve high holding force through the synergistic effect of different material properties and structural configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a narrow docking mechanism that enables a bed and an apparatus main body to be coupled together with sufficient holding force during docking and that does not hinder access by an examiner to an object. A coupling mechanism on a bed 3 side includes a coupling plate 7 having one end fixed to the bed 3, and a coupling mechanism 50 on the main apparatus side includes a plurality of rollers 12 arranged side by side along the shape of both sides of the coupling plate 7. As the plurality of rollers 12 sandwiches and holds the coupling plate 7 from both sides, the coupling plate 7 can attach to and detach from the bed 3 by coupling the bed to the apparatus main body so as to be inserted between the arranged rollers 12.