Single-Motor Ball Screw Drive for Dual-Axis Patient Bed Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical imaging systems require separate drives for horizontal and vertical movements of patient beds, increasing complexity and cost, while also lacking efficient mechanisms for stability and power management during imaging procedures.
Innovation Solution
A dual axes motion system utilizing a single drive, comprising scissors arms, ball screws, clutches, and a control module, which allows for horizontal and vertical movement of patient beds by controlling the engagement of clutches and application of braking forces, enabling efficient and stable positioning using a single motor and transmission system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate drives are used for horizontal and vertical movements of patient beds, then reliability and stability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate drive systems into a single drive unit that controls both horizontal and vertical movements of the patient bed through a mechanical linkage system. The scissors linkage mechanism allows one motor to generate forces that are distributed to control both axes of motion, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining operational reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The single drive unit is designed to perform multiple functions by controlling both horizontal and vertical movements of the patient bed. The mechanical linkage system enables one drive to accomplish what traditionally required two separate drives, making the drive system universal for both movement directions
2Manufacturing precision
If separate drives are used for horizontal and vertical movements, then control precision is improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two drive systems into one while maintaining positioning precision through a carefully designed mechanical linkage. The scissors linkage and associated clutches ensure that the single drive can precisely control both horizontal and vertical positions independently, achieving the same positioning accuracy as separate drives would provide
3Device complexity
If a single drive is used for dual axes motion, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but stability and control during operation may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control mechanisms including clutches and brakes that can be engaged or disengaged based on the required motion. During horizontal movement, the vertical motion is braked to provide stability, while during vertical movement, the horizontal clutch is disengaged. This dynamic switching maintains stability despite using a single drive
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical linkage system acts as an intermediary between the single drive and the patient bed, distributing and coordinating forces to maintain stability. The linkage mechanism ensures that forces from the single drive are properly transmitted to achieve stable and controlled movement in both directions
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 system simplifies the movement of patient beds in medical imaging systems by using a single drive, reducing costs and enhancing stability and control, allowing for precise positioning and secure operation during imaging.
Implementation Method 1
a first ball screw (134) configured to receive power from the single motor (122), and a second ball screw (136) configured to receive power from the first ball screw (134)
Implementation Method 2
a first clutch (128) configured to engage the transmission (126) to the first ball screw (134), and a second clutch (130) configured to engage the first ball screw (134) to the second ball screw (136)
Implementation Method 3
a brake (138) configured to apply a brake force to the second ball screw (136)
Data Source
AI summary
A system comprises a drive system comprising a single motor, a transmission configured to transmit power from the single motor to a first ball screw via a first clutch, and a second clutch configured to transmit power from the first ball screw to a second ball screw. The system also comprises a brake configured to apply a braking force to at least a portion of the drive system. The system further comprises a control module configured to control operation of one or more of the single motor, the first clutch, the second clutch, and the brake, where the control module is configured to move a scissors arms in a horizontal direction in a first configuration and adjust a vertical height of the scissors arms in a second configuration.