Switching Power Supply for Portable Radiographic Detector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional digital radiographic imaging systems face challenges with tethered power supplies, which are cumbersome, prone to damage, and generate electromagnetic interference (EMI) that degrades image quality, particularly in portable and compact designs.
Innovation Solution
A digital radiography detector with a switching power supply that uses paired inductors aligned along signal traces to cancel leakage magnetic flux fields, reducing EMI and allowing for compact, lightweight, and interference-free operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tethered power supply is used, then the detector can be powered continuously, but the system becomes cumbersome and prone to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply function is extracted from the external tethered system and integrated into the detector housing as an internal battery-powered system. This allows the detector to operate independently without being tethered to external power sources, thereby improving portability while maintaining continuous power capability through internal battery integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply components (battery, voltage regulator, control circuitry) are nested within the detector housing, utilizing the existing structural space. This integration eliminates the need for external tethered power connections while maintaining all necessary power supply functions, resolving the contradiction between reliability and portability.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If a tethered power supply is used, then power can be supplied continuously, but the cable is prone to damage and reduces operational flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is extracted from the external tethered configuration and reconfigured as an self-contained internal battery system. This eliminates the physical cable constraint entirely, allowing the detector to be positioned anywhere within the imaging room without cable management limitations, thereby maximizing positioning flexibility while maintaining continuous power supply capability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional shielding is used to reduce EMI, then image quality improves, but the device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The switching power supply design intentionally generates opposing magnetic flux fields from adjacent inductors that cancel each other's leakage. This converts the potentially harmful EMI effect into a beneficial cancellation mechanism, reducing net electromagnetic interference without requiring additional shielding materials, thereby maintaining lightweight construction while improving image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The inductor configuration parameters are changed from conventional single-inductor design to a paired inductor arrangement with specific geometric and electrical parameters optimized for flux cancellation. This parameter change fundamentally alters the EMI characteristics, reducing interference without adding shielding mass.
4Use of energy by moving object
If conventional switching power supply design is used, then power conversion efficiency is achieved, but EMI degrades image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The switching power supply utilizes the inherent magnetic flux leakage from switching inductors and configures them to produce opposing fields that cancel each other. This converts the harmful EMI byproduct of efficient switching operation into a beneficial cancellation effect, maintaining high power conversion efficiency while eliminating image quality degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple inductors are merged into a compact paired configuration where their magnetic fields interact constructively for cancellation. This merging allows the power conversion function to be maintained with high efficiency while the combined magnetic field structure inherently reduces EMI, eliminating the need for separate EMI mitigation components.
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 effectively minimizes EMI-induced noise, enabling compact and efficient portable digital radiography detectors with reduced shielding requirements, improving image quality and operational flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
first and second storage inductors that are substantially matched, are electrically connected in series, include flux fields that are opposite in phase, and are substantially aligned along the first direction of the signal traces
Data Source
AI summary
A digital radiography detector has a two-dimensional array of photosensors disposed in rows and columns. Multiple signal traces connect to the photosensors and extend in a first direction along the two-dimensional array. A switching power supply is connected to a power source and has first and second storage inductors that are substantially matched, are electrically connected in series, include flux fields that are opposite in phase, and are aligned along the first direction of the signal traces.