Traction Drive Patient Positioning Table
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient positioning tables with spindle drives are maintenance-intensive, noisy, and have a limited operating life due to friction, making them inefficient for medical applications.
Innovation Solution
A patient positioning table with a traction drive system, where the traction device is fixed by one end and led through a roller unit in an omega shape, allowing for compact design and adjustable roller arrangement between scissor arms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spindle drive is used for lifting the positioning table, then the lifting function is achieved, but the system becomes maintenance-intensive and noisy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional spindle drive (mechanical screw-nut mechanism) with a traction drive system consisting of a cable, pulleys, and a winding mechanism. This substitution eliminates the friction-based spindle operation that generates noise and requires maintenance, while achieving the same lifting function through cable tension and pulley rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dampers装置 (damping mechanism) to absorb shocks and vibrations during the lifting and lowering process. This damping mechanism reduces mechanical impacts and vibrations, thereby minimizing noise generation and improving the overall operation smoothness of the positioning table.
2Reliability
If a spindle drive is used for lifting the positioning table, then the lifting function is achieved, but the operating life is limited due to friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the friction-based spindle drive with a cable-pulley traction system. The cable-pulley mechanism reduces friction losses by using rolling contact in the pulleys instead of sliding friction in the spindle-nut interface, thereby extending the operating life and reducing energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic damping mechanism that actively absorbs and dissipates mechanical energy during motion. The damper adjusts to varying loads and motion speeds, optimizing energy absorption and reducing friction-induced wear on moving parts, thus extending the system's operational lifespan.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the roller arrangement is fixed between the scissor arms, then the structure is simplified, but the lifting range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the roller arrangement movable along the scissor arms rather than fixed, allowing dynamic adjustment of the roller position. This enables the lifting range to be extended by repositioning the rollers to different locations on the scissor arms, while the overall structure remains relatively simple through the use of guide rails or slots.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the lifting system into modular components: the roller arrangement can be independently positioned and adjusted on the scissor arms. This segmentation allows the roller unit to be moved to different positions to achieve various lifting ranges, while each component remains structurally simple and easy to manufacture.
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 traction drive system reduces maintenance needs, minimizes noise, and extends the operating life of the positioning table by reducing friction and allowing for efficient lifting and lowering of the table.
Implementation Method 1
The traction drive system reduces maintenance needs, minimizes noise, and extends the operating life of the positioning table by reducing friction
Data Source
AI summary
Each scissor frame of the patient positioning table has a first and a second scissor arm connected in an X-shaped arrangement to pivot about a common pivot axis via a lifting facility for vertically moving the positioning table. The lifting facility includes a roller arrangement configured to be moved by a traction device. The roller arrangement is arranged between, and guides, arm segments of the scissor frames. The arm segments open in a V-shape, wherein the traction device is fixed in position by at least one end and is led via a roller unit having deflecting rollers, one located upstream of the roller arrangement and one located downstream of the roller arrangement. The position of the roller arrangement between the arm segments is variable with the aid of a drive facility, which interacts with the traction device.