Ultrasonic Display Attitude Correction via Ball Joint

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ultrasonic diagnosis devices experience display unit inclination due to arm mechanism drooping, leading to an uncomfortable user experience, especially when the display unit is large or the arm mechanism has a long extension distance, causing the lower and upper edges to become non-horizontal and appear rotated.

Innovation Solution

An attitude correction mechanism is introduced between the arm mechanism and the display unit, which rotates the display unit in the opposite direction to counteract the apparent rotation caused by arm mechanism drooping, ensuring the edges remain horizontal and eliminating user discomfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the arm mechanism is extended to support a large size display unit at a long distance, then the display unit can be positioned far from the main unit, but the end portion of the arm mechanism droops causing the display unit to appear rotated and inclined

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextension distance of arm mechanismVSAvoidhorizontal attitude of display unit
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A level adjustment mechanism is introduced as an intermediary component between the arm mechanism and the display unit. This mechanism includes a support rod with a ball joint that can rotate freely, allowing the display unit to be adjusted to a horizontal position independent of the arm mechanism's drooping. The ball joint acts as a mediator that decouples the positional support function from the attitude control function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The support rod is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing dynamic adjustment of the display unit's attitude. The ball joint enables rotational movement in multiple directions, providing dynamic adaptability to compensate for the arm mechanism's drooping and maintain the display unit in a horizontal position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If members with sufficient rigidity are used in the arm mechanism, then the structure has enough strength, but the device becomes heavier and more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverigidity of arm mechanismVSAvoidcomplexity of arm mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of increasing the rigidity of the entire arm mechanism, a level adjustment mechanism with a ball joint is introduced as an intermediary. This separates the structural support function (performed by the arm mechanism) from the attitude control function (performed by the ball joint and support rod), allowing the arm mechanism to use lighter materials while maintaining overall system performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The support system is segmented into two independent functional parts: the arm mechanism for positional support and the level adjustment mechanism for attitude control. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently, reducing the need for excessive rigidity in the arm mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2578160B1Ultrasonic diagnosis device
Publication Date: 2020.05.27 HITACHI LTD
  • EP2578160B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2578160B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2578160B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The disclosed ultrasonic diagnosis device is provided with an attitude correction mechanism, between a tilt section and a display unit, for eliminating inclination of the display unit caused by drooping down of the end portion of an arm mechanism. The attitude correction mechanism has a shaft member and a bearing, and rotates the display unit about the normal of a display surface thereof. A prong enters a slit, thereby preventing the display unit from rotating more than necessary.