Virtual Pivot Radiographic Assembly Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
In projection radiography, the conventional mounting of radiographic assemblies for pivotal movement often interferes with space constraints and patient access, as the drive shaft and mounting structure typically need to be at the center of rotation, which is not feasible due to space limitations and patient use requirements.
Innovation Solution
A radiographic apparatus is designed with a mounting structure and drive system that allows the radiographic assembly to rotate about a virtual pivot axis coincident with the center line of the x-radiation sensitive element, with both the mounting structure and drive located at positions other than the pivot axis, ensuring all degrees of freedom are constrained except for rotation about the assembly centerline.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the drive shaft and mounting structure are placed at the center of rotation, then the radiographic assembly can be properly supported and driven, but it interferes with patient access and use due to space constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual pivot axis as an intermediary concept that decouples the actual mounting location from the rotation center. The mounting structure and drive are physically located away from the center of rotation, but through mechanical linkage and geometric design, they achieve rotational movement about the virtual pivot axis coincident with the center line of the x-radiation sensitive element. This mediator approach allows patient access while maintaining proper support and drive function.
2Ease of operation
If the radiographic assembly is mounted at a location other than the pivot axis, then patient access and space constraints are satisfied, but the assembly may have unwanted degrees of freedom affecting rotation stability
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure is segmented into multiple components that work together to constrain the radiographic assembly. The structure includes elements that independently constrain different degrees of freedom, with specific focus on preventing unwanted movements while allowing rotation about the virtual pivot axis. This segmentation allows precise control over the assembly's motion characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the mounting structure and drive system to achieve the desired rotational behavior. By carefully designing the arrangement and dimensions of the mounting components, the system maintains stable rotation about the virtual pivot axis despite the offset mounting location. The parameters are optimized to ensure the assembly rotates smoothly without unwanted degrees of freedom.
Data Source
AI summary
A radiographic apparatus is provided for rotating a radiographic assembly about a virtual pivot axis. The apparatus includes a structure for mounting a radiographic assembly having an x-radiation sensitive element for rotation about a pivot axis coincident with the center line of the element, wherein the structure mounts the assembly at a location other than at the pivot axis and a drive drivingly coupled to the structure for rotating the structure and the mounted radiographic assembly about the pivot axis, wherein the drive is also located at a location other than at the pivot axis.