Intra-oral X-ray Arm Cable Routing and Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing intra-oral x-ray device arm constructions face challenges with cable wear and protection, assembly complexity, and hygiene due to exposed components and unprotected cabling, which are prone to damage and difficult to maintain.

Innovation Solution

The arm construction features two jointed elongated support arms with a rotating radiation source, where cabling is routed parallel to the joint axis, protected within the arm structure, and the arms are designed to be easily assembled and maintained without disassembly, using identical parts for reduced complexity and improved hygiene through a covered design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If cabling is routed through hollow arm parts, then the arm construction can be compact and functional, but the cables are prone to wear and damage due to repeated bending forces at jointing points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearm construction structureVSAvoidcable durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The arm parts are divided into hollow sections that can be opened longitudinally, allowing cable routing through protected pathways. The jointing areas are segmented to include cable protection structures that prevent bending forces from affecting the cables.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Cable protection structures act as intermediaries between the moving arm components and the cabling. These protective elements absorb and redirect forces, preventing direct transmission of bending stresses to the cables routed through the arm construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the arm construction uses hollow arm parts for cable routing, then the structure is compact, but assembly and maintenance become difficult requiring complete disassembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearm construction structureVSAvoidcable installation and replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The hollow arm parts are segmented with openable longitudinal sections that can be independently accessed. This allows technicians to open specific arm sections to install or replace cables without disassembling the entire arm construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The arm parts are pre-designed with openable access points and cable routing pathways that are prepared in advance. This preliminary design enables straightforward cable installation and maintenance operations without requiring complex disassembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If jointing points are left uncovered for structural access, then the arm construction is functional, but the exposed cables and components are prone to damage and wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearm movement and positioningVSAvoidcable exposure to damage and wear

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The jointing points are covered with flexible protective shells that can accommodate arm movement while protecting the cabling. These thin-walled protective structures follow the motion of the arms, providing continuous coverage without restricting functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

Protective structures are installed at jointing points before the arm construction is put into service. These protective elements provide beforehand cushioning against mechanical damage, wear, and environmental factors that could affect the exposed cables and components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple different components are used in the arm construction, then the structure can be optimized for specific functions, but the number of components increases making assembly and hygiene maintenance more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearm construction functionalityVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The arm parts are designed as universal, multi-functional components that can serve multiple purposes: structural support, cable routing pathways, and protective enclosures. This universality reduces the total number of different components needed while maintaining the required functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple functions are merged into single arm part designs. The hollow arm parts combine structural support, cable protection, and maintenance access features into unified components, reducing the overall component count and simplifying assembly and hygiene maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2688478B1Arm structure for an intra-oral x-ray device

Publication Date: 2018.10.17 PLANMECA

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Figure 5~6

AI summary

An arm construction of an intra-oral x-ray device according to the present invention comprises at least two elongated support arms (55, 56, 55', 56') jointed to each other, into connection with a substantially first end of the first support arm (55) of which is arranged a radiation source (4) and in which the jointing between the support arms is implemented such that the successive support arms (55, 56, 55', 56') connect to each other from sides (68, 69) of the support arms facing each other.