Counter Weight Module for X-Ray Cross Arm Gravity Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical X-ray equipment with manually controlled cross arm rotation lacks a mechanism to maintain balance during SID adjustment, leading to potential imbalance and increased mechanical stress on motors in electrically controlled systems.
Innovation Solution
A gravity balance device with a counter weight module, chain, sprockets, and braking mechanism is integrated within the cross arm to maintain balance by moving a counter weight opposite to the tube's movement, ensuring the center of gravity remains unchanged.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a motor is adopted to control rotation of the cross arm, then the cross arm can be rotated automatically, but the motor will bear a higher moment caused by gravity imbalance when SID is adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
A counter weight module is introduced that moves along the cross arm in the opposite direction to the tube movement. When the tube moves to adjust SID, the counter weight module compensates for the gravity imbalance by moving in reverse, thereby reducing the moment burden on the motor and enabling smoother automatic rotation.
2Length of moving object
If the tube moves along the guide on the cross arm to adjust SID, then the distance from tube to detector can be adjusted, but the gravity balance of the whole cross arm is broken
Solution Approach 1:
The counter weight module is designed to move along the cross arm in the opposite direction to the tube movement. As the tube moves forward or backward to adjust SID, the counter weight module compensates by moving in reverse, maintaining the overall center of gravity position and preserving cross arm balance throughout the adjustment process.
Solution Approach 2:
The counter weight module is made movable along the cross arm rather than being fixed. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the counter weight to realign with changes in tube position, actively maintaining balance during SID adjustment rather than relying on a static configuration.
3Stability of the object's composition
If an external force is needed to keep balance of the cross arm during tube movement, then the cross arm can remain balanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The counter weight module is integrated into the existing cross arm structure and shares the same guide rail as the tube. The tube and counter weight module move along the same cross arm, utilizing the existing structural framework rather than requiring separate balance control mechanisms, thereby minimizing additional complexity.
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 balances the cross arm during manual rotation, reduces production costs by eliminating the need for electrical elements, enhances equipment safety, and prevents accidents due to imbalance, while also being applicable to electrically controlled systems.
Implementation Method 1
a counter weight module, configured to move along in a direction opposite to the direction in which a tube of X-ray equipment moves
Data Source
AI summary
A gravity balance device for a cross arm of X-ray equipment, the gravity balance device is mounted within the cross arm for maintaining gravity balance of the cross arm, the gravity balance device comprises a counter weight module, configured to move along in a direction opposite to a moving direction of a tube of the X-ray equipment.