X-ray Imaging Apparatus Door Lock Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-ray imaging apparatuses face challenges in unlocking the door of the shielding chamber at the appropriate timing, leading to operator workability issues and potential X-ray leakage due to lack of control over the lock mechanism.
Innovation Solution
An X-ray imaging apparatus with an unlocking control unit that controls the lock mechanism based on the leakage dose leaking from the shielding chamber, using threshold values for tube voltage and current to determine when to unlock the door, ensuring safe and timely operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the door is locked by the lock mechanism when the X-ray generator emits X-rays, then X-ray leakage to the outside is prevented, but the operator's workability is deteriorated due to inability to access the imaging object
Solution Approach 1:
The door is unlocked in advance before the imaging operation starts. The control unit checks whether the imaging object is properly placed on the stage before initiating X-ray emission, and unlocks the door accordingly. This preliminary unlocking action allows the operator to access the imaging object before the harmful X-ray emission begins, resolving the contradiction between preventing X-ray leakage and maintaining operator workability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors the state of the imaging object on the stage and uses this feedback to control the door locking mechanism. When the imaging object is properly placed, the system provides feedback to unlock the door; when X-ray emission is detected, the system feedbacks to lock the door. This feedback mechanism dynamically adjusts the door state to balance both X-ray leakage prevention and operator accessibility.
2Ease of operation
If the door is unlocked early to improve operator access, then workability is improved, but X-rays may leak to the outside of the shielding chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary checks before unlocking the door. The control unit verifies that the imaging object is properly placed on the stage and that X-ray emission has not yet begun before allowing door unlocking. This preliminary verification ensures that the door is unlocked at the earliest safe moment, improving operator access while preventing X-ray leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical door locking system is replaced with an automated control system that uses sensors and control units to manage door locking and unlocking. This substitution allows for more precise timing control, where the door state is automatically adjusted based on real-time detection of imaging object placement and X-ray emission status, eliminating the need for manual door control and ensuring optimal timing to prevent X-ray leakage while maintaining operator accessibility.
3Device complexity
If no specific unlocking timing method is provided, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of X-ray containment is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The door locking mechanism operates autonomously based on automatic detection of imaging object placement and X-ray emission status. The control unit monitors these conditions and automatically controls door locking and unlocking without requiring manual intervention or complex external control systems. This self-service approach maintains high reliability for X-ray containment while avoiding unnecessary device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual or timer-based door locking mechanism is replaced with an automated control system that uses sensors to detect imaging object placement and X-ray emission status. This substitution provides reliable timing for door locking and unlocking based on actual operational conditions, ensuring X-ray containment reliability without requiring complex mechanical timing mechanisms or external control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
An industrial X-ray imaging apparatus including: an X-ray source; an X-ray detector configured to detect X-rays emitted from the X-ray source; a stage which is disposed between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector and is configured to support a subject; and a shielding chamber configured to accommodate the X-ray source, the X-ray detector, and the stage, in which the shielding chamber includes a door for carrying in and out the subject, and a lock mechanism for prohibiting the door from changing to an open state, and in which the X-ray imaging apparatus further includes an unlocking control unit configured to control unlocking of the lock mechanism based on a leakage dose leaking from the shielding chamber to an outside.