X-Ray Drive Unit Rotation Sensor for Collision Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional X-ray systems lack collision detection and emergency stop functionalities, and manual operation is cumbersome due to high inertial mass, requiring significant muscular strength and offering indirect, imprecise remote control for vertical and horizontal movement of X-ray components.
Innovation Solution
A drive unit with a motor and gear unit, a pulley, and traction means, where the motor and gear unit is rotatable against a balancing spring, equipped with a rotation sensor to detect changes in equilibrium and generate signals for servo control, enabling direct and precise motion control with minimal force and intrinsic collision detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation is used to move the X-ray tube, then no motor control is needed, but significant muscular strength is required due to high inertial mass
Solution Approach 1:
A balancing spring is introduced to counteract the gravitational force and inertial mass of the X-ray tube. The spring provides an opposing force that balances the weight, allowing the tube to be moved with minimal muscular effort while maintaining manual operability.
Solution Approach 2:
A motor and gear unit is introduced as an intermediary between the user's manual input and the X-ray tube movement. The motor receives rotational input from the user and converts it into controlled linear movement of the tube, reducing the direct force requirement while preserving manual control.
2Ease of operation
If remote control is used to operate the X-ray tube, then motor control is provided, but the control is indirect without sensible feedback
Solution Approach 1:
A rotation sensor is integrated into the motor and gear unit to detect the rotational position and movement of the motor shaft. This sensor provides real-time feedback about the tube's position and movement status, allowing the user to sense the tube's location directly through the control interface, eliminating the disconnect of traditional remote control.
3Ease of operation
If conventional drive units are used, then vertical and horizontal movement is enabled, but collision detection and emergency stop functionalities are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation sensor continuously monitors the position and movement of the X-ray tube. When a collision occurs, the sensor detects the abnormal change in position or resistance and immediately signals the control system to stop the motor, providing both collision detection and emergency stop functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor and gear unit with integrated rotation sensor performs self-monitoring of its own operation. The system automatically detects collisions and triggers emergency stop without requiring external safety systems, making the drive unit self-protecting.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the X-ray tube is moved with high inertial mass, then stability is maintained, but precise positioning becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The motor and gear unit acts as a precision intermediary mechanism. It converts the user's rotational input into controlled linear movement, providing fine adjustment capability that enables precise positioning despite the high inertial mass of the X-ray tube.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation sensor provides real-time feedback on the tube's position, allowing the control system to make precise adjustments. This closed-loop control enables accurate positioning by continuously monitoring and correcting the tube's location based on the sensor data.
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 allows for precise, direct control of X-ray component movement with reduced muscular effort, intrinsic collision detection, and eliminates the need for remote control units, providing safer and more efficient operation by using rotation and position sensors to control the motor and gear unit.
Implementation Method 1
the motor and gear unit is rotatable about the axis of the drive shaft against the elastic force of a balancing spring
Implementation Method 2
provision is made for a rotation sensor, which rotation sensor is adapted for detecting a rotation of the motor and gear unit and for generating a corresponding rotation detection signal
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a drive unit (12) for vertical or horizontal movement of a component (7) of a diagnostic X-ray device (1), comprising a motor and gear unit (14), a pulley (10) mounted on a drive shaft (13) of the motor and gear unit (14), and traction means (9), e.g. a rope or a drive belt, wound around the pulley (10), the component (7) to be moved being either attached to the traction means (9) or connected with the drive unit (12). In order to provide a drive unit (12) enabling collision detection, emergency stop functionality, and improved handling with regard to control of the motion of the component (7) by an operator of the X-ray device (1), the invention proposes that the motor and gear unit (14) is rotatable about the axis of the drive shaft (13) against the elastic force of a balancing spring (15), wherein provision is made for a rotation sensor (17,24), which rotation sensor (17,24) is adapted for detecting a rotation of the motor and gear unit (14) and for generating a corresponding rotation detection signal.