X-ray Gantry Counterbalancing via Force Feedback Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional x-ray scanner gantry positioning techniques require significant manual effort and often necessitate a second person to avoid interference, making them inefficient and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A system incorporating input sensors, summers, controllers, and feedback sensors to enable zero-force control, allowing a user to manually position the gantry with minimal effort and maintain it in place without continuous manual force, using counterbalancing and friction devices for each degree of freedom.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual positioning of the gantry is used by jogging each axis one at a time, then the gantry can be positioned for surgery, but significant manual effort is required and a second person is needed to avoid interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies counterbalancing mechanisms to offset the weight of the gantry, reducing the manual effort required to position it. Counterbalancing devices are integrated into the positioning system to provide mechanical advantage, allowing one person to move the heavy gantry without requiring a second person for safety monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces pure manual mechanical positioning with an automated control system that includes sensors, controllers, and motors. This substitution reduces the physical effort required while maintaining precise positioning capability, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and the need for complex manual coordination.
2Productivity
If manual positioning of the gantry is used, then the gantry can be moved into position, but the process is time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary positioning actions through automated control systems that can pre-position the gantry before surgery begins. The system includes pre-programmed positioning sequences and automated axis control that reduce the time required for manual adjustment during surgery preparation.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning system is designed to be self-sufficient with automated control capabilities that eliminate the need for continuous manual intervention. The gantry can position itself using integrated sensors and motors, reducing both the time required and the labor intensity of the positioning process.
3Ease of operation
If friction devices are used to maintain gantry position, then the gantry can be held in place without continuous manual force, but the complexity of the positioning system increases
Solution Approach 1:
Friction devices are integrated with counterbalancing mechanisms to maintain the gantry position without requiring continuous manual force. The friction devices work in conjunction with the counterbalancing system to provide stable positioning, eliminating the need for operators to constantly apply force to hold the gantry in place.
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
Enables rapid and precise positioning of the gantry with minimal user effort, reducing surgery preparation time and allowing single-person operation while maintaining the gantry's position accurately.
Implementation Method 1
provide counterbalancing of the x-ray scanner gantry in the direction
Implementation Method 2
The gantry is heavy and may be positioned for surgery by using a pendant (or remote control device) and manually jogging each of the axes
Implementation Method 3
The feedback sensor is configured to (i) detect a second amount of force or torque applied on the x-ray scanner gantry in the direction as a result of the controlled operation of the motor
Implementation Method 4
The input sensor is configured to (i) detect a first amount of force or torque applied by a user on a component of an x-ray scanner gantry in a direction
Implementation Method 5
using counterbalancing and friction devices for each degree of freedom
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A system comprising a first input sensor (102) configured to (i) detect a first amount of force or torque applied by a user of an x-ray scanner gantry (34) in a first direction, and (ii) generate a first input command signal, wherein the first input command signal indicates the first amount of force or torque; a first controller (104) configured to control operation of a motor (108) based at least on a first feedback signal to provide counterbalancing of the x-ray scanner gantry in the first direction; and a first feedback sensor (114) configured to (i) detect a second amount of force or torque applied on the x-ray scanner gantry in the first direction as a result of the controlled operation of the motor, and (ii) generate the first feedback signal based on the detected second amount of force or torque.