X-ray Imaging Support Arm Engagement Mechanism for Wire Rope Breakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-ray imaging apparatuses face instability and operational limitations due to the risk of wire rope breakage, leading to potential accidents and increased complexity with existing safety mechanisms, such as mechanical stoppers and sensor configurations, which complicate maintenance and operation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a pair of engagement mechanisms with movable engaging members and biasing means, arranged to engage with holes in fixed side members, allows for safe stopping of support members when wire ropes break, maintaining stability and operational feasibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical stopper mechanism is equipped to stop the support arm when the wire rope is broken, then safety is improved, but the stopping position may be unsuitable (high position causing instability or low position blocking operation region)
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement mechanism is pre-configured with multiple engagement holes at different positions on the support member and corresponding guide holes on the frame. When wire rope breakage is detected, the engaging member automatically engages with one of these pre-positioned holes to stop the support arm at a suitable position, eliminating the need for post-breakage manual intervention and ensuring both safety and operational feasibility.
2Reliability
If a pair of wire ropes is used to support the support arm, then safety is improved by preventing dropping even if one wire rope breaks, but the configuration and control system become complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement mechanism automatically detects wire rope breakage through the engagement member's movement and autonomously engages with the appropriate guide hole to stop the support arm. This self-activating mechanism eliminates the need for external sensors, control systems, or manual intervention, achieving safety without increasing system complexity.
3Reliability
If sensors and breakage detection mechanisms are attached to wire ropes, then safety is improved by detecting breakage, but the configuration becomes complicated and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the breakage detection function from complex sensor systems and implements it through the simple mechanical engagement member. When the wire rope breaks, the engagement member naturally moves due to gravity and spring force, automatically triggering the engagement mechanism without requiring any sensors, electronics, or complex control systems.
4Reliability
If the support arm is stopped at a high position by the mechanical stopper, then safety is improved, but the center of gravity becomes high causing unstable traveling
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is designed with multiple engagement holes at different vertical positions, allowing the engagement mechanism to select the most appropriate stopping position based on local conditions. This enables the system to stop at a position that provides both safety and traveling stability, rather than forcing a single high-position stop that compromises stability.
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
This solution ensures safe and stable operation by engaging the support members at suitable positions even after wire rope breakage, reducing the risk of accidents and simplifying maintenance by preventing dropping and maintaining apparatus stability.
Implementation Method 1
a spring (73) for biasing the pin (71)
Data Source
AI summary
When a wire rope (55) is broken, the wire rope (55) will sag from the state in which the wire rope is tensioned with a predetermined tension. At this time, a pin (71) is pressed toward a movable support (42) by a biasing force of a spring (73), and the tip of the pin (71) is brought into contact with the surface of the movable support (42). When the support arm (43) is ascended or descended with respect to the movable support (42) and the pin (71) is arranged at a position facing the hole (65) formed in the movable support (42), the tip of the pin (71) is entered into the hole (65), so that the pin (71) and the hole (65) are engaged with each other. Thereby, the support arm (43) is fixed with respect to the movable support (42).