JP2003280125A - Radiation image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radiation image reader provided with a means of positioning a lock opening and closing mechanism which can reliably align a cassette and the lock opening and closing mechanism. <P>SOLUTION: The radiation image reader is provided with: a turning transport part 40 provided with a receiving base 42 for holding a cassette 1 containing a stimulable phosphor sheet and a turning means which turns the receiving base 42; a subscanning part 50 which attracts and holds the cassette 1 transported by the turning transport part 40; and a lock opening and closing mechanism 42a to realize the lock and unlock state of the cassette 1. The radiation image reader is further provided with the means of positioning the lock opening and closing mechanism which disposes the lock opening and closing mechanism 42a in a position separated by a certain dimension from the prescribed reference surface 21a of the cassette 1 which is attracted and held by the subscanning part 50, when the cassette 1 transported by the turning transporting portion 40 is attracted and held by the subscanning part 50. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a radiation image reading device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, X has been used for the purpose of disease diagnosis.
A radiation image represented by a line image is used. As a method for obtaining such a radiographic image, in recent years,
A radiation image reading method using a stimulable luminescent material has been proposed and put into practical use. In this method, the stimulable phosphor is irradiated with the radiation that has passed through the subject to accumulate radiation energy corresponding to the radiation transmittance of each part of the subject. Then, the radiation energy accumulated by scanning the stimulable phosphor with stimulable excitation light is emitted as stimulable luminescent light, and the stimulable luminescent light is converted into an image signal by using a photoelectric conversion means. , A radiation image is obtained as digital image data.

The sheet-shaped stimulable phosphor (hereinafter referred to as "stimulable phosphor sheet") used in such a radiographic image reading system is usually housed in a portable flat case called a cassette. In this state, it is conveyed inside a predetermined radiation image reading apparatus. Inside the radiation image reading device, a light source for emitting stimulated excitation light, a photoelectric conversion means for converting the stimulated emission light into an image signal, and the like are provided, and the stimulable phosphor contained in the cassette is provided. The radiation image information can be read from the sheet.

The radiation image reading apparatus is provided with a rotary conveyance section that rotates while holding the cassette inserted inside the apparatus, and the cassette inserted inside the apparatus is rotated by this rotation conveyance section. It is conveyed to the sub-scanning unit. The cassette transported by the rotary transport unit is sucked and held by a suction holding plate provided in the sub-scanning unit.

The cassette is composed of two separable housing-like members, and the stimulable phosphor sheet is housed between these housing-like members. The cassette is transported to the inside of the apparatus after the two housing-shaped members are united into a non-separable state (locked state). After that, the cassette held by the suction holding plate of the sub-scanning unit inside the apparatus is held in a locked state by a predetermined lock opening / closing mechanism, and the two housing-shaped members are separated. Then, after reading the radiation image information from the stimulable phosphor sheet, these two housing-shaped members are united and locked by the lock opening / closing mechanism.

As a lock opening / closing mechanism for realizing the locked state and the unlocked state of the cassette, a mechanism provided with a lock pin capable of projecting upward has been proposed. When the push / latch mechanism is used for the cassette, the lock pin of this lock opening / closing mechanism is inserted into the insertion hole provided below the cassette, and the push / latch part is pushed to easily unlock the lock state. You can switch between locked and locked states.

[0007]

As described above, the cassette is locked or unlocked by the lock opening / closing mechanism while being sucked and held by the suction holding plate provided in the sub scanning unit. . However, since the thickness of the cassette is standardized to be about 14 mm, the size of the insertion hole provided below the cassette is limited, which may be caused by an error in a component of the sub-scanning unit or an assembly error. The position of the lock pin of the lock opening / closing mechanism may be displaced from the position of the insertion hole provided below the cassette. As a result, the switching operation between the locked state and the unlocked state by the lock opening / closing mechanism may not be normally performed.

Further, due to the position of the lock pin of the lock opening / closing mechanism being displaced from the position of the insertion hole provided below the cassette, the portion other than the insertion hole of the cassette is pushed up by the lock pin. However, the impact may cause the cassette to fall off the suction holding plate. When such a situation occurs, it takes time and effort to stop the device or remove the cassette from the inside of the device. Further, when the stimulable phosphor sheet is damaged when the cassette is removed and the radiation image information is exhausted, there is no choice but to retake an image, which affects the subject.

An object of the present invention is to provide a radiation image reading apparatus which can surely align the cassette and the lock opening / closing mechanism and realize a stable lock opening / closing operation.

[0010]

In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to a cradle for holding a cassette accommodating a stimulable phosphor sheet and a rotation for rotating the cradle. A rotary transport unit including a moving unit; a holding unit that sucks and holds the cassette transported by the rotary transport unit; and a lock opening / closing mechanism that realizes a locked state and an unlocked state of the cassette. In the radiation image reading apparatus, the lock opening / closing mechanism holds the cassette conveyed by the rotary conveying unit by suction when the cassette holds the cassette by the holding unit. The lock opening / closing mechanism positioning means for arranging the lock opening / closing mechanism at a position separated from the reference plane by a certain dimension.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the lock opening / closing mechanism is fixed from a predetermined reference surface (for example, a surface on the side sucked and held by the holding means) of the cassette which is sucked and held by the holding means. Since the lock opening / closing mechanism positioning means for arranging the lock opening / closing mechanism at the dimensionally separated positions is provided, the cassette and the lock opening / closing mechanism can always be arranged in a fixed positional relationship.

Therefore, for example, when the cassette has the insertion hole and the lock opening / closing mechanism has the lock pin, the position of the lock pin of the lock opening / closing mechanism can be accurately aligned with the position of the insertion hole of the cassette. Therefore, it is possible to reliably switch between the locked state and the unlocked state. Further, it is possible to prevent the situation where the cassette is pushed up by the lock pin and falls off.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the radiation image reading apparatus according to the first aspect, the rotary conveyance section is attached to the cradle via an elastic body so as to project toward the holding means. , A protrusion capable of moving together with the lock opening / closing mechanism in a direction of being pushed into the cradle, the holding means includes a suction holding surface for holding the cassette by suction, and the lock opening / closing mechanism positioning means includes the protrusion. And a suction holding surface, which is attached to the rotary transport section when the cassette transported by the rotary transport section is suction-held by the suction-holding surface of the holding means. Is abutted against and pushed by the suction holding surface provided in the holding means, and moved to a position separated from the suction holding surface by a certain dimension.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the cassette transported by the rotary transport unit is suction-held by the suction-holding surface of the holding unit, the protrusion attached to the rotary transport unit is held by the holding unit. It can be moved to a position separated from the suction holding surface by a certain dimension by abutting the suction holding surface provided on the. Since the protrusion and the lock opening / closing mechanism are integrally movable, the lock opening / closing mechanism can be arranged at a position separated from the suction holding surface by a certain dimension. Also, the cassette sucked and held by the suction holding surface is
It is arranged at a fixed position with respect to the suction holding surface. As a result,
The cassette and the lock opening / closing mechanism can always be arranged in a fixed positional relationship.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the radiation image reading apparatus according to the first aspect, the rotating and transporting unit is attached to the cradle via an elastic body so as to project toward the holding means. A suction holding surface for holding the cassette by suction, the projecting portion being movable together with the lock opening / closing mechanism in a direction of being pushed into the cradle,
An abutting portion which is arranged at a constant distance from the suction holding surface and which abuts the protruding portion, and the lock opening / closing mechanism positioning means includes the protruding portion and the abutting portion, When the cassette transported by the rotary transport unit is suction-held on the suction-holding surface of the holding unit, the protrusion attached to the rotary transport unit has the contact portion provided on the holding unit. It is characterized in that it is brought into contact with the portion and pushed to move to a position separated from the surface of the contact portion by a certain dimension.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the cassette transported by the rotary transport unit is suction-held by the suction-holding surface of the holding unit, the protrusion attached to the rotary transport unit is held by the holding unit. It can be moved to a position separated from the surface of the contact portion by a certain dimension by contacting the contact portion provided on the. Since the projecting portion and the lock opening / closing mechanism are integrally movable, the lock opening / closing mechanism can also be arranged at a position separated from the surface of the contact portion by a certain dimension. Also, the cassette sucked and held by the suction holding surface is
It is arranged at a constant distance from the contact portion. As a result,
The cassette and the lock opening / closing mechanism can always be arranged in a fixed positional relationship.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a radiation image reading apparatus used in a radiation image reading method using a stimulable luminescent sheet will be described.

First, the structure of the cassette 1 conveyed inside the radiation image reading apparatus according to this embodiment will be described.

The cassette 1 comprises a separable front plate 10
And a back plate 20. FIG. 1 is a perspective view when the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 of the cassette 1 are separated, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view when the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 of the cassette 1 are combined. is there. The cassette 1 protects the stimulable phosphor sheet 23 during photographing and during transportation, and also prevents the stimulable phosphor sheet 23 from being irradiated with light after photographing and erasing the accumulated image information. Works like.

The front plate 10 includes a frame 11 and a front plate 12. The frame 11 is preferably made of a material such as aluminum or a hard resin that can withstand a large load applied during recumbent imaging or full-load imaging. The front plate 12 is preferably made of a material having a high radiation transmittance and rigidity such as aluminum or carbon fiber reinforced resin.

The back plate 20 includes a back plate body 21, a support plate 22 having a lead foil provided on the back surface thereof, and a stimulable phosphor sheet 23. The stimulable phosphor sheet 23 is the support plate 2.
It is fixed at 2. In the present embodiment, the back plate main body 21 is made of a ferromagnetic resin so as to be attracted by a magnetic force to the magnet 54 of the sub-scanning unit 50 described later.
Further, a ferromagnetic material sheet such as iron foil may be attached to the back surface 21a of the back plate, or a ferromagnetic material may be applied.

The front plate 10 and the back plate 20 include
An insertion hole 13 and an insertion hole 24 used at the time of lock ON / OFF operation described later are provided respectively. When the front plate 10 is covered with the back plate 20, the insertion hole 13 of the front plate 10 and the insertion hole 24 of the back plate 20 are arranged at corresponding positions.

The cassette 1 is provided with a lock mechanism for maintaining the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 in a combined state. Lock mechanism is lock ON / OFF
It is provided with an opening 31 provided on the side surface of the back plate main body 21 in accordance with the operation, and a lock claw 30 that can be projected or pulled in from the opening 31. Note that FIG.
Although not shown in the figure, a similar opening is provided on the surface of the back body 21 opposite to the surface on which the opening 31 is provided, so that the lock claw can be projected and retracted.

Here, the lock ON operation means the lock claw 3
This is an operation in which the front end of 0 is projected outward from the opening 31 and locked in the frame 11 of the front plate 10. Further, the lock-off operation means that the tip of the lock claw 30 is pulled into the inside of the opening 31 so that the frame 1 of the front plate 10 is closed.
It means to release the locked state with 1.

The back plate 2 in a state where the tip of the lock claw 30 is pulled inside the opening 31 (lock OFF state).
0 is covered with the front plate 10 and a predetermined rod-shaped member is inserted into the insertion hole 13 (24) and pushed only once, the tip of the lock claw 30 is projected outward from the opening 31 by the push / latch mechanism. (Lock ON state), and the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 become inseparable.

On the other hand, when the lock bar is in the ON state, when a predetermined rod-shaped member is inserted into the insertion hole 13 (24) and pushed once, the tip of the lock claw 30 is moved inside the opening 31 by the push / latch mechanism. Then, the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 are separable from each other.

On the back surface 21a of the back plate, a bar code label read by the code reading means 3a described later is attached. An identification number (ID number) of the stimulable phosphor sheet 23, a manufacturing date, a version number of the stimulable phosphor, a number indicating the size of the cassette 1, and the like are recorded as codes on the barcode label. .

Next, the configuration of the radiation image reading apparatus according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of the radiation image reading apparatus. The radiation image reading device includes a device body 2, a cassette insertion port 3, a cassette ejection port 4,
Is equipped with. The apparatus main body 2 is composed of a conveyance reading unit 2a and a cassette insertion and ejection unit 2b, and the cassette insertion and ejection unit 2b has a structure that can be removed from the conveyance reading unit 2a as shown in FIG.

The main body portion 2a of the apparatus main body 2 is rotated while receiving the cassette 1 inserted from the cassette insertion port 3 and holding it, and is rotated to convey the cassette 1 to a sub-scanning unit 50 described later. The unit 40, the sub-scanning unit 50 for vertically moving the cassette 1 transported by the rotary transport unit 40, and the reading unit 60 for reading the image information accumulated in the stimulable phosphor sheet 23 in the cassette 1. And erasing means 70 for erasing the image information that has been read. The rotary transport unit 40 and the sub-scanning unit 50 are
They are provided on the same substrate 80.

The cassette insertion port 3 is provided with code reading means 3a for reading the code recorded on the bar code label on the back surface 21a of the back plate of the inserted cassette 1. Further, in the vicinity of the cassette insertion opening 3, the apparatus body 2 is supported while supporting the cassette 1 inserted in the cassette insertion opening 3.
An insertion roller 3b is provided to be inserted inside.

The rotary conveyance section 40 receives and holds the cassette 1 inserted in the apparatus, and then, the cassette 1
To the sub-scanning unit 50 described later.
The rotary transport unit 40 has a holding unit that receives and holds the cassette 1 inserted in the apparatus, and a rotating unit that rotates the holding unit. The rotating unit causes the rotating shaft 4 to rotate.
It is possible to freely rotate at least in the range from the dotted line a to the dotted line c (range of angle θ) about the rotation center 1.

FIG. 4 shows the holding means of the rotary conveyance section 40.
And it demonstrates using FIG. FIG. 4 shows the rotary transport unit 40.
It is an explanatory view for explaining the configuration of the holding means. The holding means of the rotary conveyance unit 40 supports a receiving base 42 that receives the cassette 1 that has been conveyed inside the apparatus main body 2 by the insertion roller 3b, and a guide unit that supports the downward surface of the cassette 1 that is received by the receiving base 42. And 43.
The pedestal 42 is provided so as to be vertically movable along the guide portion 43.

As shown in FIG. 4, the guide portion 43 is attached to the rotary conveyance portion 40 via elastic means 43a. The elastic means 43a has a buffering function to reduce the pressing force acting on the rotary conveyance unit 40 by absorbing the pressing force when the pressing force acts on the rotary conveyance unit 40 via the guide unit 43. To fulfill.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the V portion of FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the cradle 42 is provided with a lock opening / closing mechanism for turning on / off the lock mechanism of the cassette 1. In the present embodiment, as the lock opening / closing mechanism, a lock pin 42a that is vertically movable at a predetermined timing by a control unit (not shown) is adopted. The lock mechanism of the cassette 1 can be turned on or off by projecting the lock pin 42a upward and inserting it into the insertion hole 13 (24) of the cassette 1. In FIG. 5, the state in which the lock pin 42a is projected upward and inserted into the insertion hole 13 (24) of the cassette 1 is shown by a dotted line.

Further, the receiving table 42 is provided with a projecting portion 42b. The protruding portion 42b constitutes a lock opening / closing mechanism positioning means together with an abutting portion 55 of the sub-scanning portion 50 described later, and the cassette 1 and the lock opening / closing mechanism (lock pin 42a) are arranged in a fixed positional relationship. To function.

The projecting portion 42b is attached to the pedestal 42 via the elastic means 42c, and is integrally formed with the lock opening / closing mechanism (lock pin 42a) in the right direction of the drawing (the pedestal 42b).
It is possible to move to the side). When the cassette 1 held by the holding means of the rotary transport unit 40 is passed to the magnet 54 of the sub-scan unit 50 by rotating the rotary transport unit 40, the protrusion 42b causes the magnet 54 of the sub-scan unit 50 to move. With respect to the contact plate 55 (which will be described later) disposed at a constant interval, the contact plate 55 is pressed and pushed inward by a predetermined dimension.

The sub-scanning section 50 is composed of a sub-scanning rail 51, a sub-scanning movable section 52, a sub-scanning moving plate 53, and a magnet 54, and holds the cassette 1 transported by the rotary transporting section 40. While functioning as a means,
The cassette 1 is held and conveyed in the sub-scanning direction.

The sub-scanning movable portion 52 can be moved up and down on the sub-scanning rail 51 by a driving means (not shown). Further, since the sub-scanning moving plate 53 is fixed to the sub-scanning movable portion 52, the sub-scanning moving plate 53 can consequently move up and down on the sub-scanning rail 52 by the driving means. A rubber magnet having a predetermined area is used as the magnet 54.

On the sub-scanning moving plate 53, when the pedestal 42 of the rotary conveyance section 40 is moved in the vertical direction, this pedestal 4 is moved.
The contact portion 55, which is a portion for contacting the protruding portion 42b provided on the No. 2, is provided. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the contact portion 55. The abutting portion 55 constitutes a lock opening / closing mechanism positioning means together with the protruding portion 42b provided on the pedestal 42, and is arranged at a constant interval with respect to the suction holding surface of the magnet 54. Specifically, the dimension from the surface of the contact portion 55 to the suction holding surface of the magnet 54 is set to S1 (see FIG. 6).

The reading means 60 is the laser scanning unit 6
1, a light guide 62, a condenser tube 63, a photoelectric conversion means, and the like. The laser scanning unit 61 irradiates the photostimulable phosphor sheet 23 with laser light (excitation light), and is proportional to the radiation energy accumulated in the photostimulable phosphor sheet 23 by the action of this laser light. The stimulated emission light (image information) is emitted. The light guide 62 guides the emitted stimulated emission light to the condenser tube 63. Collector tube 6
Reference numeral 3 includes a photoelectric conversion means such as a photomultiplier (not shown), and functions to convert the collected stimulated emission light into an electric signal.

The erasing means 70 emits erasing light and functions to erase the image information remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet 23. Examples of the erasing lamp used in the erasing means 70 include a halogen lamp, a high-intensity fluorescent lamp, and an LED array.

In the vicinity of the cassette discharge port 4, a discharge roller 4a for discharging the cassette 1 containing the stimulable phosphor sheet 23 having read the image information to the outside of the apparatus. Further, the cassette discharge port 4 is provided with a stocker 4b for stocking a plurality of discharged cassettes 1 to 5 in number.

Next, the operation of the radiation image reading apparatus according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 6, 7 and 8.

First, the cassette 1 on which the radiation image has been taken is inserted into the insertion opening 3 in the direction of arrow A1 in FIG. At this time, the insertion hole 13 (24) of the cassette 1 is on the lower side,
In addition, the front plate 13 of the front plate 10 is inserted so as to face obliquely downward. That is, the stimulable phosphor sheet 23 is inserted so that the reading surface faces diagonally downward. When the cassette 1 is inserted into the insertion slot 3, the code provided on the back plate back surface 21a is read by the code reading means 3a.

Cassette 1 inserted in cassette insertion opening 3
After being inserted into the inside of the apparatus main body 2 by the insertion roller 3b, it is received by the receiving base 42 of the rotary conveyance unit 40. The downward surface of the cassette 1 received by the receiving table 42 is supported by the guide portion 43. That is, the cassette 1 is held by the pedestal 42 and the guide portion 43 of the rotary transport unit 40.

Next, when the rotary conveyance unit 40 holding the cassette 1 rotates about the rotary shaft 41 in the direction A3 of FIG. 3 from the position of the dotted line a to the position of the dotted line c, it has a magnetic substance. The back plate back surface 21a of the cassette 1 is attached to the sub-scanning unit 5
It is attracted to the zero magnet 54 by magnetic force. At this time, the cassette 1 and the lock opening / closing mechanism (lock pin 42a) are arranged in a fixed positional relationship by the lock opening / closing mechanism positioning means.

Here, the cassette is set by the lock opening / closing mechanism positioning means composed of the protruding portion 42b attached to the pedestal 42 of the rotary conveyance unit 40 and the contact portion 55 provided in the sub-scanning unit 50. The principle that 1 and the lock opening / closing mechanism (lock pin 42a) are arranged in a fixed positional relationship will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 6 shows a state in which the rotary conveyance section 40 holding the cassette 1 is at the position of the dotted line a in FIG. In this state, the protrusion 42b attached to the pedestal 42 of the rotary conveyance unit 40 protrudes toward the magnet 54 of the sub-scanning unit 50. FIG. 7 shows a cassette 1.
6 shows a state in which the rotary conveyance unit 40 holding the is rotated from the state of FIG. 6 and moved to the position of the dotted line c in FIG. Further, FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion VIII in FIG. 7.

When the state of FIG. 6 is changed to the state of FIG. 7 (FIG. 8), the back plate rear surface 21 of the cassette 1 having the magnetic material is shown.
a is magnetically attracted to the magnet 54 of the sub-scanning unit 50. In this state, the dimension from the attraction holding surface of the magnet 54 to the insertion hole 13 (24) of the cassette 1 into which the lock pin 42a of the lock opening / closing mechanism is inserted is S2 as shown in FIG.
It is said that.

When shifting from the state of FIG. 6 to the state of FIG. 7 (FIG. 8), the protrusion 42b attached to the pedestal 42 of the rotary conveyance unit 40 is attached to the contact portion 55 of the sub-scanning unit 50. It abuts and is pushed, and moves to the right side of the drawing (toward the pedestal 42 side) by a certain dimension. At this time, the lock pin 42a of the lock opening / closing mechanism
Has a structure in which it can move integrally with the protruding portion 42b, so that the lock pin 42a also moves rightward in the drawing by a certain dimension.

Here, the dimension S3 from the surface of the contact portion 55 to the lock pin 42a (dimension from the tip of the protruding portion 42b to the lock pin 42a) S3 is the surface of the contact portion 55, as shown in FIG. From the magnet to the attracting and holding surface of the magnet 54 S1
From the suction holding surface of the magnet 54 to the insertion hole 13 of the cassette 1.
It is set to be equal to the dimension obtained by adding the dimension S2 up to (24). Therefore, the insertion hole 13 of the cassette 1
Position (24) and lock pin 42a of the lock opening / closing mechanism
The position of can be accurately adjusted.

After the lock opening / closing mechanism is arranged at a predetermined position by the above procedure, the lock pin 42a housed in the pedestal 42 is raised, and the lock pin 42a is
The cassette 1 is inserted into the insertion hole 13 of the front plate 10 and the insertion hole 24 of the back plate 20. By this operation, the lock ON state of the cassette 1 shifts to the lock OFF state, and the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 can be separated. When the cassette 1 shifts to the lock OFF state,
The lock pin 42a descends and is stored in the pedestal 42.

When the lock ON state of the cassette 1 is released and the cassette 1 shifts to the lock OFF state, the rotary conveyance section 40 rotates in the direction of arrow A6 in FIG. 3 to move to the retracted position (for example, the position of the dotted line b). Stop. By this operation, the front plate 1
0 and the back plate 20 can be completely separated.

When the back plate 20 is completely separated from the front plate 10, the sub-scanning moving plate 53 and the back plate 20 are conveyed in the direction of arrow A4 (upward) in FIG. Sub-scan). During this sub-scanning operation, the stimulable phosphor sheet 23 is moved by the laser scanning unit 6
The main scanning is performed by the laser beam B emitted from the laser beam No.

When the laser beam B acts on the stimulable phosphor sheet 23, stimulated emission light (image information) proportional to the radiation energy accumulated in the stimulable phosphor sheet 23 is emitted, and this stimulated emission light is emitted. Light passes through the light guide 62 and a condenser tube 63
And is converted into an electric signal by the photoelectric conversion means. The stimulated emission light converted into an electric signal is subjected to predetermined signal processing as image data, and then is transmitted from the device body 2 via a communication cable (not shown) to an operation terminal, an image storage device, and an image display. The image is output to an image output device (not shown) such as a device or a dry imager.

When the reading of the image information from the stimulable phosphor sheet 23 is completed, the sub-scanning moving plate 53 and the back plate 20 are moved in the direction of arrow A5 (downward) in FIG. Be transported. While the back plate 20 is being conveyed in the direction of arrow A5, the erasing light C is emitted from the erasing means 70, and the image information remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet 23 is erased.

When the back plate 20 is stopped at a predetermined stop position, the rotary transfer section 40, which has been retracted to the retracted position, is returned to FIG.
The front plate 10 and the back plate 20 are united by rotating to the position of the dotted line c. At this time, in order to ensure that the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 are united, the rotation transfer unit 40 is controlled to be stopped at a position where the front plate 10 is pressed against the back plate 20 with an appropriate pressing force.

When the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 are united, the cassette 1 and the lock opening / closing mechanism (lock pin 42a) are locked by the lock opening / closing mechanism positioning means.
And are arranged in a fixed positional relationship. After this, the cradle 42
The lock pin 42a housed therein is raised to insert the insertion hole 13 of the front plate 10 and the insertion hole 2 of the back plate 20.
The tip of the lock pin 42a is inserted into 4. By this operation, the cassette 1 which was in the lock OFF state is locked O
The state shifts to the N state and the state becomes inseparable. Cassette 1
When the lock state shifts to the lock ON state, the lock pin 42a descends and is stored again in the pedestal 42.

When the work of combining the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 is completed, the rotary transport unit 40 is again moved to the arrow A in FIG.
It rotates in the direction of 6 to the position of the dotted line b and stops. After that, the cradle 42 conveys the cassette 1 toward the cassette discharge port 4 along the guide portion 43, and passes the cassette 1 to the discharge roller 4b. Upon receiving the cassette 1, the discharge roller 4b performs a discharging operation until the cassette 1 is completely discharged from the cassette discharge port 4.

When the position of the cassette 1 immediately after being discharged from the cassette discharge port 4 is represented by 1a, the cassette 1 discharged to the position of 1a is the cassette 1 due to the weight of the cassette 1 itself.
3 falls from the upper end in the direction of arrow A8 in FIG. 3 and finally moves to the position indicated by 1b. The bottom plate portion of the cassette discharge port 4 is tilted from the 1a side to the 1b side so that this operation is performed only by the weight of the cassette 1.

In the radiation image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment, when the cassette 1 transported by the rotary transport unit 40 is attracted and held by the magnet of the sub-scanning unit 50, the pedestal 42 of the rotary transport unit 40 is used. The protrusion 42b attached to
The sub-scanning section 50 can be brought into contact with the contact section 55 and can be arranged at a position separated from the surface of the contact section 55 by a certain dimension. The protrusion 42b and the lock opening / closing mechanism (the lock pin 42
Since (a) has an integrally movable structure, the lock opening / closing mechanism (lock pin 42a) is arranged at a position separated from the surface of the contact portion 55 by a certain dimension (S3).

On the other hand, the insertion hole 13 (24) of the cassette 1 attracted and held by the magnet 54 of the sub-scanning section 50 is arranged at a position separated from the surface of the abutting section 55 by a certain dimension (S1 + S2). In the present embodiment, S1 +
Since the dimension S3 from the tip of the protruding portion 42b to the lock pin 42b is set so as to satisfy the relationship of S2 = S3, the lock opening / closing mechanism (lock pin) is set with respect to the position of the insertion hole 13 (24) of the cassette 1. The position of 42a) can be accurately adjusted. Therefore, it is possible to reliably switch between the locked state and the unlocked state. Also,
It is possible to prevent a situation in which the cassette 1 is pushed up by the lock pin 42a and the cassette 1 falls off from the magnet 54.

In the above embodiment, the lock opening / closing mechanism positioning means is provided in the pedestal 4 of the rotary conveyance section 40.
Although the example in which the protrusion 42b attached to the No. 2 and the sub-scanning unit 50 and the contact portion 55 are provided has been shown, the lock opening / closing mechanism positioning means is not limited to this, and the protrusion 42b is provided.
And a suction holding surface of the magnet of the sub-scanning unit 50.

In this case, the dimension from the tip of the protrusion 42b to the lock pin 42a is set to S2, and
On the suction holding surface of the magnet 54 of the sub-scanning unit 50, the rotary transport unit 4
By directly abutting the protrusion 42b attached to the pedestal 42 of 0, the insertion hole 13 (2
The lock opening / closing mechanism (lock pin 42
The position of a) can be accurately adjusted.

Therefore, even in this case, it is possible to reliably switch between the locked state and the unlocked state. Further, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the cassette 1 is pushed up by the lock pin 42a and the cassette 1 is dropped from the magnet 54.

[0067]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the lock opening / closing mechanism has a predetermined reference surface (for example, a surface on the side which is sucked and held by the holding means) of the cassette which is sucked and held by the holding means. Since the lock opening / closing mechanism positioning means for arranging the cassette and the lock opening / closing mechanism at a position spaced apart by a constant dimension is provided, it is possible to always arrange the cassette and the lock opening / closing mechanism in a constant positional relationship.

Therefore, for example, when the cassette has the insertion hole and the lock opening / closing mechanism has the lock pin, the position of the lock pin of the lock opening / closing mechanism can be accurately aligned with the position of the insertion hole of the cassette. Therefore, it is possible to reliably switch between the locked state and the unlocked state. Further, it is possible to prevent the situation where the cassette is pushed up by the lock pin and falls off.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the cassette conveyed by the rotary transport unit is suction-held by the suction-holding surface of the holding unit, the protrusion attached to the rotary transport unit is held by the holding unit. It can be moved to a position separated from the suction holding surface by a certain dimension by abutting the suction holding surface provided on the. Since the protrusion and the lock opening / closing mechanism are integrally movable, the lock opening / closing mechanism can be arranged at a position separated from the suction holding surface by a certain dimension. Also, the cassette sucked and held by the suction holding surface is
It is arranged at a fixed position with respect to the suction holding surface. As a result,
The cassette and the lock opening / closing mechanism can always be arranged in a fixed positional relationship.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the cassette conveyed by the rotary conveying section is sucked and held by the suction holding surface of the holding means, the protrusion attached to the rotary conveying section is held by the holding means. It can be moved to a position separated from the surface of the contact portion by a certain dimension by contacting the contact portion provided on the. Since the projecting portion and the lock opening / closing mechanism are integrally movable, the lock opening / closing mechanism can also be arranged at a position separated from the surface of the contact portion by a certain dimension. Also, the cassette sucked and held by the suction holding surface is
It is arranged at a constant distance from the contact portion. As a result,
The cassette and the lock opening / closing mechanism can always be arranged in a fixed positional relationship.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a cassette transported inside a radiation image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment, in a state in which a front plate and a back plate forming the cassette are separated from each other.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a cassette transported inside the radiation image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment, in a state in which a front plate and a back plate that form the cassette are combined.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of the radiation image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a configuration of a holding unit of a rotary conveyance unit provided inside the radiation image reading apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a V portion of FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a configuration of a rotary conveyance unit and a sub-scanning unit provided inside the radiation image reading apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the rotary conveyance unit shown in FIG. 6 is rotated toward the sub scanning unit.

8 is an enlarged view of a portion VIII in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols] 1 cassette 2 device body 2a Transport reading unit 2b Cassette insertion / ejection section 3 Cassette insertion slot 3a code reading means 3b Insertion roller 4 cassette outlet 4a discharge roller 4b stocker 10 front board 11 frames 12 Front plate 13 insertion hole 20 back plate 21 Back plate body 21a Back side of back plate 22 Support plate 23 Photostimulable phosphor sheet 24 insertion holes 30 lock claws 31 opening 40 Pivoting transport unit 41 rotation axis 42 cradle 42a Lock pin 42b protrusion 42c elastic means 43 Guide 43a Elastic means 50 Sub-scan unit 51 Sub-scanning rail 52 Sub-scanning movable part 53 Sub-scanning moving plate 54 magnet 60 reading means 61 Laser scanning unit 62 light guide 63 Focus tube 70 Erasing means 80 substrates

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A rotary transport unit having a pedestal for holding a cassette containing a stimulable phosphor sheet and a rotative unit for rotatively moving the cradle; and a rotary transport unit for transporting the cassette. In a radiographic image reading apparatus comprising: a holding unit that sucks and holds the cassette; and a lock opening / closing mechanism that realizes a locked state and an unlocked state of the cassette, wherein the cassette conveyed by the rotating conveyance unit is When holding by suction by the holding means, the lock opening and closing mechanism,
A radiation image reading apparatus comprising: a lock opening / closing mechanism positioning means for arranging the cassette at a position separated by a predetermined dimension from a predetermined reference surface of the cassette in a state of being sucked and held by the holding means. 2. The rotary transport unit is attached to the pedestal in a state of protruding toward the holding means side via an elastic body, and is movable together with the lock opening / closing mechanism in a direction of being pushed into the pedestal. A protrusion portion, the holding means includes a suction holding surface for holding the cassette by suction, the lock opening / closing mechanism positioning means includes the protrusion portion and the suction holding surface, and the rotation transporting portion. When the cassette conveyed by means of suction is held by the suction holding surface of the holding means, the protrusion attached to the rotary conveying portion abuts and pushes against the suction holding surface provided in the holding means. The radiation image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the radiation image reading apparatus is configured to move to a position separated from the suction holding surface by a predetermined dimension. 3. The rotary transport unit is attached to the pedestal in a state of protruding toward the holding means side through an elastic body, and is movable together with the lock opening / closing mechanism in a direction of being pushed into the pedestal. A suction holding surface for sucking and holding the cassette, and an abutting portion arranged at a constant distance from the suction holding surface for abutting the projection, The lock opening / closing mechanism positioning means includes the protrusion and the contact portion,
When the cassette transported by the rotary transport unit is suction-held on the suction-holding surface of the holding unit, the protrusion attached to the rotary transport unit has the contact portion provided on the holding unit. The radiation image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the radiation image reading apparatus is configured to come into contact with a portion and be pushed to move to a position separated from the surface of the abutting portion by a certain dimension.