JP4506938B2 - Radiation image reader - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a radiation image reading apparatus that reads out radiation image information accumulated in a photostimulable phosphor sheet.

  In order to digitize and store and transmit radiation image information generated in a hospital, a radiation image reading apparatus that outputs image information as digital data has been widely used. As a radiation image reading apparatus that outputs such digital data, a radiation image reading apparatus using a stimulable phosphor sheet is well known.

  The photostimulable phosphor sheet can store a part of the radiation energy (image information) transmitted through the subject and simultaneously store the detected radiation energy (image information) inside the photostimulable phosphor sheet. . The radiation energy (image information) accumulated in the photostimulable phosphor sheet is extracted as photostimulated light by being excited with a laser beam having a predetermined wavelength, and is electrically converted using a photoelectric conversion element such as a photomultiplier. After being converted to a signal, it is AD converted, subjected to signal processing such as unevenness correction, and then output as image data to a host computer or the like.

  Generally, the photostimulable phosphor sheet is used by being housed in a portable thin box-like casing called a cassette. In such a usage form, the user can easily carry the photostimulable phosphor sheet together with the cassette, so that radiography can be performed in the same manner as a conventionally used screen / film cassette. .

  As a method for handling a photostimulable phosphor sheet, as shown in JP-A-1-237636, a flexible photostimulable phosphor sheet is taken out from a cassette with a sucker or the like, and the photostimulated phosphor taken out is taken out. A contact conveyance method in which a fluorescent phosphor sheet is sandwiched between rollers and conveyed is well known. In the contact transport method, the photostimulable phosphor surface is pressed by a roller. If dirt or dust adheres to the roller, the phosphor surface is soiled or damaged to shorten the life of the photostimulable phosphor sheet. There is a fatal drawback. In addition, scratches and dirt on the photostimulable phosphor surface appear as noise in the read image, so that a high-quality image cannot be provided as a diagnostic image.

  As methods for solving the disadvantages of this contact conveyance method, methods as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 11-160821 and 8-122946 have been proposed. This method is a method in which a photostimulable phosphor sheet is attached to a rigid plate-like member, and the stimulable phosphor sheet and the plate-like member are in contact with only the plate-like member (not in contact with the photostimulable phosphor surface). Transport. In this way, a system for transporting the photostimulable phosphor sheet without contacting the photostimulable phosphor surface is called a non-contact transport system.

  In the non-contact conveyance method, non-contact conveyance with respect to the photostimulable phosphor surface is promised, so that the photostimulable phosphor surface is not soiled or damaged. For this reason, streak-like noise does not appear in the read image, and the photostimulable phosphor sheet has a long life, so it has been attracting attention as a new method for conveying the photostimulable phosphor sheet. Yes.

  However, in the case of the non-contact conveyance method, it is generally necessary to convey the photostimulable phosphor sheet in a state of being attached to a rigid plate-like member. It has been said that it is difficult to convey in a bent state to some extent, and it is difficult to convey the photostimulable phosphor sheet.

As means for solving this problem, it has a cassette with a new structure shown in JP 200 2 -156 717, i.e., a structure in which the front plate and the back plate are separated / combined, stimulable phosphor on the inner surface of the back plate how to read the cassette body sheet are attached in the radiographic image reading apparatus shown in JP-200 2 -156 716 JP it has been proposed.

In this radiographic image reading apparatus, when the cassette is inserted into the insertion slot, the cassette is taken into the apparatus, and after the front plate and the back plate are separated, the image is read from the photostimulable phosphor sheet attached to the back plate. Information is read. When the reading of the image information is completed, the image information remaining on the photostimulable phosphor sheet is erased, and after the front plate and the back plate are combined, the cassette is discharged from the discharge port.
JP-A-1-237636 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-160821 JP-A-8-122946 JP 2002-156717 A JP 2002-156716 A

However, the radiographic image reading apparatus shown in JP-200 2 -156 716, since it is necessary to transport the cassette with a weight in comparison with the stimulable phosphor sheet, the conveyance width direction of the cassette at the insertion opening The center position is adjusted (center reference), and the subsequent cassette conveyance and sub-scanning are all performed based on the center reference. However, since the cassette is width-adjusted at the insertion port, the cassette may be width-closed in a state where the operator's hand touches the cassette, giving the operator a sense of discomfort and discomfort.

  Further, in this radiographic image reading apparatus, control is performed so that the code information such as the cassette size is read from a code storage element such as a barcode attached to the cassette after the centering means is adjusted to the center reference. Therefore, it takes time until it is understood that the code information cannot be read due to a defect in the code storage element or a wrong insertion direction of the cassette.

Further, the front plate and the back plate during separation / coalescence, the biassing means it is necessary Prefer firmly pressing down the front plate, is proposed in the radiographic image reading apparatus shown in JP-200 2 -156 716 In this method, that is, a recess is provided in the front plate frame portion of the cassette, and a grip claw (convex portion) of the width adjusting means is fitted in the concave portion, positional accuracy is required for fitting the concave portion and the convex portion. When the cassette position is distorted or tilted, the grip operation often fails.

Further, in the radiographic image reading apparatus shown in JP-200 2 -156 716, the maximum half-cut by the sub-scanning large cassette size in the vertical direction to read the image information, the size of the half-cut two sheets + alpha in the height direction There was a big problem in terms of downsizing of the device in the height direction.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention is configured as follows.

The invention according to claim 1 has a structure that is separated into a front plate and a back plate, holds a photostimulable phosphor sheet, and is accumulated in the photostimulable phosphor sheet from a cassette having a plurality of sizes. A radiation image reading device for reading the image information,
An insertion port for inserting a cassette having the plurality of sizes;
Conveying means for taking in the cassette inserted into the insertion port by one-side reference into the apparatus from the insertion port;
A width adjusting means for holding only the front plate and not holding the back plate, and for adjusting the cassette taken into the apparatus by the conveying means to a center reference;
Separating means for separating the cassette that has been width-adjusted by the width-releasing means so that the photostimulable phosphor sheet can be read; and
A radiation image reading apparatus comprising: reading means for reading image information accumulated in the photostimulable phosphor sheet that can be read by the separating means.
Invention of Claim 2 has a code reading means which reads code information from the code storage element arranged at the predetermined position of the cassette inserted in the insertion slot,
The radiographic image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transport unit takes in the cassette, the code information of which has been read by the code reading unit, from the insertion port into the apparatus.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the cassette code information includes size information of the cassette,
The radiographic image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the width adjusting unit adjusts the width of the cassette based on the code information.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the cassette code information includes size information of the cassette,
The radiographic image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the transport unit takes the cassette into the apparatus so as to be an upper reference based on the code information.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the cassette width adjustment by the width adjusting means is performed after the cassette is taken into the apparatus by the conveying means. 4. The radiographic image reading apparatus according to claim 1.

The invention of claim 6 has an insertion shutter motor which said cassette is closed after being taken into the apparatus interior from the insertion port by said conveying means,
5. The radiographic image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the width adjusting unit adjusts the width after the insertion shutter is closed. 6.

The invention according to claim 7 has a width adjusting sensor that changes from OFF to ON when the width adjusting means holds the cassette on the width adjusting means.
The radiation image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein when the width adjusting means holds the cassette, the operation is stopped if the width adjusting sensor is not turned ON. It is.

  The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the reading means reads image information by the reading means while sub-scanning the photostimulable phosphor sheet with a center reference. It is a radiographic image reading apparatus given in any 1 paragraph.

The invention according to claim 9 is an erasing unit for erasing image information remaining in the photostimulable phosphor sheet from which image information has been read by the reading unit;
The photostimulable phosphor sheet from which the image information has been erased by the erasing means is merged so that the photostimulable phosphor sheet is held in the cassette, and the cassette merged by the merging means is based on a center reference. 9. The radiographic image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for conveying and discharging.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is the radiographic image reading apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein image information is read from a plurality of cassettes having different sizes.
The invention according to claim 11 is characterized in that the separating means separates the cassette that has been width-adjusted by the width-releasing means in a state where only the front plate is held by the width-releasing means,
The cassette separated by said separating means, while holding only the front plate by the biassing means, to any one of claims 1 to 10 characterized in that it has a coalescing means to combine It is a radiation image reading apparatus of description.
The invention according to claim 12 is characterized in that the width adjusting means is held by a projection provided on the width adjusting means so as to hold the frame of the front plate. it is a radiation image reading apparatus according to any one of.

  With the above configuration, the present invention has the following effects.

According to the first and second aspects of the invention, since the code information of the cassette inserted at one end side in the width direction of the insertion slot is read, the code information whose position is within the predetermined range can be read, and the wide range is expensive. The code information of the cassette can be read stably even without a simple reading sensor. In addition, the cassette is controlled so that the image information recorded on the photostimulable phosphor sheet is read after the cassette is shifted to the center of the conveyance width direction (center reference). The position of the center of gravity can be matched with the center of sub-scanning, and the speed unevenness during reading can be prevented. Further, since the width adjusting means holds only the front plate and does not hold the back plate, the back plate and the width adjusting means can be removed without interference when the back plate is separated from the front plate. For this reason, the cassette width adjusting means and the holding mechanism can be shared, the number of parts of the apparatus can be reduced, the apparatus mechanism can be simplified, and the reliability can be improved.

In the invention according to claim 3 , since the code information including the information for specifying the cassette size is stably read and the width is adjusted using the code information, the width of the cassette is easily and correctly adjusted. Can do.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, code information including information for specifying the size of the cassette is stably read, and the cassette is taken into the apparatus using the code information. Therefore, the upper end of the cassette is aligned with the upper reference. Therefore, the time for conveying the image information from the photostimulable phosphor sheet to the reading position can be minimized regardless of the cassette size, and the processing capability (throughput) of the apparatus can be improved. In addition, since a structure that avoids interference between the sub-scanning mechanism and the width adjusting means can be easily constructed regardless of the cassette size, the apparatus mechanism is simplified and the reliability is improved.

In the invention described in claim 5 , since the cassette is brought into the apparatus after being taken in, the cassette is moved with the operator's hand touching the cassette to give the operator a sense of incongruity or discomfort. Disappears. Safety is also improved.

In the invention described in claim 6 , since the width of the insertion opening shutter is closed, the timing for inserting the next cassette is not delayed by the time required for the width adjustment (if the insertion opening shutter is closed, the next time The cassette can be inserted into the insertion slot), not only the waiting time of the user is shortened, but also the processing capability (throughput) of the apparatus can be improved.

The invention according to claim 7 has a width adjusting sensor on the width adjusting means, and the output from the width adjusting sensor when the width adjusting means stops at the position where the cassette is held based on the code information is not a normal value. In such a case, since it is processed as an error, it can be detected that there is an abnormality in the cassette width direction, and troubles can be prevented from occurring in the apparatus.
In the invention described in claim 8, it is possible to easily balance sub-scanning that requires precision conveyance for cassettes of different sizes, and to suppress uneven speed during reading, and to improve reliability and stability. Can do. In addition, the shading characteristics of the condensing system for reading can be standardized based on the center standard, and the image quality at the center of the screen where the highest image quality is required can be kept constant under good conditions for any size cassette. it can.

  According to the ninth aspect of the invention, since erasing is performed based on the center reference, the erasing light can always be irradiated uniformly. In addition, since the separation unit and the uniting unit are implemented with the same center reference, the accuracy of the uniting operation is improved. Further, since the discharge is performed based on the center, the positions where the edge portions of the cassette frames of different sizes are nipped by the discharge roller can be dispersed for each size, and the roller can be made long lasting.

In the invention described in claim 10, image information can be read from a plurality of cassettes having different sizes.
In the invention according to claim 11, the separating means separates the cassette width-adjusted by the width aligning means in a state where only the front plate is held by the width aligning means, and separates the cassette separated by the separating means. Since only the front plate is held by the means and combined , the back plate and the width adjusting means do not interfere when separating / combining the back plate and the front plate. For this reason, the cassette width adjusting means and the holding mechanism can be shared, the number of parts of the apparatus can be reduced, the apparatus mechanism can be simplified, and the reliability can be improved.
In the invention of claim 12, the width adjusting means is a protrusion provided on the width adjusting means so as to hold the frame of the front plate so that it is not necessary to press the cassette with a strong force, Even in the separation / merging operation, the front plate can be reliably held.

  In the invention according to claim 11, the cassette has a structure in which the front plate and the back plate are separated, and the width adjusting means holds only the front plate and does not hold the back plate. When the plates are separated / combined, the back plate and the width adjusting means do not interfere with each other. For this reason, the cassette width adjusting means and the holding mechanism can be shared, the number of parts of the apparatus can be reduced, the apparatus mechanism can be simplified, and the reliability can be improved. Compared to the configuration in which the front plate frame part of the cassette is provided with a recess, and gripping claws (protrusions) of the width adjusting means are fitted to the recess, the position accuracy is not required, and it is more reliable and stable. You can catch the cassette.

  In the invention described in claim 12, since the holding of the cassette by the width adjusting means is held by holding the frame of the front plate by the projection provided on the width adjusting means, the cassette is held with a strong force. There is no need to hold down, and the front plate can be securely held even in the separation / merging operation.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the radiation image reading apparatus of the present invention will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The embodiment of the present invention shows the most preferable mode of the present invention, and the terminology of the present invention is not limited to this. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1A and 1B are views showing a cassette 1 used in the radiation image reading apparatus of the present invention.

  The cassette 1 includes a front plate 10 and a back plate 20 that can be separated. 1A and 1B are perspective views when the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 of the cassette 1 are separated, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view when the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 of the cassette 1 are combined. 3A to 3H are cross-sectional views of the cassette 1 showing the state of the locking mechanism, FIGS. 4A and 4B are views for explaining the locking mechanism of the cassette 1, and FIGS. B) is a view of the back plate 20 viewed from the back side (the side opposite to the front plate 10).

  The front plate 10 includes a frame 11 and a front plate 13. A nonwoven fabric 17 is affixed to the inner surface of the front plate 13. The frame 11 includes a frame side surface 110, a frame bottom surface 111, an inclined surface 112 having a predetermined inclination, an inward surface 113, a frame inner surface 114, a light shielding projection 115, an insertion hole 14, and cuts 15a and 15b. And recesses 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d for locking. The inclined surface 112, the frame inner surface 114, and the light shielding protrusion 115 form a recess 12 inside the frame 11.

  Thus, by providing the inclined surface 112 on the frame 11, it is possible to roughly design the alignment accuracy when the back plate 20 is united with the front plate 10. That is, by providing the inclined surface 112 on the frame 11, the inclined surface 112 automatically guides the back plate 20 to the combined position even when the position when the back plate 20 is combined with the front plate 10 is slightly shifted. The requirements for the side component accuracy and assembly accuracy can be eased. Moreover, even if a subtle deformation occurs in the skeleton or mechanism of the apparatus during transportation of the apparatus, the probability of causing a malfunction in the work of combining the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 can be extremely reduced.

  The frame 11 is preferably made of a material that can withstand a large load at the time of full load photography, such as aluminum or hard plastic, and the front plate 13 is strong and absorbs radiation, such as aluminum or carbon fiber reinforced plastic. Preferably, it is formed of a relatively small member.

  The cassette that opens and closes the side of the cassette 1 and pulls out the side plate of the cassette 1 cannot be constructed with a continuous structure on the outer periphery of the cassette, so that the structure is weak against the load from the front side. Yes. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the frame 11 of the front plate 10 has a structure that seamlessly covers the outer periphery of the front plate 13, so that the load applied from the front plate 10 side of the cassette 1 during photographing is evenly distributed throughout the frame 11. Can take it. For this reason, it has an extremely strong structure against the load applied from the front plate 10 side.

  The back plate 20 is formed of a back plate main body 21, an X-ray absorption sheet 25, a support plate 27, and a stimulable phosphor sheet 28.

  The photostimulable phosphor sheet 28 is bonded to the support plate 27 via the X-ray absorption sheet 25, and the support plate 27 is attached to the surface of the bonding portion 214 with such a strength that it can be replaced with a double-sided tape or an adhesive. It is glued. The X-ray absorption sheet 25 is a lead sheet, for example, and absorbs X-rays that have passed through the stimulable phosphor sheet 28. As a result, backscattered rays from the structure of the cassette 1 located behind the photostimulable phosphor sheet 28 such as the support 27 and the back plate main body 21, and the other that may exist further behind the cassette 1. It plays a role of preventing backscattered rays from the structure from reaching the photostimulable phosphor sheet 28. The bonding portion 214 and the rib 215 form the air phase 23 and contribute to the weight reduction of the cassette. Thus, the photostimulable phosphor sheet 28 having the support plate 27 forms an integral structure in a form that can be peeled off from the back plate main body 21.

  When the stimulable phosphor sheet 28 is to be replaced, the support plate 27 is peeled off from the bonding portion 214, and then the support plate 27 to which the new stimulable phosphor sheet 28 is attached is attached with a double-sided tape or an adhesive. What is necessary is just to adhere | attach to the adhesion part 214. FIG. In the case where a double-sided tape is used for bonding the support plate 27 and the bonding portion 214, it is preferable that the double-sided tape is bonded in advance to the bonding portion between the bonding portion 214 on the support 27 side. If the double-sided tape is bonded to the support 27 side in advance, when the support plate 27 is peeled off from the back plate main body 21, the double-sided tape does not remain on the bonding portion 214 side of the back plate main body 21, and the stimulable phosphor. Since it peels off together with the support plate 27 of the sheet 28, when the support plate 27 to which the next stimulable phosphor sheet 28 is attached is attached, the adhesive surface of the adhesive portion 214 is cleaned (the debris of the previous double-sided tape is removed). Cleaning process) is facilitated.

  Further, in order to facilitate replacement of the support plate 27 to which the photostimulable phosphor sheet 28 is attached, the support plate 27 is not adhered to the bonding portion 214 with a double-sided tape or an adhesive, but is adsorbed by a magnetic force. You may comprise as follows. For example, a magnet is bonded to a part of the back surface (the surface on which the photostimulable phosphor sheet 28 is not attached) of the support plate 27 (the bonding surface with the bonding portion 214), while the bonding portion 214 or The surface of the bonding part 214 is made of a magnetic substance. With such a configuration, the support plate 27 to which the photostimulable phosphor sheet 28 is bonded can be easily detached from the back plate 20. Further, the same effect can be obtained by arranging a magnetic body on a part of the back surface of the support plate 27 (an adhesive surface with the adhesive portion 214) and forming the adhesive portion 214 or the surface portion of the adhesive portion 214 with a magnet. It goes without saying that it is obtained.

  The support plate 27 is a resin plate such as a glass epoxy resin plate or a paper phenolic resin plate having a thickness of about 0.5 mm to 3 mm, which is lightweight, has little deformation due to changes in temperature and humidity, and has good flatness. Alternatively, a lightweight and strong carbon fiber reinforced plastic can be used. Further, a light metal plate such as aluminum or magnesium alloy may be used as the support plate 27.

  When a metal is used for the support plate 27, a small hole may be formed on the entire metal surface in order to reduce the weight.

  The back plate main body 21 includes a back plate back surface 210, a back plate side surface 211, a rim 212, an adhesive portion 214, ribs 215, and a magnetic sheet 29 such as iron foil. A recess 22 for receiving the light shielding protrusion 115 is formed inside the rim 212.

  When the back plate 20 and the front plate 10 are combined as shown in FIG. 2, the light blocking projection 115 of the front plate 10 enters the recess 22 of the back plate 20, and the rim 212 of the back plate 20 is moved to the recess 12 of the front plate 10. It acts to get in. With such a method, light is shielded so that external light does not reach the photostimulable phosphor sheet 28. For example, when velvet or sponge is attached to the recess 12 of the front plate 10, the light shielding property can be further improved.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, in the state where the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 are combined, a certain amount of gap is formed between the tip of the inclined surface 112 of the front plate 10 and the inward surface 113 of the frame 11 and the back plate side surface 211. Is designed to occur. This gap is a gap necessary for smoothly combining the front plate 10 and the back plate 20. If the gap is about 0.2 to 2 mm, the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 can be merged sufficiently smoothly. This gap is also important in terms of absorbing manufacturing errors of the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 and thermal expansion of the back plate, and improves the reliability and stability of the combined operation of the front plate 10 and the back plate 20. ing. In this embodiment, since the light shielding method using the combination of the concave portion and the convex portion as described above is adopted, the external light entering from this gap reaches the photostimulable phosphor sheet 28 and exhibits photostimulable fluorescence. There is no worry about putting on your body.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, when the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 are combined, the front plate 10 is attached to the front plate 13 unless pressure is applied from the front plate 13 toward the back plate 20 side. The space 120 between the non-woven fabric 17 and the surface of the photostimulable phosphor sheet 28 is designed to be exactly zero or a slight space exists. No pressure is applied to the surface of the photostimulable phosphor sheet 28 from the front plate side.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the back plate main body 21 is formed of ordinary plastic so that the back plate main body 21 can be attracted to the magnet 58 of FIG. The sheet 29 is attached. The surface of the magnetic material sheet 29 is covered with a laminate plastic (not shown) or coated with a paint, so that the magnetic material sheet 29 is not exposed. For example, instead of attaching the magnetic sheet 29, the back plate main body 21 itself may be formed of magnetic plastic. Further, a method of applying a magnetic substance to the back plate back surface 210 may be used.

  Further, the back plate back surface 210 is designed such that the back plate back surface 210 follows a plane formed by the magnet 58 when attracted to the magnet 58. That is, the back plate 20 has a certain degree of rigidity and is flexible enough to follow the plane formed by the magnets 58. In this way, by providing the back plate 20 with a certain degree of flexibility, for example, even if the back plate 20 is deformed or warped due to aging or usage conditions, the back plate 20 can follow the plane on the magnet 58 side. Deformation and warping are corrected. Therefore, the surface of the photostimulable phosphor sheet 28 can always be kept flat when reading image information.

  When photographing with a load from the front plate 10 side (such as bed photographing or full load photographing) is performed, the front plate 13 of the front plate 10 generates a considerable amount of warpage toward the back plate 20 side. At this time, if the rigidity of the back plate 20 is too high, the back plate 20 maintains flatness, so that the stimulable phosphor sheet 28 is pressed by a considerable amount from both the front plate 10 and the back plate 20. And damage the stimulable phosphor. As described above, if the back plate 20 has both a certain degree of rigidity and a certain degree of flexibility, the back plate 20 can be somewhat displaced in the direction of escaping from the pressing from the front plate 10. , No damage to the photostimulable phosphor.

  Of course, the back plate 20 should not have more flexibility than necessary. If the back plate 20 is given more flexibility than necessary, the durability of the cassette 1 is lowered. Further, if the back plate 20 is given more flexibility than necessary, the back plate 20 will loosen due to its own weight, causing a problem with light-shielding properties. May cause problems with sex.

  In addition, the back plate body 21 has a purpose of finishing the back plate body 21 lightweight and increasing the bending strength, and for stopping the amount of deformation when the stimulable phosphor sheet 28 is pressed from the front plate 10 side. Ribs 215 are formed. Further, the stimulable phosphor of the front plate 13 is prevented so that the front plate 13 does not come into contact with the surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet 28 and damage the surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet 28 when pressed from the front plate 10 side. The nonwoven fabric 17 is arranged on the surface on the sheet 28 side. The nonwoven fabric 17 is preferably smaller than the front plate 13 and larger than the phosphor-coated surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet 28 (can cover the entire phosphor-coated surface). When the nonwoven fabric 17 is smaller than the phosphor coated surface, the X-ray absorption difference in the nonwoven fabric 17 is recorded on the photostimulable phosphor sheet 28 as image information, which is not preferable. Further, if the nonwoven fabric 17 has a texture, an X-ray absorption difference due to the texture is recorded in the photostimulable phosphor sheet 28 as image information. Therefore, it is preferable to use a nonwoven fabric with as little texture as possible. Further, if the nonwoven fabric 17 is fluffed and the fibers of the nonwoven fabric 17 float inside the apparatus and adhere to a laser optical system or the like, the laser intensity at the time of reading becomes uneven and causes image defects such as vertical stripes on the image. The nonwoven fabric 17 is preferably one having as little fuzz as possible. Furthermore, it is preferable to use a non-woven fabric that has been subjected to a fuzz prevention treatment by impregnating the non-woven fabric 17 with a resin or the like, or by performing a surface processing treatment.

  Although the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 are separable, usually radiography is performed in a combined state as shown in FIG.

  Next, the locking mechanism of the cassette 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 (A) to 3 (H) and FIGS. 4 (A) and 4 (B).

  In order to keep the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 in a combined state, the cassette 1 is provided with a lock mechanism. 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d of the back plate 20 are lock claws, and the tips of the lock claws are moved from the openings 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d to the arrow Q1 or the arrow according to the lock ON / OFF operation. It is configured to move in the direction of Q2.

  32a and 32b of the back plate 20 are lock claws different from 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d. The lock claws 32a and 32b are configured to slide in the direction of the arrow Q1 or the arrow Q2 in the openings 33a and 33b in accordance with the lock ON / OFF operation.

  The lock ON state refers to a state in which the tips of the lock claws 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d protrude outward from the back plate side surface 211. At this time, the front ends of the lock claws 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d are in a state of entering into the lock recesses 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d of the front plate 10, respectively.

  3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of the cassette 1 taken along the dotted lines U1 and U2 in FIG. 4A when the lock is ON.

  In the lock ON state, the tips of the lock claws 32a and 32b are moved in the direction of the arrow Q1. At this time, the notches 15a and 15b of the front plate 10 (openings provided in the frame inward surface 113 and the inclined surface 112) and the lock claws 32a and 32b are out of phase, that is, the back plate 20 is separated from the front plate 10. It cannot be separated. Sectional views of the cassette 1 taken along dotted lines U3 and U4 in FIGS. 4A and 4B at this time are shown in FIGS.

  The lock OFF state refers to a state in which the tips of the lock claws 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d have entered the back plate side surface 211. FIGS. 3C and 3D are cross-sectional views of the cassette 1 taken along dotted lines U1 and U2 in FIG. 4A at this time.

  In the lock OFF state, the lock claws 32a and 32b are in phase with the notches 15a and 15b, so that the back plate 20 can be separated from the front plate 10. FIGS. 3G and 3H show cross-sectional views of the cassette 1 taken along dotted lines U3 and U4 in FIGS. 4A and 4B at this time.

  The lock claws 30 a, 30 b, 32 a, and 32 b are configured to interlock with the connecting member 35. On the other hand, the lock claws 30 c and 30 d are configured to interlock with the connecting member 36. One end of the spring 38 a is connected to the connecting member 35, and the other end is connected to the back plate main body 21. By this spring 38a, the connecting member 35 always receives a force to move in the direction of the arrow Q1. The insertion holes 14 of the front plate 10 are in a positional relationship corresponding to the insertion holes 34 of the back plate 20 when combined. If the rod-like member is inserted and pushed once in the direction of arrow P from the insertion hole 14 (insertion hole 34) in the lock ON state, the connecting member 35 stops in a state where it has moved a predetermined distance in the direction of arrow Q2. The lock OFF state shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D is obtained.

  When the connecting member 35 moves in the direction of the arrow Q2, the rack and pinion operations occur due to the rack shape of the connecting member 35 and the tip of the connecting member 36 and the pinion 37, and the connecting member 36 also moves the same distance in the direction of the arrow R2. Then stop. At this time, the lock claws 32a and 32b are moved by the same distance in the direction of the arrow Q2 in conjunction with the connecting member 35 and stopped, and the lock OFF state shown in FIGS.

  That is, when the rod-shaped member is inserted and pushed once in the direction of the arrow P from the insertion hole 14 (insertion hole 34) in the lock ON state, the lock plate is shifted to the OFF state, and the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 are separated. It becomes possible. Next, this lock OFF state is continuously maintained unless a rod-shaped member is applied from the insertion hole 14 (insertion hole 34).

  When the rod-shaped member is inserted and pushed once in the direction of arrow P from the insertion hole 14 (insertion hole 34) in the lock OFF state, the connecting member 35 stops in a state where it has moved a predetermined distance in the direction of arrow Q1. Then, the state shifts to the lock ON state shown in FIGS.

  When the connecting member 35 moves in the direction of the arrow Q1, the rack and pinion operations described above occur, and the connecting member 36 also moves by the same distance in the direction of the arrow R1 and stops. At this time, the lock claws 32a and 32b are also moved by the same distance in the direction of the arrow Q1, and the lock ON state shown in FIGS.

  That is, when the rod-shaped member is inserted and pushed once in the direction of the arrow P from the insertion hole 14 (insertion hole 34) in the lock OFF state, the lock plate is shifted to the ON state, and the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 are separated. It becomes impossible. Next, unless the rod-like member is applied from the insertion hole 14 (insertion hole 34), this lock ON state is continuously maintained.

  As described above, the cassette 1 according to this embodiment employs a method (push / latch method) in which the lock ON / lock OFF state is switched each time a rod-shaped member is inserted and pushed from the insertion hole 14 (insertion hole 34). is doing. The push-latch method is well known as a mechanism used when a ballpoint pen core is taken in and out of the ballpoint pen exterior. The push / latch mechanism is included in the push / latch portion 39 shown in FIG. One end of the spring 38 b is connected to the push / latch portion 39, and the other end is connected to the back plate main body 21. By this spring 38b, the push / latch portion 39 always receives a force to move in the direction of the arrow Q1.

  The notches 15a and 15b and the lock claws 32a and 32b of the front plate 10 are disposed at a predetermined distance from the center position C (position indicated by the arrow C) on the side surface of the cassette 1. By disposing the notches 15a and 15b and the lock claws 32a and 32b from the center position C on the side surface of the cassette 1 (however, either the lock claw 32a and the notch 15a pair or the lock claw 32b and the notch 15b pair) If one of the pairs is arranged so as to be shifted from the center position C on the side surface of the cassette 1, the other pair may be disposed on the center position C on the side surface of the cassette 1). If the direction of 20 and the front board 10 is not a correct direction, it will not unite. Thereby, for example, when the user separates the cassette 1 for reasons such as cleaning the inside of the cassette or replacing the photostimulable phosphor sheet 28 and tries to unite again after the work is completed, the back plate 20 and the front plate 10 The risk of merging directions incorrectly can be avoided.

  Thus, a mechanism for avoiding the risk of erroneously uniting the directions of the back plate 20 and the front plate 10 is referred to as a reverse insertion preventing mechanism.

  Further, at least one convex portion is provided on either the frame 11 of the front plate 10 (for example, the inner surface of the frame side surface 110 or the inclined surface 112) or the outer peripheral portion of the back plate (for example, the outer surface of the back plate side surface 211). By providing at least one concave portion on the other side and arranging the convex portion and the concave portion so as to match only when the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 face each other in the correct direction, a reverse insertion preventing mechanism is easily constructed. be able to.

  For example, convex portions having the same shape as the lock claws 32a and 32b are provided on the outer surface of the back plate side surface 211, and concave portions having the same shape as the notches 15a and 15b are provided in the frame 11 of the front plate 10, and the convex portions and the concave portions are provided. By disposing the lock claws 32a and 32b and the cuts 15a and 15b in the lock OFF state in the same positional relationship, a reverse insertion prevention mechanism can be constructed.

  Further, when the lock mechanism is configured only by the lock claws 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d (without the lock claws 32a and 32b), when the cassette 1 is held so that the front plate 10 faces vertically upward, the back plate The side where the 20 lock claws do not exist is loosened vertically downward by the weight of the back plate 20. As described above, the lock mechanism using the lock claws 32a and 32b can also serve as a mechanism for preventing the back plate 20 from slacking due to its own weight (slack prevention mechanism).

  However, such a loosening prevention mechanism is not necessarily required for the cassette 1 having a relatively small size in which the back plate 20 is not easily loosened by its own weight.

  In this embodiment, the insertion hole 14 and the insertion hole 34 are expressed in a rectangular shape, but this does not limit the insertion hole 14 and the insertion hole 34 to a rectangular shape. For example, a circular shape or the like may be used.

  5A and 5B are views of the back plate 20 of the cassette 1 as viewed from the back side (the side opposite to the front plate 10). FIG. 5A shows the lock ON state, and FIG. 5B shows the lock OFF state.

  On the same side of the back plate 210 as the insertion hole 34, the code storage element 200 is attached. The clip 201 is disposed on the back plate back surface 210 opposite to the code storage element 200.

  In this embodiment, the code storage element 200 is a barcode label on which an optically readable pattern is printed, and the code storage element 200 (barcode label) starts from the corner of the cassette 1 regardless of the size of the cassette. Bonded at a position of a predetermined distance X.

  Further, as the code storage element 200, an element capable of reading the code information written in the code storage element 200 using a wireless technology such as electromagnetic waves or microwaves may be used. When an element capable of reading code information using a radio technology such as electromagnetic waves or microwaves is used, the code storage element 200 is recorded in the code storage element 200 even if the positional relationship between the code storage element 200 and the reader of the code storage element 200 is slightly deviated. This is convenient because the code information can be read accurately. As such an element, for example, an element called a non-contact ID label (for example, S label) can be used.

  When the code information written in the code storage element 200 is read using a radio technology such as electromagnetic waves or microwaves, the code storage element 200 is arranged not in the back plate back surface 210 but in the back plate 20. May be. Since the reading and writing are performed by wireless technology, the code storage element 200 does not need to exist on the back plate back surface 210. In this case, if a label printed with an identification number (ID number) or the like of the stimulable phosphor sheet 28 is pasted on the back plate back surface 210, the label can be recognized visually, which is easier to understand.

  It is even more convenient if a barcode reading method and a wireless technology reading method are used in combination. In this case, it is important that the content of the barcode label is associated with the content recorded in the element that is read by wireless technology.

  The code storage element 200 includes an identification number (ID number) of the photostimulable phosphor sheet 28, a manufacturing date, a lot number, a version number of the photostimulable phosphor, the size information of the cassette 1, and the photostimulable phosphor. A number representing sensitivity correction information (or sensitivity information) of the sheet 28 is recorded as code information. If sensitivity correction information (or sensitivity information) of the photostimulable phosphor sheet 28 is recorded, it is possible to read this information and correct the sensitivity of the photostimulable phosphor. For example, the sensitivity variation of the photostimulable phosphor sheet 28 is corrected by changing the reading sensitivity of the photoelectric conversion element by changing the voltage applied to the electric conversion element such as a photomultiplier, and the image information is always set to a constant sensitivity. Can be read. Such sensitivity correction can be achieved, for example, by subjecting digital data obtained by AD conversion of the output of the logarithmic amplifier to shift processing according to sensitivity information. In this case, there is no need to change the voltage applied to an electric conversion element such as a photomultiplier.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the radiation image reading apparatus of the present invention.

  The apparatus body 2 is provided with a cassette insertion port 3, a cassette discharge port 4, an opening / closing door 5, and a caster 6. Further, the apparatus main body 2 includes a conveying means 40, a sub-scanning means 50, a reading means 60, a cassette insertion / ejection section 70, a display / operation means 80, and a main body skeleton section 90. The cassette insertion / ejection section 70 is an apparatus main body. The structure is easily removable from 2.

  Further, the sub-scanning means 50 and the conveying means 40 are constructed on the same substrate 92 of the main body skeleton part 90. By disposing the vibration isolating rubber 93 between the substrate 92 and the bottom plate 91, a vibration isolating structure that does not propagate the vibration of the cassette insertion / ejection unit 70 to the sub-scanning means 50 is realized.

  Further, an anti-vibration rubber 94 is arranged between the upper end of the sub-scanning means 50 and a device frame (not shown), and the anti-vibration structure for the sub-scanning means 50 is reinforced.

  With such an anti-vibration structure, the cassette 3 is inserted into the insertion port 3 and the cassette 1 is taken out from the discharge port 4 while the image information is being read from the photostimulable phosphor sheet 28 by the reading unit 60. Even if the main body 2 is vibrated, it is possible to prevent noise caused by vibration in the read image information.

  Further, since the sub-scanning means 50 and the conveying means 40 are constructed on the same substrate 92, the delivery position may be shifted when the back plate 20 is delivered from the conveying means 40 to the sub-scanning means 50, as will be described later. No. Thereby, the separation | separation of the front board 10 and the back board 20, and the union | combination operation | work can be implemented stably and accurately.

  The substrate 92 is provided with an opening that allows the mechanism on the transport means 40 to escape to the lower surface side of the substrate 92 so that the mechanism on the transport means 40 and the substrate 92 do not interfere when the transport means 40 is inclined. is there. The bottom plate 91 also has an opening for the same reason. As described above, by providing the substrate 92 and the bottom plate 91 with the opening for releasing the mechanism on the transport unit 40, the height of the apparatus main body 2 can be constructed low.

  However, if an opening is provided in the bottom plate 91, external light enters the apparatus main body 2 and becomes a problem. Therefore, a removable light-shielding plate 95 having a V-shaped depression for covering the opening of the bottom plate 91 is prepared and attached to the bottom plate 91 in a state of projecting downward as indicated by 95a in FIG. By doing so, it is possible to prevent outside light from entering the apparatus main body 2 while letting the mechanism on the conveying means 40 escape to the lower surface side of the bottom plate 91.

  However, if the light shielding plate 95 is attached in a state of being protruded downward as indicated by 95a in FIG. 6, the protruding portion of the light shielding plate 95 becomes an obstacle when the apparatus main body 2 is conveyed. Therefore, when the apparatus main body 2 is transported, the light shielding plate 95 is attached so as to protrude upward as indicated by 95b in FIG. By doing so, the protruding portion of the light shielding plate 95 does not get in the way when the apparatus main body 2 is conveyed.

  In this way, the bottom plate 91 is provided with an opening, and the V-type light shielding plate 95 that shields the opening is configured to be attached in both a convex state and a convex state. Since it is attached to the bottom plate 91 so that it protrudes upward during conveyance and protrudes downward when operating the apparatus main body 2, it is possible to reduce the height of the apparatus main body 2 while permitting rotational movement of the conveying means 40. it can.

  Next, the operation of the radiation image reading apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 7 is a view showing the relationship between the conveying means 40 and the sub-scanning means 50 of the radiation image reading apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a top view of the cassette insertion / ejection unit 70 of the radiation image reading apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a front view of the display / operation unit 80 of the radiation image reading apparatus of the present invention. 10A and 10B are views showing the relationship between the conveying means 40 and the sub-scanning means 50 when the back plate is delivered in the radiation image reading apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a view showing the positional relationship of the cassette 1 with respect to the upper reference and the center reference of the radiation image reading apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a transition diagram showing changes in the display contents of the display means 81 of the radiation image reading apparatus of the present invention.

  First, a circuit breaker (not shown) is turned ON to start the apparatus. Next, when the operation switch 82 shown in FIG. 9 is pressed (operation 1), power is supplied to a control unit (not shown) of the apparatus main body 2 and the operation lamp 84 is turned on, and at the same time, the display means 81 (in this embodiment, the LCD panel) ) Is displayed as indicated at 811 in FIG. 9 or FIG. At the same time, initialization of the apparatus main body 2 and a control unit (not shown) starts. As shown in 811 of FIG. 9 or FIG. 12, a bar is displayed with ■ and □ as shown in 811 of FIG. Display a downcount by replacing the numbers one by one. Alternatively, the elapsed time until the end of initialization may be displayed in seconds. When the initialization is completed, the display on the display unit 81 becomes “READY” as indicated by 812 in FIG. 12, and the cassette 1 can be inserted into the apparatus main body 2.

  The radiographic image reading apparatus of the present invention has at least two modes as operation modes. One is a reading mode for reading image information from the photostimulable phosphor sheet 28, and one is an erasing mode for erasing image information from the photostimulable phosphor sheet 28. When the apparatus is activated, the reading mode is automatically selected. There are two erase modes, MODE1 (high speed erase) and MODE2 (low speed erase). MODE 1 (high-speed erasure) is an erasing mode that is performed before radiation imaging or after a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous reading of image information. For example, this mode is used when all photostimulable phosphor sheets are erased every morning before use. Erase mode. On the other hand, MODE2 (low-speed erasure) is an erasure mode used when, for example, radiation imaging is mistaken and image information is unnecessary.

  Next, transition of contents displayed on the erasing mode and the display means 81 will be described with reference to FIG.

  To shift to the erasing mode, the erasing switch 83 in FIG. 9 is pressed for 3 to 5 seconds (operation 2). At the same time as the erase lamp 85 is turned on by this operation 2, the display on the display means 81 changes from “READY” display to “ERASE MODE 1 / ■■■■■■■■■■ QUICK” display as indicated by 813 in FIG. , The mode is changed to MODE1 (high-speed erasure) and the countdown for 10 seconds is the same display as at the time of initialization (down from replacing the number of ■ to □ one by one with the passage of time from all ■ states to all □ states. Start with count display. If it is left in this state for 10 seconds, it automatically returns to the reading mode. When the erasure switch 83 is pressed 10 seconds before the “ERASE MODE 1 / ■■■■■■■■■■” display (operation 3), the display 814 of the display means 81 displays “ERASE MODE 2 / ■■■”. "■■■■■■■ SLOW" is displayed, and the mode is shifted to MODE2 (low-speed erasure) in the erasing mode and down-counting for 10 seconds starts. If it is left in this state for 10 seconds, it automatically returns to the reading mode.

  When cassette 1 is inserted into insertion slot 3 during the down-count (within 10 seconds after the mode transition) in both MODE 1 (high speed erase) and erase mode MODE 2 (low speed erase), cassette 1 Is taken into the apparatus body 2 and is erased. When the erasure is completed and the next erasure becomes possible, the down count is displayed again on the display means 81, and the next cassette 1 is inserted into the insertion slot 3 until the down count is finished thereafter. Thus, the erasing operation can be performed continuously.

  As described above, when entering the erasing mode, the countdown is performed for 10 seconds, and if the cassette 1 is inserted into the insertion slot 3 before the downcounting is completed, the erasure is continuously performed. You can save time and effort to re-enter the erase mode. In addition, if the cassette 1 is not inserted into the insertion slot 3 by the end of the 10-second countdown, it automatically returns to the reading mode. The risk of accidentally erasing the phosphor sheet has been eliminated.

  When it is desired to finish the operation of the radiation image reading apparatus (turn off the power), the operation switch 82 is pressed for 5 seconds (operation 7). By this operation, the display of the display means 81 is displayed as “Power OFF Made 5 View” as indicated by 816 in FIG. 12, the seconds display portion is switched to 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and the figure is displayed after 5 seconds. 12 at 817 is displayed as “Power OFF Junbichu”. Along with this display, down-counting is started. When the preparation for power OFF is completed, the display unit 81 is turned off, and the power supplied to the control unit of the apparatus main body 2 is shut off.

  Needless to say, the above-described down-count display is the same as the up-count display.

  Also, the time required to return from the erase mode to the reading mode (10 seconds in this example), the time required to shift from the 816 display to the 817 display in FIG. 12 (5 seconds in this example), the operation switch 82 and the erase The time for which the switch 83 is held down is not limited to the time in this example.

  In any state and in any mode, once an error occurs, the operation of the radiation image reading apparatus stops, and an error message indicated by 815 in FIG. Here, “XXXXXX” indicates a portion where an error code is displayed, and “YYYYYYYYYY” is a portion where an operation or work content to be performed by the user is displayed. Thus, since the operation or work contents to be performed by the user are displayed on the display unit 81 of the apparatus main body together with the error code, it is possible to immediately recover from the error.

  Next, the reading operation in the reading mode of the radiation image reading apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. As for the insertion and ejection operations of the cassette 1 and the movement of the cassette 1 inside the apparatus, the erasing operation in the erasing mode is the same as that described below.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the cassette 1 on which the radiographic image has been taken is inserted into the insertion port 3 in the direction of the arrow A1. At this time, it is inserted so that the insertion hole 14 is on the lower side and the front plate 13 of the front plate 10 is directed obliquely downward. That is, the stimulable phosphor sheet 28 is inserted so that the reading surface faces obliquely downward. Further, in the case of this embodiment, the cassette 1 is inserted along the left wall of the insertion port 3 by being left-justified.

  In the insertion guide portions 71a and 71b of the cassette insertion / ejection portion 70, a cassette detection sensor 701 in which 701a and 701b act as a pair is arranged. 701a is a light emitting unit that emits infrared light, and 702b is a light receiving unit that receives infrared light emitted from the light emitting unit 701a. When the cassette 1 is inserted into the insertion port 3, infrared light emitted from the light emitting unit 701 a of the cassette detection sensor 701 is blocked by the cassette 1 and does not reach the light receiving unit 701 b of the cassette detection sensor 701. The apparatus main body 2 detects the insertion of the cassette 1 using this infrared light shielding as a cassette detection signal.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the cassette detection sensor 701 includes at least two pairs, one pair of 701a-1 and 701b-1 on the left side of the insertion slot 3 and one pair of 701a-2 and 701b-2 at the center of the insertion slot 3. A cassette detection sensor 701 is prepared. Only when all of the at least two pairs of cassette detection sensors 701 issue (output) detection signals, the insertion roller 72a is driven by an insertion motor (not shown), and the cassette 1 is moved in the direction of the arrow A1 by driving the insertion roller 72a. The tip of the cassette 1 reaches the insertion port shutter 74 by being conveyed. Even after the leading end of the cassette 1 reaches the insertion slot shutter 74, the insertion roller 72a is driven for a while so that the cassette 1 is aligned with the insertion slot shutter 74 even when the cassette 1 is inserted at an angle. Can do. The insertion roller 72b is a driven roller, and the cassette 1 is nipped by a force sufficient for conveyance between the insertion roller 72a and the insertion roller 72b.

  If at least one of the at least two pairs of cassette detection sensors 701 does not issue a detection signal, it is recognized that the cassette 1 has not been inserted left-justified, and display means 81 (in this embodiment, characters and characters A warning message for inserting the cassette 1 to the left is displayed on the liquid crystal panel capable of displaying symbols. As in this embodiment, by arranging a pair of cassette detection sensors 701a-2 and 701b-2 in the insertion port 3, no matter what size the cassette 1 is inserted in any direction, the cassette detection sensor 701a is sure to be inserted. Since the detection signal is issued from -2, 701b-2, even when the cassette 1 is not inserted left-justified, a warning message for always inserting the cassette 1 left-justified can be displayed.

  At the same time as the warning message is displayed, the insertion slot indicator 76 blinks and a warning sound is generated, so that the user does not overlook that the cassette 1 has been abnormally inserted.

  As described above, since the abnormal insertion is notified immediately after the cassette 1 is inserted (before all of the cassette 1 is taken into the apparatus main body 2), the user can immediately insert the cassette without losing time. Corrective actions such as re-inserting 1 or left-aligning cassette 1 can be implemented.

  When the rotation of an insertion motor (not shown) started in response to the detection of the cassette 1 is stopped, the code reading means 702 reads the various information described above including the size information of the cassette 1 from the code storage element 200 of the cassette 1. In this embodiment, the code storage element 200 is a bar code label and the code reading means 702 is a bar code reader. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  FIG. 8 is a view of the cassette insertion / ejection unit 70 as seen from above. In this embodiment, since the code reading means 702 is arranged on the left side of the insertion slot 3, the code storage element 200 (barcode label) is positioned by inserting the cassette 1 to the left of the insertion slot 3. It faces the code reading means 702 (bar code reader) and is configured such that the code storage element 200 (bar code label) is within the readable range of the code reading means 702 (bar code reader). Since the code width (barcode label width) of the code storage element 200 is configured to be smaller than the readable range of the code reading means 702 (barcode reader), the insertion position of the cassette 1 is slightly shifted. In other words, even if the cassette 1 is slightly separated from the left wall of the insertion port 3, the information of the code storage element 200 (bar code label) on the cassette 1 is accurately read by the code reading means 702 (bar code reader). It is configured as follows. With this configuration, the user does not need to use a nerve to insert the cassette 1, and stress in the insertion of the cassette 1 can be reduced.

  In this embodiment, the cassette 1 is inserted left-justified into the insertion port 3, but it goes without saying that it may be inserted right-justified. In this case, the code reading means 702 is disposed on the right side of the insertion port 3.

  An insertion port indicator 76 is disposed in the cassette insertion / discharge portion 70. When the cassette can be inserted into the insertion slot 3, that is, when the cassette 1 is not present at the insertion slot 3 and the insertion slot shutter 74 is closed, the insertion slot indicator 76 is lit and the cassette can be inserted into the display means 81. A display indicating that the state is correct, for example, READY is displayed.

  When the cassette is not inserted into the insertion port 3, that is, when the cassette 1 is present in the insertion port 3, or while the cassette 1 is being taken into the apparatus body 2, or the cassette 1 is in the apparatus body 2. Immediately after being taken in, the insertion slot indicator 76 is turned off when the insertion slot shutter 74 is open, indicating that the cassette is prohibited from being inserted. The display means 81 displays a display indicating that the cassette 1 is being processed by the apparatus main body 2, for example, BUSY.

  In the present embodiment, when the cassette is being processed in the apparatus main body 2, that is, after the cassette 1 is detected in the insertion port 3, the next cassette 1 can be taken in through the reading process, the erasing process, and the cassette discharging process. Until the state is reached, the characters “BUSY” are displayed on the display means 81. In order to clearly understand the progress of the processing during the “BUSY” display, a bar display by ■ and □ as shown by 818 in FIG. 12 is performed, and the number of □ is changed over time from all □ states to all ■ states. Performs up-count display or down-count display to replace each by ■. The display switching from □ to ■ is preferably performed according to the progress of the processing content. For example, a process for taking the cassette 1 into the apparatus main body 2 from the insertion port 3, a process for transporting the cassette 1 inside the apparatus main body 2, a process for reading image information from the stimulable phosphor sheet 28, and a stimulable phosphor If the display is switched from □ to ■ in sequence, such as the erasing process of image information remaining on the sheet 28 and the discharging process to the discharge port 4 of the cassette 1, the process is changed by the user. It is very convenient because it is possible to know the outline of the process and to estimate the time to complete the process. Further, the elapsed time until the end of processing may be displayed in seconds. When the reading process and the erasing process are completed, and the cassette 1 is discharged to the discharge port 4 and the next cassette 1 can be taken in, “READY” indicating that the cassette can be inserted into the display means 81 is displayed. Is displayed.

In addition, when there is an abnormal insertion of the cassette 1 or an abnormal insertion other than the cassette 1, the insertion slot indicator 76 flashes and a warning error message indicating that there has been an abnormal insertion is displayed on the display means 81. In addition, a warning sound is generated to notify the user that an abnormal insertion has occurred. Thus, when the abnormal insertion of the cassette 1 is detected, the cassette 1 is not taken into the apparatus main body 2 . The abnormal insertion in here is the following cases.

  1) When at least one pair of sensors out of at least two pairs of cassette detection sensors 701 does not issue a detection signal (for example, when the cassette is not left-aligned). In this case, the display unit 81 displays a warning error message that the cassette 1 is left-justified.

  2) When the code reading means 702 cannot read a code or when a code that cannot be identified is read. In this case, a warning error message indicating that a reading error of the code storage element 200 (bar code in this embodiment) has occurred is displayed on the display unit 81.

  When the code reading unit 702 cannot read a code or when a code that cannot be identified is read, the following cases can be considered.

1) Cassette 1 was inserted upside down,
2) Cassette 1 was inserted upside down,
3) Different cassettes or foreign objects were inserted,
4) The code recorded on the code storage element 200 (barcode label) is dirty or destroyed.
5) The code storage element 200 (bar code label) is not attached or is not in the correct position.
When the code reading means 702 reads the code correctly, the insertion port shutter 74 is opened, the insertion roller 72a is driven by an insertion motor (not shown), and the cassette 1 is moved along the dotted line a in the direction of the arrow A2 in the apparatus main body 2. It is taken in.

  When the cassette 1 is taken into the apparatus main body 2, the insertion shutter 74 is closed, and the insertion indicator 76 in FIG. 8 is turned on (the insertion indicator 76 is lit when the cassette 1 can be inserted, and is turned off when the insertion is prohibited. The next cassette 1 can be inserted. When the next cassette 1 is inserted at this time (at this time, the insertion indicator 76 is turned off), if there is no abnormal insertion in the cassette 1, the insertion rollers 72a and 72b are operated and the cassette 1 reads the code by the code reading means 702. The process proceeds to the reading position of the storage element 200 and stops in a state where it is nipped by the insertion rollers 72a and 72b. At this point, when the code storage element 200 is read by the code reading means 702 and normal reading can be confirmed, until the apparatus main body 2 is ready to receive the cassette 1 (first taken into the apparatus main body 2). After the cassette 1 has been read and discharged from the discharge port 4, the cassette 1 inserted later is inserted into the insertion port 3 until the rotary moving body 41 returns to the position of the dotted line a in FIG. Continue to wait. When the apparatus main body 2 is ready to receive the cassette 1, it is taken into the apparatus main body 2. Thus, since two cassettes 1 can be received almost continuously, the working efficiency is improved. Further, when the discharge switch 78 is pressed while the cassette 1 is nipped by the insertion rollers 72 a and 72 b and stopped, the insertion rollers 72 a and 72 b are reversed and the cassette 1 is discharged to the insertion port 3. Therefore, the discharge function of the cassette 1 by the discharge switch 78 is useful when it is found that the cassette 1 has been inserted by mistake.

  When the insertion roller 72a is started, the rotary moving body 41 of the transport means 40 is already waiting at the position of the dotted line a, and the cassette 1 carried by the insertion rollers 72a and 72b from the insertion port 3 is rotated. It is received by a lifting platform 43 that moves up and down along 41. A lifting platform sensor 430 is disposed on the lifting platform 43, and when the lifting platform sensor 430 detects the tip of the cassette 1, it operates at approximately the same speed as the loading speed of the cassette 1, and moves together with the cassette 1 on the rotary moving body 41. Descend. The elevator 43 is controlled so that the upper end of the cassette 1 stops at the position indicated by Z in FIGS. 10A and 11 according to the cassette size information read from the code storage element 200. The position on the dotted line a and the position on the dotted line b of the rotary moving body 41 are detected by the position detection sensors 410 and 411.

  When the upper end of the cassette 1 stops at the position indicated by Z in FIG. 10A and FIG. 11, the width adjusting means 42 a and 42 b operate according to the cassette size information read from the code storage element 200. That is, the width-shifting means 42a and 42b that were at the retracted position S1 in FIGS. 10A and 10B are moved in the direction of the arrow M1 and stopped at the position S2 where the cassette 1 is held. At this time, the width adjusting sensors 420a and 420b change from OFF to ON. When the width adjusting sensors 420a and 420b are not turned on, the error information is displayed on the display means 81 and the operation is stopped.

  When the width adjusting means 42a and 42b are at the position S2 where the cassette 1 is held, the width adjusting means 42a and 42b are the projections 421a and 421b on the T1 surface side shown in FIG. Hold in the form of holding. At this time, since the width adjusting means 42a and 42b do not hold the back plate 20, if the cassette 1 is unlocked, the back plate 20 interferes with the protrusions 421a and 421b of the width adjusting means 42a and 42b. Can be removed. Thus, the width adjusting means 42a and 42b are configured to hold only the front plate 10 and not the back plate 20, so that the width adjusting mechanism and the holding mechanism of the cassette 1 can be shared, and the number of parts of the apparatus can be reduced. As a result, the apparatus control can be simplified.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between different cassette sizes on the rotary moving body 41. 1A is a half-cut (14 inch x 17 inch) size cassette, 1B is a large angle (14 inch x 14 inch) size cassette, 1C is a large four size (11 inch x 14 inch) size cassette, and 1D is a four cut size (10 Inch x 12 inch) cassette, 1E is a six-cut (8 inch x 10 inch) cassette, 1Fa is a 24x30cm size cassette, 1Fb is a 24x30cm size cassette for mammography, 1Ga is 18x24cm Size cassette, 1 Gb is a 18 × 24 cm size mammography cassette, and 1H is a 15 × 30 cm size dental cassette. The position of the elevating platform 43 is controlled so that the upper end of the cassette is positioned at the arrow Z regardless of the size of all the cassettes. A method for controlling the upper end of the cassette 1 so as to always stop at the same place of the rotary moving body 41 is referred to as upper reference control.

  The advantages of the upper reference control are the following two points.

  1) Since the time for the sub-scanning means 50 to transport the back plate 20 to the reading position B can be minimized regardless of the cassette size, the processing capability (throughput) of the apparatus can be improved.

  2) The upper end of the back plate 20 can be protruded from the sub-scanning moving plate 57 by the same distance u regardless of the cassette size (see FIGS. 7, 10A, and 11). The tip T1 surface of 42b (see FIGS. 7 and 10B) can escape from the sub-scanning moving plate 57 and the magnet 58 to the back of the apparatus without interfering with the sub-scanning moving plate 57 and the magnet 58. Further, the cassette 1 can be held in such a manner that the width-adjusting means 42a and 42b hold the frame 11 of the front plate 10 of the cassette 1 between the protrusions 421a and 421b without interfering with the sub-scanning moving plate 57 and the magnet 58.

  Of course, lower reference control, that is, a method of controlling the position of the lifting platform 43 so that the lower end of the cassette 1 always stops at the same place of the rotary moving body 41 may be adopted. In this case, since the lifting platform 43 can be lowered to the lower end of the apparatus regardless of the size of the cassette 1, the control of the mechanism can be simplified. However, the above two advantages cannot be obtained.

  A dotted line V in FIGS. 10A and 11 is a center line of the sub-scanning moving plate 57. The width adjusting means 42a and 42b are controlled so that the centers of all the cassettes are aligned with the center line of the sub-scanning moving plate 57. That is, when the loading of the cassette 1 into the apparatus main body 2 is completed, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the width adjusting means 42a and 42b are moved in the direction indicated by the arrow M1 from the retracted position S1. It moves and stops at a position S2 for holding the cassette 1 (assuming that the cassette 1 in FIG. 10A is a six-cut (8 inch × 10 inch) size cassette). During this time, the cassette 1 located on the left side on the lifting platform 43 moves to the center position on the lifting platform 43.

  Thereafter, a series of processes from the conveyance of the cassette 1 by the conveying means 40, the sub-scanning of the back plate 20 by the sub-scanning means 50, and the discharge of the cassette 1 are all performed at this center position. This is called center-based control. As described above, when the cassette 1 is inserted into the insertion port 3, it is inserted left-justified (this is referred to as one-side reference control), but when the cassette 1 is taken into the apparatus body 2, the center reference Change to control.

  Usually, when a film is transported or a photostimulable phosphor sheet is transported, one-side reference control for transporting the film or photostimulable phosphor sheet to one side is performed. In the case of this embodiment, since the conveying means 40 (rotary moving body 41) and the sub-scanning means 50 have to handle the cassette 1 and the back plate 20 of various sizes, the cassette 1 and the back plate are used in the one-side reference control. The position of the center of gravity in the horizontal direction of 20 and the center of the sub-scanning moving plate 57 do not coincide with each other, and the sub-scanning balance that requires precise conveyance is lost, which may cause uneven speed during reading. Further, since the back plate 20 to which the photostimulable phosphor sheet 28 is attached is considerably heavier than a film or photostimulable phosphor sheet alone, the poor control balance on one side is reliable and stable. This is not preferable. Therefore, center reference control is preferred in this embodiment.

  However, with respect to the insertion of the cassette 1, it is preferable to perform one-side reference control as described above. That is, the position of the code storage element 200 (barcode label) faces the code reading means 702 (barcode reader) by one-side reference control (inserting the cassette 1 left or right with respect to the insertion port 3). In addition, the code storage element 200 can be configured to be within a readable range of the code reading unit 702. When the cassette 1 is inserted by the center reference control, when the cassette 1 is inserted into the insertion slot 3, the position of the code storage element 200 and the code reading means 702 is displaced, and the code of the code storage element 200 is Therefore, before reading the code storage element 200, some cassette position adjustment mechanism is required, which complicates the apparatus and reduces reliability.

  However, from the viewpoint of ease of insertion of the cassette 1 by the user, it is preferable that the cassette 1 can be inserted at a free position with respect to the insertion port 3 without providing a reference when the cassette 1 is inserted. As one means for realizing this, it is conceivable to use a non-contact ID label (for example, S label) for the code storage element 200. In this case, since the code reading unit 702 reads information recorded in the code storage element 200 using a radio technology such as electromagnetic waves and microwaves, even if the positional relationship between the code reading unit 702 and the code reading unit 702 is slightly shifted. there is no problem.

  When an element such as a barcode that requires optical reading is selected as the code storage element 200, the code storage element is arranged after the cassette 1 is aligned with the center reference or the one-side reference in the insertion port 3 or the apparatus main body 2. It is sufficient to read 200 information.

  In addition, when the back plate 20 is transferred between the transport unit 40 (the rotary moving body 41) and the sub-scanning unit 50, the T2 surface of the lifting platform 43 and the sub-scanning moving plate 57 (or the magnet 58) interfere with each other. In order to avoid this, an interference avoidance opening 570 is provided in the sub-scanning moving plate 57 (see FIG. 10A). In the one-side reference control, the position of the interference avoidance opening cannot be specified, and a more complicated mechanism is required. In this sense, the center reference control is preferable in this embodiment.

  Although the center reference control is employed in this embodiment, the essence of the present invention is not impaired even if the one-side reference control that avoids the above problem is performed.

  The rotational moving body 41 of the transport means 40 has a rotation shaft 45, and the transport motor unit 46 is driven at least in the range from the dotted line a to the dotted line c (range of the angle θ) with the rotation shaft 45 as the rotation center. It can rotate freely. The rotational movement is carried out by the conveyance motor 460 of the conveyance motor unit 46 driving the pinion gear 47 and the pinion gear 47 rotating on the uneven rack teeth 480 formed on the arc of the rotation support plate 48. Is done.

  When the cassette 1 is taken into the apparatus main body 2 by the conveying means 40, the conveying motor unit 46 is driven to rotate the pinion gear 47, and the rotary moving body 41 is rotated by the rotating shaft 45 about the rotation axis 45 as indicated by the dotted line a in FIG. Rotate from the position to the position of the dotted line c in the direction of arrow A3. When the rotary moving body 41 rotates and moves to the position of the dotted line c, the back plate back surface 210 of the cassette 1 having a magnetic body is attracted to the magnet 58 by magnetic force.

  At this time, in order to control the pressing amount of the cassette 1 against the magnet 58, the cassette 1 is pressed against the magnet 58 side by a mechanism (not shown) that presses the front plate 10 of the cassette 1 against the magnet 58 side with spring pressure. ing.

  The elevator 43 is provided with a lock opening / closing mechanism 44 and a lock pin 440 for turning on / off the lock mechanism of the cassette 1. When the lock pin 440 moves up and down, the lock mechanism of the cassette 1 is turned on / off. It can be turned off.

  The sub-scanning means 50 includes a column 51, sub-scanning rails 52a and 52b, sub-scanning movable parts 53a and 53b, a pulley 55, a steel belt 54, a sub-scanning moving plate fixing member 56, a sub-scanning moving plate 57, a magnet 58, and a counterweight. 59, a drive unit (not shown) composed of a sub-scanning motor and a reduction gear. The sub-scanning moving plate 57 is fixed to the sub-scanning movable portion 53a via the sub-scanning moving plate fixing member 56, and both ends of the steel belt 54 are fixed to the sub-scanning moving plate fixing member 56 and the counterweight 59. The pulley 55 is connected to a drive unit (not shown), and transmits the power of the drive unit (not shown) to the steel belt 54. The sub-scanning moving plate 57 and the counterweight 59 move up and down on the sub-scanning rails 52a and 52b, respectively, by receiving power from a driving unit (not shown). As the sub-scanning rails 52a and 52b, linear guides or linear bearing guides having high conveyance performance can be used. As a speed reducer (not shown), a planetary roller speed reducer or a pulley speed reducer can be used.

  In this embodiment, the magnet 58 is a rubber magnet (permanent magnet) having a predetermined area. As shown in FIG. 10A, the rubber magnet may be a single sheet having an interference avoidance opening 570 attached to the entire surface of the sub-scanning moving plate 57, or the rubber magnet is divided into a predetermined number of sub-scans. You may affix on the movement board 57. FIG. Further, the rubber magnet can take any shape. Also, permanent magnets or electromagnets other than rubber magnets may be used.

  The surface portion of the magnet 58 that adsorbs the back plate back surface 210 has high flatness, and when the magnet 58 adsorbs the back plate back surface 210, the magnetic surface of the back plate back surface 210 follows the plane of the magnet 58. The reading surface of the fluorescent phosphor sheet 28 is considered to be as complete as possible. Therefore, even when the back plate 20 is deformed or warped, when the back plate back surface 210 is attracted to the magnet 58, the deformation and warpage are corrected, and the reading surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet 28 is flat. Sex can be secured.

  When the back plate 20 is attracted to the magnet 58, the lock pin 440 stored in the lock opening / closing mechanism 44 attached to the lifting / lowering platform 43 rises, and the tip of the lock pin 440 is inserted into the insertion hole 14 of the front plate 10. Is done. By this operation, the lock of the cassette 1 in the lock ON state is released, and the state shifts to the lock OFF state. That is, the back plate 20 and the front plate 10 can be separated. When the cassette 1 shifts to the lock OFF state, the lock pin 440 descends and is stored in the lock opening / closing mechanism 44 again.

  When the cassette 1 is unlocked and shifts to the lock OFF state, the rotary moving body 41 rotates in the direction of the arrow A6 and stops at the retracted position (for example, the position of the dotted line b). By this operation, the back plate 20 and the front plate 10 can be completely separated.

  FIG. 7 is a view showing a state in which the back plate 20 and the front plate 10 are completely separated and the rotary moving body 41 is stopped at the retracted position. By retracting the front plate 10 from the back plate at a sufficient angle, it is possible to prevent the back plate 20 and the front plate 10 from interfering when the back plate 20 performs a sub-scanning operation. In this way, means for performing a series of operations for separating the back plate 20 and the front plate 10 are collectively referred to as separation means.

  Reference numeral 502 in FIGS. 6 and 7 denotes a back plate adsorption sensor which is turned on when the back plate 20 is attracted to the magnet 58 and turned off when the back plate 20 is separated from the magnet 58. If this sensor outputs OFF during the time zone when the back plate adsorption sensor should be ON, it is considered that the back plate 20 has been peeled off or dropped from the magnet 58, and an error is determined.

  When the back plate 20 is completely separated from the front plate 10 by the separating means, a drive unit (not shown) is operated, and the back plate 20 is conveyed (sub-scanned) in the direction of arrow A4 (upward). During this sub-scanning operation, the photostimulable phosphor sheet 28 is main-scanned in the direction perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction by the laser beam B emitted from the laser scanning unit 61.

  When laser light acts on the photostimulable phosphor sheet 28, photostimulated light (image information) proportional to the radiation energy accumulated in the photostimulable phosphor sheet 28 is emitted, and this photostimulated light is collected by the condensing mirror 64. The light is collected at the end face of the light guide 62 and is collected in the light collection tube 63 through the light guide 62. It is preferable to use a condenser tube having a structure as described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-103904, for example. A photoelectric conversion element such as a photomultiplier (not shown) is disposed on the end face of the condenser tube, and converts the condensed light that has been collected into an electrical signal. The photostimulated light converted into the electrical signal is subjected to predetermined signal processing as image data, and then is transmitted from the apparatus main body 2 via a communication cable (not shown) to an operation terminal, an image storage device, an image display device, and a dry imager. Or the like (not shown). The means for reading image information composed of the laser scanning unit 61, the light guide 62, the condenser tube 63, the photoelectric conversion element, and the like in this way is referred to as a reading means 60. It goes without saying that the reading means 60 may be achieved by a configuration other than this embodiment as long as it reads image information from the photostimulable phosphor sheet 28.

  Here, some controls related to the reading operation will be described with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 503 denotes a reading start sensor. When the sub-scanning moving plate 57 moves up, the sensor 503 changes from OFF to ON, and a control unit (not shown) calculates a reading start time and a laser lighting start time using this timing.

  Reference numeral 540 denotes a peeling detection unit. The peeling detecting means 540 detects whether the photostimulable phosphor sheet 28 and the support plate 27 attached to the back plate 20 are not lifted from the back plate or are not peeled off. If the photostimulable phosphor sheet 28 and the support plate 27 are lifted from or separated from the back plate, the photostimulable phosphor sheet 28 and the support plate 27 are connected to the end surfaces of the condensing mirror 64 and the light guide 62. There is a possibility that the light collecting mirror 64 and the light guide 62 may be broken due to interference, and the surface of the photostimulable phosphor sheet 28 may be damaged. Therefore, the peeling detection means 540 detects the lifting and peeling of the photostimulable phosphor sheet 28 and the support plate 27. If the lifting and peeling of the photostimulable phosphor sheet 28 and the support plate 27 are detected, The sub-scanning operation is stopped, and the sub-scanning moving plate 57 is lowered to the combined position with the front plate 10.

  The peeling detection means 540 is realized by a combination of a roller and a sensor, for example. The peeling detection roller 541 having a length substantially equal to the short side direction of the half-cut size is held in the horizontal direction, and a presser bar 542 used for fixing the shaft of the peeling detection roller 541 is connected via the support shaft 544 to the device. Extending to the front side, a peeling detection sensor 543 is disposed at the rear end. When the photostimulable phosphor sheet 28 and the support plate 27 are lifted and come into contact with the peeling detection roller 541, the pressing bar 542 is inclined with the support shaft 544 as a fulcrum, and the peeling detection sensor 543 detects this inclination and controls (not shown). The peeling detection signal is notified to the part.

  When reading of the image information from the photostimulable phosphor sheet 28 is completed, a drive unit (not shown) starts conveying the back plate 20 in the direction of arrow A5 (downward). While the back plate 20 is conveyed in the direction of the arrow A5, the erasing light C is emitted from the erasing means 65, and the image information remaining on the photostimulable phosphor sheet 28 is erased. As the erasing lamp used in the erasing means 65, a halogen lamp, a high-intensity fluorescent lamp, an LED array, or the like can be used.

  In this embodiment, n erase lamps (n> 1) are prepared. Further, a lamp burnout detection means (not shown) monitors whether the erase lamp has run out. When the lamp burnout detecting means detects that m lamps out of n erase lamps (m <n) are out of lamp, the erase speed is an abbreviation of the erase speed when there is no lamp burnout (nm). ) / N, and control is performed so that erasure is performed with the same light amount as in the state where there is no lamp burnout. By controlling in this way, it is possible to prevent the device from being unusable even when the lamp is cut off, and it is possible to continue the reading operation and the erasing operation even after the lamp is turned off.

  In addition, since there is no erasure with the lamp turned off and the amount of erasure decreased, the next image is taken with insufficient erasure, and the unerased image of the previous image becomes noise of the next image information. There is no risk of damage.

  Further, when the lamp burnout detecting means detects that all n erase lamps have run out of lamps, an error message indicating that all erase lamps have run out of lamps is displayed on the display means 81, and thereafter. Controls so that neither reading operation nor erasing operation can be performed. By doing so, reading and erasing operations in a state where erasing cannot be performed are prohibited, and accidents in which radiography is performed using the cassette 1 that has not been erased are prevented.

  In this embodiment, when the reading mode is selected, image information is read on the forward path (upward conveyance) of the sub-scanning means 50, and remains on the return path (downward conveyance) of the sub-scanning means. Since the image information to be erased is erased, the time required for the reciprocating motion of the sub-scanning means can be used effectively without wasting it. Thereby, the processing capability (throughput) of the radiation image reading apparatus can be improved.

  Further, when the erasing mode is selected, the erasing is performed on the forward path (upward conveyance) of the sub-scanning means 50, and the erasing is performed on the backward path (downward conveyance) of the sub-scanning means 50. The cycle time in the erase mode can be improved compared to the cycle time in the reading mode.

  In addition, when the erasing mode is selected, erasing is not performed on the forward path (upward conveyance) of the sub-scanning means 50, but is erased only on the return path (downward conveyance) of the sub-scanning means 50. Anyway. In this case, improvement in the cycle time of the erase mode cannot be expected, but the control in the erase mode can be made equivalent to the control in the read mode, and the control can be simplified.

  In this embodiment, since the erasing unit 65 is arranged at the lower stage in the vertical direction of the reading unit 60, when the reading operation of the image information by the reading unit 60 is completed, the movement direction of the sub-scanning unit 50 is immediately changed to the return direction (downward). Direction). As a result, the erasing operation can be started without loss of time during the reciprocating motion of the sub-scanning means 50, so that the processing capability (throughput) of the radiation image reading apparatus can be further improved.

  In addition, since the erasing unit 65 is arranged at the lower stage in the vertical direction of the reading unit 60, the lower end of the back plate 20 does not pass through the reading position B of the reading unit 60. It is possible to prevent an accident that the back plate cannot be lowered due to interference with the light collecting member. For this reason, it becomes possible to improve the reliability and stability of the apparatus.

  When the back plate 20 is lowered, the sub-scanning origin sensor 501 confirms the origin position in the sub-scanning direction, rises to the position passed to the magnet 58 with reference to the origin position, and moves the back plate 20. Stop.

  When the back plate 20 stops at the position delivered to the magnet 58, the rotary moving body 41 that has been retracted to the retracted position rotates again to the position of the dotted line c, and the back plate 20 and the front plate 10 are united. . When the back plate 20 and the front plate 10 are combined, the lock pin 440 housed in the lock opening / closing mechanism 44 rises, and the tip of the lock pin 440 is inserted into the insertion hole 14 of the front plate 10. By this operation, the cassette 1 that has been in the lock OFF state is locked, and shifts to the lock ON state. That is, the back plate 20 and the front plate 10 cannot be separated. When the cassette 1 shifts to the lock ON state, the lock pin 440 is lowered and stored in the lock opening / closing mechanism 44 again. In this way, means for performing a series of operations for shifting the lock state of the cassette 1 from the lock OFF state to the lock ON state are collectively referred to as a coalescing means.

  When the union work of the back plate 20 and the front plate 10 is completed by the union unit, the rotary moving body 41 rotates again to the position of the dotted line b in the direction of the arrow A6 and stops. Since the operation of peeling the back plate 20 (cassette 1) from the magnet 58 is performed with rotational movement in this way, the back plate 20 (cassette 1) is removed from the magnet 58 with a small force compared to the case of peeling by parallel movement. It can be peeled off. When the rotary moving body 41 stops at the position of the dotted line b, the width adjusting means 42a and 42b move from the hold position S2 shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B in the direction of the arrow M2, and stop at the retracted position S1. . As a result, the hold state of the front plate 10 is released, and the cassette 1 is in a state where it can move up and down on the rotary moving body 41.

  When the hold state of the front plate 10 is released, the lifting platform 43 conveys the cassette 1 in the direction of arrow A7 along the rotary moving body 41, and delivers the cassette 1 to the discharge rollers 73a and 73b. When the discharge rollers 73 a and 73 b receive the cassette 1, the discharge rollers 73 a and 73 b perform a discharge operation until the cassette 1 is completely discharged to the discharge port 4. When the cassette 1 is completely discharged to the discharge port 4, the rotary moving body 41 rotates and moves to the position of the dotted line a in the direction of the arrow A 6, and shifts to a state where the next cassette 1 can be received. .

  In this embodiment, the discharge port 4 has a stacker unit that can stack about 2 to 5 cassettes 1. The position of the cassette 1 immediately after the discharge to the discharge port 4 is indicated by 1a in FIG. 6, the cassette 1 discharged to the place 1a is moved in the direction of arrow A8 from the upper end of the cassette 1 by its own weight. It falls down and finally moves to the position represented by 1b. The bottom plate portion 71c of the discharge port 4 is inclined from the 1a side to the 1b side so that this operation is performed only by the own weight of the cassette 1. The bottom plate portion 71c is formed of a resin component, and the surface thereof has a rib shape in order to reduce the frictional resistance with the cassette 1. Further, a Teflon coating is applied so that the rib shape is not scraped by friction with the cassette 1 and the slipperiness is not lowered.

  Further, in order to reliably transport the cassette 1 from the 1a side to the 1b side, for example, a discharge cassette transport mechanism that transports the lower part of the cassette 1 in the direction of the arrow A8 is provided, and the entire cassette 1 is positioned from the position 1a to the position 1b. You may make it comprise so that it may move reliably. The discharge cassette transport mechanism can be realized by adopting a belt transport system or a roller transport system. Moreover, you may employ | adopt the mechanism which pushes out the cassette 1 toward the 1b side from the 1a side by the mechanism which is not illustrated. Basically, if it is considered that the cassette 1 discharged from the discharge port 4 does not block the outlets of the discharge rollers 73a and 73b, the cassette 1 discharged from the discharge rollers 73a and 73b Any form or positional relationship may be taken in the stacker unit.

  Since the discharge port 4 is configured to be able to stack about 2 to 5 discharge cassettes 1 (hereinafter, the cassette 1 discharged from the discharge port 4 will be referred to as the discharge cassette 1 as appropriate). The person can sequentially insert the photographed cassettes 1 into the insertion port 3 without removing the discharge cassette 1 until the discharge port 4 is filled with the discharge cassette 1. Generally, radiographic imaging uses 1 to 5 cassettes 1 on average, and about 1.8 on average, so the discharge port 4 is configured to stack about 2 to 5 cassettes. In this case, the user is not bothered by the removal of the discharge cassette 1 during the inspection, and the work can be performed efficiently.

  When the stacker portion of the discharge port 4 is full of the discharge cassette 1, when the next cassette 1 is discharged from the discharge port 4, the discharge cassette 1 already stacked in the discharge port 4 is pushed out to the newly discharged cassette 1. Such as dropping or forcibly ejecting the cassette 1 to cause a failure. Therefore, a sensor or a mechanism (not shown) for detecting whether or not the stacker portion of the discharge port 4 is full of the discharge cassette 1 is provided to detect whether or not the stacker portion of the discharge port 4 is full of the discharge cassette 1. To do.

  In this embodiment, the stacker portion is filled with the discharge cassette 1 by using the discharge shutter 75 that exists above the discharge rollers 73a and 73b and is used for the purpose of shielding the leakage light from the gap between the discharge rollers 73a and 73b. Detect whether or not there is. That is, if the discharge shutter 75 is closed after discharging the cassette 1, it is determined that the stacker portion is not full, and if the discharge shutter 75 is not closed after discharging the cassette 1, the discharge is determined to be full. A shutter opening / closing detection means (not shown) is also provided, and a control unit (not shown) detects the fullness of the stacker unit by a detection signal from the discharge shutter opening / closing detection means. In order to perform this control, when the cassette 1 that fills the stacker portion is discharged, the discharge shutter 75 is not fully closed. As described above, since the fullness of the stacker unit can be detected only by opening and closing the discharge shutter 75, the apparatus can be constructed with a simple configuration.

  When the stacker portion of the discharge port 4 is full of the discharge cassette 1, it is preferable to avoid this problem by the following means.

  1) The insertion slot 3 prevents the cassette 1 from being inserted.

  2) The cassette 1 can be inserted into the insertion port 3, but the internal cassette 1 of the apparatus main body 2 is not taken in.

  3) The cassette 1 inserted into the insertion port 3 is taken into the apparatus main body 2 but stopped before reading the image information.

  4) After the cassette 1 inserted into the insertion port 3 is taken into the apparatus main body 2 and image information is read, it is stopped before the cassette 1 is discharged to the discharge port 4.

  Further, at the same time as taking the above-mentioned means, it is preferable to inform the user that the stacker portion of the discharge port 4 is full of the discharge cassette 1 by the following means.

  1) A warning error message is displayed on the display means 81, the discharge indicator 77 is blinked, and a warning sound is emitted to inform the user.

  2) A message is displayed on the display unit 81 or a monitor of an operation terminal (not shown) connected to the apparatus main body 2 to notify the user.

  3) A lid (not shown) is provided in the insertion port 3, and the lid is closed so that the cassette 1 cannot be inserted.

  When a part or all of the discharge cassette 1 is removed by the user and the stacker portion of the discharge port 4 is not full, the processing of the cassette 1 stopped at the inside of the apparatus main body 2 or the insertion port 3 is automatically performed. It is preferable to resume the process.

  Further, during the operation of taking the cassette 1 into the apparatus main body 2, the carrying operation after the cassette 1 is taken into the apparatus main body 2, the reading operation, the operation of ejecting the cassette 1 from the apparatus main body 2, etc. There may be a case where a malfunction occurs and the operation cannot be continued. For example, a trouble occurs in the transport means 40 during the transport operation of the cassette 1 so that the transport operation cannot be continued, or the back plate 20 or the front plate 10 drops when the back plate 20 is transferred to the sub-scanning means 50. Various problems may occur, such as the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 cannot be separated, or the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 cannot be combined.

  When such a malfunction occurs, the user can be informed that the malfunction has occurred by the same means as to inform the user that the stacker portion of the discharge port 4 is full of the discharge cassette 1. preferable.

  If an error occurs when the cassette 1 is transported to the inside of the apparatus main body 2 and the cassette 1 can be discharged, the cassette 1 is not discharged to the insertion port 3 but discharged to the discharge port 4. It is preferable to do. The reason is that after the cassette 1 is transported into the apparatus main body 2, the user may be trying to insert the next cassette 1 into the insertion port 3.

  Further, the cassette detection sensor 701 checks whether or not the next cassette 1 has been inserted into the insertion slot 3, and if the cassette 1 is not detected in the insertion slot 3, the cassette 1 is discharged to the insertion slot 3. There is no problem.

  Depending on the progress of the process, if an error occurs before reading the image information, it is discharged to the insertion slot 3, and if an error occurs during or after reading the image information, it is discharged to the discharge slot 4. Thus, the discharge destination of the cassette 1 may be changed. Moreover, you may make it stop operation | movement of an apparatus, without stopping the cassette 1, and stopping inside the apparatus.

  Further, when an error occurs, information for identifying the cassette 1 in which the error has occurred, for example, the identification number (ID number) of the stimulable phosphor sheet 28 stored in the code storage element 200, etc. At the same time, it is preferable to display on the display unit 81 or a monitor of an operation terminal (not shown) connected to the apparatus main body 2 so that the user can recognize the cassette 1 in which an error has occurred.

  In particular, when the cassette 1 in which an error has occurred is discharged to the insertion port 3 or the discharge port 4, it is preferable to inform the user of information for specifying the cassette 1 in which the error has occurred or an error message indicating the content of the error. .

  Further, when an error occurs, when the operation of the apparatus is stopped while the cassette 1 is not discharged without stopping the cassette 1, the cassette 1 (or the position of the cassette 1 (or the operation terminal not shown) is placed on the display unit 81 or an operation terminal (not shown). The cassette 1 (or the back plate 20 or the front plate 10 or the like) that is stopped inside the apparatus is displayed with a manga picture to show whether the back plate 20 or the front plate 10 or the like is stopped. ) Can be taken out, and the cassette 1 (or the back plate 20 or the front plate 10) stopped inside the apparatus can be taken out in a short time.

  Also, when an error occurs when the cassette 1 cannot be ejected to the outside, or when controlling the cassette to be stopped inside the apparatus, the operation of the apparatus is stopped and the cassette 1 is left inside the apparatus. Inform the user that an error has occurred. At this time, it is preferable to notify the fact that the cassette is stopped inside the apparatus and that the cassette should be removed together with an error message. In this way, it is preferable to display, as a message, the action that the user should take in response to the error along with the error information.

  Possible errors other than those relating to the cassette 1 and the device mechanism include electrical errors, software errors, communication errors, optical errors, and the like. Even when these errors occur, it is desirable to notify the user of the contents of the error as an error message.

  In the case of a device used in the medical field, when the device stops due to a malfunction, it not only informs the user that the malfunction has occurred, but also immediately resolves the malfunction and restores the device so that it can be used again. desirable.

  However, in the conventional radiographic image reading apparatus using the photostimulable phosphor, the recovery work from such a problem is limited to the serviceman's work. For this reason, when a problem occurs, the user calls a service man and has to stop the radiation imaging work until the service man arrives.

  In copying machines and printers, it is common sense to install a user maintenance mechanism that allows a user to clear a jam when the output paper jams. As a reason why such a user maintenance mechanism is not realized in the radiation image reading apparatus using the photostimulable phosphor, the following may be considered.

  1) In the case of copiers and printers, the output paper is very cheap, so the premise is that the jammed output paper may be discarded (re-output may be performed), but the stimulable phosphor In the radiation image reading apparatus using the above, the photostimulable phosphor sheet is very expensive, so the assumption that the photostimulable phosphor sheet may be destroyed is not satisfied. Because of these restrictions, it is difficult to build a mechanism for user maintenance.

  2) In the case of a copying machine or printer, even if the jammed output paper becomes useless, copying and printing out can be performed again. On the other hand, image information of a patient is stored in a photostimulable phosphor sheet used in the radiation image reading apparatus. If the photostimulable phosphor sheet is lost, it is necessary to re-image the patient. This is very undesirable because it causes the patient to be exposed to extra radiation.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the user maintenance mechanism of the radiation image reading apparatus, mainly the cassette jam release mechanism, is realized as follows.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the apparatus main body 2 has an opening / closing door 5, and the user can access the inside of the apparatus main body 2 by opening the opening / closing door 5. Further, the rotary moving body 41 can be manually rotated to the position of the dotted line d, so that the user can access the inner side (sub scanning means 50 side) than the rotary moving body 41. This mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS. The user manually removes the door lock 510 to open the open / close door 5. When the open / close door 5 is in the closed state, the interlock killer 530 fixed to the open / close door 5 is acting on the interlock switch 96 fixed to the apparatus main body side, and the apparatus main body 2 can be operated. However, when the open / close door 5 is opened, the interlock killer 530 comes out of the interlock switch 96 and the interlock is actuated. Mainly, a mechanical drive system such as a motor and a sensor, a laser drive system, and a high voltage applied to the photomultiplier. The power supply to the power supply system is cut off.

  A rotation knob 49 is housed in the storage box 521 inside the opening / closing door 5. The user removes the rotary knob 49 from the storage box 521 and fits the fitting hole 493 of the disk 492 of the rotary knob 49 into the protrusion 463 of the cylindrical member 462 attached to the motor shaft 461 of the transport motor unit 46. .

  Next, when the rotary knob 490 of the rotary knob 49 is pinched and the rotary knob 49 is rotated clockwise via the connecting member 491, the pinion gear 47 has an uneven rack tooth 480 formed on the arc of the rotary support plate 48. The rotary moving body 41 rotates in the direction of the dotted line d. When the rotary moving body 41 rotates and moves to the position of the dotted line d, a space that allows access to the inside of the apparatus main body 2 is created, so that the user takes out the cassette 1 stagnating inside the apparatus main body 2 using both hands. Can do.

  If the rotary knob 49 is not correctly stored in the storage box 521, the storage confirmation member 520 enters between the open / close door 5 and the apparatus body, and the open / close door 5 does not close. With this mechanism, the apparatus does not operate in a state in which the rotary knob 49 is fitted to the protrusion 463 of the cylindrical member 462. Therefore, torque fluctuation occurs in the rotation of the motor shaft 461, and the rotary knob 49 is in operation. There is no worry of detaching in the device and breaking the device.

  The cassette 1 stagnating inside the apparatus main body 2 is mainly stagnant in a form in which the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 are combined on the lifting platform 43. In this case, the cassette 1 is immediately removed. It can be pulled out along the rotary moving body 41. In this case, since the stimulable phosphor sheet 28 is protected inside the cassette 1, it is possible to release the cassette jam without damaging the stimulable phosphor sheet 28.

  As other cases, the back plate 20 may be on the magnet 58 and the front plate 10 may be on the rotary moving body 41. In this case, after the back plate 20 is peeled off from the magnet 58 and overlapped with the front plate 10 on the rotary moving body 41 at a regular position, both the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 are moved along the rotary moving body 41. It is possible to pull it out. Since the back plate 20 is attracted to the magnet 58 only by a magnetic force, the back plate 20 can be easily peeled off from the magnet 58 without performing an extra operation. Further, since the sub-scanning moving plate 57 of the sub-scanning means 50 is configured to be manually moved up and down, the sub-scanning moving plate 57 can be manually operated to a position where the back plate 20 can be easily peeled off from the magnet 58. In this case, it is characterized in that the state where no mechanism is in contact with the surface of the photostimulable phosphor sheet 28 on the back plate 20 is maintained, and the surface of the photostimulable phosphor sheet 28 is damaged. It is possible to cancel the cassette jam.

  As another case, the front plate 10 may be discharged to the discharge port 4 and only the back plate 20 may remain on the magnet 58. In this case, the back plate 20 is peeled off from the magnet 58 and carefully taken out of the apparatus. Also in this case, it is a feature that the state where no mechanism is in contact with the surface of the photostimulable phosphor sheet 28 on the back plate 20 is maintained, and the surface of the photostimulable phosphor sheet 28 is not damaged. It is possible to release the cassette jam.

  Even when the cassette 1, the front plate 10, or the back plate 20 has fallen into the apparatus main body 2, the dropped cassette 1 or front plate is moved by rotating the rotary moving body 41 in the direction of the dotted line d. 10. The back plate 20 can be picked up.

  Since the position of the elevator 43 and the width adjusting means 42a and 42b can be changed manually, the upper part of the cassette 1 interferes with the insertion rollers 72a and 72b, the discharge rollers 73a and 73b, and the mechanism inside the apparatus, and rotates. When the moving body 41 cannot rotate in the direction of the dotted line d, the lifting platform 43 is manually moved in the direction of arrow A2 (downward), or the width-adjusting means 42a and 42b are moved in FIGS. 10 (A) and 10 (B). Can be moved in the direction of the arrow M2, as described above, the user can take out the cassette 1 in which a problem has occurred without using a special jig.

  Further, as a feature of this device, there is no portion where the device mechanism grips or holds the cassette 1, the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 with such a strong force that the manual operation cannot be taken out. The insertion rollers 72a and 72b and the discharge rollers 73a and 73b grip the cassette 1. However, since the insertion rollers 72a and 72b and the discharge rollers 73a and 73b rotate in a free state, the cassette 1 can be easily taken out. . Even when the cassette 1 is held by the width adjusting means 42a and 42b inside the apparatus main body 2, there is no portion where the width adjusting means 42a and 42b and the cassette 1 are fitted (the width adjusting means 42a, 42b is in a state of simply pressing the cassette 1 from the left and right), so that the cassette 1 can be easily taken out. Further, the width adjusting means 42a and 42b can be manually moved in the direction of the arrow M2 described in FIGS. 10A and 10B, so that the cassette 1 is taken out of the elevator 43 and is taken out. It is also possible.

  Further, when the cassette 1 is stopped inside the apparatus main body 2 when an error occurs, the rotary moving body 41 is moved to the position of the dotted line a, and the width adjusting means 42a and 42b are moved to the position of the retracted position S1. If the apparatus is stopped after moving and an error is displayed on the display means 81, the time required for the user to take out the cassette 1 can be minimized.

  Even when the back plate 20 is on the magnet 58, the time required for the user to take out the cassette 1 is minimized by lowering the sub-scanning moving plate 57 to the delivery position with the front plate 10 and stopping the apparatus. can do.

  One of the serious errors that may occur in this embodiment is an error that leaves the back plate 20 inside the apparatus main body 2 and discharges only the front plate 10 (back plate 20 falling error). This is a problem that occurs because the back plate is accidentally dropped when the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 are combined. Even if this problem occurs, there is no way to confirm whether or not the union is successful after the union operation of the front plate 10 and the back plate 20, so that the front plate 10 remains while the back plate 20 remains inside the apparatus body 2. Will only discharge. Thereafter, when the next cassette 1 is taken into the apparatus and a series of operations are started, not only the back plate 20 falling into the apparatus but also the apparatus mechanism is damaged. Therefore, in this embodiment, this problem is solved as follows.

  First, as shown in FIG. 7, the discharge roller 73b is formed of a ball roller so that a space is formed in the center portion of the discharge roller 73b, and the back plate drop detection mechanism is formed in this space. The back plate drop detection mechanism includes a back plate tracing rod 73b1 and a back plate drop detection sensor 73b2. When the cassette 1 does not pass the discharge roller 73b, the back plate drop detection sensor 73b2 outputs an ON signal. When the front plate 10 is attached with the back plate 20 and passes the discharge roller 73b, the tip of the back plate tracing rod 73b1 on the discharge port 4 side is inclined upward, and the back plate drop detection sensor 73b2 outputs an OFF signal. When the cassette 1 passes the discharge roller 73b, the back plate drop detection sensor 73b2 outputs an ON signal again. That is, when the front plate 10 is attached with the back plate 20 and passes the discharge roller 73b, the back plate drop detection sensor 73b2 always outputs an OFF signal while the front plate 10 passes.

  However, when the front plate 10 passes the discharge roller 73b without the back plate 20, the tip on the discharge port 4 side of the back plate tracing rod 73b1 is once inclined upward when the frame 11 portion of the front plate 10 passes. At this time, the back plate drop detection sensor 73b2 outputs an OFF signal. However, since there is no back plate 20, the ON signal is output again. That is, the back plate drop detection sensor 73b2 always outputs an ON signal while the front plate 10 is passing, except for a short period during which the portion of the frame 11 of the front plate 10 passes. If this ON signal is captured, a control unit (not shown) can recognize that the back plate 20 remains inside the apparatus main body 2 and controls the apparatus not to operate even when the next cassette 1 is inserted. Is possible.

  That is, the presence or absence of the back plate 20 is detected by examining the thickness of the cassette 1. When the thickness of the cassette 1 is smaller than the reference value, it can be considered that the back plate 20 is not present (the back plate 20 has dropped), and the apparatus can be controlled not to operate even when the next cassette 1 is inserted. Become.

  Furthermore, if it is configured so that the position of the cassette insertion / discharge portion 70 can be easily changed manually (for example, the position of the cassette insertion / discharge portion 70 can be manually slid or rotated upward, It can be configured to rotate and move in the shape of a door in the horizontal direction, or can be easily removed), and the access space to the inside of the apparatus is widened, making it easier to perform maintenance work.

  The conveying means 40 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 includes a linear conveying means (a means for linearly conveying the cassette 1 in the vertical direction along the rotary moving body 41 of the conveying means 40) by the lifting platform 43, and a rotating shaft 45. And at least two types of conveying means for rotating and conveying the cassette 1 around the center.

  FIG. 6 shows an example in which the two conveying means of the linear conveying means and the rotating conveying means are realized on the rotary moving body 41. For example, the two conveying means of the linear conveying means and the rotating conveying means are separated by separate mechanisms. It may be realized. For example, the linear conveyance unit may be configured to rotate and move separately from the rotary conveyance unit.

  Moreover, you may comprise a rotation conveyance means so that a part of conveyance means 40 (rotary moving body 41) may rotate.

  Further, the rotary conveying means may be divided into a plurality of rotary conveying means.

  Similarly, the linear conveyance means may be divided into a plurality of linear conveyance means.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 are separated after the back plate back surface 210 of the back plate 20 is attracted to the magnet 58, but the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 are separated. After the separation, the back plate back surface 210 of the back plate 20 may be attracted to the magnet 58.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 are separated after the cassette 1 is rotated, but only the back plate 20 is separated after the front plate 10 and the back plate 20 are separated. May be configured to rotate. Further, in the embodiment of FIG. 6, the back plate 20 is configured to be transferred to the sub-scanning means 50 by the rotational movement body 41 rotating, but a part or the whole of the sub-scanning movement plate 57 is rotated. You may comprise so that the back board 20 may be delivered to the subscanning means 50 by moving.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the transport unit 40 and the sub-scanning function 50 are constructed on the same substrate 92, and the substrate 92 is fixed to the bottom plate 91 via the vibration isolating rubber 93. The functions 50 may be constructed on different substrates, and each substrate may be fixed to the bottom plate 91 via the vibration isolating rubber 93, or the conveying means 40 may be constructed directly on the bottom plate 91 without vibration isolation. Also good. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the vibration generated by the operation of the conveying unit 40 from propagating to the sub-scanning unit 50.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the back plate 20 may be configured to be attracted to the sub-scanning moving plate 57 provided with suction means such as vacuum. In this case, the back surface of the back plate back surface 210 need not be a magnetic material, and the magnet 58 on the sub-scanning moving plate 57 is also unnecessary.

  Further, in the embodiment of FIG. 6, only one of the insertion port 3 and the discharge port 4 of the cassette insertion / discharge unit 70 is removable from the apparatus main body 2 or can be manually changed in position. May be. Further, the insertion port 3 and the discharge port 4 of the cassette insertion / discharge unit 70 may have a structure that can be individually removed, or a structure that can be manually changed in position.

  As described above, in the radiographic image reading apparatus according to the present invention, the code information of the cassette 1 inserted into one end side in the width direction of the insertion port 3 is read, and then the cassette 1 is taken into the apparatus, and then the cassette 1 Therefore, the cassette 1 is moved up in a state in which the operator's hand is in contact with the cassette 1 so that the operator does not feel uncomfortable or uncomfortable.

  In addition, since the code information such as the cassette size is read from the code storage element such as a barcode attached to the cassette 1 before being adjusted to the center reference by the width adjusting means, there is a defect in the code storage element, Even when the insertion direction of the cassette 1 is wrong and the code information cannot be read, a defect can be detected immediately, and the disadvantage that the time for waiting for the width adjustment operation of the cassette 1 to be completed has been solved.

  Further, the cassette 1 is held by the width adjusting means so that it is held by a projection provided on the width adjusting means so as to hold only the frame of the front plate. Since the uniting operation is performed, a recess is provided in the frame portion of the front plate of the cassette 1, and a grip claw (protrusion) of the width adjusting means is fitted into the recess so that the width adjusting means grips the cassette. Compared with the configuration, the cassette can be captured more reliably and stably without requiring positional accuracy.

  Also, an opening is provided in the bottom plate for allowing the conveying means to escape to the lower side of the bottom plate so that the conveying means and the bottom plate do not interfere when the conveying means for conveying the cassette 1 by rotational movement is inclined. Since the light is shielded by the removable light shielding plate, it is possible to construct the apparatus main body at a low height without hindering the operation of the apparatus.

  A radiographic image reader that reads radiographic image information stored in the photostimulable phosphor sheet without causing the operator to feel uncomfortable or uncomfortable when the cassette is touched by the operator's hand. Applicable to.

It is a perspective view when the front plate and back plate of a cassette are separated. It is sectional drawing when the front board and back board of a cassette are united. It is a figure which shows the locked state of a back board and a front board. It is a figure which shows the locking mechanism of a back board and a front board. It is the figure which looked at the back board of cassette from the back side. It is a figure which shows the example of 1 structure of a radiographic image reading apparatus. It is a figure which shows the relationship between a conveyance means and a subscanning means. It is the figure which looked at the cassette insertion discharge part from the top. It is the figure which looked at the display and operation part from the front. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the conveyance means at the time of back board delivery, and a subscanning means. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of the cassette by an upper side reference | standard and a center reference | standard. It is a transition diagram which shows the change of the display content of a display means.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cassette 10 Front board 20 Back board 28 Stimulable fluorescent substance sheet 40 Conveyance means 50 Subscanning means 60 Reading means 70 Cassette insertion / ejection part 80 Display / operation means 90 Main body frame | skeleton part

Claims (12)

A radiation image reading device having a structure separated into a front plate and a back plate, holding a photostimulable phosphor sheet, and reading image information accumulated in the photostimulable phosphor sheet from a cassette having a plurality of sizes Because
An insertion port for inserting a cassette having the plurality of sizes;
Conveying means for taking in the cassette inserted into the insertion port on one side reference from the insertion port into the apparatus;
A width adjusting means for holding only the front plate and not holding the back plate, and for adjusting the cassette taken into the apparatus by the conveying means to a center reference;
Separating means for separating the cassette that has been width-adjusted by the width-releasing means so that the photostimulable phosphor sheet can be read;
A radiation image reading apparatus comprising: reading means for reading image information accumulated in the photostimulable phosphor sheet that can be read by the separating means. Having a code reading means for reading code information from a code storage element arranged at a predetermined position of the cassette inserted into the insertion port;
The radiographic image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transport unit takes in the cassette, the code information of which has been read by the code reading unit, from the insertion port into the apparatus. The cassette code information includes size information of the cassette,
The radiographic image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the width adjusting unit adjusts the width of the cassette based on the code information. The cassette code information includes size information of the cassette,
The radiographic image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the transport unit takes the cassette into the apparatus so as to be an upper reference based on the code information.   4. The width adjustment of the cassette by the width adjusting means is performed after the cassette is taken into the apparatus by the conveying means. 5. Radiation image reader. The cassette has an insertion shutter motor to close after being taken into the inside of the apparatus from the insertion port by said conveying means,
5. The radiographic image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the width adjusting unit adjusts the width after the insertion shutter is closed. 6. On the width adjusting means, there is a width adjusting sensor that changes from OFF to ON when the width adjusting means holds the cassette.
The radiation image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein when the width adjusting means holds the cassette, the operation is stopped if the width adjusting sensor is not turned ON. .   The radiographic image according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the reading unit reads image information by the reading unit while sub-scanning the photostimulable phosphor sheet with a center reference. Reader. Erasing means for erasing image information remaining in the photostimulable phosphor sheet from which image information has been read by the reading means;
The photostimulable phosphor sheet from which the image information has been erased by the erasing means is merged so that the photostimulable phosphor sheet is held in the cassette, and the cassette merged by the merging means is based on a center reference. 9. The radiographic image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for conveying and discharging.   The radiographic image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein image information is read from a plurality of cassettes having different sizes. The separating means separates the cassette that has been width-adjusted by the width-releasing means in a state where only the front plate is held by the width-releasing means,
The cassette separated by said separating means, while holding only the front plate by the biassing means, to any one of claims 1 to 10 characterized in that it has a coalescing means to combine The radiation image reading apparatus described.   The radiation according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the width adjusting means holds the frame of the front plate by a projection provided on the width adjusting means. Image reading device.

Images