JP2001337402A - Sheet body cleaning device and radiograph information reader, incorporating the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide exact information without allowing the presence of dust, etc., on the surface of an accumulative phosphor sheet when reading the information carried on the sheet. SOLUTION: This sheet body cleaning device is provided with a first opening part 154a for introducing the accumulative phosphor sheet into a duct member 152 constituting a first cleaning means 148 and a second opening part 154b for introducing the accumulative phosphor sheet outward. Inside the upper casing 200 of the duct member 152, a first brush roller 208a and a third brush roller 210a are disposed in parallel to each other and, inside the lower casing 202, a second brush roller 210a and a fourth brush roller 210b are disposed in parallel to each other. In addition, a first dust removing plate 212a on which tip parts of the first brush roller 208a and the third brush roller 210a are abutted and a second dust removing plate 212b on which tip parts of the second brush roller 208a and the fourth brush roller 212b are abutted are disposed on the upper casing 200 and the lower casing 202 respectively.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet cleaning apparatus for removing dust adhering to a sheet conveyed by a conveying system, and a radiation image information reading apparatus incorporating the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, stimulable phosphors (stimulable phosphors)
There has been known a system in which a radiation image information of a subject such as a human body is temporarily recorded by utilizing the information, and the radiation image information is reproduced on a photographic photosensitive material such as a photographic film, or outputted as a visible image on a CRT or the like. I have.

The stimulable phosphor is composed of radiation (X-ray, α-ray, γ
(Rays, electron beams, ultraviolet rays, etc.), a part of this radiation energy is stored, and a phosphor that emits stimulated light in response to the energy stored by the irradiation of excitation light such as visible light later. This stimulable phosphor is easy to handle.
Usually, it is used as a sheet-shaped stimulable phosphor sheet.

In the above-mentioned system, for example, a photographing section for temporarily recording radiation image information of a subject on a stimulable phosphor sheet, and irradiating the stimulable phosphor sheet with the radiation image information recorded thereon with excitation light to emit the excitation light. A reading unit that photoelectrically reads the radiation image information, and an erasing unit that erases the radiation image information remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet after reading the radiation image information, is integrally incorporated with the stimulable phosphor sheet. A so-called built-in type radiation image information reading apparatus that circulates or reciprocates in the apparatus is employed.

In addition to the above-mentioned radiation image information reading apparatus, a loading section in which a stimulable phosphor sheet in which radiation image information of a subject is recorded in advance via a cassette or a magazine, and the storage section taken out from the loading section A reading unit that irradiates the stimulable phosphor sheet with excitation light to read the radiation image information photoelectrically, and an erasing unit that erases the radiation image information remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet after reading the radiation image information. A radiation image information reading device incorporated is also used.

[0006]

In the above-described radiation image information reading apparatus, dust which has entered the reading unit via a transport system or the like or dust which has adhered to the stimulable phosphor sheet causes the stimulable phosphor sheet to be removed from the stimulable phosphor sheet. It has been pointed out that a problem occurs in the read image. That is, there is a disadvantage that accurate image information cannot be obtained because dust on the stimulable phosphor sheet is read as image information. Further, there is a problem in that the vibration of the transport system caused by dust is transmitted to the reading unit, and the read image is blurred.

An object of the present invention is to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sheet cleaning apparatus capable of reliably preventing dust and the like from entering a transport system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a radiation image information reading apparatus incorporating a sheet cleaning apparatus capable of reliably preventing dust and the like from entering the reading section and performing high-precision image reading processing. Aim.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a radiation image information reading apparatus incorporating a sheet cleaning apparatus in which dust floating or accumulated in a housing does not adhere to the sheet again.

[0010]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention relates to a sheet cleaning apparatus for removing dust adhering to a sheet conveyed by a conveying system, comprising: A brush roller rotating in sliding contact with the surface of the sheet body conveyed by the sheet member, a duct member surrounding a part of the conveyance system and accommodating the brush roller, and air inside the duct member. Air flow generating means for preventing dust from entering the transport system by generating a flow of air (invention according to claim 1).

According to the above configuration, dust floating or accumulating in the duct member does not enter the transport system, and it is possible to effectively prevent the dust from re-adhering to the sheet member.

Further, in the present invention, the air flow generating means includes a suction part communicating with the air outlet of the duct member, an air blowing part communicating with the air introduction port of the duct member, the suction part and the air blowing part. And a flow path communicating with the air passage and circulating the air inside the duct member (the invention according to claim 2), so that no air flows into and out of the cleaning device as a whole. For this reason, it is possible to prevent external dust from entering the cleaning device.

Further, dust and the like adhering to the tip of the brush roller are scraped off by the dust removing means (the inventions of claims 3, 6 and 11). For this reason, the tip of the brush roller is always kept clean.

Still further, according to the present invention, the brush roller comprises:
First and second sheets disposed along the sheet conveying direction
A brush roller pair, and rotating the first brush roller pair in the same direction as the sheet body conveying direction;
A driving unit for rotating the second brush roller pair in a direction opposite to a conveying direction of the sheet member, wherein a rotation speed of the first brush roller pair is higher than a conveying speed of the sheet member. (The invention according to claim 4). Therefore,
Dust can be effectively prevented from being led out of the duct member.

The present invention is also a sheet cleaning apparatus for removing dust adhering to a sheet conveyed by a conveying system, comprising: a housing surrounding a part of the conveying system;
A first and second brush roller pair disposed in the housing along the sheet conveying direction, and rotating the first brush roller pair in the same direction as the sheet conveying direction; Drive means for rotating the two brush roller pairs in a direction opposite to the sheet body conveyance direction, wherein the rotation speed of the first brush roller pair is higher than the sheet body conveyance speed. (The invention according to claim 5).

According to the above configuration, it is possible to reliably remove dust on the sheet body by the rotation of the first and second brush roller pairs, and to guide the dust to the outside of the housing. There is no.

Further, according to the present invention, the driving means includes a clutch means for making the rotation directions of the first and second brush rollers always the same regardless of the conveying direction of the sheet member. Invention), even if the sheet member is reciprocated, the sheet member is reliably cleaned.

Still further, the present invention is a radiation image information reading apparatus incorporating a sheet cleaning apparatus for two-dimensionally reading information such as characters and images carried on a stimulable phosphor sheet carried by a carrying system. The radiation image information reading apparatus has a reading unit that reads information on the stimulable phosphor sheet, and a transport system that transports the stimulable phosphor sheet to the reading unit, and an upstream side of the reading unit. A cleaning mechanism provided in the transport system, the cleaning mechanism includes a housing surrounding a part of the transport system, and a suction unit for pressing the inside of the housing against an external atmosphere. The invention is characterized in that dust is prevented from adhering to the surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet as much as possible under the urging action of the suction part (the invention according to claim 8).

According to the above configuration, since the inside of the housing is sucked by the suction portion, dust existing on the stimulable phosphor sheet and dust floating in the housing can be easily removed.

According to the present invention, an air inlet is provided at one portion of the housing, and an air outlet is provided at the other portion of the housing to suck and discharge air introduced from the air inlet. The air introduced from the air introduction port guides dust on the stimulable phosphor sheet to the air outlet side, and guides the dust out of the housing from the air introduction port. 9).

According to the above configuration, the air introduced from the air inlet is forcibly sucked toward the air outlet. Thereby, an effect is obtained that dust in the housing can be removed as much as possible.

Further, the present invention is a radiation image information reading apparatus incorporating a sheet cleaning apparatus for two-dimensionally reading information such as characters and images carried on a stimulable phosphor sheet carried by a carrying system. The radiation image information reading device has a reading unit for reading information on the stimulable phosphor sheet, and a transport system for transporting the stimulable phosphor sheet to the reading unit, and is provided upstream of the reading unit. On the side
A cleaning mechanism provided in the transport system, the cleaning mechanism includes a housing that partially surrounds the transport system, and a brush roller that slides on a surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet transported by the transport system. (Claim 1)
0).

According to the above configuration, dust existing on the stimulable phosphor sheet can be forcibly removed by the brush roller. It is needless to say that the sheet surface can be prevented from being damaged by controlling the rotation of the brush roller or selecting the material thereof.

Still further, according to the present invention, two pairs of brush rollers are provided in the housing along the direction in which the stimulable phosphor sheet is conveyed, and are arranged in the same direction as the direction in which the stimulable phosphor sheet is conveyed. A drive source for rotating the upstream brush roller pair,
A drive source for rotating the brush roller pair on the downstream side in a direction opposite to the conveying direction of the stimulable phosphor sheet is provided (the invention according to claim 12). As described above, the brush roller pair on the upstream side and the brush roller pair on the downstream side are rotated in such a manner as to be directed toward the inside of the housing, so that there is less concern that dust is led out of the housing. In this case, if the two brush roller pairs are rotationally driven by the same rotational drive source, the structure itself is simplified, which is more preferable (the invention according to claim 13).

Further, in the present invention, the dust is efficiently floated by rotating the upstream brush roller pair at a speed higher than the conveying speed of the stimulable phosphor sheet.
The invention according to claim 15), and a flow path for circulating the air in the housing may be provided (invention according to claim 15).

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a sheet cleaning apparatus and a radiation image information reading apparatus incorporating the same according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
This will be described in detail below.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective explanatory view of a radiation image information reading apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view showing an internal configuration of the radiation image information reading apparatus 10.

The radiation image information reading apparatus 10 is an imaging apparatus in which an apparatus main body 14 placed on a floor (installation surface) 12 and a subject, for example, a patient, are placed directly in a recumbent posture (lying posture). A table 16 and an elevating mechanism 18 that raises and lowers the imaging table 16 with respect to the apparatus body 14 are provided. Device body 1
4 includes a first main body 20 that accommodates the elevating mechanism 18 and a second main body 22 that is configured separately from the first main body 20. The second main body 22 includes a controller 24 and a switch. The unit 26 is connected.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lifting mechanism 1
Reference numeral 8 denotes first swing arms 30a and 30b which are swingably supported at one end of the first main body 20 (a side away from the second main body 22) via support shafts 28a and 28b; On the other end side (the side close to the second main body portion 22) of the one main body portion 20, there are provided second swing arms 34a and 34b supported to be swingable via support shafts 32a and 32b. First swing arm 3
The connecting shafts 36a and 36b are attached to the substantially central portions of the first and second swing arms 34a and 34b.
The swinging distal ends of the first swinging arms 30a and 30b and the second swinging arms 34a and 34b are engaged with the bottom of an elevating base 38 constituting the imaging table 16.

The first swing arms 30a, 30b have hydraulic cylinders 40a, 40b close to the support shafts 28a, 28b.
Are mounted, and rods 42a, 42b extending from the hydraulic cylinders 40a, 40b are attached to mounting members 44a, 4b.
4b, they are connected to the upper ends of the second swing arms 34a, 34b. The hydraulic cylinders 40a, 40b are controlled by a hydraulic unit 46 incorporating a valve and a pump.

A bellows member 48 having a dust-proof and light-shielding function is fixed to the elevating base 38 and the upper part of the first main body 20 so as to be extendable and contractible. As shown in FIG. 1, the elevating base 38 has a top plate portion that can move forward and backward in the short direction (arrow X direction) of the first main body 20 and the arrow Y direction (longitudinal direction) perpendicular to the arrow X direction. 52 are provided.

A linear touch switch 54 is fixed along both sides of the top plate 52 in the direction of the arrow X. The touch switch 54 controls ON / OFF of a lock unit (not shown) for locking the top panel 52. While the touch switch 54 is pressed, the top panel 52 is pressed.
Has been unlocked. The top plate 52 is provided with a cover member 56 located outside the touch switch 54.

As shown in FIG. 2, the elevating base 38 is provided with an imaging section 80 for temporarily recording radiation image information of a subject on the stimulable phosphor sheet S, while the apparatus main body 14 is provided with the radiation image. A reading unit 82 that irradiates the stimulable phosphor sheet S on which information is recorded with laser light L as excitation light to read the radiation image information photoelectrically, and remains on the stimulable phosphor sheet S after reading. Erasing section 84 for erasing radiation image information to be erased, and radiation image information reading apparatus 1
Within 0, for example, a circulation transport system 86 for circulating the three stimulable phosphor sheets S is incorporated.

As shown in FIG. 4, the stimulable phosphor sheet S
Is circulated and conveyed by sandwiching only the ears Sa and Sb provided on both sides. Reinforcing plates 88a and 88b are fixed to the end of the stimulable phosphor sheet S.

As shown in FIG. 2, the photographing section 80 includes a positioning member 90 for positioning the stimulable phosphor sheet S.
And a pressing plate 94 that is swingable through a fulcrum 92 for holding the stimulable phosphor sheet S in the photographing unit 80. A roller pair 100a constituting the circulating transport system 86 is disposed near the entrance of the photographing unit 80. The roller pair 100b is separated from the roller pair 100a by a predetermined distance.
Is provided. The roller pairs 100a and 100b are supported by the elevating base 38 and move up and down integrally with the elevating base 38.

In the first main body 20, a plurality of roller pairs 102 constituting a circulating transport system 86 are arranged.
A roller pair 104 independent of the circulation conveyance system 86 is disposed in the second main body 22. Roller pair 100a, 100
b, 102 and 104 are configured to convey only the ears Sa and Sb of the stimulable phosphor sheet S.

The circulating transport system 86 includes a vertical transport path 106 extending vertically from the photographing unit 80 and a
6 and a horizontal transport path 108 extending horizontally from the lower end to the roller pair 104, and after the traveling direction is changed by 180 ° by the roller pair 104, it passes through the reading unit 82 to the front of the erasing unit 84. After the traveling direction is changed by 180 ° at the end of the inclined conveying path 110, switchback is performed to perform the vertical conveying path 106.
And a switchback transport path 112 connected to the
In the switchback transport path 112, a pair of rollers 114 that can rotate forward and backward are arranged.

The circulating transport system 86 has three stimulable phosphor sheets S.
As one standby position, a first standby position ST1 which is a setting position of the photographing unit 80, a second standby position ST2 arranged on the horizontal transport path 108, and a third standby position ST3 arranged on the erasing unit 84 are provided. Can be

The reading section 82 is provided in the second main body section 22 and has a sub-scanning conveyance means 120 for sub-scanning and conveying the stimulable phosphor sheet S in the horizontal direction (the direction of arrow A), and a sub-scanning conveyance. A laser beam irradiating means (excitation light irradiating means) 122 for irradiating a laser beam L as excitation light in a substantially vertical direction onto the stimulable phosphor sheet S to perform main scanning; First and second light condensing systems 1 for photoelectrically reading stimulated emission light generated from a phosphor sheet S
24, 126.

The sub-scanning conveying means 120 includes first and second roller pairs 128 and 130 which are driven to rotate in synchronization with each other.
Is provided. The first light condensing system 124 includes the stimulable phosphor sheet S
A first light guide 132a arranged along the main scanning line at the irradiation position of the laser beam L on the recording surface of the first light guide 132a, and a first photomultiplier 134a mounted on the first light guide 132a. The second light condensing system 126 is disposed on the back side of the stimulable phosphor sheet S along a main scanning line.
A light guide 132b and a second photomultiplier 134b attached to an end of the second light guide 132b are provided.

The erasing section 84 includes a first erasing unit 140a arranged on the recording surface side of the stimulable phosphor sheet S and a second erasing unit 140b arranged on the back side of the stimulable phosphor sheet S. Prepare. The erasing light sources 14 are provided in the first and second erasing units 140a and 140b, respectively.
2a and 142b are arranged.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the first main body 20 and the second main body 22 are separately installed on the floor surface 12, and the second main body 22 has First
Entrance 144 of stimulable phosphor sheet S to main body 20
A first cleaning unit (sheet body cleaning device) 148 and a second cleaning unit 150 are disposed corresponding to the outlet 146.

The first cleaning means 148 includes a duct member 152.
Having. Upstream and downstream of the duct member 152, a first opening 154a into which the stimulable phosphor sheet S conveyed through the circulating conveyance system 86 is introduced, and the stimulable phosphor sheet S being a reading unit. A second opening 154b to be introduced to the side 82 is provided. The detailed description will be described later.

The second cleaning means 150 includes a casing 156 fixed to the second main body 22 and the casing 156.
And a brush member 158 for contacting the stimulable phosphor sheet S and for preventing dust and the like from entering the casing 156 from the first main body 20 side.
a, 158b.

As shown in FIG. 1, the controller 24
Lamp group 160 having a plurality of lamps and display 1
62 and a shooting size display lamp group 163 with a switching key
And an operation panel 164 provided with. When the power is turned on by operating a console (not shown),
When the photographing size is selected, the lamp groups 160 and 163
The information is displayed on the display 162, and the ID number and patient name of the patient registered on the console or the imaging menu are displayed on the display 162.

The switch unit 26 includes a first unlocking foot switch 170 for moving the table 52 constituting the imaging table 16 in the horizontal direction, and a lowering foot switch 170 for lowering the imaging table 16. A second foot switch 172, a third foot switch 174 for raising the imaging table 16, and a fourth foot switch 17 for emergency stop for forcibly stopping the elevating operation of the imaging table 16
6 is provided. The X-ray irradiator 1 is provided above the top plate 52.
82 are arranged.

Here, the first cleaning means 148 will be described in detail below. As described above, the first cleaning means 14
8 has a duct member (casing) 152. Duct member 1
52, as can be easily understood from FIG.
00 and a lower housing 202, and a stimulable phosphor sheet S is provided between the upper housing 200 and the lower housing 202.
And a second opening 154b for leading the stimulable phosphor sheet S from the duct member 152 to the reading unit 82 side. In the upper housing 200 and the lower housing 202, the first housing
A pair of first brush roller pairs 20 facing the opening 154a
4 is provided downstream of the second opening 1
A second brush roller pair 206 facing 54b is provided. In fact, the first brush roller pair 204 includes a first brush roller 208a and a second brush roller 208b,
The tips of the brushes are arranged in parallel so as to abut each other. Similarly, the second brush roller pair 206 is the third brush roller pair.
It comprises a brush roller 210a and a fourth brush roller 210b. Therefore, the first brush roller pair 204 and the second brush roller pair 206 extend in a direction in which their axes are orthogonal to the transport direction of the stimulable phosphor sheet S, and maintain a state of being parallel to each other. are doing. And the upper housing 2
The upper surface of the first brush roller 208 is bent substantially in a U-shape using the upper surface of the first brush roller 208.
a, a first dust removing plate (dust removing means) 212a abutting on the third brush roller 210a is fixed. Further, the lower housing 202 has a second dust removing plate 212b (dust removing means) rising from the bottom surface and having a substantially U-shaped cross section.
Is provided. The second dust removing plate 212b is, like the first dust removing plate 212a, the second brush roller 2b.
08b and the fourth brush roller 210b.

In this case, if necessary, as shown in FIG. 6, the first opening 154 is provided inside the duct member 152.
a and the plate members 214a to 214 near the second opening 154b.
4d may be provided. This is to prevent dust inside the duct member 152 from being led out to the outside as much as possible from the first opening 154a and the second opening 154b.

The duct member 152 constructed as described above
The airflow generating means 216 for generating an airflow in the duct member 152 is attached to the airbag. The air flow generating means 216 is connected to the air outlet 2 of the duct member 152.
Sirocco fan 220 serving as a suction part communicating with 18a
And a filter box 222 which is an air blow-off portion communicating with the air inlet 218b of the duct member 152, and a flow which communicates with the sirocco fan 220 and the filter box 222 to allow air to flow through the duct member 152. Road 219. It is preferable that the dust sucked through the sirocco fan 220 be sent to the filter box 222 using the duct member 152 as a duct. This is because dust is captured by a filter (not shown) in the filter box 222 and only the cleaned air can be led out (FIG. 7).
reference). In this case, it is a matter of course that the cleaned air may be re-introduced and circulated inside the first cleaning means 148 without particularly leading to the outside.

By the way, in this case, the filter box 2
Preferably, an exhaust port 223 is provided in a part of the nozzle 22. The filtered air is circulated in the duct member 152, a part of the air is exhausted from the exhaust port 223, and the air is sucked from the first opening 154a and the second opening 154b. It is because it becomes possible to collect. When the possibility of generating dust is small, the first brush roller pair 204 and the second brush roller pair 206 may be omitted, and only the sirocco fan 220 and the filter box 222 may be used. In this case, downsizing and simplification of the device are achieved. Filter box 2
If 22 becomes dirty, it may be removed and cleaned.

Further, instead of the structure shown in FIG. 6, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, an outlet 224a is provided on the upper surface of the upper housing 200, and the outlet 224b is provided on the lower surface of the lower housing 202. The air forcedly sent by the sirocco fan 220 is supplied to the outlets 224a and 224b.
Thereby, the duct member 152 may be led out in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. In this case, the outlets 224a, 22
A duct (not shown) may be provided in 4b. FIG.
The reference numerals 225a to 225c indicate the first dust removing plate 21.
2a depict holes defined by reference numerals 227a-22
7c denotes a hole defined in the second dust removing plate 212b. In any case, the dust is led out through the outlets 224a and 224b.

FIG. 9 shows the first cleaning means 1 having the structure shown in FIG.
FIG. 48 is a schematic perspective explanatory view of another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, an air inlet 226 is provided on one side of the upper housing 200 and the lower housing 202, and an air outlet 228 is provided on the other side. A plurality of air outlets 230 are provided on a plane perpendicular to the axis of the air outlet. A duct (not shown) is provided to cover the plurality of air outlets 230. This also allows the duct member 15
2, dust can be derived.

Further, as shown in FIG.
Similarly, even if a duct 232 is connected to the single air outlet 230 of No. 00, and a fan (not shown) is interposed in the duct 232, the dust discharging effect can be similarly suitably obtained. In this case, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, if the upper housing 200 is configured to be openable and closable about a shaft 234 shown at one end with respect to the lower housing 202, the first roller pair 204 and the second
By removing the brush roller pair 206 as a unit, the brush rollers 208a, 208b, 210
This is preferable because maintenance such as cleaning of a and 210b is easily achieved.

FIG. 12 shows the first brush roller pair 204.
FIG. 7 is a perspective explanatory view including a driving unit 240 for driving a second brush roller pair 206; Second brush roller 2
A gear 252 is fitted to one end of the shaft 250 of the 08b, and a gear (not shown) is similarly fitted to the other end. Further, a first pulley 254 is engaged outside the gear 252. Similarly, a gear 258 is fitted to one end of the shaft 256 of the fourth brush roller 210b, and a gear 259 is fitted to the other end. Further, a second pulley 260 is engaged outside the gear 258. In this case, the gear 252 and the gear 258 are in an engaged state. Next, the gear 261 is engaged with the end of the first brush roller 208a, and the third brush roller 21
A gear 263 is engaged with the end of Oa. The gear 261
The gear meshes with a gear (not shown) attached to the other end of the shaft 250, and the gear 259 meshes with the gear 263.

Drive shaft 2 driven to rotate by motor M
A third pulley 264 is engaged with one end of the pulley 62, and the third pulley 264 is connected to a drive shaft of a motor (not shown) via a belt 265. And the drive shaft 2
A second pulley 266 and a fifth pulley 268 are further provided at the other end of the second pulley 62. The first belt 270 is suspended between the fourth pulley 266 and the second pulley 260. The second between the pulley 254 and the fifth pulley 268
A belt 272 is suspended. The one pulley 254 and the second pulley 260 each have a built-in one-way clutch that does not transmit a rotational force when rotated in different directions, thereby constituting clutch means. Therefore, if the drive shaft 262 is urged to rotate in the direction of the arrow via the pulley 264, the fourth shaft
The brush roller 210b is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow, and the second brush roller 208b rotates in the direction opposite to the fourth brush roller 210b under the action of the gear 252 meshing with the gear 258. Gear 263 meshing with gear 259
Changes the third brush roller 210a to the fourth brush roller 21.
0b rotates in the opposite direction.

Further, when the drive shaft 262 rotates in the direction opposite to the arrow and the rotational force is transmitted to the shaft 250 via the second belt 272 and the second brush roller 208b rotates, that is, when the gear 252 When rotated in the direction of the arrow,
Under the action of the gear 258 meshing with the gear 252, the fourth brush roller 210b rotates in the direction of the arrow, that is, in the direction opposite to the direction of the second brush roller 208b. And
The first brush roller 208a can be rotated in a direction opposite to the third brush roller 210a as shown by an arrow by a gear 261 meshing with a gear (not shown). Eventually, as shown in FIG. 6, the first roller pair 204 and the second roller pair 206 can rotate the duct member 152 so that dust always gets caught in the center of the duct member 152. The rotational force of the drive shaft 262 in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG.
The rotation is transmitted to the gear 258 by rotating 56.
During this time, the second belt 272 also rotates in the same direction as the first belt 270, but the clutch incorporated in the pulley 254 is disconnected and the rotational force is not transmitted to the shaft 250.

On the other hand, when the drive shaft 262 rotates in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow shown in FIG.
2 to the shaft 250 via the pulley 254 and rotate the gear 252 in the direction of the arrow. This is because the clutch incorporated in the pulley 254 transmits the rotational force to the gear 252. The gear 258 meshing with the gear 252 also rotates in the direction shown by the arrow. That is, the pulleys 254, 260
Has a built-in one-way clutch, so that rotation of the drive shaft 262 in either direction causes the first
The brush roller 208a, the second brush roller 208b, the third brush roller 210a, and the fourth brush roller 210b are not driven to rotate in the direction opposite to the arrow direction.

FIG. 13 shows the first brush roller pair 20.
4 shows another embodiment for rotating the second brush roller pair 206 in one direction by one belt. In the other embodiments, the same components as those in FIG. 12 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In this other embodiment, unlike the above-described embodiment, one pulley 300 is mounted on the shaft 262,
A pulley 254 with a one-way clutch is mounted on the shaft 250, and a pulley 2 with a one-way clutch is mounted on the shaft 256.
60 is mounted on the shaft. In this case, one belt 30 is disposed between the pulley 300, the pulley 254, and the pulley 260.
Suspend 2.

In this case, when the drive shaft 262 is rotated in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG.
2 rotates in the direction of the arrow, and its rotational force is transmitted to the gear 258 via the shaft 256 from the pulley 260 on which the built-in one-way clutch acts. Thereby, the gear 25
8 and a gear 252 meshing with the gear 8 and the first brush roller 2
08a, the second brush roller 208b, the third brush roller 210a, and the fourth brush roller 210b are each driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow. During this time, the one-way clutch built in the pulley 254 does not transmit the rotation to the shaft 250.

On the other hand, when the drive shaft 262 rotates in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow shown in FIG.
0, pulley 2 on which built-in one-way clutch operates
54 to the shaft 250, the gear 252 and the gear 2
The gear 258 meshing with the first brush roller 208a, the second brush roller 2
08b, the third brush roller 210a and the fourth brush roller 210b are rotated in the direction of the arrow.

After all, regardless of the direction of rotation of the drive shaft 262, as shown in FIG.
4 and the second roller pair 206 allow the duct member 152 to be constantly rotated around the center of the duct member 152 so that dust is involved.

The radiation image information reading apparatus 10 according to the present invention
Is basically configured as described above, and its operation will be described below.

First, an ID card in which ID information such as an ID number and a name of a patient are recorded is created, and the ID card is read by a console (not shown). In this console, the user selects an imaging part such as the chest and abdomen and an imaging menu. Further, a photographing size is selected as needed, and then the patient as a subject is photographed on the photographing table 16.
Place on top.

At this time, the height position (arrow Z direction) of the imaging table 16 is adjusted according to the condition of the patient, the height of the patient, or the transport mode of a wheelchair or a stretcher. Specifically, when the operator steps on the second foot switch 172, the hydraulic cylinders 40a and 40b are driven via the hydraulic unit 46 constituting the lifting mechanism 18 (see FIG. 3). For this reason, the rods 42a and 42b of the hydraulic cylinders 40a and 40b move inward,
The second swing arms 34a, 34b connected to the mounting members 44a, 44b via the mounting members 44a, 44b are connected to the support shafts 32a, 32b.
Swings downward with the fulcrum as a fulcrum.

The first swing arms 30a, 30b are connected to the second swing arms 34a, 34b via connecting shafts 36a, 36b.
b is connected to the second swing arm 34a, 34
b swings downward, the first swing arm 30
a and 30b swing downward about the support shafts 28a and 28b. As a result, the elevating base 38 moves downward, and the imaging table 16 descends.

On the other hand, the operator operates the third foot switch 174
, The hydraulic cylinder 40 via the hydraulic unit 46
a and 40b are driven in the opposite direction to the above. For this reason,
First swing arm 30a, 30b and second swing arm 3
The elevating base 38 supported by 4a and 34b moves upward, and the imaging table 16 moves up.

As described above, the height of the imaging table 16 is adjusted so that the patient can easily get on the top 52. Then, in a state where the patient is lying on the top 52 in a lying position (lying position), the operator selectively operates the second foot switch 172 or the third foot switch 174 to cause the top 52 to move. Adjust the height to a position that is easy to work. Further, the operator operates the first foot switch 170 or the touch switch 5 provided on the top plate 52.
By continuing to turn ON the lock of the top plate 52 is released.

Therefore, for example, while the operator keeps pressing the touch switch 54, the top plate 52 is moved back and forth, right and left (arrow X
Direction and the arrow Y direction), and adjusts the height position of the patient so that the imaging region of the patient enters the irradiation frame by the X-ray irradiation unit 182. After the patient's imaging region is positioned, the hand is released from the touch switch 54, and the top plate 52 is locked immovably.

Next, the X-ray irradiating means 182 is driven, and the radiation image information of the patient is recorded (photographed) on the stimulable phosphor sheet S arranged in the photographing section 80. At this time, the other stimulable phosphor sheets S are placed in the second and third standby positions ST.
2, ST3.

After the photographing process, the stimulable phosphor sheet S is taken out of the photographing unit 80 with the ears Sa and Sb sandwiched by the rotation of the roller pair 100a constituting the circulating transport system 86, and is taken out from the photographing unit 80. , 102 and transferred from the vertical transport path 106 to the horizontal transport path 108 (see FIG. 4). Further, the stimulable phosphor sheet S is conveyed from the first main body 20 to the second main body 22 under the rotating action of the plurality of roller pairs 102, and passes upward through the roller pair 104.
After the conveyance direction has been changed by ゜, it is sent to the sub-scanning conveyance means 120 constituting the reading section 82.

In the sub-scanning conveyance means 120, the first and second roller pairs 128,
130 is synchronously driven to rotate and the stimulable phosphor sheet S
Is transported in the sub-scanning direction in the direction of arrow A with the ear portions Sa and Sb being sandwiched between the first and second roller pairs 128 and 130. At that time, the laser beam L is derived from the laser beam irradiating means 122 and is irradiated on the recording surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet S to perform main scanning.

As a result, the stimulated emission light emitted from the recording surface side of the stimulable phosphor sheet S is photoelectrically read by the first condensing system 124, and is transmitted through the transparent base surface to transmit the stimulable phosphor sheet S. The stimulated emission light emitted from the back side of the body sheet S is photoelectrically read by the second light collection system 126.

The stimulable phosphor sheet S after the reading process
Is transported from the second main body portion 22 to the first main body portion 20 side,
The sheet is sent to the erasing section 84 along the inclined conveyance path 110. In the erasing section 84, the first and second erasing units 140
a, 140b constituting erasing light sources 142a, 142b
The erasing light is applied to both surfaces of the stimulable phosphor sheet S through the irradiating device, and the erasing process of the radiation image information remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet S is quickly performed.

After the erasing process, the stimulable phosphor sheet S is sent from the inclined conveyance path 110 to the switchback conveyance path 112 while changing the conveyance direction by about 180 ° downward. Roller pair 114 constituting this switchback conveyance path 112
Is rotated in the reverse direction, so that the stimulable phosphor sheet S
From the switchback transport path 112 to the vertical transport path 106
And is again arranged in the photographing unit 80 via the roller pair 100a, 100b.

Next, the operation inside the duct member 152 constituting the first cleaning means 148 will be described in detail. When the stimulable phosphor sheet S is introduced into the inside of the duct member 152 through the first opening 154a, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. As a result, the first pulley 254 and the second pulley 260 rotate in directions opposite to each other via the first belt 270 and the second belt 272, respectively. In this case, the rotation direction of the first brush roller 208a and the second brush roller 208b is the same as the direction of conveyance of the stimulable phosphor sheet S, while the third brush roller 210a and the fourth brush roller The direction of rotation of 210b is opposite to the direction of conveyance of the stimulable phosphor sheet S. Therefore, assuming that dust adheres to the surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet S,
The dust is directed toward the inner central portion of the duct member 152 by the first to fourth brush rollers 208a, 208b, and 21.
0a and 210b.

In this case, in the apparatus shown in FIG. 7, if the sirocco fan 220 is energized in advance, the dust collected in the central portion of the duct member 152 is moved out of the filter box 222 along the dashed arrow. Can be derived. That is, since the sirocco fan 220 is energized, the duct member 152 serves as a duct,
Dust is transferred from one end to the other end, and is filtered by the filter box 222 so that only clean air is led out through the exhaust holes 223. Therefore, it is substantially avoided that the dust adheres to the upper surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet S.

First to fourth brush rollers 210a, 21
The dust adhering to the tips of the first and second dust removal plates 212a and 210b and the second dust removal plate 21a
2b, the first to fourth brush rollers 208a, 208
When the tips of 8b, 208a and 210b come into contact, the dust is scraped off here, and the dust floating in the duct member 152 is suitably sucked.

During the driving, the first brush roller 208a and the second brush roller 208b constituting the first brush roller pair 204 are preferably rotated at a speed higher than the transport speed of the stimulable phosphor sheet S. . This is because dust on the surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet S is efficiently scraped off. In other words, the stimulable phosphor sheet S and the brush roller pair 20
By the speed difference of 4, the effect of substantially removing dust on the surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet S can be obtained. On the other hand, it is preferable that the third brush roller 210a and the fourth brush roller 210b rotate at a speed lower than the transport speed of the stimulable phosphor sheet S. This slow speed is also effective in removing dust.

In the embodiment shown in FIG.
Dust led out of the duct member 152 from the a and 224b is further discharged outside the radiation image information reading apparatus 10 by a duct (not shown). In this case, the dust collected at the center of the duct member 152 by the brush rollers 208a, 208b, 210a, 210b is supplied to the outlets 224a and 224a provided above or below the duct.
24b can be efficiently discharged.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the opening area of the upper housing 200 is increased by the plurality of air outlets 230, while the strength of the housing can be ensured. A further discharge effect can be obtained.

In the embodiment shown in FIG.
00 to the duct 2 from the air outlet 230 having a relatively wide opening.
The dust can be forcibly discharged in the extending direction of the extension 32.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, since the upper housing 200 is opened from the lower housing 202 by the shaft 234, the first to fourth brush rollers 210 are formed.
a, 210b, and maintenance management such as cleaning and replacement of the 210a and 210b is facilitated.

When the amount of dust is small, of course,
The first brush roller pair 204 and the first brush roller pair 20
6 need not be provided inside the duct member 152. That is, the sirocco fan 220 and the filter box 22
This is because dust can be sufficiently removed by the method (2).

Further, as shown in FIG. 13, dust can be removed while the stimulable phosphor sheet S is transported in one direction by one belt 302 regardless of the rotation direction of the drive shaft 262. In this case, when the first brush roller pair 204 rotates at a speed higher than the transport speed of the stimulable phosphor sheet S, dust can be removed more effectively than the stimulable phosphor sheet S. It goes without saying that the same effect can be obtained even if the stimulable phosphor sheet S is conveyed from the third brush roller 210a and the fourth brush roller 210b. further,
By changing the gear ratio between the gear 252 and the gear 258,
The rotation speed of the brush roller on the introduction side of the stimulable phosphor sheet S is made faster than the conveyance speed of the sheet S, and the rotation speed of the brush roller on the exit side is made slower than the conveyance speed of the sheet S, which further reduces dust. Occurs.

In the above-described embodiment, the sheet cleaning apparatus and the radiation image information reading apparatus incorporating the same according to the present invention have been described using the stimulable phosphor sheet S as the sheet. However, the present invention is not limited to this. However, the present invention can be applied to various sheet members such as a sheet-shaped recording medium.

[0086]

According to the present invention, as described above, dust floating or accumulated in the duct member (housing) does not enter the conveying system, and the dust adheres to the sheet member again. Can be effectively blocked.

In addition, since the dust in the duct member is forcibly sucked and led to the outside, the dust can be removed without contacting the sheet, especially the stimulable phosphor sheet. As a result, characters carried on the stimulable phosphor sheet,
Information such as images can be read accurately.

Further, it is preferable that a brush roller is disposed inside the casing. Thus, dust can be removed while slidingly contacting the upper surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet, and the same effect as described above can be obtained.

Further, two pairs of brush rollers are provided upstream and downstream, and by rotating these pairs of brush rollers in opposite directions, dust is always collected toward the central portion of the casing. It can also be forced out. This ensures that dust is removed. In addition, if the brush roller pair on the upstream side is rotated at a speed higher than the conveying speed of the sheet body, dust on the sheet body can be sent forward ahead of the sheet body. There is an advantage that capture is easy. For this reason, there is an advantage that the radiation image information can be read quickly and reliably.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective explanatory view of a radiation image information reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view showing an internal configuration of the radiation image information reading device.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of an apparatus main body and an imaging table which constitute the radiation image information reading apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a stimulable phosphor sheet used in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an internal configuration of the apparatus main body.

FIG. 6 is a schematic longitudinal sectional explanatory view of a first cleaning means incorporated in the apparatus main body.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory perspective view of a state where the first cleaning means, the sirocco fan, and the filter box shown in FIG. 6 are assembled.

FIG. 8 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional explanatory view of a first cleaning unit according to another embodiment which replaces the first cleaning unit shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective explanatory view of another embodiment in which an air inlet and an air outlet are provided in a casing constituting the first cleaning means.

FIG. 10 is a perspective explanatory view of still another embodiment for attaching a duct to a casing constituting the first cleaning means and discharging dust from an upper housing.

FIG. 11 is a perspective explanatory view showing a state in which an upper housing constituting a casing is opened from a lower housing, a brush roller pair is taken out, and maintenance is performed.

FIG. 12 is a perspective explanatory view showing a relationship between a built-in configuration of a brush roller pair and a driving unit.

FIG. 13 is a perspective explanatory view of another embodiment showing a relationship between a built-in configuration of a brush roller pair and a driving source.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Radiation image information reading apparatus 14 ... Device main body 16 ... Imaging stand 18 ... Elevating mechanism 80 ... Imaging part 82 ... Reading part 84 ... Erasing part 86 ... Circulation conveyance system 120 ... Sub-scanning conveyance means 122 ... Laser beam irradiation means 124 126: Condensing system 148, 150 ...
Cleaning means 152: Casing 154a, 154
b: Opening 200: Upper housing 202: Lower housing 204, 206: Brush roller pair 208a, 208b, 210a, 210b: Brush roller 220: Sirocco fan 222: Filter box 254, 260, 264, 266, 268: Pulley 270, 272 ... belt

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G03B 42/02 G03B 42/02 B G21K 4/00 G21K 4/00 L

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A sheet cleaning device for removing dust adhering to a sheet conveyed by a conveyance system, wherein the brush roller rotates while sliding on a surface of the sheet conveyed by the conveyance system. And a duct member surrounding a part of the transport system and accommodating the brush roller, and causing dust to enter the transport system by generating a flow of air in the duct member. And an air flow generating means for preventing air flow. 2. The sheet cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the air flow generating unit is a suction unit communicating with an air outlet of the duct member, and an air blowing unit communicating with an air inlet of the duct member. And a flow path that communicates with the suction unit and the air blowing unit and circulates air in the duct member. 3. The sheet cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the duct member has at least a tip portion of the brush roller for removing dust adhering to the tip portion of the brush roller. A sheet cleaning device provided with dust removing means. 4. The sheet cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the brush roller includes a first and a second brush roller pair disposed along a conveying direction of the sheet. A driving unit configured to rotate the first brush roller pair in the same direction as the conveying direction of the sheet member and to rotate the second brush roller pair in a direction opposite to the conveying direction of the sheet member; The rotation speed of the brush roller pair is higher than the conveyance speed of the sheet body, wherein the sheet body cleaning device is provided. 5. A sheet cleaning device for removing dust adhering to a sheet conveyed by a conveyance system, comprising: a housing surrounding a part of the conveyance system; and the sheet body in the housing. A first and a second brush roller pair disposed along the transport direction of the sheet member; rotating the first brush roller pair in the same direction as the transport direction of the sheet body; And a driving unit for rotating the body in a direction opposite to a body conveyance direction, wherein the rotation speed of the first brush roller pair is higher than the conveyance speed of the sheet body. 6. A cleaning device for a sheet body according to claim 5, wherein said housing removes dust adhering to at least a tip portion of said pair of first and second brush rollers by contacting said tip portion. A sheet removing device provided with dust removing means for cleaning. 7. The sheet cleaning apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the driving unit is configured to drive the sheet body regardless of a conveying direction of the sheet body.
A sheet body cleaning device comprising: a clutch means for always rotating the first and second brush roller pairs in the same direction. 8. A radiation image information reading device incorporating a sheet cleaning device for two-dimensionally reading information such as characters and images carried on a stimulable phosphor sheet carried by a carrying system, wherein the radiation image The information reading device includes: a reading unit that reads information on the stimulable phosphor sheet; and a transport system that transports the stimulable phosphor sheet to the reading unit. A cleaning mechanism provided in a transport system, the cleaning mechanism includes a housing surrounding a part of the transport system, and a suction unit for pressing the inside of the housing against an external atmosphere, A radiation image information reading apparatus incorporating a sheet cleaning device, wherein dust is prevented from adhering to the surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet as much as possible under the urging action of the suction section. 9. The radiation image information reading apparatus according to claim 8, wherein an air inlet is provided at one portion of the housing, and air introduced from the air inlet is sucked at the other portion of the housing. An air outlet through which air is introduced from the air inlet, guides dust on the stimulable phosphor sheet to the air outlet, and guides the dust out of the housing from the air inlet. A radiological image information reading device incorporating a sheet cleaning device. 10. A radiation image information reading device incorporating a sheet cleaning device for two-dimensionally reading information such as characters and images carried on a stimulable phosphor sheet conveyed by a conveyance system. The information reading device has a reading unit for reading information on the stimulable phosphor sheet, and a transport system for transporting the stimulable phosphor sheet to the reading unit. A cleaning mechanism provided in the transport system, the cleaning mechanism includes a housing surrounding a part of the transport system, and a brush roller slidingly contacting the surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet transported by the transport system. A radiographic image information reading device incorporating a sheet cleaning device, comprising: 11. A radiation image information reading apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a dust removing means for contacting at least a tip portion of said brush roller and removing dust adhering to said tip portion in said housing. A radiographic image information reading device incorporating a sheet cleaning device, comprising: 12. The radiation image information reading apparatus according to claim 10, wherein two pairs of brush rollers are provided in the housing along a direction in which the stimulable phosphor sheet is transported, and the stimulable phosphor sheet is transported. A driving source for rotating the brush roller pair on the upstream side in the same direction as the driving direction, and a driving source for rotating the brush roller pair on the downstream side in the direction opposite to the conveying direction of the stimulable phosphor sheet. A radiation image information reading device incorporating a sheet cleaning device. 13. A radiographic image information reading apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said two pairs of brush rollers are driven to rotate by the same driving source. Reader. 14. A sheet according to claim 12, wherein the upstream brush roller pair has a drive source which is rotated at a speed higher than the conveying speed of the stimulable phosphor sheet. A radiation image information reading device incorporating a body cleaning device. 15. The radiation image information reading apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a flow path for circulating air in the housing is provided.