JP2005250166A - Cassette - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance the operation efficiency for loading a cassette by constituting the cassette so that the cassette has no restriction on its insertion direction when being inserted into an image scanner. <P>SOLUTION: In the cassette 10, a cover 14 is separatively attached to an housing 12 where a storage phosphor sheet IP is arranged, and a lock mechanism 16 which switches the cover 14 between a fixed state wherein the cover 14 is fixed to the housing 12 in one body and a fixation reset state wherein the fixed state is reset is provided in the housing 12. Then the storage phosphor sheet IP can be read or erased by separating the cover 14 from the housing 12 from whichever direction, one side of the cassette 10 into which a 1st press part 60 of the lock mechanism 16 is inserted or the other side of the cassette 10 into which a 2nd press part 76 of the lock mechanism 16 is inserted, the cassette 10 is inserted into the image scanner. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a cassette that houses a sheet-like radiographic image record carrier on which radiographic image information of a subject is recorded.

  For example, using a stimulable phosphor (stimulable phosphor), radiation image information of a subject such as a human body is temporarily recorded, and the radiation image information is reproduced on a photographic material such as a photographic film, or a CRT. For example, a system that outputs a visible image to the image is known.

  The stimulable phosphor accumulates a part of this radiation energy by irradiation with radiation (X-ray, α-ray, β-ray, γ-ray, electron beam, ultraviolet ray, etc.), and later by irradiation with excitation light such as visible light, A phosphor that exhibits stimulated emission according to the stored energy. This stimulable phosphor is usually formed in a sheet shape and used as a stimulable phosphor sheet.

  On the other hand, radiation, for example, X-rays are applied to a subject such as a human body, and radiation image information of the subject is directly recorded on a photographic film. Radiation image record carriers such as stimulable phosphor sheets and photographic films are usually loaded into an imaging device in a state of being accommodated in cassettes one by one, and the radiation image record carriers are irradiated with X-rays through the cassettes. . For example, when reading a radiation image recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet, a cassette is loaded in the image reading device, and the radiation energy accumulated by irradiating the stimulable phosphor sheet with excitation light is stored. Is read photoelectrically.

  As disclosed in Patent Document 1, as this type of cassette, the stimulable phosphor sheet is accommodated in a casing, and the casing is covered with a cover member that is separable from the casing. Things have been proposed.

  In this case, on one side of the casing, a fixed state in which the cover member is integrally fixed to the casing, and a fixed release state in which the fixed state of the cover member to the casing is released and can be separated from the casing A fixed / unlock button is provided to switch between the two.

  The cassette having such a structure is loaded in the radiation image reading apparatus, and the cover member can be separated from the casing by pressing the fixing / unlocking button with a rod-like member or the like provided in the radiation image reading apparatus. It becomes a state. For this reason, the cover member is removed from the casing, and the radiation image information recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet is read or the radiation image information remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet is erased.

  Further, after the reading process and the erasing process are completed, the cover member is attached to the casing, and the fixing / unlocking button is pressed again by a rod-shaped member or the like, so that the cover member is integrally fixed to the casing. It is said.

JP 2003-287833 A

  By the way, in the prior art according to Patent Document 1, a single fixing / fixing release button is adopted to switch the fixing / fixing release state of the cover member with respect to the casing constituting the cassette. Only on one side of the cassette. Therefore, when the cassette is loaded into the radiographic image reading apparatus, the radiographic image reading apparatus is determined based on the positional relationship between the fixing / fixing release button of the cassette and a rod-like member or the like that presses the fixing / fixing release button in the apparatus. The loading direction of the cassette is limited to only one direction. In other words, the cassette has a restriction in the insertion direction when it is loaded into the radiation image reading apparatus, and there is a difficulty in its use.

  Therefore, each time the cassette is inserted into the radiation image reading apparatus, it is necessary for an engineer or the like to check the loading direction of the cassette with respect to the apparatus. This confirmation work is complicated and the work efficiency when performing image reading is reduced. There is a problem that decreases.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described problems, and improves the work efficiency when performing the reading operation of the radiation image information by eliminating the restriction of the insertion direction in the image reading device that reads the radiation image information. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cassette that can be made to operate.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a cassette containing a sheet-like radiographic image record carrier on which radiographic image information of a subject is recorded,
A housing in which the radiation image record carrier is accommodated;
A lid provided detachably with respect to the housing;
By having one or more sets of displacement members provided inside the casing or lid, by displacing any one of the one or more sets of displacement members from one end side of the casing or lid, The other displacement member provided on the other end side of the housing or the lid is displaced in conjunction, and the lid is fixed to the housing, and the lid can be detached from the housing. A lock mechanism for switching between a fixed release state,
It is characterized by providing.

  According to the present invention, the lid is detachable from the casing in which the radiographic image record carrier is stored in the cassette. By providing one or more sets of displacement members in the lock mechanism provided in the housing or lid, and displacing only one of the displacement members from one end side of the housing or lid, the housing or The remaining other displacement members provided on the other end side of the lid body are displaced in conjunction with each other. This switches between a fixed state in which the casing and the lid are fixed under the displacement action of the displacement member via a lock mechanism and a fixed release state in which the lid is separable from the casing. be able to.

  Therefore, when a technician or the like inserts the cassette into the image reading apparatus in order to read the radiation image information, only one of the displacement members needs to be displaced, so that the insertion direction of the cassette is not limited. The cassette can be inserted into an image reading apparatus. For this reason, since the complicated operation of confirming the insertion direction of the cassette with respect to the radiation image reading apparatus which has been conventionally performed is not required, the work efficiency can be improved.

The displacement member includes a first locking hole formed in a wall portion of the housing, and the lid body so as to correspond to the first locking hole when the lid body is fitted to the housing. Is provided so as to be freely inserted into the second locking hole formed in
The displacement member is displaced along the axial direction of the housing and is inserted into the first and second locking holes to be in the fixed state, and either the first locking hole or the second locking hole is used. It is preferable that the displacement member is moved away from one of the fixed release states.

  Accordingly, the displacement member is provided so as to be freely inserted into the first locking hole of the casing and the second locking hole of the lid, and the casing and the lid can be simply operated under the displacement action along the axial direction of the displacement member. A fixed state in which the body is fixed, and a fixed release state in which the displacement member is inserted into only one of the first locking hole or the second locking hole and the casing and the lid can be separated. be able to.

  Therefore, when the cassette is inserted into the image reading apparatus, the cassette can be inserted into the image reading apparatus without being restricted by the insertion direction of the cassette, so that work efficiency can be improved.

Furthermore, the displacement member includes a plurality of pressing portions provided on at least two surfaces of the wall portion which is a symmetric position in the housing and the lid,
The lid body may be switched between a fixed state and a fixed release state under the pressing action of the pressing portion.

  Accordingly, when the cassette containing the radiation image record carrier is inserted into the image reading apparatus, the cassette is inserted from the side of the wall where one pressing part is formed, and the wall where the other pressing part is formed In either case of insertion from the part side, it is possible to press either one or the other pressing part in the image reading apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to switch between a fixed state in which the lid is fixed to the housing and a fixed release state without considering the insertion direction of the cassette when inserting into the image reading apparatus.

  Furthermore, when the cassette is inserted into an image reading apparatus that reads out radiographic image information recorded on the radiographic image record carrier, the pressing portion is a wall portion of the housing and lid that is substantially orthogonal to the insertion direction of the cassette. It is good to provide in each other, and also in the other wall part of the above-mentioned case and lid substantially parallel to the above-mentioned insertion direction.

  As described above, one of the pressing portions is provided on the wall portion of the casing and the lid body that is substantially orthogonal to the insertion direction when the cassette is inserted into the image reading apparatus, and the casing and the lid body that are substantially parallel to the insertion direction of the cassette. The other pressing portion is provided on the wall portion.

  Accordingly, when the cassette is inserted into the image reading device, the lid is fixed to the housing by one or the other pressing portion without considering the insertion direction of the cassette with respect to the image reading device. The fixed release state can be switched, and the other pressing portion can be pressed from the side in the insertion direction inside the image reading apparatus by the other pressing portion.

  Therefore, it is possible to quickly fix or unlock the lid with respect to the casing in the cassette, and the processing time of the cassette in the image reading apparatus can be shortened.

Further, the lock mechanism includes an elastic member interposed between the displacement member and the housing;
A rotating member that is rotatably provided with respect to the displacement member, and that is displaced along the axial direction integrally with the displacement member;
A locking block formed on the housing and engaged with the rotating member under a displacement action of the rotating member;
It is good to have.

  Thereby, when the displacement member is displaced in the direction away from the housing against the tensile force of the elastic member by the pressing portion, the rotation member is displaced under the displacement action of the displacement member and the rotation member is rotated. Thus, the displacement of the displacement member along the axial direction is restricted. For this reason, the cassette in which the lid can be separated from the housing under the displacement action of the displacement member by maintaining the state where the rotating member is locked to the engagement block by the tensile force of the elastic member. It is possible to reliably hold the fixed release state.

  According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

  That is, the lid is provided so as to be separable from the housing in which the radiographic image record carrier is stored, and only one of a set of one or more displacement members in the lock mechanism provided on the housing or the lid is provided in the housing. Alternatively, by displacing from the one end of the lid, the remaining other displacement members provided at the other end of the casing or the lid are displaced in conjunction with each other, and the casing and the lid are fixed. It is possible to switch between a fixed state and a fixed release state in which the lid is separable from the housing.

  Therefore, when the cassette containing the radiation image record carrier is inserted into the image reading apparatus, the cassette is inserted into the image reading apparatus without being restricted by the insertion direction of the cassette because a plurality of the pressing portions are provided. Therefore, it is possible to improve the work efficiency when performing the reading work.

  Preferred embodiments of the cassette according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 indicates a cassette according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the cassette 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as the cassette 10) includes a housing 12 that houses the stimulable phosphor sheet IP and constitutes a radiation irradiation surface, and a housing 12. A lid 14 detachably provided on the housing 12, a fixed state in which the lid 14 is integrally fixed to the housing 12, and the lid 14 on the housing 12. And a lock mechanism 16 for switching between the separated and unlocked states.

  The housing | casing 12 has the planar main-body part 18 as FIG. A stimulable phosphor sheet IP is disposed at a substantially central portion of the main body 18.

  The main body portion 18 includes a flat portion 20 formed in a substantially rectangular shape, and wall portions 22a to 22d formed substantially orthogonal to the outer edge portion of the flat portion 20 so as to surround the four sides of the flat portion 20. Become. A pair of first insertion holes (first locking holes) 24a and 24b through which a pair of first lock pins 58a and 58b described later are inserted into one wall portion 22a of the main body portion 18 at a predetermined interval. A first pressing pin insertion hole 26 is formed between the first insertion holes 24a and 24b.

  Similarly, a pair of second insertion holes (first locking holes) 28a, 28b through which a pair of second lock pins 74a, 74b, which will be described later, are inserted, are also provided on the other wall portion 22c of the main body portion 18. A second pressing pin insertion hole 30 is formed between the second insertion holes 28a and 28b while being spaced apart by a predetermined distance.

  A plurality of support portions 32 are formed on the flat surface portion 20 of the main body portion 18 so as to be substantially parallel to the wall portions 22a to 22d and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. Is placed. The stimulable phosphor sheet IP is fixed on the upper surface of the holding plate 34.

  This stimulable phosphor sheet IP is composed of a rectangular phosphor layer constituting a radiation image recording region, and the phosphor layer is formed by evaporating a columnar phosphor on a support substrate made of a hard material such as glass, for example. The hard sheet | seat formed in this way can be used. The phosphor layer can be formed by using a vacuum vapor deposition method, sputtering, CVD, or an ion fretting method in which the stimulable phosphor is heated and evaporated in a vacuum vessel, and these are deposited on the support substrate. .

  The phosphor layer thus formed has a columnar shape in which the phosphor is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the phosphor layer, each of which is optically independent, and is highly sensitive to irradiated radiation. In addition, the granularity of the image can be reduced, and the scattering of the excitation light can be reduced to make the image quality clear.

  The lid body 14 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape so as to be substantially the same as the shape of the housing 12, and wall portions 36 a to 36 d (see FIGS. 4 and 5) that are substantially orthogonal from the outer edge portion toward the housing 12 side. ) Is formed. The wall portions 36 a to 36 d are formed so as to surround the outside of the wall portions 22 a to 22 d of the housing 12 when the lid body 14 is combined with the housing 12.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the wall 36 a faces the first insertion holes 24 a and 24 b of the housing 12 when the lid 14 and the housing 12 are combined. A pair of first lock holes (second locking holes) 38a and 38b are formed at the positions where the first through holes 42 are formed, and the first through holes 42 are formed at positions facing the first pressing pin insertion holes 26 of the housing 12. Has been.

  The wall 36c has a second lock hole (second locking hole) at a position facing the second insertion holes 28a, 28b of the housing 12 when the lid 14 and the housing 12 are combined. Holes) 40 a and 40 b are formed, and a second through hole 44 is formed at a position facing the second pressing pin insertion hole 30 of the housing 12. That is, the first insertion holes 24a and 24b communicate with the first lock holes 38a and 38b, the second insertion holes 28a and 28b, and the second lock holes 40a and 40b, respectively.

  The first insertion holes 24 a and 24 b, the first lock holes 38 a and 38 b, the second insertion holes 28 a and 28 b, and the second lock holes 40 a and 40 b function as a part of the lock mechanism 16. Further, the first pressing pin insertion hole 26 and the first through hole 42 and the second pressing pin insertion hole 30 and the second through hole 44 communicate with each other. The first insertion holes 24a and 24b, the first lock holes 38a and 38b, the second insertion holes 28a and 28b, and the second lock holes 40a and 40b are formed in substantially the same shape, and the first pressing pin is inserted. Similarly, the hole 26 and the first through hole 42, the second pressing pin insertion hole 30 and the second through hole 44 are formed in substantially the same shape.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the lock mechanism 16 is provided inside the housing 12 between the holding plate 34 to which the stimulable phosphor sheet IP is fixed and the flat portion 20 of the housing 12.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the lock mechanism 16 includes a first displacement member 46 provided on the wall 22 a side of the housing 12 so as to be displaceable along the axial direction (arrow X direction), A second displacement member 48 disposed so as to face the first displacement member 46 and displaceable along the axial direction (arrow X direction) on the wall 22c side of the housing 12; The pinion gear 50 that is rotatably supported at a substantially central portion of the flat surface portion 20 and the fixed state of the lid body 14 with respect to the housing 12 under the displacement action of the first and second displacement members 46 and 48 are separated from each other. It consists of a push latch 52 that switches between states.

  The first displacement member 46 is connected to a first shaft portion 54 extending along the axial direction (arrow X direction) of the housing 12 and one end portion of the first shaft portion 54, and the first shaft portion 54 is connected to the first shaft portion 54. The first connection portion 56 extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first connection portion, a pair of first lock pins 58a and 58b formed at both ends of the first connection portion 56, and the first connection portion 56, respectively. It consists of the 1st press part 60 provided in the center. The first displacement member 46 is guided so as to be displaceable along the axial direction (arrow X direction) of the housing 12 through guide means (not shown).

  A mounting portion 62 that protrudes substantially perpendicular to the axis of the first shaft portion 54 is formed at the approximate center of the first shaft portion 54, and the push latch portion is interposed between the mounting portion 62 and the housing 12. 52 is provided. Details of the push latch portion 52 will be described later.

  In addition, a pair of springs (elastic members) that pulls the first displacement member 46 in a direction (arrow X1 direction) away from the second displacement member 48 between the first connection portion 56 and the wall portion 22a of the housing 12. ) 64 is interposed.

  The first lock pins 58a and 58b are formed so as to protrude by a predetermined length in a direction away from the first shaft portion 54 (arrow X1 direction) with respect to the first connection portion 56, and the first pressing portion 60 is The first lock pins 58a and 58b are formed substantially in parallel. The first pressing portion 60 and the first lock pins 58a and 58b are formed so that the protruding amounts from the first connecting portion 56 are substantially equal.

  The first lock pins 58a and 58b are respectively inserted into the first insertion holes 24a and 24b formed in the one wall portion 22a of the housing 12, and the first pressing portion 60 is inserted into the first pressing pin. The hole 26 is inserted.

  The other end portion of the first shaft portion 54 is formed so as to extend to a side portion of the pinion gear 50 provided at a substantially central portion of the main body portion 18. The first shaft portion 54 is formed with an uneven tooth portion 66 on the surface facing the pinion gear 50, and the tooth portion 66 is formed in a predetermined range along the axial direction of the first shaft portion 54. Yes. The tooth portion 66 of the first shaft portion 54 meshes with an uneven gear tooth 68 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the pinion gear 50. That is, the pinion gear 50 rotates through the tooth portion 66 of the first shaft portion 54 under the displacement action along the axial direction of the first displacement member 46.

  The second displacement member 48 is disposed on the opposite side of the housing 12 that faces the first displacement member 46 with a pinion gear 50 provided in the main body 18 as a center. 12 is connected to a second shaft portion 70 extending along the axial direction (arrow X direction), and one end portion of the second shaft portion 70, and extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the second shaft portion 70. A second connection portion 72, a pair of second lock pins 74a and 74b formed at both ends of the second connection portion 72, and a second pressing portion 76 provided substantially at the center of the second connection portion 72, respectively. It consists of. The second displacement member 48 is guided so as to be freely displaceable along the axial direction (arrow X direction) via guide means (not shown).

  The second lock pins 74a and 74b are formed to protrude by a predetermined length in a direction away from the second shaft portion 70 (arrow X2 direction) with respect to the second connection portion 72, and the second pressing portion 76 is The second lock pins 74a and 74b are formed substantially in parallel. The second pressing portion 76 and the second lock pins 74a and 74b are formed so that the protruding amounts from the second connecting portion 72 are substantially equal.

  The second lock pins 74a and 74b are respectively inserted into the second insertion holes 28a and 28b formed in the other wall portion 22b of the housing 12, and the second pressing portion 76 is inserted into the second pressing pin. The hole 30 is inserted.

  The second shaft portion 70 is provided so as to be substantially parallel to the first shaft portion 54 of the first displacement member 46, and the other end portion of the second shaft portion 70 is a pinion gear 50 provided in the main body portion 18. An uneven tooth portion 66 is formed on the side surface of the second shaft portion 70 facing the pinion gear 50 and extending to the side portion of the second shaft portion 70. The shape of the tooth portion 66 formed on the second shaft portion 70 is substantially the same as the shape of the tooth portion 66 formed on the first shaft portion 54.

  At this time, the tooth portion 66 of the second shaft portion 70 of the second displacement member 48 faces the tooth portion 66 of the first shaft portion 54 of the first displacement member 46 via the pinion gear 50.

  Then, the second shaft portion 70 is engaged with the gear teeth 68 of the pinion gear 50 via the tooth portion 66, and the tooth portion 66 is moved under the displacement action along the axial direction (arrow X direction) of the second displacement member 48. The pinion gear 50 is rotated through.

  That is, the first displacement member 46 and the second displacement member 48 are disposed so as to sandwich the pinion gear 50 from both sides via the first and second shaft portions 54 and 70, respectively. The respective tooth portions 66 of the two shaft portions 54 and 70 mesh with the pinion gear 50. Therefore, when one of the first and second displacement members 46 and 48 is displaced along the axial direction (arrow X direction), the pinion gear 50 is rotationally displaced. One of the first displacement members 48 and 46 is displaced along the axial direction (arrow X direction) accordingly.

  At this time, the first and second displacement members 46 and 48 are arranged so as to face each other with the pinion gear 50 as a center, and are engaged with the pinion gear 50, respectively, and therefore are along the axial direction (arrow X direction). Are displaced in opposite directions.

  For example, when the first displacement member 46 is displaced in the direction approaching the second displacement member 48 (the direction of the arrow X2), the pinion gear 50 rotates clockwise (in the direction of the arrow A1) under the meshing action with the first displacement member 46. ) And the second displacement member 48 is displaced in the direction approaching the first displacement member 46 (in the direction of the arrow X1) under the meshing action with the pinion gear 50.

  Similarly, when the first displacement member 46 is displaced in the direction away from the second displacement member 48 (arrow X1 direction), the pinion gear 50 is counterclockwise under the meshing action with the first displacement member 46. It rotates around (in the direction of arrow A2), and the second displacement member 48 is displaced in a direction away from the first displacement member 46 (in the direction of arrow X2) under meshing action with the pinion gear 50.

  The push latch portion 52 is provided on the support shaft 78 fixed to the mounting portion 62 of the first displacement member 46, the rotating member 80 provided rotatably on the support shaft 78, and the flat portion 20 of the housing 12. The rotating member 80 includes an engaging block 82 that is engaged under the rotating action. The support shaft 78 is not limited to the case where the support shaft 78 is fixed to the first shaft portion 54 via the attachment portion 62, but may be fixed to the second shaft portion 70.

  One end portion of the support shaft 78 is fixed to the mounting portion 62 of the first shaft portion 54, and the other end portion of the support shaft 78 is crimped after the rotating member 80 is inserted into the support shaft 78. An enlarged diameter portion 84 is formed. For this reason, the rotating member 80 is not detached from the support shaft 78.

  Further, an oval guide groove 86 that is recessed by a predetermined depth in a direction away from the support shaft 78 is formed in the flat portion 20 of the housing 12 that faces the other end of the support shaft 78. The guide groove 86 is formed in a long hole shape along the displacement direction (arrow X direction) of the first displacement member 46, and the enlarged diameter portion 84 is inserted therein. That is, when the first displacement member 46 is displaced along the axial direction (arrow X direction), the support shaft 78 fixed to the first shaft portion 54 is guided along the guide groove 86 of the housing 12.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the rotating member 80 is inserted into the first rhombus-shaped first cam 88 inserted into the attachment portion 62 side of the support shaft 78 and the housing 12 side of the support shaft 78. And a second rhombus-shaped second cam 90. The first cam 88 and the second cam 90 are stacked via a support shaft 78 (see FIG. 7).

  As shown in FIG. 8, the first cam 88 and the second cam 90 rotate by a predetermined angle around the support shaft 78, and first protrusions formed at both ends of the first cam 88, respectively. The portions 92a and 92b and the second protrusions 94a and 94b formed at both ends of the second cam 90 are integrally fixed in a state where they are offset by a predetermined angle B (for example, 90 °).

  As described above, the first projection 88a of the first cam 88 and the second projection 94a of the second cam 90 offset by a predetermined angle with respect to the first projection 92a are disposed between the first projection 92a and the first projection 92a. A first engaging portion 96 that is recessed in a substantially V shape is formed from the first protruding portion 92a and the second protruding portion 94a. Similarly, a second engagement portion 98 that is recessed in a substantially V shape also between the other first projection 92b of the first cam 88 and the other second projection 94b of the second cam 90. Is formed. The first engaging portion 96 and the second engaging portion 98 are formed at positions that are symmetrical about the support shaft 78 in the rotating member 80.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the first and second engaging portions 96 and 98 of the rotating member 80 have the first cam 88 and the second cam 90 stacked on the support shaft 78. Between the first protrusions 92a and 92b and the second protrusions 94a and 94b, there is a step having a predetermined height along the axial direction of the support shaft 78.

  The engagement block 82 is provided on the flat portion 20 of the housing 12, and includes a first block 102 having a guide surface 100 substantially parallel to the displacement direction (arrow X direction) of the first displacement member 46, and the first block 102. The second block 104 is provided on the second displacement member 48 side (in the direction of the arrow X2) and is formed on the opposite side of the first block 102 with respect to the guide groove 86 formed in the flat portion 20. .

  The first block 102 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape, and a first vertical surface 106 orthogonal to the guide surface 100 is formed on the second displacement member 48 side of the guide surface 100 formed substantially parallel to the guide groove 86. Yes. A first corner 108 is formed at a portion where the guide surface 100 and the first vertical surface 106 intersect.

  The second block 104 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape, and a parallel surface 110 formed substantially parallel to the guide groove 86, and a second vertical surface 112 formed on the first block 102 side substantially orthogonal to the parallel surface 110. The 2nd corner | angular part 114 is formed in the cross | intersection site | part.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, the height H of the first and second blocks 102, 104 from the plane portion 20 is the same as the first cam 88 along the axial direction of the support shaft 78 and the height dimension. The cam 90 is formed so as to be substantially the same (H≈h) or slightly larger (H> h) than the total dimension h of the cam 90.

  Next, the image reading apparatus 120 that reads the radiation image information that is loaded with the cassette 10 and that is recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet IP of the cassette 10 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the image reading apparatus 120 is provided with a transport unit 126 that transports the cassette 10 inserted from a cassette insertion port 124 provided in the apparatus main body 122, and the cassette 10 is transported by the transport unit 126. A reading unit 130 and an erasing unit 132 are provided along the conveyance path 128.

  The transport unit 126 linearly displaces the interior of the image reading device 120 while maintaining the substantially horizontal state of the cassette 10 inserted from the cassette insertion port 124 by a driving force from a driving source (not shown).

  The reading unit 130 has an excitation optical system 134 that irradiates the stimulable phosphor sheet IP disposed in the casing 12 of the cassette 10 with the laser light L that is excitation light, and the storage by the irradiation of the laser light L. It comprises a reading optical system 136 that photoelectrically reads the emitted light emitted from the phosphor sheet IP. The reading optical system 136 includes a light guide 138 disposed along the scanning position of the laser light L on the stimulable phosphor sheet IP from one end, and a photomultiplier attached to the other end of the light guide 138. 140.

  The erasing unit 132 is provided between the cassette insertion slot 124 and the reading unit 130, and a plurality of erasing light sources 142 are arranged in parallel therein. The erasing light output from the erasing light source 142 is applied to the stimulable phosphor sheet IP from which the radiation image information is read, thereby erasing the remaining radiation image information.

  In addition, when the lid 14 of the cassette 10 is separated from the housing 12 between the cassette insertion slot 124 and the erasing unit 132, the lid 14 is held and displaced upward, and radiation image information An attachment / detachment mechanism 144 is provided for re-attaching the lid 14 to the casing 12 of the cassette 10 that has been read and erased. The attachment / detachment mechanism 144 may be an adsorption device that adsorbs the lid body 14 under a negative pressure supply action from a negative pressure supply source (not shown), or the lid body 14 is made of a metal material, and the lid body 14 is It is good also as a magnetic device hold | maintained with a magnetic force.

  Further, a pressing mechanism 146 for pressing the first pressing portion 60 or the second pressing portion 76 of the cassette 10 is provided between the attachment / detachment mechanism 144 and the erasing unit 132 inside the image reading device 120. . When the cassette 10 is transported to a position facing the attachment / detachment mechanism 144, the pressing pin 148 of the pressing mechanism 146 is displaced upward from below the transport path 128 by a robot or the like, and the first pressing portion of the cassette 10 is moved. After displacing to the same height as 60 or the second pressing portion 76, the first pressing portion 60 or the second pressing portion 76 is pressed by being displaced substantially horizontally toward the cassette 10.

  The cassette 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is basically configured as described above. Next, the cassette 10 is loaded into the image reading device 120, and the accumulation of the cassette 10 is performed. A case where the radiation image information recorded on the phosphor sheet IP is read will be described. The cassette 10 is in a state in which the housing 12 and the lid body 14 are integrally fixed by the lock mechanism 16.

  First, the cassette 10 is inserted into the cassette insertion slot 124 of the image reading device 120. At that time, the cassette 10 is inserted from the cassette insertion port 124 such that the first pressing portion 60 is on the cassette insertion port 124 side. Then, when the cassette 10 is transported into the image reading device 120 by the transport unit 126 and the cassette 10 is transported to a position facing the attachment / detachment mechanism 144, the position of the cassette 10 is detected by a detection mechanism (not shown). The cassette 10 stops on the conveyance path 128 because the conveyance unit 126 is stopped by the detection signal detected and detected by the detection mechanism.

  As described above, with the cassette 10 stopped on the conveyance path 128, the pressing pin 148 of the pressing mechanism 146 is inserted into the first through hole 42 of the lid body 14 of the cassette 10 via a robot (not shown). The first pressing portion 60 inserted into the first pressing pin insertion hole 26 of the housing 12 through the third pressing pin insertion hole by the pressing pin 148 is on the second displacement member 48 side (arrow X1 in FIG. 4). Direction).

  As a result, the first connecting portion 56 and the first shaft portion 54 integrally with the first pressing portion 60 approach the second displacement member 48 against the tensile force of the spring 64 under the guide action by the guide means (not shown). Accordingly, the first lock pins 58a and 58b inserted into the first lock holes 38a and 38b of the lid body 14 are displaced from the first lock holes 38a and 38b. It will detach | leave and will be in the state inserted only in the 1st lock holes 38a and 38b of the housing | casing 12 (refer FIG. 5).

  Then, the pinion gear 50 rotates clockwise (in the direction of the arrow A1) under the displacement action of the first shaft portion 54, and the second shaft portion 70 approaches the first displacement member 46 under the rotation action of the pinion gear 50. Displacement in the direction (arrow X1 direction). Therefore, the second lock pins 74 a and 74 b are separated from the second lock holes 40 a and 40 b of the lid body 14 through the second connection portion 72 connected to the second shaft portion 70, and the second insertion of the housing 12 is performed. It will be in the state inserted in the holes 28a and 28b (refer FIG. 5).

  Therefore, the first and second lock pins 58a, 58b, 74a, and 74b are connected to the first and second insertion holes 24a, 24b, 28a, and 28b of the housing 12, and the first and second lock holes 38a of the lid body 14, respectively. , 38b, 40a, 40b, and the fixed state of the cassette 10 that integrally fixes the casing 12 and the lid body 14 in the cassette 10 is released, and the lid body 14 with respect to the casing 12 is released. Can be separated in the height direction (the arrow Z direction in FIGS. 3 and 13).

  On the other hand, the first shaft portion 54 is displaced in the direction approaching the second displacement member 48 (in the direction of the arrow X2) under the pressing action of the first pressing portion 60 by the pressing pin 148, thereby being integrated with the first shaft portion 54. Accordingly, the support shaft 78 of the push latch portion 52 is displaced along the guide groove 86. At that time, the rotating member 80 held by the support shaft 78 is in a state where the side surfaces of the first and second cams 88 and 90 shown in FIG. 8 are in contact with the guide surface 100 of the first block 102. It is displaced in the direction approaching the displacement member 48 (arrow X2 direction). At this time, the rotating member 80 is in a state in which the rotating operation is restricted by the guide surface 100 with which the first and second cams 88 and 90 are in contact.

  Next, due to the pressing force applied from the pressing pin 148 to the first pressing portion 60, the first shaft portion 54 is further displaced in the direction of the arrow X <b> 2, so that the rotating member 80 moves along the guide surface 100 of the first block 102. The first protrusion 92a of the first cam 88 disposed on the second block 104 side comes into contact with the second vertical surface 112 of the second block 104 as shown in FIG. Then, the first protrusion 92a of the first cam 88 slides in the direction away from the guide groove 86 along the second vertical surface 112 under the further displacement action of the first displacement member 46 in the arrow X2 direction. The rotating member 80 rotates clockwise (arrow C direction) by a predetermined angle.

  Therefore, one of the second protrusions 94 a of the second cam 90 abuts against the parallel surface 110 of the second block 104, so that the first engagement portion 96 of the rotating member 80 is engaged with the second corner portion 114. Combined. That is, the rotational displacement of the rotating member 80 is restricted under the engaging action with the second corner portion 114.

  In this state, when the pressing force in the direction of the arrow X2 against the first pressing portion 60 by the pressing pin 148 is de-energized, the rotating member 80 is moved to the spring 64 (FIGS. 4 and 4) interposed in the first connecting portion 56. 5)), the second projection 94b of the first cam 88 disposed on the first block 102 side is moved to the first block 102 side. The shaft portion 54 abuts on the first vertical surface 106 of the first block 102 under a displacement action in the direction of the arrow X1.

  Then, the rotating member 80 rotates clockwise (a direction indicated by an arrow C) by a predetermined angle starting from the contact portion between the second protrusion 94b of the first cam 88 and the first vertical surface 106, as shown in FIG. As described above, the second engagement portion 98 formed at a position that is symmetric about the first engagement portion 96 and the support shaft 78 is engaged with the first corner portion 108 of the first block 102. In other words, the displacement of the rotary member 80 is restricted at a position displaced from the position guided by the guide surface 100 of the first block 102 shown in FIG. 8 toward the second block 104 (in the direction of the arrow X2) by a predetermined amount. It becomes a state.

  As a result, the displacement of the first displacement member 46 in the direction away from the second displacement member 48 (the direction of the arrow X1) is restricted under the engagement of the second engagement portion 98 with the first block 102 in the rotating member 80. The first lock pins 58a and 58b of the first displacement member 46 are detached from the first lock holes 38a and 38b of the lid body 14 and inserted only into the first insertion holes 24a and 24b. Held in a state.

  At the same time, the displacement of the second displacement member 48 that is integrally displaced with the first displacement member 46 via the pinion gear 50 in the direction away from the first displacement member 46 (in the direction of the arrow X2) is also restricted. The second lock pins 74a and 74b of the second displacement member 48 are held in a state of being detached from the second lock holes 40a and 40b of the lid body 14 and inserted into the second insertion holes 28a and 28b.

  Therefore, the push latch unit 52 holds the unlocked state in which the lid 14 is unlocked from the housing 12 by the lock mechanism 16.

  Thus, the fixed state of the cassette 10 with respect to the housing 12 is released, and the lid body 14 in the state of being held in the unlocked state by the push latch portion 52 is held by the attachment / detachment mechanism 144 and is moved above the housing 12. And displace. Thereby, the housing 12 in which the stimulable phosphor sheet IP is disposed and the lid body 14 surrounding the housing 12 are completely separated, and the stimulable phosphor sheet IP is directed upward. It is in a state of exposure.

  Then, the casing 12 provided with the stimulable phosphor sheet IP is transported again by the transport unit 126, and the laser light L from the excitation optical system 134 to the stimulable phosphor sheet IP at a position facing the reading unit 130. The radiation image information accumulated and recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet IP is photoelectrically read by the reading optical system 136.

  Next, the casing 12 including the stimulable phosphor sheet IP that has been subjected to the reading process of the radiation image information by the reading unit 130 drives a drive source (not shown) in the reverse direction, thereby causing the cassette 126 to be inserted into the cassette insertion port 124. The radiation image information remaining in the stimulable phosphor sheet IP is erased through a plurality of erasing light sources 142 provided in the erasing unit 132.

  As described above, after the radiation image information recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet IP is read and the radiation image information is erased, the casing 12 in which the stimulable phosphor sheet is disposed is again provided. The cassette 10 is transported to a position facing the attaching / detaching mechanism 144 by the transport unit 126, the position of the cassette 10 is detected by a detection mechanism (not shown), and the cassette 10 stops on the transport path 128 by stopping the driving of the transport unit 126. .

  Then, the lid 14 held above the housing 12 by the attaching / detaching mechanism 144 is displaced downward, and is fitted again to the upper portion of the housing 12. As a result, the casing 12 is surrounded by the lid body 14 and the stimulable phosphor sheet IP is covered by the lid body 14.

  Next, when the lid body 14 is again fixed to the housing 12 integrally, the first pressing pin of the housing is inserted from the first through hole 42 of the lid body 14 by the pressing pin 148. By pushing the first pressing portion 60 toward the second displacement member 48 (in the direction of the arrow X2) through the hole 26, the rotating member 80 of the push latch portion 52 is integrated with the first shaft portion 54 to form the second displacement member. Displaces to 48 side (arrow X2 direction). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, the engagement state by the second engagement portion 98 of the rotating member 80 engaged with the first corner portion 108 of the first block 102 is released, and the first shaft When the second projecting portion 94a of the second cam 90 abuts against the second vertical surface 112 of the second block 104 under the further displacement action of the portion 54, the rotating member 80 rotates clockwise. It rotates by a predetermined angle in the direction of arrow C.

  Thereafter, by depressing the pressing force in the direction of the arrow X2 by the pressing pin 148, the rotating member 80 is displaced in the direction away from the second displacement member 48 (the direction of the arrow X1) by the tensile force of the spring 64. At this time, the second protrusion 94b of the second cam 90 abuts against the first vertical surface 106 of the first block 102 under the displacement action of the first shaft portion 54, and the rotating member 80 is connected to the second cam 90 and the second cam 90. Starting from the contact portion with the vertical surface 112, the rotary shaft is rotationally displaced by a predetermined angle clockwise (in the direction of arrow C) around the support shaft 78 (see FIG. 12).

  As a result, the rotating member 80 is further displaced in the direction of the arrow X1 by the tensile force of the spring 64, so that the side surfaces of the first and second cams 88, 90 are moved to the first block under the rotating action of the rotating member 80. The rotational displacement of the rotating member 80 is regulated by contacting the guide surface 100 of 102 (see FIG. 8).

  As a result, the first displacement member 46 whose displacement in the direction away from the pinion gear 50 (arrow X1 direction) is regulated by the push latch portion 52 is displaced in the arrow X1 direction by the tensile force of the spring 64, and the first The first lock pins 58 a and 58 b connected to the one connection portion 56 are penetrated into the first lock holes 38 a and 38 b of the lid body 14 through the first insertion holes 24 a and 24 b of the housing 12.

  At the same time, the second displacement member 48 moves away from the pinion gear 50 (arrow X2 direction) via the pinion gear 50 under the displacement action along the axial direction (arrow X1 direction) of the first displacement member 46. And displace. Therefore, the second lock pins 74 a and 74 b connected to the second connection portion 72 of the second displacement member 48 are connected to the second lock holes 40 a of the lid body 14 through the second insertion holes 28 a and 28 b of the housing 12. , 40b.

  As a result, the first and second lock pins are inserted into the first and second lock holes 38a, 38b, 40a, 40b of the lid body 14 via the first and second insertion holes 24a, 24b, 28a, 28b of the housing 12. Since 58a, 58b, 74a, and 74b are inserted, the displacement of the lid 14 in the height direction (the arrow Z direction in FIGS. 3 and 13) with respect to the housing 12 is regulated. . Therefore, the casing 12 and the lid body 14 in the cassette 10 are in a fixed state in which they are integrally fixed again by the lock mechanism 16.

  Then, the cassette 10 with the lid 14 integrally fixed to the casing 12 is conveyed again to the cassette insertion slot 124 by the conveyance unit 126, and the cassette 10 that has completed the reading and erasing processing of the radiation image information is obtained. Then, it is taken out from the cassette insertion slot 124 of the image reading apparatus.

  In the above description, the cassette 10 is inserted so that the first pressing portion 60 is on the cassette insertion opening 124 side with respect to the image reading device 120, and the first reading portion 120 is inserted into the image reading device 120 via the pressing pin 148. The first pressing portion 60 formed on the one displacement member 46 is pushed, and the lid 14 and the housing 12 are fixed by the lock mechanism 16 or the lid 14 is separated from the housing 12 and released. Although the case where the state is switched is described, when the cassette 10 is inserted so that the second pressing portion 76 is on the cassette insertion port 124 side, the second displacement member 48 is similarly formed by the pressing pin 148. When the second pressing portion 76 is pressed, the lid 14 and the housing 12 are fixed by the lock mechanism 16 or the unlocking state in which the lid 14 can be separated from the housing 12. It is possible to switch the.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the casing 12 in which the stimulable phosphor sheet IP is provided in the cassette 10 and the lid 14 covering the casing 12 can be separated via the lock mechanism 16. Provided. The lock mechanism 16 includes a first displacement member 46 and a second displacement member 48 that are provided inside the housing 12 so as to be displaceable along the axial direction (arrow X direction). The lock mechanism 16 is provided on the first displacement member 46. The first pressing portion 60 is inserted into the first pressing pin insertion hole 26 formed in the one wall portion 22a of the housing 12, and the second pressing portion 76 provided in the second displacement member 48 includes the housing 12 is inserted into a second pressing pin insertion hole 30 formed in the other wall portion 22c.

  That is, the fixed state of the lid body 14 and the housing 12 in one place on each of the wall portions 22a and 36a on the one side of the casing 12 and the lid body 14 in the cassette 10 and the wall portions 22b and 36b on the other side. The first and second pressing portions 60 and 76 for switching between the fixed release state and the fixed release state are inserted.

  The lid body 14 and the housing 12 of the cassette 10 are integrated with each other by pressing either the first pressing portion 60 or the second pressing portion 76 toward the inside of the housing 12. It is possible to switch between a fixed state fixed to a fixed state and a fixed released state that is separable when the fixed state of the cassette 10 is released, and the fixed state and the fixed released state can be held by the push latch portion 52. it can.

  Therefore, when the cassette 10 on which the radiation image information is recorded is inserted from the cassette insertion port 124 of the image reading device 120, the cassette 10 is inserted from the one wall portion 22a, 36a side of the cassette 10 in which the first pressing portion 60 is inserted. In either case, the first pressing portion 60 or the second pressing portion is pressed by the pressing pin 148 in either case where the second pressing portion 76 is inserted from the other wall portion 22b, 36b side of the cassette 10. Since any one of 76 can be pressed, it is possible to switch between a fixed state in which the lid body 14 is fixed to the housing 12 and a fixed release state.

  Accordingly, when the technician or the like inserts the cassette 10 into the image reading device 120 in order to read the radiation image information, the cassette 10 is inserted into the image reading device 120 without considering the directionality of the cassette 10. can do. Therefore, since the complicated operation of confirming the insertion direction of the cassette 10 with respect to the radiation image reading apparatus conventionally performed is not required, the work efficiency can be improved.

  Further, compared with the conventional cassette in which the insertion direction with respect to the radiation image reading apparatus is limited to only one direction, the insertion direction of the cassette 10 with respect to the image reading apparatus 120 is two directions. It is possible to prevent an erroneous operation in which the cassette 10 is inserted in the wrong direction and the storage phosphor sheet IP cannot be read and erased.

  Next, a cassette 200 according to a second embodiment is shown in FIGS. Note that the same components as those of the cassette 10 according to the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the cassette 200 according to the second embodiment (hereinafter simply referred to as the cassette 200), one and the other wall portions 22a and 22c of the casing 202 are used as the lock mechanism 204 provided in the casing 202 of the cassette 200. In addition to the first and second displacement members 46 and 48 into which the first and second pressing portions 60 and 76 are inserted, the displacement directions (arrows) of the first and second displacement members 46 and 48 are provided. It differs from the cassette 10 according to the first embodiment in that third and fourth displacement members 208 and 210 are provided so as to be substantially orthogonal to the (X direction).

  The third displacement member 208 of the lock mechanism 204 is provided so as to face the wall portion 22b of the casing 202 and the wall portion 36b of the lid body 206. The third displacement member 208 is composed of the first and second displacement members. A third shaft portion 212 extending so as to be substantially orthogonal to the first and second shaft portions 54 and 70 of 46 and 48, and one end portion of the third shaft portion 212, and the third shaft portion 212; A third connection portion 214 extending in a substantially orthogonal direction; a pair of third lock pins 216a and 216b formed at both ends of the third connection portion 214; and a substantially center of the third connection portion 214. And a third pressing portion 218 provided on the head. The third displacing member 208 is guided so as to be displaceable along a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the housing 202 through guide means (not shown).

  A pair of springs that pulls the third displacement member 208 in a direction separating from the pinion gear 220 provided in the housing 202 (in the direction of arrow Y1) between the third connection portion 214 and the wall portion 22b of the housing 202. 64 is interposed.

  The third lock pins 216a, 216b and the third pressing portion 218 are formed so as to protrude by a predetermined length in the direction away from the third shaft portion 212 (arrow Y1 direction) with respect to the third connection portion 214, and are substantially mutually They are formed in parallel.

  The third lock pins 216a and 216b are respectively inserted into a set of third insertion holes 222a and 222b formed in the wall portion 22b of the housing 202, and the third pressing portion 218 is set as a set. It is inserted through a third pressing pin insertion hole 224 formed between the third insertion holes 222a and 222b.

  Further, when the third lock pins 216a and 216b are displaced in a direction away from the pinion gear 220 (in the direction of the arrow Y1) under the tension action by the spring 64, the third lock pins 216a and 216b are passed through the third insertion holes 222a and 222b of the housing 202. The third insertion holes 222a and 222b are respectively inserted into the third lock holes 226a and 226b of the lid body 206 that communicate with the third insertion holes 222a and 222b. Similarly, the third pressing portion 218 is inserted into the third through-hole 240 via the third pressing pin insertion hole 224 under a displacement action in a direction away from the pinion gear 220 (arrow Y1 direction).

  Further, the other end portion of the third shaft portion 212 is formed so as to extend to the side portion of the pinion gear 220, and the pinion is formed via an uneven tooth portion 66 formed on the surface facing the pinion gear 220. The gear is engaged with the gear teeth 68 of the gear 220. That is, the pinion gear 220 rotates in the directions of the arrows A1 and A2 via the teeth 66 of the third shaft portion 212 under the displacement action along the axial direction (arrow Y direction) of the third displacement member 208.

  The fourth displacement member 210 is provided so as to face the wall portion 22d of the housing 202 and the wall portion 36d of the lid body 206, and the fourth displacement member 210 is substantially orthogonal to the axis of the housing 202. A fourth shaft portion 228 that extends, a fourth connection portion 230 that is connected to one end portion of the fourth shaft portion 228 and extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the fourth shaft portion 228, and the fourth connection portion 230 includes a pair of fourth lock pins 232 a and 232 b respectively formed at both ends of the 230, and a fourth pressing portion 234 provided substantially at the center of the fourth connection portion 230. The fourth displacement member 210 is guided so as to be displaceable along the axial direction via guide means (not shown).

  The fourth lock pins 232a, 232b and the fourth pressing portion 234 are formed so as to protrude by a predetermined length in the direction away from the fourth shaft portion 228 (in the direction of the arrow X1) with respect to the fourth connection portion 230, and are substantially mutually. They are formed in parallel.

  The fourth lock pins 232a and 232b are inserted into a set of fourth insertion holes 236a and 236b formed in the wall portion 22d of the casing 202, respectively, and the fourth pressing portion 234 is set as a set of first It is inserted into a fourth pressing pin insertion hole 238 formed between the four insertion holes 236a and 236b.

  Further, when the fourth lock pins 232a and 232b are displaced in the direction away from the pinion gear 220 (the direction of the arrow Y2), the fourth insertion holes 236a and 236b are inserted through the fourth insertion holes 236a and 236b of the housing 202. Are inserted into the fourth lock holes 242a and 242b of the lid body 206 that communicates with each other. Similarly, the fourth pressing portion 234 is inserted into the fourth through hole 244 via the fourth pressing pin insertion hole 238 under a displacement action in a direction away from the pinion gear 220 (arrow Y1 direction).

  Further, the fourth shaft portion 228 is provided so as to be substantially parallel to the third shaft portion 212 of the third displacement member 208, and the other end portion of the fourth shaft portion 228 is a pinion provided in the housing 202. It is formed to extend to the side of gear 220. The fourth shaft portion 228 is meshed with the gear teeth 68 of the pinion gear 220 through a tooth portion 66 formed on the side surface facing the pinion gear 220.

  Then, the pinion gear 220 rotates in the directions of arrows A1 and A2 via the tooth portion 66 under the displacement action along the axial direction (arrow Y direction) of the fourth displacement member 210. At this time, the tooth portion 66 of the fourth shaft portion 228 of the fourth displacement member 210 faces the tooth portion 66 of the third shaft portion 212 of the third displacement member 208 via the pinion gear 220.

  That is, the third and fourth displacement members 208 and 210 are disposed so as to sandwich the pinion gear 220 from both sides via the third and fourth shaft portions 212 and 228, respectively, and the third and fourth shaft portions. The pinion gears 220 are respectively meshed with the tooth portions 66 of 212 and 228.

  At that time, the first and second shaft portions 54 and 70 of the first and second displacement members 46 and 48 are meshed with the pinion gear 220 on the housing 12 side along the axis of the pinion gear 220. The third and fourth shaft portions 212 and 228 of the third and fourth displacement members 208 and 210 are meshed with the lid 14 side along the axis of the pinion gear 220. In other words, as shown in FIG. 14, the first and second shaft portions 54 and 70 and the third and fourth shaft portions 212 and 228 are offset by a predetermined height along the axial direction of the pinion gear 220. It is formed to do. In addition, the shape of the tooth | gear part 66 formed in the said 1st-4th shaft parts 54, 70, 212, 228, respectively is formed so that it may become substantially the same.

  Thus, when the third displacement member 208 is displaced along the arrow Y direction, the first and second displacement members 46 and 48 are moved in the axial direction of the housing 202 (arrow X direction) under the rotational action of the pinion gear 220. The fourth displacement member 210 is displaced along a direction (arrow Y direction) substantially orthogonal to the axis of the housing 202 at substantially the same time.

  Similarly, when the fourth displacement member 210 is displaced along the arrow Y direction, the first and second displacement members 46 and 48 are moved in the axial direction of the housing 202 (arrow X) under the rotational action of the pinion gear 220. The third displacement member 208 is displaced along a direction (arrow Y direction) substantially orthogonal to the axis of the housing 202 at the same time.

  The third displacement member 208 and the fourth displacement member 210, the first displacement member 46 and the second displacement member 48 are disposed so as to face each other around the pinion gear 220, and are combined into a single pinion gear 220. Since the tooth portions 66 of the first to fourth shaft portions 54, 70, 212, and 228 that are meshed with each other and meshed with the pinion gear 220 are formed in substantially the same shape, the first to fourth displacements The members 46, 48, 208, and 210 are displaced at the same time in substantially the same amount of displacement in a direction away from the pinion gear 220 or a direction approaching the pinion gear 220.

  That is, the first to fourth displacement members 46, 48, 208, and 210 are respectively formed and inserted into the first to fourth pressing pin insertion holes 26, 30, 224, and 238 of the wall portions 22 a to 22 d of the housing 202. By pressing one of the first to fourth pressing portions 60, 76, 218, 234 toward the inside of the housing 202, the first to fourth displacement members 46, via the pinion gear 220, 48, 208, and 210 can be displaced in the direction of separating from the pinion gear 220 or the direction of approaching the pinion gear 220 at substantially the same time.

  Therefore, by pressing any one of the first to fourth pressing portions 60, 76, 218, 234 inserted through the wall portions 22 a to 22 d and 36 a to 36 d of the cassette 200, the casing 202 in the cassette 200 is pressed. Thus, it is possible to switch between a fixed state (see FIG. 15) in which the lid 206 is fixed and a fixed release state (see FIG. 16) in which the fixed state of the lid 206 to the housing 202 is released. At this time, when the locking body 204 having the first to fourth pressing portions 60, 76, 218, 234 is fixed / unlocked between the lid body 206 and the housing 202, the mounting portion 62 is attached to the first shaft portion 54. It is held by a push latch portion 52 provided through.

  In addition, since the structure and effect | action of the push latch part 52 mentioned above are the same as the cassette 10 which concerns on 1st Embodiment, the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  When the cassette 200 according to the second embodiment is configured as described above, when the cassette 200 is inserted into the image reading device 120 (see FIG. 9) and the reading process of the radiation image information or the like is performed, By pressing any one of the first to fourth pressing portions 60, 76, 218, 234 inserted through the four wall portions 22 a to 22 d of the cassette 200, the lid of the cassette 200 with respect to the casing 202 It is possible to switch between a fixed state 206 and a fixed release state in which the fixed state between the lid 206 and the housing 202 is released.

  Accordingly, it is not necessary to consider the insertion direction of the cassette 200 when the cassette 200 is inserted into the image reading device 120, and the insertion direction of the cassette 200 with respect to the image reading device 120 every time a technician or the like inserts the cassette 200. The complicated work of confirming is eliminated. Therefore, it is possible to improve work efficiency when performing reading processing of the cassette 200 in which the radiation image information is recorded.

  Further, for example, when the cassette 200 is inserted into the cassette insertion port 124 of the image reading device 120 from the side of the one wall portion 22a, 36a through which the first pressing portion 60 is inserted, the cassette substantially orthogonal to the wall portion 22a. The wall portions 22b and 22d of the 200 are also provided with third and fourth pressing portions 218 and 234 for switching between a fixed state and a fixed release state of the lid body 206 and the housing 202. In other words, the third and fourth pressing portions 218 and 234 are provided on the wall portions 22b and 22d substantially parallel to the insertion direction when the cassette 200 is inserted into the image reading device 120.

  Therefore, a pressing mechanism 146 for pressing the third pressing portion 218 or the fourth pressing portion 234 inside the image reading device 120 can be provided on the side of the conveyance path 128 where the cassette 200 is conveyed. .

  Accordingly, by providing the pressing mechanism 146 on the side of the attaching / detaching mechanism 144, either when the cassette 200 is fixed / unfixed by the pressing mechanism 146 or when the fixing / fixing release operation is completed. Even in this case, it is not necessary to displace the pressing mechanism 146 below the transport path 128 according to the displacement operation by the transport unit 126 of the cassette 200.

  Accordingly, since the cassette 200 stops at a position facing the attaching / detaching mechanism 144 and the pressing operation of the third pressing portion 218 or the fourth pressing portion 234 can be performed by the pressing pin 148 of the pressing mechanism 146, The fixing or unfixing operation of the lid body 206 to the housing 202 can be performed quickly, and the processing time of the cassette 200 in the image reading apparatus 120 can be shortened.

It is a perspective view of a cassette concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the cassette of FIG. FIG. 2 is a partially omitted vertical cross-sectional view of the cassette of FIG. 1. It is a partial cross section top view of a cassette which shows the state by which the cover body and the housing | casing were integrally fixed by the locking mechanism provided in the inside of the housing | casing of FIG. It is a partial cross section top view of a cassette which shows the state by which the fixing state of the cover body with respect to the housing | casing of a cassette was cancelled | released by the locking mechanism of FIG. FIG. 2 is a partially omitted enlarged perspective view in the vicinity of a push latch portion that holds a fixed state and a fixed release state by a lock mechanism in the cassette of FIG. 1. It is the partial cross section side view which looked at the push latch part of Drawing 6 from the arrow V direction. It is a schematic plan view of the push latch part in the locking mechanism of FIG. FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of the push latch portion showing a state in which the rotating member in the push latch portion of FIG. 8 is displaced under the displacement action of the first displacement member and the first protrusion of the first cam is in contact with the second block. . 9 is a schematic plan view of a push latch portion showing a state in which the rotating member of FIG. 9 is displaced in the direction of the arrow X1 by the tensile force of the spring and the second engaging portion is engaged with the first corner portion of the second block. is there. The rotating member of FIG. 10 is released from the engagement state with the first block under the displacement action of the first displacement member in the direction of the arrow X2, and the second protrusion of the second cam is in contact with the second block. It is a schematic plan view of the push latch part which shows. FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view of a push latch portion showing a state in which the rotating member of FIG. 11 is displaced again in the arrow X1 direction by the tensile force of the spring and the rotating member is in contact with the first corner of the first block. It is a schematic block diagram of the image reader which reads and erases the radiation image information recorded on the cassette. It is a disassembled perspective view of the cassette concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional plan view of the cassette showing a state where the lid and the housing are integrally fixed by a lock mechanism provided inside the housing of FIG. 14. FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional plan view of the cassette showing a state in which the fixed state of the lid to the cassette housing is released by the lock mechanism of FIG. 15.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10,200 ... Cassette 12, 202 ... Case 14, 206 ... Case 16, 204 ... Lock mechanism 22a-22d, 36a-36d ... Wall part 26 ... 1st press pin insertion hole 30 ... 2nd press pin insertion hole 38a , 38b ... first lock holes 40a, 40b ... second lock holes 46 ... first displacement member 48 ... second displacement members 50, 220 ... pinion gear 52 ... push latch part 54 ... first shaft part 58a, 58b ... first Lock pin 60 ... 1st press part 62 ... Mounting part 64 ... Spring 70 ... 2nd shaft part 74a, 74b ... 2nd lock pin 76 ... 2nd press part 80 ... Rotating member 82 ... Engagement block 86 ... Guide groove 88 ... 1st cam 90 ... 2nd cam 92a, 92b ... 1st projection part 94a, 94b ... 2nd projection part 96 ... 1st engagement part 98 ... 2nd engagement part 102 ... 1st block 104 ... 2nd Lock 108 ... first corner 114 ... second corner 120 ... image reading device 122 ... device main body 124 ... cassette insertion port 126 ... conveying unit 130 ... reading portion 132 ... erasing portion 144 ... detaching mechanism 146 ... pressing mechanism 148 ... pressing Pin 208 ... Third displacement member 210 ... Fourth displacement member 216a, 216b ... Third lock pin 218 ... Third press portion 224 ... Third press pin insertion hole 232a, 232b ... Fourth lock pin 234 ... Fourth press portion 238 ... 4th press pin insertion hole

Claims (5)

A cassette containing a sheet-like radiographic image record carrier on which radiographic image information of a subject is recorded,
A housing in which the radiation image record carrier is accommodated;
A lid provided detachably with respect to the housing;
By having one or more sets of displacement members provided inside the casing or lid, by displacing any one of the one or more sets of displacement members from one end side of the casing or lid, The other displacement member provided on the other end side of the housing or the lid is displaced in conjunction, and the lid is fixed to the housing, and the lid can be detached from the housing. A lock mechanism for switching between a fixed release state,
A cassette characterized by comprising. The cassette of claim 1,
The displacement member includes a first locking hole formed in a wall portion of the casing, and the lid body so as to correspond to the first locking hole when the lid body is fitted to the casing. Is provided so as to be freely inserted into the second locking hole formed in
The displacement member is displaced along the axial direction of the housing and is inserted into the first and second locking holes to be in the fixed state, and either the first locking hole or the second locking hole is used. The cassette is characterized in that the displaceable member is separated from either side to be in the unlocked state. The cassette according to claim 1 or 2,
The displacement member includes a plurality of pressing portions provided on at least two surfaces of a wall portion that is a symmetric position in the housing and the lid,
A cassette that switches between a fixed state and a fixed release state of the lid under the pressing action of the pressing portion. The cassette according to claim 3,
When the cassette is inserted into an image reading apparatus that reads radiographic image information recorded on the radiographic image record carrier, the pressing portion is formed on the wall of the housing and the lid that are substantially orthogonal to the insertion direction of the cassette. The cassette is provided respectively, and further provided on the other wall portion of the casing and the lid body substantially parallel to the insertion direction. The cassette of claim 1,
The lock mechanism includes an elastic member interposed between the displacement member and the housing;
A rotating member that is rotatably provided with respect to the displacement member, and that is displaced along the axial direction integrally with the displacement member;
A locking block formed on the housing and engaged with the rotating member under a displacement action of the rotating member;
A cassette characterized by comprising.

Images