A mobile imaging device includes a base having at least one caster, a first drive mechanism that moves the system in a transport mode and translates an imaging component relative to the base in a scan mode, and a second drive mechanism that extends caster relative to the base to raise the base off t
A mobile imaging device includes a base having at least one caster, a first drive mechanism that moves the system in a transport mode and translates an imaging component relative to the base in a scan mode, and a second drive mechanism that extends caster relative to the base to raise the base off the ground in the transport mode, and retracts the caster relative to the base to lower the base to the ground in the scan mode. A caster system for a mobile apparatus includes a base containing a housing and a caster, attached to the base, the caster having a wheel defining a wheel axis and a swivel joint defining a swivel axis and a pivot point defining a pivot axis, wherein the caster pivots on the pivot axis as the caster is retracted into the housing and extended out of the housing.
대표청구항▼
1. A mobile imaging system, comprising: a base having at least one caster;a first drive mechanism that moves the entire mobile imaging system in a transport mode and translates at least one imaging component relative to the base in a scan mode; anda second drive mechanism that extends the at least o
1. A mobile imaging system, comprising: a base having at least one caster;a first drive mechanism that moves the entire mobile imaging system in a transport mode and translates at least one imaging component relative to the base in a scan mode; anda second drive mechanism that extends the at least one caster relative to the base to raise the base off the ground in the transport mode, and retracts the at least one caster relative to the base to lower the base to the ground in the scan mode, wherein the base comprises at least one housing for the at least one caster, and the at least one caster retracts into the at least one housing and extends out of the at least one housing and the at least one caster comprises a wheel defining a wheel axis and a swivel joint defining a swivel axis and a pivot point defining a pivot axis, wherein the at least one caster pivots on the pivot axis as the at least one caster is retracted into the at least one housing and extended out of the at least one housing, the at least one caster has a first offset distance between the wheel axis and the swivel axis when the at least one caster is extended and a second offset distance between the wheel axis and the swivel axis when the at least one caster is retracted, and the second offset axis is less than the first offset axis, and the at least one housing for the caster has at least one dimension such that the at least one housing is not large enough to receive the at least one caster when the at least one caster has the first offset distance. 2. The mobile imaging system of claim 1, wherein the at least one imaging component is raised away from the ground in response to the second drive mechanism extending the at least one caster relative to the base and the at least one imaging component is lowered towards the ground in response to the second drive mechanism retracting the at least one caster relative to the base. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the second drive mechanism generates a motive force in a direction substantially along a length of the base, and a linkage apparatus translates the motive force to a substantially vertical force that extends or retracts the at least one caster. 4. The system of claim 2, further comprising a cable management system in the base that couples power and/or data between the base and at least one component that translates relative to the base. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the cable management system comprises a cable chain having a first end connected to the base and a second end connected to the first drive mechanism. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the base comprises a housing and the cable chain is located in the housing and extends in a loop between the first and the second end, and the first drive mechanism translates relative to the base in the scan mode and a leading edge of the loop travels at a lower speed than a speed at which the first drive mechanism translates relative to the base. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the housing of the base comprises a bearing surface that mates with a scan drive mechanism of the first drive mechanism for translating the at least one imaging component relative to the base in the scan mode. 8. The system of claim 2, wherein the base comprises a central opening and the first drive mechanism is located within the central opening, and the at least one imaging component is located in a gantry that is mounted above the first drive mechanism, and the weight of the gantry and at least one imaging component is supported by the first drive mechanism during the transport mode and the scan mode. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the first drive mechanism comprises a main drive geared into a drive wheel and a suspension system coupled between a first portion of the first drive mechanism and the drive wheel, and the suspension system is tuned to expect a given downward force on the drive wheel from components of the system that are supported by the drive wheel. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the suspension system is configured to raise the first portion of the first drive mechanism, the gantry and the at least one imaging component away from the drive wheel when the second drive mechanism raises the base from the ground. 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the suspension system is configured to lower the first portion of the first drive mechanism, the gantry and the at least one imaging component towards the drive wheel when the second drive mechanism lowers the base to the ground. 12. The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one caster is one of a plurality of casters in the base, and the second drive mechanism is one of a plurality of second drive mechanisms located in the base, each second drive mechanism of the plurality of second drive mechanisms operable to extend and retract at least one caster of the plurality of casters. 13. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is an x-ray CT imaging system. 14. A mobile imaging system, comprising: a base having a plurality of casters;a first drive mechanism that moves the entire mobile imaging system in a transport mode and translates at least one imaging component relative to the base in a scan mode; anda plurality of second drive mechanisms located in the base, each second drive mechanism operable to extend at least one caster of the plurality of casters relative to the base to raise the base off the ground in the transport mode, and to retract the at least one caster relative to the base to lower the base to the ground in the scan mode,wherein each second drive mechanism of the plurality of second drive mechanisms comprises a motor coupled to an actuator that drives the extension and retraction of at least one caster of the plurality of casters. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of second drive mechanisms comprises a suspension system located between at least one caster of the plurality of casters and the actuator, wherein a spring force of the suspension systems varies based on an amount of weight supported by the at least one caster coupled to the respective suspension system. 16. A caster system for a mobile apparatus, comprising: a base containing at least one housing for a caster; andat least one caster, attached to the base, the at least one caster having a wheel defining a wheel axis and a swivel joint defining a swivel axis and a pivot point defining a pivot axis, wherein the at least one caster pivots on the pivot axis as the at least one caster is retracted into the at least one housing and extended out of the at least one housing, the at least one caster has a first offset distance between the wheel axis and the swivel axis when the at least one caster is extended and a second offset distance between the wheel axis and the swivel axis when the at least one caster is retracted, and the second offset axis is less than the first offset axis, and the at least one housing for the at least one caster has at least one dimension such that the at least one housing is not large enough to receive the at least one caster when the at least one caster has the first offset distance.
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