Patent Publication Number: US-2023133565-A1

Title: Handle structure of radiation detecting device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the priority benefits of Korean application no. 10-2021-0145751, filed on Oct. 28, 2021. The entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification. 
     FIELD 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate to a handle structure detachably coupled to a radiation detecting device, and more particularly to a handle structure of a radiation detecting device, which can be detachably coupled to the radiation detecting device in any direction to allow a user to rapidly and stably carry the radiation detecting device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Radiation refers to alpha rays (α-rays), beta rays (β-rays), gamma rays (γ-rays), X-rays (X rays), and the like emitted upon radioactive decay of a radioactive element having an unstable atomic nucleus. Since radiation provides no color, taste, sound, smell or feeling, the human sensory organs cannot detect radiation. Thus, a separate detector must be used to detect radiation. 
     Conventionally, radiation is mainly used for medical purposes, such as diagnosis of diseases and the like, through implementation of images of an internal structure of the human body (e.g., chest, abdomen, pelvis, skull, and the like) by analyzing attenuation of X-rays passing through an object using the phenomenon that X-rays (X-rays) are attenuated according to material, density and thickness of the object while passing through the object. In recent years, radiation is used not only in the medical field, but also in various fields, such as industrial and security fields, materials science fields, astrophysics, and air/water pollution monitoring. 
     With expansion of the application field of radiation, a radiation imaging location has also been expanded from indoors to outdoors and an imaging target has also been diversified from the human body to various materials. 
     Thus, there is increasing demand for a portable radiation detecting device in the art. 
     Accordingly, as a typical radiation detecting device, an X-ray detector is provided with a handle such that a user can easily carry the X-ray detector by gripping the handle. However, since a coupling direction of the handle to the X-ray detector is predetermined in one direction of the typical X-ray detector, the coupling direction of the handle must be adjusted with respect to the X-ray detector, thereby causing difficulty in rapid coupling between the X-ray detector and the handle. 
     Moreover, conventionally, since the handle is slid into a groove formed on the X-ray detector upon coupling of the handle to the X-ray detector, the handle can be coupled to the X-ray detector only in one direction, thereby making it difficult to achieve rapid connection or separation between the handle and the X-ray detector and providing low coupling stability due to a clearance therebetween. As a result, the X-ray detector can be destructed when falling to the ground due to disconnection between the handle and the X-ray detector while the X-ray detector is carried by a user. 
     That is, such a typical handle structure for improvement in portability of the radiation detecting device cannot guarantee coupling stability. 
     RELATED LITERATURE 
     Patent Document 
     KR Patent Laid-open Publication No. 10-2013-0040757 (Apr. 24, 2013) 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present invention are conceived to solve the above problems in the art and provide a handle structure of a radiation detecting device, which can be detachably coupled to the radiation detecting device in any direction, can secure convenience in coupling between a handle and the radiation detecting device, and allows the handle to be rapidly detachably coupled to the radiation detecting device, thereby solving the problems of the typical radiation detecting device. 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide a handle structure of a radiation detecting device, which can minimize a clearance between the radiation detecting device and a handle while improving coupling stability therebetween. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a handle structure of a radiation detecting device includes: a body to be gripped by a user; first and second latch shafts each having one end protruding from the body to be inserted into and coupled to a coupling groove(including hole) formed on the radiation detecting device; a connecting shaft connecting the other ends of the first and second latch shafts to each other; first and second push shafts brought into contact with the radiation detecting device and vertically moving upwards; a first connecting portion connecting the first push shaft to the first latch shaft; a second connecting portion connecting the second push shaft to the second latch shaft; and a button moved by manipulation of a user to release a coupling state of the first and second latch shafts, wherein one end of each of the first and second push shafts protrudes from the body and is brought into contact with the radiation detecting device to force the first and second push shafts to move vertically upon coupling to the radiation detecting device; and, upon vertical movement of the first and second push shafts, the first and second latch shafts are rotated by a predetermined angle through the first and second connecting portions and a latch portion formed on the one end of each of the first and second latch shafts is rotated to be latched to the radiation detecting device. 
     In one embodiment, the connecting portion may be composed of one of a triaxial link and a sliding cam. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a handle structure of a radiation detecting device includes: a body to be gripped by a user; first and second latch shafts each having one end protruding from the body to be inserted into and coupled to a coupling groove formed on the radiation detecting device; a connecting shaft connecting the other ends of the first and second latch shafts to each other; protrusions protruding from the first and second latch shafts, respectively; a stopper formed on an inner surface of the body and restricting rotational locations of the protrusions formed on the first and second latch shafts; and a button moved by manipulation of a user to release a coupling state of the first and second latch shafts, wherein the button is slid to allow the first and second latch shafts to rotate through the connecting shaft and a latch portion formed on one end of each of the first and second latch shafts is rotated to be coupled to the radiation detecting device after passing through the coupling groove of the radiation detecting device such that the latch portions are rotated and latched to the radiation detecting device when slide driving of the button is released. 
     In one embodiment, the latch portion may be provided at a lower side thereof with a slanted portion to guide coupling of the latch portion to the coupling groove of the radiation detecting device. 
     In one embodiment, each of the first and second latch shafts may be provided with at least one bearing to support the corresponding latch shaft while preventing the latch shaft from shaking. 
     In one embodiment, the button may be provided at one side thereof with a spring and one or both of the first push shaft and the second push shaft may be provided at an upper portion thereof with a spring such that the body is prevented from shaking by pushing force from the spring on the upper portion of the push shaft and the first and second latch shafts are rotated and then secured by tension of each of the springs. 
     In one embodiment, the first and second latch shafts may be simultaneously rotated through the connecting shaft by the same angle in the same direction. 
     According to the present invention, the handle structure of the radiation detecting device can be detachably coupled to the radiation detecting device in any direction, can secure convenience in coupling between the handle and the radiation detecting device, and allows the handle to be detachably coupled to the radiation detecting device, thereby securing convenience in conveyance of the radiation detecting device. 
     According to the present invention, the handle structure of the radiation detecting device adopts a shaft rotation latch mechanism instead of a sliding coupling mechanism to minimize a clearance between the radiation detecting device and the handle while improving coupling stability therebetween, thereby preventing the radiation detecting device from being damaged when falling to the ground. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic perspective view of a handle structure of a radiation detecting device according to one embodiment of the present invention, which is coupled to the radiation detecting device; 
         FIG.  2    is a schematic perspective view of the handle structure according to the embodiment of the present invention, which is separated from the radiation detecting device; 
         FIG.  3    and  FIG.  4    are views of a first embodiment of a handle structure of a radiation detecting device according to the present invention; 
         FIG.  5    is a conceptual view of the handle structure coupled to the radiation detecting device according to the present invention; 
         FIG.  6    and  FIG.  7    are views of a second embodiment of a handle structure of a radiation detecting device according to the present invention; 
         FIG.  8    and  FIG.  9    are views of a third embodiment of a handle structure of a radiation detecting device according to the present invention; and 
         FIG.  10    is a view of a handle structure of a radiation detecting device according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like components will be denoted by like reference numerals throughout the specification. 
     It should be understood that the following embodiments can be modified in various ways and the present invention is not limited thereto. 
       FIG.  1    is a schematic perspective view of a handle structure of a radiation detecting device according to one embodiment of the present invention, which is coupled to the radiation detecting device;  FIG.  2    is a schematic perspective view of the handle structure according to the embodiment of the present invention, which is separated from the radiation detecting device;  FIG.  3    and  FIG.  4    are views of a first embodiment of a handle structure of a radiation detecting device according to the present invention;  FIG.  5    is a conceptual view of the handle structure coupled to the radiation detecting device according to the present invention;  FIG.  6    and  FIG.  7    are views of a second embodiment of a handle structure of a radiation detecting device according to the present invention;  FIG.  8    and  FIG.  9    are views of a third embodiment of a handle structure of a radiation detecting device according to the present invention; and  FIG.  10    is a view of a handle structure of a radiation detecting device according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1    to  FIG.  10   , a handle structure of a radiation detecting device according to the present invention will be described. 
     First, referring to  FIG.  1    to  FIG.  5   , a handle structure  100  according to one embodiment of the present invention is detachably coupled to a radiation detecting device  10  and includes: a body  110  to be gripped by a user to stably carry the radiation detecting device  10 ; first and second latch shafts  111 ,  112  each having one end protruding from the body  110  to be inserted into and coupled to a coupling groove(including hole)  20  formed on the radiation detecting device; a connecting shaft  140  connecting the other ends of the first and second latch shafts  111 ,  112  to each other; first and second push shafts  121 ,  122  brought into contact with the radiation detecting device  10  and vertically moving upwards; a first connecting portion  131  connecting the first push shaft  121  to the first latch shaft  111 ; a second connecting portion  132  connecting the second push shaft  122  to the second latch shaft  112 ; and a button  150  moved by manipulation of a user to release a coupling state of the first and second latch shafts  111 ,  112 . 
     One end of each of the first and second push shafts  121 ,  122  protrudes from the body and is brought into contact with the radiation detecting device  10  to move vertically upon coupling to the radiation detecting device  10 . 
     Upon vertical movement of the first and second push shafts  121 ,  122 , the first and second latch shafts  111 ,  112  are rotated by a predetermined angle through the first and second connecting portions  131 ,  132  and latch portions  111   a,    112   a  formed on the ends of the first and second latch shafts  111 ,  112  are rotated to be latched to the radiation detecting device  10 . 
     The latch portions  111   a,    112   a  formed on the ends of the first and second latch shafts  111 ,  112  are inserted into coupling grooves  21 ,  22  formed on the radiation detecting device  10 , respectively. As the latch portions  111   a,    112   a  are inserted into the coupling grooves  21 ,  22 , the first and second push shafts  121 ,  122  are brought into contact with an upper end of the radiation detecting device  10  and vertically move upwards. 
       FIG.  3    and  FIG.  4    are views of a first embodiment of the handle structure of the radiation detecting device according to the present invention, in which each of the first and second connecting portions  131 ,  132  is composed of a triaxial link. 
       FIG.  4 ( a )  shows the handle structure  100  not coupled to the radiation detecting device  10  and  FIG.  4 ( b )  shows the handle structure  100  coupled to the radiation detecting device  10 . 
     Upon coupling of the handle structure  100  to the radiation detecting device  10 , among the first and second latch shafts  111 ,  112  protruding from a lower side of the body  110  that can be gripped by a user and the first and second push shafts  121 ,  122 , the first and second latch shafts  111 ,  112  are inserted into the coupling grooves and the first and second push shafts  121 ,  122  are brought into contact with the upper end of the radiation detecting device  10  to vertically move upwards, as shown in  FIG.  4 ( b ) . 
     By vertical movement of the first and second push shafts  121 ,  122 , the first latch shaft  111  is rotated through the first connecting portion  131  connected to the first push shaft  121  and the second latch shaft  112  is rotated through the second connecting portion  132  connected to the second push shaft  122 . 
     The first and second latch shafts  111 ,  112  are rotated by 90 degrees and the latch portions  111   a,    112   a  formed on the ends of the first and second latch shafts  111 ,  112  are rotated to be securely latched to the radiation detecting device  10 . 
     Each of the first and second latch shafts  111 ,  112  is provided with at least one bearing to support the corresponding latch shaft while preventing the corresponding latch shaft from shaking. 
     At least one bearing  171  to  174  is provided to the latch shaft and is received inside the body  110 . The bearings  171  to  174  may be provided to lower sides  171 ,  172  of the connecting portions  131 ,  132 , to upper sides  173 ,  174  thereof, or to both sides thereof. 
       FIG.  5 ( a )  shows the latch portion  111   a  inserted into the coupling groove  20  and  FIG.  5 ( b )  shows the latch portion  111   a  secured to the coupling groove  20  through latch coupling after the latch portion  111   a  is inserted into and rotated in the coupling groove  20 . 
     Specifically, when the latch portion  111   a  is inserted into the coupling groove  20 , the latch portion  111   a  is not in a state of being rotated. Then, the latch portion  111   a  is secured to the radiation detecting device  10  through rotation by 90 degrees and latch coupling to the coupling groove  20 . 
       FIG.  6    and  FIG.  7    are views of a second embodiment of the handle structure of the radiation detecting device according to the present invention, in which each of the connecting portions  133 ,  134  is composed of a sliding cam. 
     Accordingly, the connecting portion may be composed of various mechanisms, such as a triaxial link or a sliding cam, which can connect the vertically movable push shaft to the latch shaft to rotate the latch shaft to a predetermined angle. 
       FIG.  7 ( a )  shows the handle structure  100  not coupled to the radiation detecting device  10  and  FIG.  7 ( b )  shows the handle structure  100  coupled to the radiation detecting device  10 . 
     Upon coupling of the handle structure  100  to the radiation detecting device  10 , among the first and second latch shafts  111 ,  112  protruding from the lower side of the body  110  that can be gripped by a user and the first and second push shafts  121 ,  122 , the first and second latch shafts  111 ,  112  are inserted into the coupling grooves and the first and second push shafts  121 ,  122  are brought into contact with the upper end of the radiation detecting device  10  to vertically move upwards, as shown in  FIG.  7 ( b ) . 
     By vertical movement of the first and second push shafts  121 ,  122 , the first latch shaft  111  is rotated through the first connecting portion  131  connected to the first push shaft  121  and the second latch shaft  112  is rotated through the second connecting portion  132  connected to the second push shaft  122 . 
     The first and second latch shafts  111 ,  112  are rotated by 90 degrees and the latch portions  111   a,    112   a  formed on the ends of the first and second latch shafts  111 ,  112  are rotated to be securely latched to the radiation detecting device  10 . 
     In addition, the button  150  may be provided at one side thereof with a spring  165  and one or both of the first push shaft  121  and the second push shaft  122  may be provided at an upper portion thereof with a spring  161 . 
     With this structure, the body  110  can be prevented from shaking by pushing force from the spring  161  on the upper portion of the push shaft and the first and second latch shafts  111 ,  112  are rotated and then secured by tension of each of the springs. 
     Further, the first and second latch shafts  111 ,  112  may be simultaneously rotated through the connecting shaft  140  by the same angle in the same direction. 
     Here, the rotation angle of each of the first and second latch shafts may be set to 90 degrees in order to allow the first and second latch shafts to be latched to the radiation detecting device  10  after insertion into the coupling grooves  20  and the first and second latch shafts may be separated from the radiation detecting device through the coupling grooves  20  by manipulation of the button  150  to release the first and second latch shafts from the coupling groove  20  through rotation to original locations thereof. 
     Further, the button  150  is connected to a connecting terminal  141  protruding upwards from the connecting shaft  140  and rotates the latch shafts connected to both ends of the connecting shaft by 90 degrees to release a latched state of the latch shafts upon sliding of the button. 
       FIG.  8    and  FIG.  9    are views of a third embodiment of the handle structure of the radiation detecting device according to the present invention, which includes: a body  110  to be gripped by a user; first and second latch shafts  111 ,  112  each having one end protruding from the body  110  to be inserted into and coupled to a coupling groove  21  or  22  formed on the radiation detecting device; a connecting shaft  140  connecting the other ends of the first and second latch shafts  111 ,  112  to each other; and a button  150  moved by manipulation of a user to release a coupling state of the first and second latch shafts  111 ,  112 . 
       FIG.  9 ( a )  shows the handle structure  100  not coupled to the radiation detecting device  10 ,  FIG.  9 ( b )  shows latch portions  111   a,    112   aa  in a rotated state for coupling to the coupling grooves  21 ,  22  of the radiation detecting device  10 , and  FIG.  9 ( c )  shows the handle structure  100  coupled to the radiation detecting device  10 . 
     The button  150  is slid to allow the first and second latch shafts  111 ,  112  to rotate through the connecting shaft  140  and the latch portion  111   a  or  112   a  formed on one end of each of the first and second latch shafts  111 ,  112  is rotated by 90 degrees to be coupled to the radiation detecting device after passing through the coupling groove  21  or  22  of the radiation detecting device. When slide driving of the button is released, the latch portions  111   a,    112   a  are rotated by 90 degrees and latched to the radiation detecting device  10 . 
     In addition, first and second protrusions  135 ,  136  may protrude from outer circumferential surfaces of the first and second latch shafts  111 ,  112 , respectively; and a stopper  139  may be formed on an inner surface of the body  110  to restrict rotational locations of the protrusions  135 ,  136  formed on the first and second latch shafts  111 ,  112 . The stopper  139  may be placed at a location corresponding to the first latch shaft and/or a location corresponding to the second latch shaft  112  on the inner surface of the body  110 . 
     With this structure, the stopper restricts rotation of the first and second latch shafts  111 ,  112  to 90 degrees upon coupling or separation of the handle, thereby enabling stable coupling of the handle and easy disconnection thereof. 
     In addition, each of the latch portions  111   a,    112   a  is provided at a lower side thereof with a slanted portion  111   b  or  112   b  to guide coupling of the latch portions  111   a,    112   a  to the coupling grooves  21 ,  22  of the radiation detecting device such that the latch portions  111   a,    112   a  can be easily coupled to the coupling grooves  21 ,  22 , respectively. 
       FIG.  10    is a view of a handle structure of a radiation detecting device according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which the latch portions  111   a,    112   a  are provided with the slanted portions  111   b,    112   b  and further provided with resilient members  111   c,    112   c  formed of a rubber, a urethane resin, a silicone resin, or the like on upper ends thereof, which will contact the radiation detecting device  10  when coupled to the radiation detecting device  10 , to prevent the body  110  from shaking upon conveyance of the radiation detecting device while securing coupling stability. 
     In addition, the button  150  is formed to the same height as or a lower height than the body  110  instead of protruding from an upper end of the body  110 , thereby preventing malfunction of the button  150  when the handle is gripped by a user. 
     Since the button  150  not protruding from the upper end of the body  110  does not allow easy manipulation by a user, the button  150  may be provided with a manipulation groove  151  such that a user can insert a finger into the manipulation groove upon manipulation of the button  150 , thereby facilitating manipulation of the button  150  to slide. 
     According to the present invention, the handle structure of the radiation detecting device can be detachably coupled to the radiation detecting device in any direction, can secure convenience in coupling between the handle and the radiation detecting device, and allows the handle to be detachably coupled to the radiation detecting device, thereby securing convenience in conveyance of the radiation detecting device. 
     In addition, according to the present invention, the handle structure of the radiation detecting device adopts a shaft rotation latch mechanism instead of a sliding coupling mechanism to minimize a clearance between the radiation detecting device and the handle while improving coupling stability therebetween, thereby preventing the radiation detecting device from being damaged when falling to the ground. 
     Although some embodiments have been described herein, it should be understood that these embodiments are provided for illustration only and are not to be construed in any way as limiting the present invention, and that various modifications, changes, and alterations can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereto.