Caster and medical equipment

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of caster, including base (10), roller (20), locking block (30), slider (40) and motor (60).Roller is rotatably arranged in base.Locking block is movably arranged in base.Slider is movably arranged between end position and initial position in base, slider can drive locking block synchronous movement, after slider moves from initial position to end position, slider is locked in locking position between end position and initial position, locking block blocks roller rotation at this time, after locked slider moves to end position again, slider can move from end position to initial position, locking block releases roller at this time.Motor is arranged in base and can drive slider to move to end position.The caster can automatically make locking or releasing action, and power consumption is low.The utility model further provides medical equipment comprising the above-mentioned caster.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of medical equipment, and more particularly to a caster for medical equipment, and medical equipment including the caster. Background Technology

[0002] For example, medical equipment used in ultrasound diagnostic systems is typically equipped with casters for easy movement. For safety reasons, medical equipment needs to be secured in certain scenarios, therefore the casters need to have a locking function. Current casters usually employ either mechanical or electromagnetic locking. Mechanical locking requires manual locking or unlocking, which is very cumbersome when operating multiple casters. Electromagnetic locking requires continuous power during locking or unlocking, thus necessitating a large-capacity battery, increasing the weight of the medical equipment and taking up valuable space. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a caster that can automatically lock or release, and consumes little power.

[0004] Another objective of this invention is to provide a medical device whose casters can automatically lock or release, and which consumes little power.

[0005] This invention provides a caster including a base, a roller, a locking block, a slider, and a motor. The base is used to connect other components of medical equipment. The roller is rotatably mounted on the base about an axis parallel to a first direction. The locking block is movably mounted on the base along the first direction and its opposite direction. The slider is movably mounted on the base along a second direction and its opposite direction between an end position and an initial position. The slider can drive the locking block to move synchronously. After the slider moves from the initial position to the end position, it is locked in a locked position between the end position and the initial position. At this time, the locking block prevents the roller from rotating. After the locked slider moves to the end position again, it can move from the end position back to the initial position, at which point the locking block releases the roller. The motor is mounted on the base and can drive the slider to move to the end position.

[0006] The caster provided by this utility model only needs to drive the slider to the end position each time to lock and reset the slider. With the synchronous movement of the slider and the locking block, the slider drives the locking block to block the roller rotation or release the roller. The caster can automatically lock or release under the drive of the motor. Moreover, the motor does not need to be powered when the caster is locked and released, so the power consumption is lower. It can be equipped with a small capacity battery to reduce the weight of medical equipment and does not take up the limited space of medical equipment.

[0007] In another illustrative embodiment of the caster, a heart-shaped groove is formed on the slider. The caster also includes an elastic element and a pull rod. The elastic element applies an elastic restoring force to the slider to drive the slider to move toward the initial position. One end of the pull rod is connected to the base, and the other end of the pull rod has a sliding pin that can slide in the heart-shaped groove. The slider, elastic element, and pull rod together form a reciprocating locking mechanism.

[0008] In another illustrative embodiment of the caster, the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. An inclined surface is formed on the slider, and a T-slot is formed on the inclined surface. A portion of the locking block is embedded in the T-slot, so that when the slider moves along the second direction and its opposite direction, it can drive the locking block to move along the first direction and its opposite direction.

[0009] In another illustrative embodiment of the caster, the caster includes two corresponding rollers and two locking blocks. The two rollers are disposed on both sides of the base along a first direction, and two inclined surfaces corresponding to the two locking blocks are formed on the slider. This improves the stability of the caster.

[0010] In another illustrative embodiment of the caster, the slider further includes a push rod that extends in a second direction and extends outwards to cover two rollers. This allows the caster to lock or release without being driven by a motor.

[0011] In another illustrative embodiment of the caster, the caster further includes a rotating shaft for connecting other components of the medical device. The rotating shaft is rotatably mounted on the base about an axis perpendicular to a second direction. A locking hole is formed on the rotating shaft, and the slider also includes a locking lever. When the slider moves to the locked position, the locking lever can insert into the locking hole to prevent the rotating shaft from rotating relative to the base. When the slider moves to the initial position, the locking lever disengages from the locking hole. This allows the caster to provide steering functionality, and the caster can lock its orientation after locking.

[0012] In another illustrative embodiment of the caster, the roller has first teeth arranged around its axis. The locking block has second teeth, which are engaged with the first teeth when the slider moves to the locked position. This facilitates the insertion of the locking block and prevents the roller from moving.

[0013] In another illustrative embodiment of the caster, the caster further includes a gear disposed on the motor, and the slider further includes a rack portion that extends in a second direction and meshes with the gear.

[0014] In another illustrative embodiment of the caster, the caster further includes a battery, a positioning sensor, and a control drive circuit. The battery is located in the base and connected to a motor. The positioning sensor is located in the base and can sense the slider located at its end. The control drive circuit connects the battery, the positioning sensor, and the motor. This allows the caster to automatically lock or release upon receiving a control signal.

[0015] This utility model also provides a medical device, including the casters described above. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The following figures are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating one possible embodiment of a caster.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a partial structural diagram used to illustrate the caster in the released state.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view used to illustrate the caster in the released state.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view used to illustrate the caster in the locked state.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a partial structural diagram used to illustrate the process of a caster switching from a released state to a locked state.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating the state of the caster in the locked state.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a partial structural diagram used to illustrate the process of a caster switching from a locked state to a released state.

[0024] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another part of the caster's structure.

[0025] Figure 9 for Figure 8 A magnified view of the area at position IX in the middle.

[0026] Figure 10 This is a magnified view used to illustrate the slider.

[0027] Figure 11 for Figure 8 A magnified view of the central XI position.

[0028] Figure 12 This is another partial structural block diagram used to illustrate the caster.

[0029] Label Explanation

[0030] 10 bases

[0031] 20 rollers

[0032] 21 First gear

[0033] 30 Locked Blocks

[0034] 31 Second gear

[0035] 40 sliders

[0036] 41 Heart-shaped groove

[0037] 411 First Slide

[0038] 412 Second Slide

[0039] 413 First Step

[0040] 414 Third Slide

[0041] 415 Second Step

[0042] 416 Fourth Slide

[0043] 417 Third Step

[0044] 418 Fourth Step

[0045] 42 bevel

[0046] 421T-type slot

[0047] 43. Push rod section

[0048] 44 Locking bar section

[0049] 45. Rack section

[0050] 52 Elastic element

[0051] 54 pull rod

[0052] 541 Sliding pin

[0053] 60 motor

[0054] 61 Gears

[0055] 70 Rotating shaft

[0056] 71 keyhole

[0057] 81 batteries

[0058] 82 Positioning Sensor

[0059] 83 Control Drive Circuit

[0060] X First Direction

[0061] Y Second Direction Detailed Implementation

[0062] To provide a clearer understanding of the technical features, objectives, and effects of this utility model, specific embodiments of the present utility model are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate components with the same or similar structures but the same function.

[0063] In this document, “illustrative” means “serving as an example, illustration or description”, and any illustration or implementation described herein as “illustrative” should not be construed as a more preferred or advantageous technical solution.

[0064] In this document, "first" and "second" do not indicate their importance or order, but are only used to distinguish them to facilitate the description of the document.

[0065] To keep the drawings simple, each drawing only schematically shows the parts related to this utility model, and they do not represent the actual structure of the product.

[0066] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating one possible embodiment of a caster. Figure 2 This is a partial structural diagram illustrating the caster in its released state. (Refer to...) Figure 1 and Figure 2 The caster includes a base 10, two rollers 20, two locking blocks 30, a slider 40, and a motor 60. The base 10 serves as the main body for connecting other components of the medical device. Each roller 20 is rotatably mounted on the base 10 about an axis parallel to a first direction X, and the two rollers 20 are located on both sides of the base 10 along the first direction X.

[0067] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view used to illustrate the caster in the released state. Figure 4 This is a sectional view illustrating the caster in the locked state. (Refer to...) Figure 3 and Figure 4 Each locking block 30 is movably disposed on the base 10 along the first direction X and its opposite direction.

[0068] Figure 5 This is a partial structural diagram used to illustrate the process of a caster switching from a released state to a locked state. Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating the state of the caster in the locked state. Figure 7 This is a partial structural diagram illustrating the process of a caster switching from a locked to a released state. (Refer to...) Figures 5 to 7The slider 40 is movably disposed on the base 10 between an end position and an initial position along a second direction Y and its opposite direction, where the second direction Y is perpendicular to the first direction X. The slider 40 can drive two locking blocks 30 to move synchronously. When the slider 40 moves from... Figure 2 The initial position shown moves to Figure 5 After reaching the end position shown, slider 40 is locked in the position shown. Figure 6 The locked position is shown between the end position and the initial position, at which point the two locking blocks 30 are as follows: Figure 4 The two rollers 20 are blocked from rotating as shown. The locked slider 40 is as follows... Figure 7 As shown, after moving to the end position again, the slider 40 can move from the end position to... Figure 2 The initial position is shown, at which point the two locking blocks 30 are as follows: Figure 3 The two rollers 20 are released as shown.

[0069] A motor 60 is mounted on the base 10, and the motor 60 is capable of driving the slider 40 to move to the end position. In the illustrative embodiment, see reference to... Figure 2 The caster also includes a gear 61, which is disposed on the motor 60. The slider 40 also includes a rack portion 45, which extends along the second direction Y and meshes with the gear 61. The rotation of the motor 60 can be converted into linear motion of the slider 40 along the second direction Y by the gear 61 and the rack portion 45.

[0070] In the illustrative embodiment, the caster includes two rollers 20 and two locking blocks 30. The two rollers 20 can balance the force, improving the stability of the caster. However, it is not limited to this. In other illustrative embodiments, the caster may also include only one roller 20 and one locking block 30, and the second direction Y may not be perpendicular to the first direction X.

[0071] The caster provided by this utility model only requires the motor 60 to drive the slider 40 to the end position each time to lock and reset the slider. With the synchronous movement of the slider 40 and the locking block 30, the slider 40 drives the locking block 30 to block the roller 20 from rotating or release the roller 20. The caster can automatically lock or release under the drive of the motor 60. Moreover, the motor 60 does not need to be kept powered when the caster is locked and released, so the power consumption is lower. It can be equipped with a small capacity battery to reduce the weight of medical equipment and does not take up the limited space of medical equipment.

[0072] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 4 The slider 40 also includes a push rod 43, which extends along the second direction Y and extends two rollers 20. This allows the casters to lock or release without being driven by the motor 60, and the casters can still be locked or released in the event of a motor 60 failure.

[0073] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 5 In the illustrative embodiment, the caster also includes a rotating shaft 70 for connecting other components of the medical device. The rotating shaft 70 is rotatably mounted on the base 10 about an axis perpendicular to the second direction Y. A locking hole 71 is formed on the rotating shaft 70. The slider 40 also includes a locking lever 44. When the slider 40 moves to the locked position, the locking lever 44 can insert into the locking hole 71 to prevent the rotating shaft 70 from rotating relative to the base 10. When the slider 40 moves to the initial position, the locking lever 44 disengages from the locking hole 71. The rotating shaft 70 enables the caster to provide steering functionality, and the caster can lock its orientation after locking.

[0074] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another part of the caster's structure. Figure 9 for Figure 8 A magnified view of the area at position IX. (Refer to...) Figure 8 and Figure 9 The slider 40 has a heart-shaped groove 41. The caster also includes an elastic element 52 and a pull rod 54. The elastic element 52 is a compression spring, which is disposed between the base 10 and the slider 40 and applies an elastic restoring force to the slider 40 to drive the slider 40 to move toward the initial position. One end of the pull rod 54 is connected to the base 10, and the other end of the pull rod 54 has a sliding pin 541, which can slide in the heart-shaped groove 41. The slider 40, the elastic element 52, and the pull rod 54 together form a reciprocating locking mechanism.

[0075] Figure 10 This is a magnified view used to illustrate the slider. (Refer to...) Figure 9 and Figure 10 The heart-shaped groove 41 includes a first groove 411, a second groove 412, a third groove 414, and a fourth groove 416. The first end of the second groove 412 is connected to the tail end of the first groove 411. The tail end of the second groove 412 and the first end of the first groove 411 are located on the same side of the tail end of the first groove 411 along the second direction Y. A first step 413 is provided at the connection between the second groove 412 and the first groove 411, so that the second groove 412 at the connection is lower than the first groove 411. After the sliding pin 541 slides from the first groove 411 into the second groove 412, the first step 413 prevents the sliding pin 541 from sliding along the second groove 412 and from sliding into the first groove 411.

[0076] The first end of the third slide groove 414 connects to the tail end of the second slide groove 412. The tail end of the third slide groove 414 and the first end of the second slide groove 412 are located on the same side of the tail end of the second slide groove 412 along the second direction Y. A second step 415 is provided at the connection between the third slide groove 414 and the second slide groove 412, so that the third slide groove 414 at the connection is lower than the second slide groove 412. After the sliding pin 541 slides from the second slide groove 412 into the third slide groove 414, the second step 415 prevents the sliding pin 541 from sliding along the third slide groove 414 and from sliding into the second slide groove 412.

[0077] The first end of the fourth slide groove 416 connects to the last end of the third slide groove 414. The last end of the fourth slide groove 416 and the first end of the third slide groove 414 are located on the same side of the last end of the third slide groove 414 along the second direction Y. A third step 417 is provided at the connection between the fourth slide groove 416 and the third slide groove 414, so that the fourth slide groove 416 at the connection is lower than the second slide groove 412. After the sliding pin 541 slides from the third slide groove 414 into the fourth slide groove 416, the third step 417 prevents the sliding pin 541 from sliding along the fourth slide groove 416 and thus preventing it from sliding into the third slide groove 414.

[0078] The tail end of the fourth slide groove 416 connects to the head end of the first slide groove 411. A fourth step 418 is provided at the connection between the fourth slide groove 416 and the first slide groove 411, so that the first slide groove 411 at the connection is lower than the fourth slide groove 416. After the sliding pin 541 slides from the fourth slide groove 416 into the first slide groove 411, the fourth step 418 prevents the sliding pin 541 from sliding along the first slide groove 411 and thus prevents it from sliding into the fourth slide groove 416.

[0079] During the movement of slider 40 from the initial position to the end position, sliding pin 541 slides from the first end of the first slide groove 411 to the last end and enters the second slide groove 412. During the movement of slider 40 from the end position to the initial position, sliding pin 541 slides from the first end of the second slide groove 412 to the last end and enters the third slide groove 414. At this time, sliding pin 541 abuts against the first end of the third slide groove 414 to lock slider 40 in the locked position. During the movement of the locked slider 40 to the end position again, sliding pin 541 slides from the first end of the third slide groove 414 to the last end and enters the fourth slide groove 416. During the movement of slider 40 from the end position to the initial position, sliding pin 541 slides from the first end of the fourth slide groove 416 to the last end and enters the first slide groove 411. Thus, the reciprocating locking mechanism completes one cycle.

[0080] Figure 11 for Figure 8 A magnified view of the area at position XI. (Refer to...) Figure 8 and Figure 11A slope 42 is formed on the slider 40, and a T-slot 421 is formed on the slope 42. A part of the locking block 30 is embedded in the T-slot 421. When the slider 40 moves along the second direction Y and its opposite direction, the inner surface of the T-slot 421 can drive the locking block 30 to move along the first direction X and its opposite direction.

[0081] Reference Figure 8 In the illustrative embodiment, each roller 20 has a first tooth 21 arranged around its axis. Each locking block 30 has a second tooth 31. When the slider 40 moves to the locked position, the locking block 30 is driven by the slider 40 to engage the second tooth 31 with the first tooth 21, thereby preventing the roller 20 from rotating. By setting the first tooth 21 and the second tooth 31 to form gaps on the roller 20 and the locking block 30 respectively, it is convenient for the locking block 30 to be inserted and to block the roller 20.

[0082] Figure 12 This is another partial structural block diagram used to illustrate the caster. (Refer to...) Figure 12 The caster also includes a battery 81, a positioning sensor 82, and a control drive circuit 83. The battery 81 is located on the base 10 and connected to the motor 60. The positioning sensor 82 is located on the base 10 and can sense the slider 40 located at its end. The control drive circuit 83 connects the battery 81, the positioning sensor 82, and the motor 60. This allows the caster to automatically lock or release upon receiving a control signal.

[0083] This utility model also provides a medical device, including the casters described above.

[0084] It should be understood that although this specification is described according to various embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This way of describing the specification is only for clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other implementation methods that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0085] The detailed descriptions listed above are merely specific descriptions of feasible embodiments of the present utility model, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present utility model. All equivalent implementation schemes or modifications made without departing from the spirit of the present utility model, such as combinations, divisions or repetitions of features, should be included within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A caster, characterized in that, include: A base (10) for connecting other components of the medical device; A roller (20) is rotatably disposed on the base (10) about an axis parallel to the first direction (X); A locking block (30) is movably disposed on the base (10) along the first direction (X) and its opposite direction; A slider (40) is movably disposed on the base (10) along a second direction (Y) and its opposite direction between an end position and an initial position. The slider (40) can drive the locking block (30) to move synchronously. After the slider (40) moves from the initial position to the end position, the slider (40) is locked in a locked position between the end position and the initial position. At this time, the locking block (30) blocks the roller (20) from rotating. After the locked slider (40) moves to the end position again, the slider (40) can move from the end position to the initial position. At this time, the locking block (30) releases the roller (20). as well as A motor (60) is disposed on the base (10), and the motor (60) is capable of driving the slider (40) to move to the end position.

2. The caster as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The slider (40) has a heart-shaped groove (41) formed on it, and the caster also includes: An elastic element (52) applies an elastic restoring force to the slider (40) to drive the slider (40) toward the initial position; and A pull rod (54) is connected at one end to the base (10), and the other end of the pull rod (54) has a sliding pin (541) which can slide in the heart-shaped groove (41). The slider (40), the elastic element (52) and the pull rod (54) together form a reciprocating locking mechanism.

3. The caster as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The second direction (Y) is perpendicular to the first direction (X); a slope (42) is formed on the slider (40), and a T-slot (421) is formed on the slope (42). A portion of the locking block (30) is embedded in the T-slot (421), so that when the slider (40) moves along the second direction (Y) and its opposite direction, it can drive the locking block (30) to move along the first direction (X) and its opposite direction.

4. The caster as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The caster includes two corresponding rollers (20) and two locking blocks (30). The two rollers (20) are arranged on both sides of the base (10) along the first direction (X). The slider (40) has two inclined surfaces (42) corresponding to the two locking blocks (30).

5. The caster as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The slider (40) also includes a push rod (43) that extends along the second direction (Y) and extends two rollers (20).

6. The caster as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The caster also includes a rotating shaft (70) for connecting other components of the medical device. The rotating shaft (70) is rotatably mounted on the base (10) about an axis perpendicular to the second direction (Y). A locking hole (71) is formed on the rotating shaft (70). The slider (40) also includes a locking lever (44). When the slider (40) moves to the locked position, the locking lever (44) can be inserted into the locking hole (71) to prevent the rotating shaft (70) from rotating relative to the base (10). When the slider (40) moves to the initial position, the locking lever (44) disengages from the locking hole (71).

7. The caster as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The roller (20) has a first tooth (21) arranged around its axis; the locking block (30) has a second tooth (31). When the slider (40) moves to the locked position, the locking block (30) is driven by the slider (40) to make the second tooth (31) mesh with the first tooth (21).

8. The caster as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The caster also includes a gear (61) disposed on the motor (60), and the slider (40) also includes a rack portion (45) extending along the second direction (Y) and meshing with the gear (61).

9. The caster as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The casters also include: A battery (81) is disposed on the base (10) and connected to the motor (60); A positioning sensor (82) is disposed on the base (10) and is capable of sensing the slider (40) located at the end position; and A control drive circuit (83) is connected to the battery (81), the positioning sensor (82), and the motor (60).

10. Medical equipment, characterized in that, The caster includes any one of claims 1 to 9.

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