Caster and medical equipment

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of caster, including base (10), gyro wheel (20), brake piece (30), first elastic member (31), driving part (40), screw rod (50) and motor (60). Base is used to connect other components of medical equipment. Gyro wheel is rotatably arranged in base. Brake piece is movably arranged between locking position and release position in base, brake piece can block gyro wheel rotation in locking position, in release position, gyro wheel can be released. First elastic member applies elastic restoring force to brake piece to drive brake piece towards release position movement. Driving part is movably arranged in base. Screw rod is arranged in driving part and can rotate to drive driving part movement, while driving part can drive brake piece towards locking position movement and keep brake piece in locking position. Motor is arranged in base, motor can be forward and reverse to drive screw rod. The utility model also 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, this equipment needs to be secured in certain situations, therefore the casters must have braking functionality. Current casters usually employ either mechanical or electromagnetic brakes. Mechanical brakes require manual braking or releasing, which can be cumbersome when operating multiple casters. Electromagnetic brakes require continuous power during braking or releasing, 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 utility model provides a caster, including a base, a roller, a brake, a first elastic element, a drive element, a screw, and a motor. The base is used to connect components of medical equipment. The roller is rotatably mounted on the base about an axis parallel to a first direction. The brake is movably mounted on the base between a locked position and a released position along a second direction and its opposite direction. In the locked position, the brake can prevent the roller from rotating; in the released position, the brake can release the roller. The first elastic element applies an elastic restoring force to the brake to drive the brake to move toward the released position. The drive element is movably mounted on the base along the second direction and its opposite direction. The screw passes through the drive element along the second direction and can rotate to drive the drive element. Simultaneously, the drive element can overcome the elastic restoring force of the first elastic element to drive the brake to move toward the locked position and hold the brake in the locked position. The motor is mounted on the base and can rotate forward and backward to drive the screw.

[0006] The caster provided by this utility model has a motor that, in conjunction with a screw, drives a drive component to move in one direction and the opposite direction via forward and reverse rotation. The drive component then drives a brake component to stop the roller's rotation, or a first elastic element drives the brake component to release the roller. The motor only needs to start when the caster performs a locking or releasing action; it does not need to remain powered during locking and releasing, resulting in lower power consumption. This allows for the use of a small-capacity battery to reduce the weight of medical equipment and avoids taking up valuable space.

[0007] In another illustrative embodiment of the caster, the caster also includes a swivel shaft for connecting components of the medical device, the shaft being rotatably mounted on the base about an axis perpendicular to a second direction. This allows the caster to provide steering functionality.

[0008] In another illustrative embodiment of the caster, a locking hole is formed on the rotating shaft. The caster also includes a locking member, which is movably disposed on the base between an inserted position and a retracted position along a second direction and its opposite direction. The locking member can move synchronously with the brake member. When the brake member is in the locked position, the locking member is in the inserted position, at which time the locking member is inserted into the locking hole to prevent the rotating shaft from rotating. When the brake member is in the released position, the locking member is in the retracted position, at which time the locking member is disengaged from the locking hole. In this way, the caster can lock its orientation after performing the locking action.

[0009] In another illustrative embodiment of the caster, the brake is movable from a locked position to a released position along a second direction, and the locking member is movable from an inserted position to a disengaged position along the opposite direction of the second direction. The caster also includes a rotating rod, a second elastic member, and a third elastic member. The rotating rod has a first drive end and a second drive end, and is rotatably mounted on a base about an axis parallel to the first direction between the first and second drive ends. The second elastic member applies an elastic restoring force to the rotating rod, causing the first drive end to remain against the brake in the opposite direction of the second direction. The third elastic member applies an elastic restoring force to the locking member to drive it toward the disengaged position, while simultaneously causing the locking member to remain against the second drive end in the opposite direction of the second direction. This allows the brake and locking members to move synchronously in opposite directions, facilitating structural design.

[0010] In another illustrative embodiment of the caster, the rotating rod includes two abutment wheels, which are rotatably disposed on a first drive end and a second drive end, respectively, and abut against a brake component and a locking component. This protects the brake component and locking component from being scratched by the rotating rod.

[0011] In another illustrative embodiment of the caster, the caster further includes a locking tongue, a fourth elastic element, an unlocking pedal, and a fifth elastic element. The locking tongue is movably disposed on the brake member between an extended position and a retracted position along a third direction and its opposite direction. The third direction is perpendicular to the first and second directions. The drive member can push the locking tongue in the extended position to drive the brake member toward the locked position and hold the brake member in the locked position. In the retracted position, the locking tongue can clear the path of the drive member. The fourth elastic element applies an elastic restoring force to the locking tongue to drive it toward the extended position. The unlocking pedal is movably disposed on the base between a pressed position and a released position. During movement toward the pressed position, the unlocking pedal can drive the locking tongue from the extended position to the retracted position. The fifth elastic element applies an elastic restoring force to the unlocking pedal to drive it toward the released position. This allows the caster to be manually unlocked when the motor malfunctions.

[0012] In another illustrative embodiment of the caster, the unlocking foot pedal is rotatably mounted on the base about an axis parallel to the first direction.

[0013] In another illustrative embodiment of the caster, the caster includes two rollers disposed on both sides of the base along a first direction. This improves the stability of the caster.

[0014] In another illustrative embodiment of the caster, brake teeth are formed on the roller at intervals around its axis. When the brake is moved to the locked position, the brake can be inserted between two adjacent brake teeth to prevent the roller from rotating. This facilitates the insertion of the brake and the blocking of the roller.

[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 partial cross-sectional structural diagram illustrating one schematic embodiment of a caster.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a top view diagram illustrating the structure of a caster.

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

[0020] Figure 4 This is a partial cross-sectional view diagram used to illustrate the process of unlocking the caster.

[0021] Figure 5This is a partial cross-sectional view diagram used to illustrate the caster in the unlocked state.

[0022] Label Explanation

[0023] 10 bases

[0024] 20 rollers

[0025] 21 Brake teeth

[0026] 30 Brake components

[0027] 31 First elastic element

[0028] 40 drive components

[0029] 50 screw

[0030] 60 motor

[0031] 70 Rotating shaft

[0032] 71 keyhole

[0033] 81 Locking component

[0034] 82 Rotating rod

[0035] 821 First Drive End

[0036] 822 Second Drive End

[0037] 823 docking ship

[0038] 83 Second elastic element

[0039] 84 Second elastic element

[0040] 91 Locking tongue

[0041] 92 Fourth elastic element

[0042] 93 Unlock pedals

[0043] 94 Fifth elastic element

[0044] X First Direction

[0045] Y Second Direction

[0046] Z Third Direction Detailed Implementation

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] Figure 1 This is a partial cross-sectional structural diagram illustrating one schematic embodiment of a caster. Figure 2 This is a top view diagram illustrating the structure of a caster. (Refer to...) Figure 1 and Figure 2 The caster includes a base 10, two rollers 20, a brake 30, a first elastic element 31, a drive element 40, a screw 50, 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.

[0052] Figure 3 This is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the caster in the locked state. (Refer to...) Figure 1 and Figure 3 The brake element 30 is movably disposed on the base 10 between a locked position and a released position along the second direction Y and its opposite direction. Figure 3 The locking position shown can prevent the roller 20 from rotating, and the brake 30 is in such a position as Figure 1 The release position shown allows the roller 20 to be released. The first elastic element 31 is a tension spring connecting the base 10 and the brake element 30, which applies an elastic restoring force to the brake element 30 to drive the brake element 30 to move toward the release position.

[0053] A drive member 40 is movably disposed on the base 10 along the second direction Y and its opposite direction. A screw 50 passes through the drive member 40 along the second direction Y. The screw 50 is rotatable to drive the drive member 40 to move. At the same time, the drive member 40 can overcome the elastic restoring force of the first elastic member 31 to drive the brake member 30 toward the locked position and hold the brake member 30 in the locked position. A motor 60 is disposed on the base 10. The motor 60 is capable of forward and reverse rotation to drive the screw 50.

[0054] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 3In the illustrative embodiment, when the motor 60 rotates forward, the screw 50 drives the drive member 40 to move to the right, thereby driving the brake member 30 towards the locked position and holding the brake member 30 in the locked position, at which time the caster is in a locked state. When the motor 60 rotates in reverse, the screw 50 drives the drive member 40 to move to the left. At this time, without the obstruction of the drive member 40, the brake member 30 moves to the unlocked position under the elastic restoring force of the first elastic member 31, at which time the caster is in an unlocked state.

[0055] In the illustrative embodiment, the caster includes two rollers 20, which can balance the force and improve 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.

[0056] The caster provided by this utility model has a motor 70 that, in conjunction with a screw 50, drives a drive component 40 to move in one direction and the opposite direction via forward and reverse rotation. The drive component 40 then drives a brake component 30 to stop the roller 20 from rotating, or the first elastic member 31 drives the brake component 30 to release the roller 20. The motor 70 only needs to be activated when the caster performs a locking or releasing action; it does not need to be kept energized during locking and releasing, resulting in lower power consumption. This allows for the use of a small-capacity battery to reduce the weight of medical equipment and avoids taking up valuable space.

[0057] In the illustrative embodiment, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 3 The roller 20 has brake teeth 21 spaced around its axis. When the brake member 30 moves to the locked position, the brake member 30 can insert between two adjacent brake teeth 21 to prevent the roller 20 from rotating. This facilitates the insertion of the brake member 30 and prevents the roller 20 from rotating.

[0058] In the illustrative embodiment, refer to Figure 1 The caster also includes a pivot 70, which is rotatably mounted on the base 10 about an axis perpendicular to the second direction Y. The base 10 can be connected to other components of the medical device via the pivot 70, enabling the caster to provide steering functionality. However, this is not a limitation; in other illustrative embodiments, the caster may not include the pivot 70, and the base 10 may be directly connected to other components of the medical device.

[0059] In the illustrative embodiment, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 3 A locking hole 71 is formed on the rotating shaft 70. The caster also includes a locking member 81, which is located along the second direction Y and its opposite direction. Figure 3 The insertion position shown and as Figure 1The caster wheel is movably positioned on the base 10 between the indicated exit positions. The locking member 81 moves synchronously with the brake member 30. When the brake member 30 is in the locked position, the locking member 81 is in the inserted position, inserting into the locking hole 71 to prevent the rotating shaft 70 from rotating. When the brake member 30 is in the released position, the locking member 81 is in the exit position, exiting the locking hole 71. This allows the caster wheel to lock its orientation after the locking action.

[0060] In the illustrative embodiment, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 3 The brake element 30 can move from the locked position to the released position along the second direction Y, and the locking element 81 can move from the inserted position to the disengaged position along the opposite direction of the second direction Y. The caster also includes a rotating rod 82, a second elastic element 83, and a third elastic element 84.

[0061] The rotating rod 82 has a first driving end 821 and a second driving end 822. The rotating rod 82 is rotatably mounted on the base 10 about an axis parallel to the first direction X between the first driving end 821 and the second driving end 822. The second elastic member 83 is a tension spring connecting the base 10 and the rotating rod 82. It applies an elastic restoring force to the rotating rod 82 to keep the first driving end 821 abutting against the brake member 30 in the opposite direction of the second direction Y. The third elastic member 84 is a compression spring connecting the base 10 and the rotating rod 82. It applies an elastic restoring force to the locking member 81 to drive the locking member 81 toward the disengaged position. At the same time, the elastic restoring force also keeps the locking member 81 abutting against the second driving end 822 in the opposite direction of the second direction Y.

[0062] When the brake element 30 is pushed to the locked position by the drive element 40, the brake element 30 can push the locking element 81 to the insertion position synchronously via the rotating rod 82. When the brake element 30 is driven to the release position by the elastic restoring force of the first elastic element 31, the locking element 81 moves synchronously to the exit position under the elastic restoring force of the third elastic element 84. The second elastic element 83 ensures that the rotating rod 82 can abut against the brake element 30 to achieve synchronous movement.

[0063] The above structure allows the brake element 30 and the locking element 81 to move synchronously in opposite directions, which facilitates structural design. However, it is not limited to this. In other illustrative embodiments, depending on the actual situation, the locking element 81 can be directly fixed to the brake element 30 and move synchronously with the brake element 30 in the same direction.

[0064] In the illustrative embodiment, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 3The rotating rod 82 includes two abutting wheels 823. The two abutting wheels 823 are rotatably mounted on the first drive end 821 and the second drive end 822, respectively, and abut against the brake component 30 and the locking component 81. The two abutting wheels 823 can roll instead of slide friction, protecting the brake component 30 and the locking component 81 from scratches by the rotating rod 82.

[0065] Figure 4 This is a partial cross-sectional view diagram used to illustrate the process of unlocking the caster. Figure 5 This is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the caster wheel in the unlocked state. (Refer to...) Figures 3 to 5 In the illustrative embodiment, the caster also includes a locking tongue 91, a fourth elastic element 92, an unlocking foot pedal 93, and a fifth elastic element 94.

[0066] Locking tongue 91 along the third direction Z and its opposite direction, such as Figure 3 The extended position shown and Figure 4 The brake member 30 is movably positioned between the retracted positions shown, with the third direction Z perpendicular to the first direction X and the second direction Y. The drive member 40 can push the latch member 91 in the extended position to drive the brake member 30 toward the locked position and hold the brake member 30 in the locked position. The latch member 91 in the retracted position can clear the movement path of the drive member 40. The fourth elastic member 92 is a compression spring connecting the brake member 30 and the latch member 91, which applies an elastic restoring force to the latch member 91 to drive the latch member 91 toward the extended position.

[0067] Unlock pedal 93 around an axis parallel to the first direction X, as shown in... Figure 4 The pressed position shown and as Figure 3 The unlocking foot pedal 93 is rotatably mounted on the base 10 between the raised and lowered positions. As it rotates towards the lowered position, the unlocking foot pedal 93 drives the locking tongue 91 from the extended position to the retracted position. The fifth elastic element 94 is a compression spring connecting the base 10 and the unlocking foot pedal 93, which applies an elastic restoring force to the unlocking foot pedal 93 to drive it towards the raised position. Although in this illustrative embodiment, the unlocking foot pedal 93 is rotatably mounted on the base 10, it is not limited to this. In other illustrative embodiments, depending on actual needs, the unlocking foot pedal 93 may also be movably mounted on the base 10 along a straight line.

[0068] When the caster is in the locked state, if the motor 60 malfunctions, the unlocking foot pedal 93 can be rotated to the pressed position by external force. The locking tongue 91 is driven to the retracted position, clearing the path of the drive member 40. With the drive member 40 no longer obstructing the movement, the brake member 30 moves to the unlocked position under the elastic restoring force of the first elastic member 31, thus unlocking the caster. This allows the caster to be manually unlocked when the motor 60 malfunctions.

[0069] This utility model also provides a medical device, including the casters described above.

[0070] 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.

[0071] 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: Base (10), which is used to connect medical equipment; A roller (20) is rotatably disposed on the base (10) about an axis parallel to the first direction (X). A brake (30) is movably disposed on the base (10) between a locked position and a released position along a second direction (Y) and its opposite direction. The brake (30) can block the rotation of the roller (20) in the locked position and can release the roller (20) in the released position. A first elastic element (31) applies an elastic restoring force to the brake element (30) to drive the brake element (30) toward the release position; A drive member (40) is movably disposed on the base (10) along the second direction (Y) and its opposite direction; A screw (50) is inserted through the drive member (40) along the second direction (Y). The screw (50) is rotatable to drive the drive member (40) to move. At the same time, the drive member (40) is able to overcome the elastic restoring force of the first elastic member (31) to drive the brake member (30) to move toward the locked position and hold the brake member (30) in the locked position. as well as A motor (60) is disposed on the base (10), and the motor (60) is capable of reversing to drive the screw (50).

2. The caster as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The caster also includes a rotating shaft (70) for connecting components of the medical device, the rotating shaft (70) being rotatably mounted on the base (10) about an axis perpendicular to the second direction (Y).

3. The caster as described in claim 2, characterized in that, A locking hole (71) is formed on the rotating shaft (70); the caster also includes a locking member (81), which is movably disposed on the base (10) along the second direction (Y) and its opposite direction between the insertion position and the withdrawal position. The locking member (81) can move synchronously with the brake member (30). When the brake member (30) is in the locking position, the locking member (81) is in the insertion position. At this time, the locking member (81) is inserted into the locking hole (71) to prevent the rotating shaft (70) from rotating. When the brake member (30) is in the release position, the locking member (81) is in the withdrawal position. At this time, the locking member (81) withdraws from the locking hole (71).

4. The caster as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The brake (30) is movable from the locked position to the released position along the second direction (Y), and the locking member (81) is movable from the inserted position to the disengaged position along the opposite direction of the second direction (Y); the caster also includes: A rotating rod (82) having a first driving end (821) and a second driving end (822) is rotatably disposed on the base (10) about an axis parallel to the first direction (X) between the first driving end (821) and the second driving end (822). The second elastic element (83) applies an elastic restoring force to the rotating rod (82) to keep the first driving end (821) abutting against the brake element (30) in the opposite direction of the second direction (Y); and The third elastic element (84) applies an elastic restoring force to the locking element (81) to drive the locking element (81) toward the exit position, while the elastic restoring force also keeps the locking element (81) against the second drive end (822) in the opposite direction of the second direction (Y).

5. The caster as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The rotating rod (82) includes two abutting wheels (823), which are rotatably disposed on the first driving end (821) and the second driving end (822), respectively, and the two abutting wheels (823) abut against the brake member (30) and the locking member (81), respectively.

6. The caster as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The casters also include: A locking tongue (91) is movably disposed on the brake (30) along a third direction (Z) and its opposite direction between an extended position and a retracted position. The third direction (Z) is perpendicular to the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y). The drive member (40) is capable of pushing the locking tongue (91) in the extended position to drive the brake (30) toward the locked position and hold the brake (30) in the locked position. The locking tongue (91) in the retracted position can clear the path of the drive member (40). A fourth elastic element (92) applies an elastic restoring force to the latch (91) to drive the latch (91) toward the extended position; An unlocking foot pedal (93) is movably disposed on the base (10) between a pressed position and a lifted position. The unlocking foot pedal (93) can drive the locking tongue (91) from the extended position to the retracted position as it moves toward the pressed position. The fifth elastic element (94) applies an elastic restoring force to the unlocking pedal (93) to drive the unlocking pedal (93) toward the lifted position.

7. The caster as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The unlocking foot pedal (93) is rotatably mounted on the base (10) about an axis parallel to the first direction (X).

8. The caster as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The caster includes two rollers (20) which are disposed on both sides of the base (10) along the first direction (X).

9. The caster as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The roller (20) has brake teeth (21) spaced around its axis. When the brake (30) moves to the locked position, the brake (30) can be inserted between two adjacent brake teeth (21) to prevent the roller (20) from rotating.

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

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