Heat therapy device including a swiveling wall

Abstract

A heat therapy device comprising a pivotable wall (2) and a pivoting device (3) for the pivotable wall (2), wherein the pivoting device (3) has a pivot axis piece (31) connected to the heat therapy device (1) and a locking element (32) connected to the pivotable wall (2), which is radially movable relative to the pivot axis piece (31) and pivotably mounted about the pivot axis piece (31), characterized in that the pivoting device (3) comprises a locking element (33), a retaining module (34) for the locking element (33) and a contact element (35) fixedly connected to the locking element (32) for contacting the locking element (33), wherein the retaining module (34) forces the locking element (33) between the pivot axis piece (31) and the contact element (35).when the locking element (32) is moved from a locking position defined by a first distance to the pivot axis piece (31) to an unlocking position defined by a second distance to the pivot axis piece (31).

Description

The invention relates to a heat therapy device comprising a pivotable wall and a pivoting device for the pivotable wall, wherein the pivoting device has a pivot axis piece connected to the heat therapy device and a locking element connected to the pivotable wall, which is movable radially to the pivot axis piece and pivotably mounted about the pivot axis piece. Heat therapy devices, particularly incubators, are used to treat patients with impaired thermoregulation. Infants and premature babies, in particular, rely on a warm environment. These devices consist of an interior space defined by a lying surface surrounded by side walls. The side walls prevent the patient from falling out of the device. Heat therapy devices also include a heating element. To separate the interior from the outside, the devices can be enclosed, meaning the lying surface is covered by a lid or hood. If a hood covers the lying surface, access to the patient is gained either by opening the hood or by opening the side walls.Rotating side panels are provided for this purpose, with their pivot axes located at the bottom of the side panel. The corresponding side panel can then be folded open around a pivot axis located below it. A radiograph access panel is typically provided below the side panels of the heat therapy unit, allowing access to an radiograph drawer located under the patient's bed. An radiograph cassette can be inserted into this drawer to X-ray the patient while they are in the heat therapy unit. The side panels must also be able to be opened independently of the radiograph access panel. Furthermore, a locking mechanism is required to secure the side panel and prevent it from opening uncontrollably if the patient or a caregiver pushes against it from inside the unit. It is known to use simple snap locks on the side walls to secure them. A disadvantage of these snap locks is that they require either both hands to operate, which can be cumbersome, or at least two steps to open them. From DE 10 2012 216 473 A1, a pivoting side panel is known that can be used for a heat therapy device without a hood. The hinge of the pivoting panel is guided in a vertically oriented track. The side panel with the hinge can therefore be lifted vertically upwards. Furthermore, a locking pin is provided on the side panel, which engages in a detent on the heat therapy device when the side panel is closed. By lifting the side panel, the locking pin is disengaged from the detent, allowing the side panel to pivot. A disadvantage of this device is that it cannot be used with a hood, since lifting the side panel vertically is not possible with a hood. The other locking mechanisms for a pivoting side panel described in this document are complicated to operate, so they cannot be done with one hand.can be used with a single actuation step. From US 2012 / 0269568A1, a heat therapy device is known comprising a movable wall section forming the outer perimeter of an infant holding chamber. This device pivots a portion of an area encompassing the lower end section and its surroundings of the movable wall section forward from a substantially upright position into the outer perimeter of the infant holding chamber. The movable wall section can move by its own weight from an intermediate position during forward movement to the final position during backward movement, with an abrupt backward movement being suppressed by a damper. US Patent 5,112,293 A discloses a door design in which an elastomeric roller supported by a door rolls against a locking element to pivot it in one direction until the roller reaches a detent position, and then pivots in the opposite direction to lock the roller in the detent position and the door in the closed position. The door is opened by pivoting the locking element in the first direction to release the roller from the detent position. From US 2002 / 0062523A1, a heat therapy device with a thermally controlled environment is known, comprising pivoting panels such as side guard panels, access door panels, and control panels for the heat therapy device. The object of the invention is therefore to create a device that provides a simple, one-hand operable locking mechanism for pivoting walls of a heat therapy device and can be operated with the hood closed. The problem is solved by the features of the independent claim. Advantageous further developments are the subject of dependent claims. In a heat therapy device mentioned above, the invention provides that the pivoting device comprises a locking element, a holding module for the locking element and a contact element fixedly connected to the locking element for contacting the locking element, wherein the holding module forces the locking element between the pivot axis piece and the contact element when the locking element is moved from a locking position defined by a first distance to the pivot axis piece to an unlocking position defined by a second distance to the pivot axis piece.The invention recognizes that allowing the pivotable wall to move radially relative to the pivot axis while simultaneously pivoting around the pivot axis enables simple, one-handed operation of the locking mechanism. Starting from the locked position, in which the pivotable wall is locked to the heat therapy device by means of the locking element, the locking element can be moved radially relative to the pivot axis to the unlocked position, in which the locking of the locking element, and thus of the pivotable wall, to the heat therapy device is released. A movement with a radial component is sufficient for this. The first distance between the locking element and the pivot axis is changed by this radial movement to the second distance.When the locking element is moved radially from the locked position to the unlocked position relative to the pivot axis piece, the retaining module forces the locking element between the contact element on the locking element and the pivot axis piece. In other words, as soon as the locking element moves with a radial component relative to the pivot axis, the retaining module is actuated. The contact element is designed to abut the locking element. Once the locking element is positioned between the pivot axis piece and the contact element, the locking element can no longer move radially relative to the pivot axis piece. The locking element therefore prevents the locking element from moving radially. In any case, the locking element prevents the locking element from moving towards the pivot axis piece.The locking element can additionally prevent movement of the locking element away from the pivot axis piece. When the locking element is positioned between the pivot axis and the mounting element, the locking element or the pivotable wall is in the unlocked position, thus allowing the locking element to pivot into a pivot position from which the pivotable wall can pivot freely. The pivotable wall and the locking element are connected to the heat therapy device only via the pivot axis and can pivot freely around it. In the pivot position, the locking element is held at a constant distance from the pivot axis during pivoting. The locking element is carried along when the locking element pivots after leaving the locked position. This means that the locking element pivots simultaneously with the locking element as soon as it is positioned between the pivot axis and the mounting element.The pivot position differs from the unlock position in that the locking element in the pivot position prevents the radial movement of the locking element towards the pivot axis. The locking element automatically holds the locking element at a constant distance from the pivot axis, a distance that is essentially twice the distance the locking element maintains from the pivot axis in the unlock position. Therefore, it is not necessary to move the pivotable wall or the locking element radially between the pivot and unlock positions. Furthermore, the pivotable wall, and thus the locking element, is held stably at a constant radial distance from the pivot axis while it is pivoted from the unlock position to the pivot position.This prevents rattling caused by a radially loose pivot axis or by loose parts on the locking element. The pivoting wall can thus be moved from the locked position to the unlocked position and then into the pivoting position with a single movement. When closing the pivoting wall on the heat therapy device, the locking element ensures that the locking element, or pivoting wall, maintains a defined distance from the pivot axis and does not move radially when transitioning from the pivot position to the unlock position. This enables a simple, automatic transition of the pivoting wall from the pivot position to the unlock position. The user does not need to awkwardly move the pivoting wall radially during the closing process when transitioning from the pivot position to the unlock position. To move from the pivot position, through the unlock position, to the locked position, the user simply releases the locking element from its position between the mounting element and the pivot axis, thus allowing radial movement of the locking element again.This can be achieved by means of a suitable radial / pivoting movement. The invention thus has the advantage that the pivoting wall can be opened and closed with one hand. Furthermore, the pivotability of the locking element enables a combined radial / pivoting movement, so that the pivoting wall can also be used with a closed hood. Advantageously, the first distance is smaller than the second. To move the pivotable wall from the locked position to the unlocked position, the distance between the locking element and the pivot axis piece in the locked position must be increased in this case. The move from the locked position to the unlocked position can thus be achieved, for example, with a combined radial / pivoting movement, where the radial movement moves the pivotable wall away from the pivot axis piece. Furthermore, the swivel device advantageously features a radial guide element for guiding the locking element radially with respect to the swivel axis, wherein the radial guide element is pivotably mounted about the swivel axis. The radial guide element can include a guide groove, and the locking element can include a pin that is slidably mounted in the guide groove. The locking element is then connected to the swivel axis via the radial guide element. This allows the locking element to be moved radially with respect to the swivel axis in a guided motion. This increases the stability and thus the ease of operation of the swivel device. Advantageously, a locking element is fixedly connected to the heat therapy device, with the locking element comprising a cam guide element for the locking element. Alternatively, the locking element can comprise a locking element that is guided in a cam guide element that is fixedly connected to the heat therapy device. In this way, the movement of the locking element from the locked position to the unlocked position and vice versa can be guided by the cam guide element. This allows the movement of the locking element along the locking element to occur in a precisely defined trajectory, which, on the one hand, ensures the unlocking of the locking element from the heat therapy device and, on the other hand, enables a defined movement of the pivoting wall past the hood during unlocking or when moving out of the locked position.The guided movement makes it easier for the user to perform the locking or unlocking operation. The cam guide element further comprises an open end and a closed end, with an instability element arranged between the open and closed ends. When positioned against the locking element, this instability element forces the locking element either into the locked or unlocked position. Preferably, the closed end is arranged relative to the instability element such that the cam guide element moves the locking element from the locked position around the pivot axis simultaneously with a radial and a tangential component. The cam guide element is then designed such that the pivotable wall is first lifted from the locked position past the outside of the hood and then lowered onto the locking element into the unlocked position.When the locking device is moved from the unlocked position to the pivot position, the locking element is released from the cam guide element. In the reverse movement from the pivot position to the unlocked position, the locking element is inserted into the cam guide element. During a further movement into the locked position, the locking device or the contact element is first lifted from the locking element and then removed from the locking element and lowered into the locked position. The instability element forms a dead center, preferably as a pointed corner. This means that at the dead center, which lies between the locked and unlocked positions, the locking element is automatically moved into either the locked or unlocked position by the weight of the pivoting wall. The locking element, and therefore the pivoting wall, cannot remain at this dead center. This increases operational safety, as the pivoting wall is either clearly closed or clearly open. Consequently, a user cannot inadvertently create an unnoticed open state, which, if undetected, could pose a health hazard to the patient. The locking element is advantageously designed as a ball bearing. This reduces friction between the locking element and the guide element. This increases smoothness of movement, enhances the effectiveness of the instability element, and reduces noise from the holding device when the pivoting wall is operated. Furthermore, it is advantageous to install a damping element on the pivoting device. This element dampens the movement of the locking element when transitioning from the unlocked to the locked position, thus ensuring contact between the locking element and the heat therapy device. This also results in a dampened closing motion of the pivoting wall against the hood, preventing loud noises when the pivoting wall closes. Advantageously, the pivoting device includes a retaining element for blocking the pivoting movement of the locking element before it reaches the locking position. By means of the retaining element, the locking element is forced out of the area between the contact element and the pivot axis piece during a pivot from the unlocked position to the locked position. It is preferred that the retaining element is designed as a retaining piece that is rigidly connected to the pivot axis piece and that blocks any pivoting movement of the locking element before it reaches the locking position when the locking element pivots from the unlocked position to the locked position. This means that the locking element, in the locked position, does not have the same angular orientation as the locking element or the pivotable side wall. Advantageously, the locking element is pivotably mounted around the pivot axis piece, with the retaining module being designed as a tension spring that acts on a lever of the locking element, the lever being arranged eccentrically to the pivot axis piece. This allows a torque to be easily applied to the locking element when the locking element is moved radially away from the pivot axis piece. The other end of the tension spring is rigidly connected to the locking element. Alternatively, the retaining module can be designed as a coil spring or a motor. Advantageously, a tension module forces the pivotable wall towards the pivot axis piece by means of a tensile force greater than the weight of the pivotable wall, wherein the tension module is preferably formed integrally with the holding module. The tension module forces the pivotable wall towards the pivot axis piece even when the pivotable wall is located below the pivot axis piece. The tension module is designed such that the force exerted by the tension module exceeds the weight of the pivotable wall, thus lifting the pivotable wall towards the pivot axis piece. Furthermore, the tension module increases the locking force in the locked position. The locking element is advantageously designed as a pawl. A pawl can be easily pivoted around the pivot axis piece using a holding module and positioned between the mounting element and the pivot axis piece. The locking element is advantageously designed as a hinge housing component. This simplifies its manufacture. The mounting element, the cam guide element, and the pin can be integrally formed with the housing component. This facilitates the assembly of the swivel device, as the pin, mounting element, and cam guide are fixed in their relative positions. Furthermore, this design reduces operating noise, since the components are not movable relative to each other. Advantageously, the heat therapy device includes an X-ray flap, pivotable about the pivot axis, located between the pivot axis and the pivotable wall. A labyrinth seal can also be formed between the X-ray flap and the pivotable wall. This prevents a gap from forming between the X-ray flap and the pivotable wall, through which warm air could escape from the heat therapy device into the cold environment and thus cool the interior of the device. Conversely, it also prevents cold air from the environment from entering the interior of the heat therapy device. The invention makes it possible to arrange a labyrinth seal on a heat therapy device with a closed hood. This is because the invention allows a pivotable wall to move out of its locked position in a combined radial and pivoting motion.If this combined movement were not possible, a labyrinth seal could not be provided on the X-ray valve. Advantageously, the heat therapy device includes a hood that can be lifted off the device, with a sealing lip positioned at an angle between the pivoting wall and the hood. The sealing lip can be attached either to the hood or to the pivoting wall. Advantageously, the mounting element is designed as a mounting shoulder extending tangentially to the pivot axis. This ensures that the locking element is securely held when positioned between the pivot axis component and the mounting element, as the mounting element provides a stable mounting surface with a mounting shoulder extending tangentially to the pivot axis. Advantageously, at least two pivoting devices are provided for a pivotable wall, wherein the pivoting devices are connected to each other by means of a coupling element, preferably designed as a cranked shaft, the coupling element being slidably mounted on guide rails on the pivoting devices that run tangentially to the pivot axis. The guide rails are advantageously arranged on the radial guide elements of the pivoting device. Furthermore, the coupling element is rotatably mounted on the locking element. The coupling element synchronizes the movement of the two pivoting devices so that the wall can be moved without tilting. The invention is explained in more detail with reference to an advantageous embodiment and the accompanying drawings. Figures 1a and 1b show a schematic representation of a heat therapy device with a closed and open hood and pivotable side walls; Figures 2a and 2b show a schematic exploded view of the pivoting device; Figure 3 shows a schematic side view of a heat therapy device; Figures 4a-d show sectional views at position AA through Figure 3 in various positions of the pivotable wall and the locking element, respectively; Figures 5a-d show sectional views at position BB through Figure 3 in various positions of the pivotable wall; and Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment of the pivoting device. The heat therapy device is designated in its entirety by reference numeral 1. The heat therapy device 1 comprises a pivotable wall 2, a pivoting device 3 for the pivotable wall 2, which connects the pivotable wall 2 to the heat therapy device 1, an X-ray flap 4 arranged below the pivotable wall 2, and a hood 5. The heat therapy device 1 further comprises a south-facing pivotable wall 2' (see Fig. 1a). The heat therapy device 1 can further comprise several pivotable walls 2 with pivoting devices 3, wherein the pivotable walls 2 can each further have several pivoting devices 3. In Fig. 1a, the hood 5 is shown in the lowered position. The heat therapy device 1 is thus closed in Fig. 1a. Fig. 1b shows the heat therapy device 1 open, i.e., that the hood 5 has been lifted from the heat therapy device 1. In this case, the interior of the heat therapy device 1 is accessible from above. The pivoting wall 2 can be pivoted further, meaning that the pivoting wall 2 can be unfolded. The pivoting wall 2 can be unfolded when the hood 5 is lowered or when the hood 5 is raised by the heat therapy device 1. To pivot the pivoting wall 2, the heat therapy device 1 includes the pivoting device 3. The pivoting device 3 is attached to the lower side of the pivoting wall 2. In this embodiment, a sealing lip 8 is further arranged on the hood 5, which is designed to bear against a pivotable wall 2. When the hood 5 is lowered, the sealing lip 8 rests against the pivotable wall 2. The sealing lip 8 rests against the lateral side of the pivotable wall 2, so that any gap between the hood 5 and the pivotable wall 2 is sealed by the sealing lip 8. The sealing lip 8 runs at an angle between the pivotable wall 2 and the hood 5, so that when the pivotable wall 2 pivots towards the hood 5, it is pressed against the angled sealing lip 8. Furthermore, when the pivotable wall 2 is closed, the angled position of the sealing lip 8 guides it along the pivotable wall 2, whereby a sealing effect between the pivotable wall 2 and the hood 5 occurs at the latest when the hood 5 is in the closed position. In an alternative embodiment not shown, the sealing lip 8 is connected to the pivotable wall 2. The function and effect of the sealing lip 8 is analogous to that described above. Fig. 2a shows the pivoting device 3 in a schematic exploded view. The pivoting device 3 comprises a pivot axis piece 31 about which the pivoting device 3 and the pivotable wall 2 connected to the pivoting device 3 can be pivoted. A radial guide element 37 is pivotably mounted relative to the pivot axis piece 31. The radial guide element 37 includes a guide groove 371. A pin 321 of a locking element 32 engages in the guide groove 371. The pin 321 is fixedly connected to the locking element 32, so that the locking element 32 is radially movable relative to the pivot axis piece 31. The locking element 32 is also connected to the pivotable wall 2. Furthermore, the locking element 32 includes a sliding bearing near the pivot axis piece 31, which is formed as a guide surface 43 on the radial guide element 37. In combination with the guide groove 371 and the pin 321, the locking element 32 is thus guided at two radial positions relative to the pivot axis piece 31 along the radial guide element 37. This ensures stable guidance of the locking element 32 on the radial guide element 37.The locking element 32 can thus be guided along the guide groove 371 on the radial guide element 37. The guide groove 371 limits the range of motion of the locking element 32 in the radial direction with respect to the pivot axis piece 31. Furthermore, the locking element 32 is pivotably mounted on the pivot axis piece 31 via the radial guide element 37. The pivotable mounting of the locking element 32 is thus achieved by its mounting on the radial guide element 37. As shown in Fig. 2b, the locking element 32 comprises a cam guide element 39. The cam guide element 39 serves as a guide for a locking element 36, which is designed as a ball bearing. The locking element 36 is fixedly connected to the heat therapy device 1. This means that the locking element 32 is guided by the cam guide element 39 when the locking element 36 engages with the cam guide element 39. The cam guide element 39 further has a closed end 393 and an open end 392. When the locking element 36 is positioned at the closed end 393, the pivoting device is in the locked position. Starting from the closed end 393, the cam guide element 39 extends obliquely downwards towards the heat therapy device 1. This means that the locking element 32 can only be moved obliquely upwards away from the heat therapy device 1.This means that the pivotable wall 2 connected to the locking element 32 can only be moved from the locking position in this direction. The pivoting device 3 further comprises a locking element 33, which is pivotably mounted on the pivot axis piece 31. The locking element 33 is connected to the locking element 32 via a retaining module 34. The retaining module 34 is designed as a tension spring that engages the locking element 33 at a lever element 331 that acts eccentrically to the pivot axis piece 31. As soon as the locking device 32 is moved away from the pivot axis piece 31 with a movement that includes a radial component, the tension spring is tensioned so that the retaining module 34 exerts a torque on the locking element 33. The locking element 33 is forced towards the heat therapy device 1 by the torque. The locking element 32 comprises a contact element 35 in the form of a contact shoulder, which is tangential to the axis of the pivot shaft piece 31. In the locking position, the contact element 35 is arranged closer to the heat therapy device 1 relative to the locking element 33. The locking element 33 is forced between the pivot shaft piece 31 and the contact element 35 by the retaining module 34. A retaining element 38 is arranged on the pivot axis piece 31. This retaining element holds back the locking element 33 when, before the pivot position is reached, it is forced between the contact element 35 and the pivot axis piece 31 by the holding module 34. The locking element 33 is therefore not yet positioned between the contact element 35 and the pivot axis piece 31 simply by the holding module 34 pushing it in. Only when the locking element 32 is moved past the unlocked position into the pivot position is the locking element 33 positioned between the contact element 35 and the pivot axis piece 31. Once the locking element 32 has been moved sufficiently far around the pivot axis piece 31 from its locked position, the locking element 33 is positioned between the contact element 35 and the pivot axis piece 31. The locking element 32 moves towards the locking element 33, so that, from the perspective of the pivot axis piece 31, the locking element 32 positions the contact element 35 above the locking element 33. In this way, the locking element 33 is positioned between the pivot axis piece 31 and the contact element 35. This arrangement restricts the locking element 32's movement towards the pivot axis piece 31 to the locking element 33. Further movement towards the pivot axis piece 31 is prevented by the locking element 33 and its positive engagement with the contact element 35. In an alternative embodiment, the locking element 33 can be designed to also block movement of the locking element 32 away from the pivot axis piece 31. For this purpose, the locking element 33 can have a laterally arranged projection that engages in a recess on the locking element 32, thereby creating a positive locking connection in the radial direction with respect to the pivot axis piece 31. However, the locking effect can also be achieved by frictional locking. The pivoting device 3 further comprises a tension module 40, which connects the locking element 32 to the pivot axis piece 31. When the locking element 32 is displaced away from the pivot axis piece 31, the tension module 40 exerts a tensile force that pulls the locking element 32 towards the pivot axis piece 31. The tensile force exerted by the tension module 40 is so great that it more than compensates for the weight of the pivotable wall 2. That is, the tensile force of the tension module 40 is greater than the weight of the pivotable wall 2, including the pivoting device 3 and other components connected to the pivotable wall 2. As a result, when the pivotable wall 2 is closed, the tension module 40 increases the closing force of the pivotable wall 2.When the pivotable wall 2 is fully open and the pivot axis piece 31 is positioned above the pivotable wall 2, the pull module 40 causes the pivotable wall 2 to be pulled further towards the pivot axis piece 31. The locking element 32 thus remains in contact with the locking element 33. This also prevents the pivotable wall 2 from rattling and from shifting away from the pivot axis piece 31. Closing the pivotable wall 2 is facilitated because the locking element 36 can be inserted into the guide element 39 solely by the closing action of the pivotable wall 2, without the user having to move the pivotable wall 2 radially relative to the pivot axis piece 31. The tension module 40 and the holding module 34 are shown in Fig. 2b. Furthermore, the holding module 34 and the tension module 40 are formed as a single piece. In this case, the tension spring, in combination with the pawl, acts simultaneously as the locking element 33 and as the holding module 34. The holding module 34 thus not only exerts a pressing moment on the locking element 33, but also exerts a tensile force on the locking element 32, which presses the locking element 32 with the contact element 35 onto the locking element 33, thereby preventing radial movement of the pivotable wall 2. The effect of the locking element 33 is explained in more detail below. Sectional views along lines AA and BB are described, based on the side view of a heat therapy device 1 in Fig. 3. Section AA shows a section through a swivel device 3. Section BB shows a section at the level of the X-ray valve 4. Figures 4a-d show the section through line AA. Figures 4a-d show various closed and open states of the pivotable wall 2 and the pivoting device 3, respectively. Fig. 4a shows the pivotable wall 2, the upper end of which rests against a sealing lip 8 of a hood 5 of a heat therapy device 1. A pivoting device 3 is attached to the opposite end of the pivotable wall 2, connecting the pivotable wall 2 to the heat therapy device 1. The pivotable wall 2 can be pivoted by means of the pivoting device 3. The pivoting takes place about the axis of the pivot shaft piece 31. Fig. 4a shows the locking position of the locking element 32. The locking element 36, which is designed as a ball bearing, is arranged at the closed end 393 of the cam guide element 39. The weight of the pivotable wall 2 and the tension module 40 press the locking element 32 with the closed end 393 of the cam guide element 39 onto the locking element 36. In this position, the locking element 33 is positioned with its upper end 332 above the mounting element 35 on a guide rib 351. The guide rib 351 ensures that the locking element 33 is positioned against the mounting element 35 when the locking element 32 pivots. The guide rib 351 thus prevents the locking element 33 from engaging with the locking element 32 before it is positioned against the mounting element 35. Furthermore, the locking element 33 is blocked from pivoting by the retaining element 38. Therefore, the locking element 33 cannot be pivoted further towards the heat therapy device 1. Consequently, in the locked position, the locking element 33 has a different angular orientation than the locking element 32. By pivoting the pivotable wall 2 away from the heat therapy device 1, the pivotable wall 2 is guided diagonally upwards and to the left via the cam guide element 39 due to its connection with the locking element 32. This guidance is provided by the locking element 36, which is rigidly connected to the heat therapy device 1. The locking element 32 is thereby disengaged from its locked position. Shortly before the locking element 36 reaches the unlocked position shown in Fig. 4b, it passes an instability element 391 in the cam guide element 39. This instability element acts as a dead center for the movement of the pivotable wall 2 or the pivoting device 3. The instability element 391 is formed as a pointed corner on the cam guide element 39. When the movement of the locking element 32 is stopped in the state where the locking element 36 rests against the instability element 391, the instability element 391 causes the locking element 32, together with the pivotable wall 2, to be forced either back into the locked position or into the unlocked position. That is, at the dead center, i.e., when the instability element 391 rests on the locking element 36, the pivotable wall 2 is either pivoted back into the locked position.that the pivotable wall 2 moves back against the heat therapy device 1, or that the pivotable wall 2 moves further away from the heat therapy device 1 in a pivoting motion due to gravity. In the unlocked position, the pivotable wall 2 can be pivoted away from the pivot axis piece 31 about the pivot axis without any further movement. Therefore, the locking element 36 must be disengaged when the pivotable wall 2 is moved along the cam guide element 39. In the unlocked position shown in Fig. 4b, it is further illustrated that the retaining module 34 exerts a torque on the locking element 33. This torque forces the locking element 33 towards the heat therapy device 1, or between the pivot axis piece 31 and the contact element 35, which in the unlocked position is located above the upper end 332 of the locking element 33. The contact element 35 was also moved obliquely upwards by the movement of the pivotable wall 2, so that it reached the unlocked position above the upper end 332 of the locking element 33. In Fig. 4c, the pivotable side wall 2 is shown in the pivot position. The locking element 36 is arranged at the open end of the cam guide element 39. The pivotable side wall 2 can therefore pivot freely about the pivot axis defined by the pivot axis piece 31 in this position. Furthermore, the support element 35 rests on the upper end 332 of the locking element 33, so that the locking element 33 is arranged between the pivot axis piece 31 and the support element 35. The locking element 33 is still in the same position as shown in Figs. 4a and 4b. When the locking element 32 or the pivotable wall 2 is pivoted further away from the heat therapy device 1, the locking element 33 is carried along by the locking element 32. This means that the locking element 33 is also pivoted around the pivot axis piece 31 when the pivotable wall 2 is pivoted further.During further pivoting, the holding module 34 constantly exerts a torque on the locking element 33 such that the locking element 33 is forced between the pivot axis piece 31 and the mounting element 35. Starting from the unlocked position, the mounting element 35 is guided by the cam guide element 39 along the locking element 36 and placed onto the locking element 33. Further movement of the pivotable wall 2 towards the pivot axis piece 31 is prevented by the locking element 33. Thus, after pivoting away from the heat therapy device 1 from the pivot position, the pivotable wall 2 remains at the same distance from the pivot axis piece 31. This state is shown in Fig. 4d. The locking element 32 is located above the pivotable wall 2. Despite the weight force exerted on the holding module 34 by the pivotable wall 2, the locking element 33 is forced further between the mounting element 35 and the pivot axis piece 31, and the mounting element 35 is pressed against the locking element 33. The X-ray flap 4 is also pivoted about the pivot axis piece 31, as shown in Fig. 5a. In this arrangement, a gap remains between the pivotable wall 2 and the X-ray flap 4. This gap connects the interior of the heat therapy device 1 to the environment. Therefore, it is necessary to seal this gap. This is achieved, as shown in Fig. 5a, by means of a labyrinth seal 9. The X-ray flap 4 has a base part 91 of the labyrinth seal 9, which is integrally formed on the upper surface of the X-ray flap 4. A cover part 92, shaped complementarily to the base part 91, is arranged on the pivotable wall 2. When the base part 91 and the cover part 92 are in contact, they form the labyrinth seal 9. The labyrinth seal 9 comprises an inclined section 93 on the cover part 92, which is inclined at the same angle as the cam guide element 39 between the locking position and the unlocking position. This causes the cover part 92 of the labyrinth seal 9 to move parallel to the inclined section 93 along the base part 91 during the guided movement by the cam guide element 39 when the pivotable wall 2 is lifted, without a positive fit occurring between the base part 91 and the cover part 92 (see Fig. 5b). An inner section 94 of the cover part 92 of the labyrinth seal 9 is lifted over the outer section 95 of the cover part 91 of the X-ray flap 4 when the pivotable wall 2 is moved from the locking position to the unlocking position. When the pivotable wall 2 is pivoted about the pivot axis piece 31, the cover part 92 of the labyrinth seal 9 can be pivoted about the X-ray flap 4 as shown in Fig. 5c. In Fig. 5d, the X-ray flap 4 is free of the cover part 92 of the labyrinth seal 9. Since the pivotable wall 2 no longer forms a boundary of the interior of the heat therapy device 1, a seal between the X-ray flap 4 and the pivotable wall 2 is no longer required. Therefore, the labyrinth seal 9 is no longer assembled in Fig. 5d. If the pivotable wall 2 is to be pivoted from the pivot position back into the locking position, the steps according to Fig. 4a-d or 5a-d are carried out in reverse order. Starting from the state shown in Fig. 4d, the pivotable wall 2 is pivoted at a constant distance about the pivot axis piece 31 by means of the locking element 33 until the locking element 36 is positioned in the open end 392. Due to the holding module 34, the locking element 33 is pressed into the pivot position against the locking element 32 during the pivoting process and remains between the pivot axis piece 31 and the contact element 35. As can be seen in the transition from Fig. 4c to Fig. 4b, the locking element 33 is removed from its position between the pivot axis piece 31 and the contact element 35 by the retaining element 38 during a further pivoting of the pivotable wall 2 into the unlocking position, despite the still acting torque of the holding module 34. To allow the locking element 33 to be released from the contact element 35 by the retaining element 38 without tilting or jamming, the locking element 32 is moved radially away from the pivot axis piece 31 via the cam guide element 39 on the instability part 391. This causes the contact element 35 to lose its positive locking contact with the locking element 33. This enables the retaining element 38 to actuate the locking element 33 without interference. Furthermore, this makes the locking element 32 movable again in the radial direction of movement relative to the pivot axis piece 31. During a further movement of the pivotable wall 2 towards the locking position, the locking element 36 is positioned in the closed end 393 of the cam guide element 39. As shown in Fig. 4a, the pivotable wall 2 is lowered obliquely downwards to the right. The contact element 35 is positioned below the upper end of the locking element 33. The upper end of the pivotable wall 2 is then pressed against the sealing lip 8, which is located on the hood 5. In the locked position, the pivotable wall 2 thus closes the interior of the heat therapy device 1. In a first preferred embodiment, the locking element 32 can be designed as a housing part. The locking element 33, the retaining module 34, the contact element 35, and the radial guide element 37 are arranged within this housing part. The housing is closed by a housing cover 30 (see Fig. 2a or Fig. 2b). This protects the mechanism against contamination and external interference. In an alternative embodiment according to Fig. 6, a southern pivotable wall 2' comprises two pivot devices 3 which have a common housing cover 30'. Fig. 6 also shows a cam guide element 39 that does not guide the pivotable wall 2' obliquely upwards away from the heat therapy device 1. Instead, the southern pivotable wall 2' is guided essentially vertically upwards to move from the locked position to the unlocked position. For this purpose, the cover 5 is raised slightly so that the southern pivotable wall 2' can be raised by the distance between the locked and unlocked positions. The southern pivotable wall 2' can then be pivoted and the cover 5 placed back onto the heat therapy device 1. In Fig. 6, the southern pivotable wall 2' is connected to the heat therapy device 1 by means of two pivot devices 3. To prevent the pivot devices 3 from tilting when the southern pivotable wall 2' is raised, the pivot devices 3 are connected to each other by means of a coupling element 41. The coupling element 41 engages the radial guide elements 37 of the two pivot devices 3 in guide rails 42 that run tangentially to the pivot axis piece 31. The coupling element 41 can be designed as a cranked shaft, which is rotatably mounted on the locking elements 32 of the two pivot devices 3. The movement of the southern pivotable wall 2' is transmitted synchronously to the two pivot devices 3 by means of the coupling element 41.Even if the pivotable wall 2' is twisted about the axis normal to the wall plane, the locking elements 32 of the two pivot devices 3 are moved synchronously away from the pivot axis piece 31 due to the coupling element 41. This prevents the locking elements 32 from tilting due to an "oblique" lifting of the pivotable wall 2'. The coupling element 41 therefore guides the locking elements 32 parallel when the pivotable wall 2' is lifted, even if the pivotable wall 2' is not lifted centrally between the pivot devices 3 but offset. This ensures that the pivotable wall 2' is lifted safely parallel to the heat therapy device 1. Reference symbol list 1 Heat therapy device 2 Swivel wall 2' South swivel wall 3 Swivel device 4 X-ray flap 5 Hood 6 Handle 7 Damping element 8 Sealing lip 9 Labyrinth seal 30 Housing cover 30' South housing cover 31 Swivel axis piece 32 Locking element 33 Locking element 34 Holding module 35 Mounting element 36 Latch element 37 Radial guide element 38 Retaining element 39 Cam guide element 40 Pull module 41 Coupling element 42 Guide rail 43 Guide surface 91 Base part 92 Cover part 93 Slanted section 94 Inner section 95 Outer section 321 Pin 331 Lever piece 332 Upper end of the locking element 351 Guide rib 371 Guide groove 391 Instability part 392 Open end of the cam guide element 393 Closed end of the cam guide element

Claims

A heat therapy device comprising a pivotable wall (2) and a pivoting device (3) for the pivotable wall (2), wherein the pivoting device (3) has a pivot axis piece (31) connected to the heat therapy device (1) and a locking element (32) connected to the pivotable wall (2), which is radially movable relative to the pivot axis piece (31) and pivotably mounted about the pivot axis piece (31), characterized in that the pivoting device (3) comprises a locking element (33), a retaining module (34) for the locking element (33) and a contact element (35) fixedly connected to the locking element (32) for contacting the locking element (33), wherein the retaining module (34) forces the locking element (33) between the pivot axis piece (31) and the contact element (35).when the locking element (32) is moved from a locking position defined by a first distance to the pivot axis piece (31) to an unlocking position defined by a second distance to the pivot axis piece (31). Heat therapy device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first distance is smaller than the second distance. Heat therapy device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the pivoting device (3) comprises a radial guide element (37) for guiding the locking element (32) in a radial direction with respect to the pivot axis piece (31), wherein the radial guide element (37) is pivotably mounted about the pivot axis piece (31). Heat therapy device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a locking element (36) is firmly connected to the heat therapy device (1), wherein the locking element (32) comprises a cam guide element (39) for guiding the locking element (36). Heat therapy device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a locking element (36) is firmly connected to the locking element (32), wherein the heat therapy device (1) comprises a cam guide element (39) for guiding the locking element (36). Heat therapy device according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the cam guide element (39) has an open end (392) and a closed end (393), wherein an instability element (391) is arranged between the open end (392) and the closed end (393), which, when arranged on the locking element (36), forces the locking element (32) either into the locking position or into the unlocking position. Heat therapy device according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the locking element (36) is designed as a ball bearing. Heat therapy device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivoting device (3) has a damping element (7) for damping the movement of the locking element (32) on the heat therapy device (1). Heat therapy device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivoting device (3) has a retaining element (38) for blocking a pivoting movement of the locking element (33) before reaching the locking position. Heat therapy device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (33) is pivotably mounted about the pivot axis piece (31), wherein the retaining module (34) is designed as a tension spring which acts on a lever piece (331) of the locking element (33), wherein the lever piece (331) is arranged eccentrically to the pivot axis piece (31). Heat therapy device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a traction module (40) pushes the pivotable wall (2) towards the pivot axis piece (31) by means of a traction force which is greater than the weight force of the pivotable wall (2). Heat therapy device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (33) is designed as a locking pawl. Heat therapy device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (32) is designed as a hinge housing part. Heat therapy device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heat therapy device (1) has an X-ray flap (4) pivotable about the pivot axis piece (31) between the pivot axis piece (31) and the pivotable wall (2). Heat therapy device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heat therapy device (1) has a hood (5) wherein the hood (5) can be lifted off the heat therapy device (1), wherein a sealing lip (8) arranged obliquely on the pivotable wall (2) is arranged between the pivotable wall (2) and the hood (3). Heat therapy device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the attachment element (35) is designed as an attachment shoulder extending tangentially to the pivot axis piece (31). Heat therapy device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two pivoting devices (3) are provided for the same pivotable wall (2), wherein the pivoting devices (3) are connected to each other by means of a coupling element (41), wherein the coupling element (41) is slidably mounted on the pivoting devices (3) in guide rails (42) extending tangentially to the pivot axis piece (31).

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