Adjustable Boom Head Cable Routing for Tangle-Free Conduits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical facilities face challenges in providing an efficient system for delivering services such as gas, electrical power, and data connectivity to specific locations, particularly through boom heads that are not easily adjustable or manage cables effectively.
Innovation Solution
A vertically adjustable boom head assembly with a suspension arm and telescoping tubes that allow outlets to be raised or lowered, along with a cinch plate and bundle retainer system to manage conduits, ensuring they do not tangle or apply undue torque.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a vertically adjustable service head is provided to deliver services to different locations, then adaptability is improved, but conduit management becomes more complex and conduits may tangle or experience undue torque
Solution Approach 1:
A conduit management system acts as an intermediary between the vertically adjustable service head and the fixed conduit inlet. This system includes a conduit retainer that moves with the service head, guiding and organizing conduits as they extend vertically, preventing tangling and distributing torque along the conduit length rather than concentrating it at single points.
Solution Approach 2:
The conduit management system transitions from a static conduit routing arrangement to a dynamic one where the conduit retainer and associated components move vertically with the service head. This dynamic configuration allows the conduit path to adjust automatically as the service head changes height, maintaining proper conduit tension and alignment without manual intervention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conduits are routed vertically within the service head to accommodate outlet movement, then adaptability is improved, but risk of conduit tangling and undue torque increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit management system performs preliminary organization and positioning of conduits before they enter the vertical movement zone. The conduit retainer pre-arranges conduits in an ordered configuration and maintains this organization during vertical movement, preventing tangling and excessive torque from developing in the first place rather than attempting to correct issues after they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameters of conduit routing by introducing movable anchor points and guiding structures that adjust with vertical position. This transforms the conduit path from a fixed, potentially problematic routing to a dynamically optimized path that maintains appropriate tension, alignment, and stress distribution throughout the range of motion.
3Device complexity
If fixed conduit routing is used in boom heads, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different locations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the traditionally static conduit routing in boom heads into a dynamic system where conduit path, tension, and anchoring points adjust automatically with service head position. This is achieved through movable conduit retainers and flexible routing mechanisms that maintain simple, organized conduit paths regardless of vertical position, combining the benefits of both fixed routing simplicity and adjustable position flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device assembly including a movable suspension arm assembly comprising a plurality of joints; a service head located at an end of the suspension arm assembly, the service head comprising a plurality of outlets; and a brake system for selectively braking the plurality of joints, the brake system comprising a plurality of user engagements, wherein the brake system is configured to detect user engagement of the plurality of user engagements and to release at least one brake of the brake system in response to detecting simultaneous user engagement of at least two of the plurality of user engagements so that a user can move the service head.