Adjustable Support Arms for Medical Trolley Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Equipment trolleys in medical settings face instability issues due to shifts in the center of gravity, particularly when equipped with pivotable monitor arms, which existing extendable support arms inadequately counteract, leading to potential tipping.
Innovation Solution
The equipment trolley features support arms with roller feet that can be extended and displaced horizontally, allowing for adjustable and customizable footprints by pivoting or reattaching at different points on the base plate, ensuring maximum stability and security against tipping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If extendable support arms are used to increase the footprint, then stability is improved, but the ability to counteract center of gravity shifts is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The support arms are made dynamically adjustable in both extension and angular position. The arm can be extended radially from the base plate and simultaneously rotated to different angles, allowing the footprint to be dynamically adapted to counteract center of gravity shifts in any direction, not just along fixed axes.
Solution Approach 2:
The support arm is divided into multiple independently adjustable components: the radial extension mechanism and the angular rotation mechanism. This segmentation allows each degree of freedom to be controlled separately, enabling precise positioning to counteract center of gravity shifts in any direction.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the footprint is enlarged by extending support arms in fixed directions, then stability is improved, but adaptability to different center of gravity shifts is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm incorporates both radial extension and angular rotation capabilities, transforming the footprint adjustment from a fixed-direction mechanism to a dynamic system that can adapt to center of gravity shifts in any direction by adjusting both the length and angle of the support arm.
3Adaptability or versatility
If support arms are made detachable and reattachable at different positions, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detachment and reattachment functionality is merged with the extension and rotation mechanisms. The support arm uses a unified mounting system with multiple holes in the base plate that accommodates both positional relocation and angular adjustment, reducing the need for separate complex fastening systems.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
The equipment trolley (1) has support framework (2) which has shelf areas (3) for receiving items of equipment, and base plate (4). The support arms (6) with castors are mounted on the base plate. The support arms are secured on the base plate so as to be extendable and adjustable in the horizontal plane of the base plate.