Armboard Deck Engagement Mechanism for Ergonomic Disengagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional armboard assemblies face challenges in disengaging the armboard deck ergonomically and preventing debris entry, while also being costly and time-consuming to manufacture due to their complex component structures.

Innovation Solution

The armboard assembly features an armboard deck with a cavity and radially extending teeth, an engagement assembly with a handle and indexing member that moves between engaged and disengaged positions to interact with the teeth, and a biasing member to maintain the handle within a leg recess, preventing debris entry and simplifying the manufacturing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional armboard assemblies use multiple components for armboard mounts, then the structure can engage and disengage the armboard deck, but the manufacturing time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing time and costVSAvoidcomponent structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The armboard mount is formed as a single integrated component that combines the mounting structure and engagement mechanism into one piece, eliminating the need for multiple separate components and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining functional capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If conventional armboard assemblies use standard handles, then the structure is simple to manufacture, but the operator cannot ergonomically position the engagement assembly into the disengaged position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveergonomic disengagementVSAvoidhandle structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is designed with specific ergonomic features including a curved grip portion and finger engagement protrusions that are localized to the handle structure, providing improved operator comfort and control only where needed without redesigning the entire armboard assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional armboard mounts are formed from multiple components, then the engagement mechanism can be implemented, but debris can enter the armboard assembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris entry preventionVSAvoidmount structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The armboard mount is formed as a single integrated component with no gaps or interfaces between separate parts, creating a debris-resistant structure that prevents contamination while maintaining the engagement and disengagement functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11890238B2Armboard assemblies for supporting and positioning a limb relative to a mounting structure

Publication Date: 2024.02.06 ALLEN MEDICAL SYST INC

AI summary

An armboard assembly includes an armboard deck including a cavity formed in a lower surface of the armboard deck, an armboard mount including a plurality of radially extending teeth positioned within a mount portion of the cavity, and an engagement assembly movable relative to the armboard deck between an engaged position to engage the plurality of teeth of the armboard mount and a disengaged position to disengage the plurality of teeth of the armboard mount. The engagement assembly includes a handle including one or more legs extending from an upper surface of the handle, which engage an insertion hole formed in the armboard deck and a channel extending from the insertion hole toward the armboard mount, and an indexing member positioned within the cavity of the armboard deck and coupled to the handle. The indexing member limits movement of the engagement assembly by maintaining the legs within the channel.