Beam-Mounted Trolley Brake Using Spring Force
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beam-mounted supply units for medical devices face challenges in providing a secure and reliable braking mechanism without relying on electric energy or compressed air, which may not be available in all hospital settings, especially in underdeveloped countries.
Innovation Solution
A trolley with a brake unit that generates braking force using a spring or magnetic force, activated by an electromagnetically or mechanically driven actuator, allowing for secure fixing of medical devices without auxiliary energy, and can be deactivated using an opposing force applied through an actuator, enabling movement along the rail track.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pneumatic brake is used to ensure secure stopping of the trolley, then the braking reliability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase due to requiring compressed air generation and distribution systems
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the compressed air system from the braking mechanism, replacing it with a spring-based mechanical brake that operates independently of auxiliary energy systems. The brake unit uses a spring element that automatically engages with the rail track to provide reliable braking without requiring compressed air generation or distribution infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-based brake unit is self-activating and does not require external energy sources. The spring automatically engages with the rail track when the trolley needs to stop, providing reliable braking through its own mechanical energy storage capability rather than depending on hospital infrastructure like compressed air systems.
2Ease of operation
If an electrically powered brake is used for precise control, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates during power failures
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-based brake unit operates autonomously without requiring electrical power. The spring automatically engages and disengages from the rail track based on the trolley's movement and position, providing reliable braking control during both normal operation and power failure conditions through pure mechanical means.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the electrically powered brake system with a purely mechanical spring-based system. This substitution eliminates dependence on electrical infrastructure while maintaining precise control capability through mechanical engagement and disengagement mechanisms that respond to the trolley's position and movement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a spring-based brake is used to eliminate auxiliary energy requirements, then the adaptability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to manual activation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-based brake unit is self-activating through the trolley's own movement. As the trolley approaches the braking zone, the spring automatically engages with the rail track, and as the trolley moves away, the spring automatically disengages. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual activation while maintaining adaptability to different operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake system incorporates feedback through the mechanical interaction between the spring and the trolley's movement. The spring's engagement and disengagement are automatically controlled by the trolley's position and velocity, creating a feedback loop that adjusts braking force based on real-time operational conditions without requiring manual intervention.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures secure fixing of medical devices at desired locations even during power failures, eliminating the need for electric energy or compressed air, and allows for easy activation and deactivation of the brake, ensuring reliable operation and compact construction.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element is provided, which in an activated state exerts a braking force on the braking element
Implementation Method 2
a magnetic element is provided, which in an activated state exerts a braking force on the braking element
Implementation Method 3
the brake can be released by means of an electromagnetically or mechanically driven actuator, by applying an opposing force to the braking force
Data Source
AI summary
A trolley (1), for a beam-mounted supply unit, for fastening medical devices to a ceiling. The trolley has a chassis (2) which can be meshed with a rail track of the beam-mounted supply unit for moving the trolley (1) along the rail track. A medical device can be fastened to the trolley (1). The trolley has a brake unit (3) with at least one braking element (7), which exerts a braking force on the rail track and/or on the chassis in the activated state of the brake unit (3), so that a movement of the chassis along the rail track is at least made difficult compared to an operating state with the brake unit (3) deactivated. In the activated state of the brake unit (3), the braking force exerted by the braking element (7) on the rail track and/or on the chassis is generated without the aid of electric energy.