Operating Bed Rail Clamp Locking for One-Handed Secure Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operating bed clamps are cumbersome to assemble and disassemble, and lack safety mechanisms, making them prone to accidental disengagement.
Innovation Solution
A clamping device with a support base, handle, clamping unit, and locking unit, featuring a pivotally mounted handle, horizontally movable slide, vertically movable lower jaw, and a locking mechanism with a stop block, return spring, and locking bar, allowing for one-handed operation and secure clamping with a safety mechanism to prevent accidental loosening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a knob is used to lock the clamp to the bedside, then the clamping is secure, but the assembly and disassembly process becomes very time-consuming and laborious
Solution Approach 1:
The locking bar is designed to be movable between a locking position and an unlocking position, allowing dynamic transition between secured and released states. This enables quick release by simply moving the locking bar, eliminating the time-consuming knob operation while maintaining secure clamping when locked
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is divided into separate functional components: the locking bar for securing, the stop block for positioning, and the return spring for automatic reset. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, enabling rapid assembly and disassembly while ensuring reliable clamping
2Ease of operation
If a simple clamp design is used, then the operation is quick, but there is no safety mechanism and it is prone to accidental dropping
Solution Approach 1:
The stop block is pre-positioned to engage with the slide at predetermined locations, creating inherent safety stops that prevent accidental disengagement. This preliminary positioning ensures that even if the locking bar is inadvertently moved, the stop block maintains clamping security
Solution Approach 2:
The return spring automatically returns the locking bar to the locking position after release operation, providing self-securing functionality. This self-service mechanism ensures that the clamp automatically returns to a secure state without requiring additional manual intervention, enhancing safety while maintaining operational simplicity
3Device complexity
If the handle operation direction is parallel to the side rail, then the structure is simple, but it interferes with surrounding persons or objects
Solution Approach 1:
The handle operation direction is changed from parallel to perpendicular relative to the side rail, utilizing a different spatial dimension. This dimensional change allows the handle to operate in a direction that does not interfere with surrounding space, improving operational convenience while maintaining structural simplicity through the orthogonal arrangement
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
Enables rapid positioning, convenient disassembly, and enhanced safety by allowing one-handed operation and preventing accidental disengagement, ensuring secure clamping and easy release.
Implementation Method 1
The return spring acts on the stop block to push the stop block toward the slide
Data Source
AI summary
A clamping device includes a support base, a handle pivoted to the support base, a clamping unit including an upper jaw, a lower jaw and a slide respectively mounted in the support base, and a locking unit including a stop block and a locking bar respectively mounted in the support base. When the handle is pressed, the locking bar is driven to unlock the stop block for allowing movement of the slide, and then the slide is pushed by the handle to lift the lower jaw, causing the upper jaw and the lower jar block to clamp a side rail of an operating bed. When the handle is returned, the stop block is locked by the locking bar, so that the slide is positioned to prevent accidental loosening.