Bi-stable Spring Holder for Tool-free Cable Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cables, wires, and tubes risk entanglement and damage in hospital environments, requiring a fast, tool-free, and mark-free attachment solution that allows for easy detachment and cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A bi-stable spring holder with a hook member that can transition between flat and curled states for secure attachment and detachment of elongated flexible items, featuring a polymer-covered metal spring and a flexible hook design for easy handling and hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cables, wires, and tubes are hung freely to avoid damage, then they risk entanglement and disconnection, but if they are fixed temporarily, then they risk leaving marks on the structure and requiring tools for attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The holder utilizes the elastic property of the spring member to achieve self-attachment and self-detachment. The spring member naturally returns to its initial state after deformation, enabling the holder to attach to and detach from the bed without requiring tools or leaving marks, thus resolving the contradiction between reliable fixation and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder employs a bi-stable spring member that can dynamically transition between two stable states: an attached state where the holder secures the flexible item to the bed, and a detached state where the holder returns to its initial configuration. This dynamic capability allows the holder to provide reliable fixation when needed while easily releasing without marks or tools.
2Reliability
If the holder is designed to be firmly attached to ensure secure positioning, then it becomes difficult to detach and clean
Solution Approach 1:
The bi-stable spring member enables the holder to transition dynamically between a secured state for reliable positioning and a released state for easy detachment. The elastic deformation allows firm attachment during use while facilitating simple removal for cleaning and disinfection, resolving the contradiction between secure positioning and ease of maintenance.
3Ease of operation
If multiple holders are stored together to improve accessibility, then they risk entanglement and difficulty in retrieval
Solution Approach 1:
The holder utilizes the flexibility of the spring member to collapse into a compact, flat configuration when not in use. This flexible collapsing capability allows multiple holders to be stored together in a container without entanglement, improving accessibility while reducing storage complexity.
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
Provides secure, tool-free attachment and detachment of flexible items, ensuring ease of use, hygiene, and compatibility with various equipment without leaving marks, suitable for dynamic hospital environments.
Implementation Method 1
The spring member is bi-stable and movable between a flat state in which the spring member extends in a first direction between the opposing ends, and a curled state
Implementation Method 2
a hook member arranged to receive and hold the at least one elongated flexible item
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
A holder (1) for releasably attaching at least one elongated flexible item such as a cord or a tube to an object by wrapping the holder (1) at least partly around the object. The holder (1) comprises a spring member (2) having a flat body shape with two opposing ends (3). The spring member (2) is bi-stable and movable between a flat state (6) in which the spring member (2) extends in a first direction (D1) between the opposing ends (3), and a curled state (7) in which the spring member (2) strives to assume a cylindrical shape. In the curled state (7) the spring member (2) may be wrapped at least partly around the object. The holder (1) further comprises a hook member (5) arranged to receive and hold the at least one elongated flexible item.