Bias Device for Gripping Arms with Selective Shuttle Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gripping devices, such as forceps and pliers, lack a selectively engageable and disengageable bias mechanism that can apply variable forces to individual arms without being removed or moved, leading to potential loss or damage over time.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a working arm, a shuttle, and a bias device that biases the arm when the shuttle is in a specific position, allowing for variable force application by changing the shuttle's position, enabling one-handed activation and deactivation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a bias device is made removable or disengageable by pivoting, then the device can be deactivated, but the bias device may become lost or damaged over time
Solution Approach 1:
A shuttle component is introduced as an intermediary between the bias device and the working arms. The shuttle engages with the bias device to activate it and can be positioned in different locations along the central body. This intermediary mechanism allows activation/deactivation without removing the bias device itself, preventing loss and damage while maintaining selective engagement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bias device transitions from a static, permanently engaged state to a dynamic, selectively activatable state. The shuttle can be moved to different positions along the central body, dynamically controlling when and where the bias device engages with the working arms, enabling both reliability and adaptability.
2Force
If a bias device applies force directly to both arms, then the arms are biased open, but the force application cannot be varied or targeted to individual arms
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing function is segmented and distributed to individual working arms rather than applying force uniformly to both arms. Each working arm can be independently biased through its own engagement with the shuttle and bias device mechanism, allowing variable and targeted force application to specific arms as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The bias force is applied locally to specific working arms based on their individual engagement with the shuttle mechanism. Different arms can have different bias forces applied simultaneously, with each arm's bias state determined by its local interaction with the shuttle and bias device, enabling targeted and variable force application.
3Device complexity
If existing gripping devices use fixed bias mechanisms, then the structure is simple, but the devices cannot be selectively activated or deactivated
Solution Approach 1:
The shuttle serves as a simple intermediary component that adds selective activation capability without significantly complicating the overall structure. The shuttle's movement along the central body and engagement with the bias device provides control functionality while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure suitable for surgical instruments.
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
The solution provides a gripping device with a selectively engageable and disengageable bias mechanism that can apply variable forces to individual arms, enhancing usability and reducing the risk of damage or loss.
Implementation Method 1
a bias device; wherein the bias device biases the first working arm when the shuttle is in a first position
Data Source
AI summary
A device including: (a) a first working arm; (b) a body; (c) a shuttle located on the body, and (d) a bias device; wherein the bias device biases the first working arm relative to the body when the shuttle is in a first position, and wherein the bias device is free of biasing the first working arm relative to the body when the shuttle is in a second position.