Self-Contained Brake Actuator Assembly for Medical Support Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical device suspension systems face challenges in assembly and field service due to the complexity of handling and aligning separate components of the brake actuator, such as the set screw, plunger, and spring, which are required to be individually positioned and aligned, leading to potential misalignment and increased time expenditure.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained brake actuator comprising a cap, a plunger, and a spring, where the plunger is coupled to the cap for axial movement, and the spring exerts a biasing force to urge the clamp portions toward the central shaft, simplifying assembly and field service by eliminating the need for separate handling and alignment of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate components (set screw, plunger, spring) are used in the brake actuator, then the braking function can be achieved, but the assembly complexity increases and alignment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the set screw, plunger, and spring into a single integrated brake actuator assembly. The actuator (212) houses both the plunger (214) and spring (216) as internal components, eliminating the need for separate handling and alignment of these parts during assembly. This merging resolves the technical contradiction by maintaining the braking function while significantly reducing assembly complexity.
2Reliability
If separate components (set screw, plunger, spring) are used in the brake actuator, then the braking function can be achieved, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to alignment difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the plunger and spring within the actuator housing as a pre-assembled unit. The actuator (212) contains the plunger (214) and spring (216) in fixed spatial relationships, eliminating the need for field alignment of these components. This merging ensures consistent manufacturing precision while maintaining the braking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger and spring are pre-assembled within the actuator housing during manufacturing, before the actuator is installed in the final application. This preliminary assembly ensures proper alignment and spatial relationships are established under controlled manufacturing conditions, rather than requiring precise alignment during field installation or maintenance.
3Reliability
If the brake actuator is assembled with separate components, then the braking function can be achieved, but the time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates the set screw, plunger, and spring into a single integrated brake actuator assembly that can be installed as one unit. This merging eliminates the need for sequential assembly and alignment of multiple separate components, significantly reducing the time required for installation and maintenance while maintaining the braking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex assembly of the plunger, spring, and actuator components is performed in advance during manufacturing. This preliminary action transfers the time-consuming assembly process from the field installation phase to the controlled manufacturing phase, thereby improving productivity during system deployment and maintenance.
4Device complexity
If the cap minor diameter is increased to accommodate the plunger and spring, then the self-contained structure is achieved, but the hub opening size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where the plunger (214) and spring (216) are positioned concentrically within the actuator (212). The spring surrounds the plunger, and both are contained within the actuator housing. This nesting allows the components to share the same radial space, enabling the cap's minor diameter to be sufficiently large to accommodate all components while minimizing the overall size of the hub opening required.
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 self-contained brake actuator simplifies the assembly and maintenance process by allowing the cap to be adjustably mounted to the hub, enabling easy adjustment of frictional braking force without disassembling the hub from the shaft, reducing the risk of misalignment and expediting the assembly process.
Implementation Method 1
a spring disposed between the cap and the plunger and configured to exert a biasing force against movement of the cap axially toward the plunger
Implementation Method 2
The brake actuator includes a cap, a plunger coupled to the cap for reciprocable axial movement relative to the cap, and a spring disposed between the cap and the plunger... to selectively urge the first and second clamp portions either toward or away from the central shaft to respectively increase or decrease a frictional braking force to the central shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device support system including a central shaft, an extension arm, a brake clamp assembly, and a brake actuator. The extension arm has a support for a medical device and a hub at its proximal end mounted to the central shaft for pivotable movement about the central shaft. The brake clamp assembly is secured in the hub for rotation therewith and includes first and second clamp portions. The brake actuator includes a cap, a plunger coupled to the cap for reciprocable axial movement relative to the cap, and a spring disposed between the cap and the plunger and configured to exert a biasing force against movement of the cap axially toward the plunger. The cap is adjustably mounted to the hub and coupled to the plunger to selectively urge the first and second clamp portions either toward or away from the central shaft to respectively increase or decrease a frictional braking force to the central shaft.