Electro-Mechanical Brake Linkage with Position Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional patient transport apparatuses face challenges in connecting, protecting, and supporting linkages for braking systems, as well as determining the current state of the braking system, which affects the reliable engagement and disengagement of brakes.
Innovation Solution
A patient transport apparatus with an electro-mechanical braking system that includes a linkage with rotating and sliding links, a retainer to limit movement, and a position sensor to determine the braking state, along with a sensor actuator to move with the linkage, ensuring accurate engagement and disengagement of brakes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a linkage system is used to connect brakes, then the brakes can be engaged and disengaged, but challenges arise in connecting, protecting, and supporting the links and guiding their movement
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer combines multiple functions into a single component: it supports the linkage, guides its movement, protects it, and provides stopping positions. This merging eliminates the need for separate components for each function, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining ease of brake operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer serves multiple purposes simultaneously: structural support, movement guidance, protection, and positioning. This multi-functionality addresses the complexity issue by consolidating what would otherwise require multiple separate components into one universal element.
2Ease of operation
If a linkage system is used for braking, then brakes can be actuated, but it is difficult to determine the current state of the braking system and ensure full engagement or disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer provides mechanical feedback through defined stopping positions that indicate the linkage's state. The sensor actuator detects these positions to determine whether brakes are fully engaged or disengaged, providing precise state information back to the control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces difficult mechanical state detection with an optical or electromagnetic sensor system. The sensor actuator uses non-contact sensing methods to detect linkage position, substituting complex mechanical indicators with more precise and reliable electronic detection.
3Device complexity
If manual foot pedals are used to engage brakes, then the braking system is simple, but electrical braking systems are also known which may offer improved control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical brake actuation with an electrical motor-driven system. The motor rotates the linkage to engage and disengage brakes, providing improved control precision, ease of operation, and integration with electronic control systems while maintaining the underlying mechanical linkage structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A patient transport apparatus includes a base, a patient support deck, a plurality of wheels, a plurality of brakes, and an electro-mechanical braking system. The electro-mechanical braking system includes a linkage, a manual actuator, and an electrical braking assembly. The linkage is operatively coupled to the brakes to place the brakes in a braked state, a released state, or other state. The manual actuator moves the linkage manually to place the brakes in one of the states. The electrical braking assembly includes an actuator assembly that moves the linkage with electrical power to place the brakes in one of the states.