Medical Ceiling Mount Cover with Tool-Free Elastomer Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ceiling fastening devices for medical devices require visible screws for assembly and disassembly, necessitating tools and complicating maintenance, while also posing challenges in cleanliness and mechanical strength.
Innovation Solution
A ceiling fastening device utilizing an elastomer ring that surrounds the ceiling pipe, tensioned to press the cladding against the ceiling, eliminating the need for screws and allowing tool-free installation and disassembly, with a design that enhances appearance, cleanliness, and mechanical strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fastening screw is used to secure the cladding to the support or ceiling tube, then the cladding is firmly fixed, but the fastening screw becomes visible and intrusive, requiring tools for installation and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the visible fastening screw from the exterior view by extracting it from the traditional through-hole configuration. Instead, the screw is hidden within the support structure, and the cladding is secured through a concealed mechanism where only the cladding itself is visible, eliminating the intrusive fastening element while maintaining secure fixation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism between the cladding and support - a recess in the cladding that receives the fastening screw from the interior side. This intermediary structure allows the screw to function as a fastener while remaining hidden, mediating between the need for secure attachment and the desire for a clean appearance
2Strength
If a fastening screw is used to secure the cladding, then the connection is strong, but the panel requires cutting for the fastening screw, reducing mechanical strength and creating dirt/moisture penetration paths
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of passing the fastening screw through the cladding from the exterior (traditional approach), the patent inverts the sequence by having the screw engage the cladding from the interior side through a recess. This reversal eliminates the need to cut through the panel surface, preserving mechanical strength and preventing penetration paths for contaminants
3Ease of operation
If the cladding is secured with visible screws, then the installation is secure, but the appearance is compromised and cleaning becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the visible fastening element from the exterior view by positioning the screw hole and fastening mechanism on the interior side of the cladding. The recess accommodates the screw head or fastening mechanism, removing it from visual exposure while maintaining the secure attachment function, thus achieving both aesthetic appeal and reliable fixation
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 intuitive, tool-free installation and disassembly of the cladding, improves mechanical strength, prevents dirt and moisture ingress, and simplifies maintenance access without the need for complete dismantling, resulting in a visually appealing and efficient ceiling mounting solution.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomer ring (6) is provided which encompasses the ceiling pipe (2) and is applied to the cladding (3), wherein the elastomer ring (6) is dimensioned such that it rests against the ceiling pipe (2) on the casing side and is tensioned
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a ceiling mounting device for medical devices comprising a support (1) that can be fixed to a ceiling (A), a ceiling tube (2) that extends vertically in a mounting position and is held on the support (1), and a cover (3) for the support (1) that is fixedly mounted to the support (1) and to the ceiling tube (2), wherein the cover (3) has a through-opening (4) for the ceiling tube (2), which is dimensioned slightly larger than an outer dimension of the ceiling tube (2), and can be placed against the ceiling (A) with a free edge section (5), wherein an elastomer ring (6) is provided that surrounds the ceiling tube (2) and is placed against the cover (3), wherein the elastomer ring (6) is dimensioned such that it rests against the ceiling tube (2) on its outer surface and is under tension, and wherein the elastomer ring (6) can be positioned on the ceiling tube (2) such that it secures the cover (3) against the ceiling in the mounting position. (A) presses.