Coupling Device Alignment Mechanism for Medical Handpieces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling devices for medical tools and handpieces often result in faulty connections due to improper alignment and engagement of coupling elements, leading to inefficient transmission of drive movement and working medium.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device design featuring a first section with a screw connection for detachable connection and a second section with a cylindrical guide surface for positioning, allowing the coupling elements to be displaced along the common axis before secure engagement, preventing faulty connections and ensuring easy attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a screw connection is used for detachable connection of coupling elements, then the connection can be securely fastened, but improper alignment during insertion may result in faulty connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing a cylindrical guide surface on the coupling projection and a corresponding coupling recess that guides the coupling elements into proper alignment before the screw connection engages. This pre-alignment mechanism ensures that the threaded portions are correctly positioned before attachment, preventing faulty connections while maintaining secure fastening.
2Productivity
If coupling elements are directly engaged without guidance, then the attachment process is quick, but misalignment occurs leading to faulty connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary guiding mechanism in the form of a cylindrical guide surface on the coupling projection and a matching coupling recess. This intermediary structure mediates between the quick attachment requirement and the need for precise alignment, allowing rapid insertion while ensuring correct positioning through the guiding action before the screw connection engages.
3Reliability
If the coupling elements have complex alignment features, then faulty connections are prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the coupling interface into two distinct functional sections: a cylindrical guide surface for alignment and positioning, and a screw connection for secure fastening. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function efficiently - the guide surface ensures precise alignment with simple cylindrical geometry, while the screw connection provides reliable attachment, thereby preventing faulty connections without excessive complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Coupling device (1) for transmitting a drive movement and optionally a working medium from a vibration-transmitting handpiece (2) to a medical, in particular dental, tool (3) with a first coupling element (4, 5) provided on the handpiece (1) and a second coupling element (4, 5) on the tool (3), wherein one of the two coupling elements is designed as a coupling projection (6) which can be inserted into a coupling recess (7) on the other coupling element, wherein the coupling projection (6) and the coupling recess (7) each have a first section (8, 9) for releasably connecting the two coupling elements (4, 5) and a second section (10, 11) for positioning the two coupling elements relative to their common axis of rotation (12), and wherein the second section (10, 11) on the coupling projection (6) and on the coupling recess (7) is designed such that both coupling elements (4,5) are guided towards each other and are displaceable along the common axis of rotation (12) before the two coupling elements (4, 5) can be detachably connected to each other by means of the first section (8, 9).