Sphygmomanometer Cuff Unit with Segmented Actuator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cuff units have insufficient restraining and pressing forces due to a large operation range of the actuator and significant gaps between the actuator and the object being measured.
Innovation Solution
A cuff unit design featuring a first and second wall that face each other with an object interposed, an actuator for parallel movement, a pressing fluid bag for inflation, a restraining fluid bag for peripheral inflation, and an actuator fluid bag for expanding or contracting to enhance the restraining and pressing forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the actuator operation range is increased to accommodate objects of varying thickness, then the adaptability improves, but the gap between the actuator and object becomes large resulting in insufficient restraining force and pressing force
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is divided into multiple segments (first actuator segment and second actuator segment) that can move relative to each other. This segmentation allows the actuator to adapt to objects of varying thickness while maintaining consistent contact pressure, as each segment can independently adjust its position to eliminate gaps and provide sufficient restraining and pressing forces.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the actuator operation range is large to adapt to object thickness, then the versatility improves, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first actuator segment and second actuator segment are nested within each other, with the first segment movable relative to the second segment. This nested configuration allows the actuator to accommodate varying object thicknesses while maintaining a compact structure, reducing overall device complexity compared to extending the actuator operation range.
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 design achieves a sufficient restraining and pressing force, allowing for effective measurement and easy removal of the object, with the actuator fluid bag's expansion or contraction controlled similarly to the pressing and restraining fluid bags, simplifying the control system.
Implementation Method 1
a pressing fluid bag that is provided on a surface of the first wall on a side facing the object and that receives supply of a fluid from outside to inflate and press the object
Implementation Method 2
a restraining fluid bag that is provided on a surface of the second wall on a side facing the object and that receives supply of a fluid from outside to inflate along a periphery of the object
Implementation Method 3
an actuator fluid bag that is provided between the second wall and the third wall and that receives supply of a fluid from outside to expand, wherein the actuator expands or contracts the actuator fluid bag when the actuator moves the first wall and the second wall in parallel with each other
Data Source
AI summary
A cuff unit of the present invention includes a first wall and a second wall that face each other with an object which has a rod shape interposed therebetween, an actuator that is capable of moving the first wall and the second wall in parallel with each other in a direction in which the first wall and the second wall relatively approach each other or separate from each other, a pressing fluid bag that is provided on a surface of the first wall on a side facing the object and that receives supply of a fluid from outside to inflate and press the object, and a restraining fluid bag that is provided on a surface of the second wall on a side facing the object and that receives supply of a fluid from outside to inflate along the periphery of the object.