Control Display Hinge Positioning for Cable Stress Relief
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical/surgical control display positioning systems restrict access, cause mechanical stress on cables, and are inflexible, leading to compromised sterile fields, improper screen alignment, and cable failure due to restricted movement and coiled cable designs.
Innovation Solution
A control display positioning system with three vertical hinges and a horizontal hinge, utilizing Belleville washers for consistent frictional force and allowing cable bundles to pass through cylindrical passages, enabling 4-axis movement and reducing mechanical stress on cables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the control display is permanently affixed to the front panel of the machine, then the display is stable and fixed in position, but the health care professional is restricted to accessing the control display from a position directly in front of the machine
Solution Approach 1:
The control display is mounted on a positioning system with multiple axes of movement (azimuth axis for horizontal rotation, elevation axis for vertical tilting) that allows the display to be dynamically adjusted to various positions and orientations, enabling health care professionals to access the display from different locations and angles while maintaining stable positioning once adjusted
2Ease of operation
If the control display is mounted on a yoke-type device to allow spinning and tilting, then the display can be accessed from different angles, but the health care professional is still restricted to accessing the control display from a position directly in front of the machine
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system incorporates both azimuth rotation (horizontal plane) and elevation tilting (vertical plane), adding dimensional freedom to the display positioning. This two-dimensional adjustment capability allows the display to be positioned not only at different angles but also at different locations relative to the machine, enabling access from positions that are not directly in front of the machine
3Ease of operation
If the control display is positioned directly in front of the medical/surgical system, then the display is easily accessible, but the sterile field near the machine and over the surgical tools and devices is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The control display is extracted from its traditional fixed position directly in front of the machine and repositioned to the side or other locations away from the sterile field using the adjustable positioning system. This allows the display to be accessed by health care professionals without requiring them to reach over surgical tools and devices, thereby maintaining the integrity of the sterile field
4Ease of operation
If the control display is positioned to accommodate the health care professional's body position, then the health care professional can work comfortably, but the screen may not be properly positioned to provide a clear line of sight
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system allows dynamic adjustment of the control display's position and orientation through azimuth and elevation axes, enabling the display to be precisely positioned according to the health care professional's body position and line of sight requirements. This ensures both comfortable working conditions and proper screen alignment for accurate viewing
5Adaptability or versatility
If the cables are wrapped into tight coils to accommodate movement, then the control display can be repositioned, but the mechanical stress on the cables increases and causes them to break
Solution Approach 1:
Cable management components such as cable glands or strain relief mechanisms are introduced as intermediaries between the control display and the cable routing system. These components provide proper cable routing and strain relief that accommodates the movement and repositioning of the control display while distributing and reducing the mechanical stress on the cables, preventing cable breakage
6Reliability
If the cable movement is restricted at each cable end to reduce mechanical stress, then the cable stress is reduced, but the cables must be quite long and stored in a relatively large coil
Solution Approach 1:
The cable management function is extracted from the control display positioning system itself and implemented as separate, dedicated cable management components (cable glands, strain relief mechanisms, and routing channels). This separation allows the cables to be properly managed and stress-reduced without requiring the cables to be excessively long or stored in large coils, as the cable management components handle the stress distribution independently
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 system allows flexible positioning of the control display for improved access, reduces cable stress, and maintains position with consistent frictional force, enhancing usability and reducing the risk of cable failure.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing Belleville washers for consistent frictional force
Implementation Method 2
the spring force, used to push friction generation surfaces together, is typically created by the compression of a series of wave washers
Data Source
AI summary
A control display positioning system includes three vertically oriented hinges and a horizontally oriented hinge attached to the back of the control display. Two arms are used to connect the three vertically oriented hinges one to another. In each vertically oriented hinge is a central space for the passage of electrical cables therethrough. Also in each vertically oriented hinge is a washer stack that provides the necessary friction forces for the control display positioning system to remain in a selected position after being repositioned by a user.