Elastomeric Damper Vibration Isolation for Surgical Microscope Spindle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-Y positioning units for surgical microscopes using stepper motors with integrated drive shafts cause jerky motions and vibrations, leading to unstable images due to direct connections between the motor and carriage, which are unacceptable in surgical settings.
Innovation Solution
The stepper motor's drive shaft is connected to the carriage via an elastomeric damper, which absorbs jerky motions and prevents oscillations by dissipating vibrations, eliminating the need for a direct connection and additional linkages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a direct connection between the stepper motor drive shaft and the carriage is used, then the structure is simple, but jerky motions and vibrations occur causing unstable images
Solution Approach 1:
An elastomeric damper is introduced as an intermediary component between the stepper motor drive shaft and the carriage. This damper absorbs the jerky motions and vibrations generated by the motor, preventing them from being transmitted to the carriage and microscope, thus maintaining image stability while preserving the simplicity of the direct-drive structure.
2Reliability
If DC motors with linkage and encoder are used, then image stability is achieved, but the device becomes complex and large in dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The encoder and linkage components are extracted (removed) from the system. Instead of using complex DC motors with encoders and linkages, the patent employs simple stepper motors with integrated drive shafts, relying on the elastomeric damper to handle vibration suppression, thereby simplifying the overall structure while maintaining stability.
3Device complexity
If stepper motors with integrated drive shafts are used, then device complexity is reduced, but vibrations cause oscillation of the microscope
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric damper converts the harmful vibrations and jerky motions into beneficial damping effects. By allowing controlled deformation and energy dissipation within the damper material, the harmful vibrational energy is transformed into heat, preventing the transmission of oscillations to the microscope while maintaining the simplicity of the stepper motor structure.
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
This solution ensures vibration-free movement of the surgical microscope during operations, providing a stable image by absorbing jerky motions and preventing oscillations, thus enhancing the usability of stepper motors in surgical applications.
Implementation Method 1
the elastomeric damper, which absorbs jerky motions and prevents oscillations by dissipating vibrations
Implementation Method 2
the elastomeric damper is embodied as a washer that comprises a centered orifice for the drive shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A device for mounting a drive shaft driven by a drive motor is described, in which device a carriage is driven via the drive shaft. The drive motor is embodied as a stepper motor (1), and the drive shaft (6) is joined to the carriage (8; 9) via an elastomeric damper (3).