Floating-Stop Hub Mechanism for 360° Extension Arm Rotation

Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical device suspension systems often limit the rotation of extension arms to less than 360 degrees, and existing rotational control mechanisms require multiple stacked components, increasing the volumetric footprint and complicating integration.

Innovation Solution

A rotational control mechanism that enables at least 360 degrees of rotation of the extension arm about the shaft, utilizing a floating stop movably disposed in an elongated cavity of the hub, which interacts with contact faces and stop surfaces to control rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed feature in the hub contacts a fixed feature on the shaft to prevent further rotation, then rotation is limited, but the rotational range is restricted to below 360 degrees

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation limitationVSAvoidrotational range

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing fixed features with a floating stop that can move dynamically within the hub. The floating stop is not fixed to either the hub or shaft, allowing it to slide along the shaft during rotation. This dynamic configuration enables the extension arm to rotate through at least 360 degrees while still providing rotation limitation through the stop's interaction with the shaft surface, thereby resolving the contradiction between rotation limitation and rotational range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If multiple stacked components are used in the rotational control mechanism, then rotation control is achieved, but the volumetric footprint increases and integration is complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation controlVSAvoidcomponent count

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the merging principle by combining multiple functions into a single floating stop component. This single component performs rotation control, provides rotation limitation, and integrates within the hub structure. The floating stop merges the functions of what would traditionally require multiple stacked components, thereby reducing the volumetric footprint and simplifying integration into the hub while maintaining reliable rotation control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple stacked components are used in the rotational control mechanism, then rotation control is achieved, but the volumetric footprint increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation controlVSAvoidmechanism footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the merging principle by combining multiple functions into a single floating stop component. This single component performs rotation control, provides rotation limitation, and integrates within the hub structure. The floating stop merges the functions of what would traditionally require multiple stacked components, thereby reducing the volumetric footprint and simplifying integration into the hub while maintaining reliable rotation control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies the nesting principle by placing the floating stop within the hub structure, where it nests along the shaft. The floating stop is contained within the hub's internal geometry, allowing it to move along the shaft while remaining integrated within the hub's volumetric envelope. This nesting configuration reduces the overall mechanism footprint compared to external stacked components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP4274532B1Medical device support system including rotational control mechanism

Publication Date: 2025.02.12 AMERICAN STERILIZER CO

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AI summary

A medical device support system including a shaft, an extension arm, and a hub mounted to the shaft for pivotable movement of the extension arm about a rotation axis of the shaft. The hub includes a cavity including first and second contact faces, and at least one floating stop movably disposed in the cavity. The hub is pivotably mounted for a range of at least 360-degrees rotation about the rotation axis. The at least 360-degrees rotation range is based on a compound of a first rotation range and a second rotation range. The first rotation range is defined by a first movable amount of the at least one floating stop between first and second stop surfaces fixed relative to the shaft. The second rotation range is defined by a second movable amount of the at least one floating stop between the first and second contact faces of the hub.