Force Compensating Device Safety Unit Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional force compensating devices, such as those used in medical systems, often require significant force to safely manage payloads when a spring breaks, and the safety devices do not consistently respond to malfunction situations, leading to unreliable locking mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A force compensating device with a two-part safety unit and locking mechanism that allows counter-movement against the tractive force, featuring a spiral spring as a force generating unit and a pawl system with a locking pin, ensuring reliable triggering and prevention of movement in the direction of the tractive force upon malfunction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional pawl spring safety device is used to trigger a locking mechanism upon spring breakage, then the safety device can block cable release, but the pawl does not remain reliably pressed outward and does not respond consistently in every fault situation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a counterbalancing force mechanism where a second spring element provides a counteracting force to the first spring element. When the first spring breaks, the counterbalancing force from the second spring reliably activates the pawl to engage the locking mechanism, ensuring consistent safety triggering without requiring excessive external force.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mediator mechanism in the form of a lever arm that amplifies the force from the broken spring's tension. The lever arm acts as an intermediary between the spring tension and the pawl activation, translating the spring's residual tension into reliable pawl engagement with the locking mechanism.
2Reliability
If considerable force is applied to safely manage payloads when a spring breaks, then the payload can be controlled, but the device complexity and force requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The force compensating device uses a second spring element as a counterbalancing force generator that automatically activates the locking mechanism when the first spring fails. This counterweight approach eliminates the need for considerable external force to control the payload, as the system's internal forces automatically manage the safety locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety mechanism is designed to be self-activating through the lever arm mechanism. When the first spring breaks, the resulting tension automatically actuates the lever arm, which in turn triggers the pawl to engage the locking mechanism. The system serves itself without requiring external intervention or additional force application.
3Device complexity
If a simple pawl spring mechanism is used for safety triggering, then the device complexity is reduced, but the safety device does not respond consistently and may fail to lock reliably
Solution Approach 1:
The safety mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the first spring element for force generation, the second spring element for counterbalancing, the lever arm for force amplification, and the pawl for locking engagement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function reliably while maintaining overall system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic elements including spring elements that can deform and store energy, and a lever arm that rotates to amplify force. These dynamic components enable the safety mechanism to respond reliably to the breakage event through controlled movement and force transformation, achieving consistent locking without excessive complexity.
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 device reliably locks the safety unit in place upon malfunction, preventing accidental release and allowing counter-movement with minimal force, ensuring safety and stability in medical applications like x-ray tube assemblies.
Implementation Method 1
a force generating unit for generating a compensating force that at least partially counteracts a tractive force acting on the force compensating device
Data Source
AI summary
A force compensating device includes a force generating unit configured for generating a compensating force that at least partially counteracts a tractive force acting on the force compensating device. The device includes at least one safety unit that is rotatable about a first axis of rotation and which, in the event of a malfunction of the force generating unit, can be moved by the force generating unit from an operating position to a locked position. The safety unit includes a first element and a second element that are rotatably connected to each other at a second axis of rotation, and at least one locking unit that blocks rotational movement of the safety unit from the locked position back to the operating position when the safety unit has been triggered due to a malfunction. A two-part safety unit in combination with the locking unit allows the safety unit to trigger and remain triggered in all fault situations. The force compensating device may be used in a medical system.