Gravity-Assisted Pole Clamp for Cross-Thread-Free Medical Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical device attachment methods to poles are time-consuming, prone to cross-threading, and risk human error, making them inefficient and unreliable for securely attaching medical devices like infusion pumps to varying pole diameters.
Innovation Solution
A clamp mechanism featuring a housing with pivotally coupled pawls, a lift bar, and a bias member, which uses a pull handle to move the pawls between positions, amplifying the clamping force with gravity's assistance, and includes tracks and gripping surfaces for secure attachment to different object sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a threaded screw is used to attach medical devices to poles, then the device can be securely attached, but the process is time-consuming and prone to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp mechanism uses gravity as a self-service force to automatically amplify clamping force. When the release button is pressed, the pawl freely falls under gravity to engage with the rack, eliminating the need for manual tightening efforts and reducing attachment time while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the traditional threaded screw mechanical system with a rack and pawl mechanism. This substitution eliminates cross-threading issues and manual tightening while providing more reliable and faster attachment through gravitational assistance and mechanical locking.
2Reliability
If a threaded screw is used to attach medical devices to poles, then the device can be securely attached, but cross-threading and human error occur
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp mechanism is designed to be self-aligning and self-adjusting. The pawl automatically engages with the rack teeth regardless of slight misalignments, and the mechanism self-regulates the clamping force through gravity, eliminating cross-threading and reducing human error.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the user to apply force to tighten a screw, the invention inverts the approach by using gravity to automatically apply clamping force when the release button is pressed. This reversal of the traditional mechanism simplifies operation and eliminates common errors associated with manual screw tightening.
3Reliability
If a clamp mechanism with pawls and racks is used, then attachment reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions into a single integrated clamp mechanism. The pawl, rack, release button, and gravitational force work together as a unified system, reducing the need for separate components and simplifying the overall device while maintaining high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism uses gravity as a free resource to provide clamping force, eliminating the need for additional motors, actuators, or power sources. This self-service approach reduces device complexity while enhancing clamping reliability through the natural force of gravity.
4Ease of operation
If manual screw tightening is used, then the process is simple, but it is time-consuming and prone to error
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp mechanism leverages gravity to automatically perform the clamping action when the release button is pressed. This self-service mechanism eliminates the time-consuming manual tightening process while keeping the operation simple through a single button press.
Solution Approach 2:
The pawl is pre-positioned and spring-loaded within the mechanism, ready to immediately engage with the rack when the release button is pressed. This preliminary preparation enables rapid attachment without time-consuming manual adjustments, significantly improving productivity.
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 clamp mechanism provides a secure, efficient, and reliable attachment of medical devices to poles, reducing the risk of human error and time consumption, while accommodating various pole diameters and ensuring firm grip without deformation.
Implementation Method 1
at least one bias member operatively coupled to the housing. The at least one bias member may be configured to bias the at least one pawl toward a first position
Implementation Method 2
amplifying the clamping force with gravity's assistance
Data Source
AI summary
A protective mechanism for use when gripping a medical device to a rack is provided. A related system and method are also provided. The protective mechanism includes a connector, an actuation member configured to have a first end portion and a second end portion. The cover member is configured to interact with the actuation member so as to pivot to uncover the connector when the actuation member pivots in a first direction and to pivot to cover the connector when the actuation member pivots in a second direction.