Gravity-Assisted Pole Clamp for Fast Secure Medical Device Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical device attachment methods to poles are time-consuming, prone to cross-threading, and susceptible to human error, lacking efficiency and reliability in securely attaching devices of varying diameters.
Innovation Solution
A clamp mechanism featuring a housing with a pawl assembly, a lift bar, and a bias member, allowing for easy adjustment and secure attachment of medical devices to poles, with a mechanism that amplifies clamping force due to gravity and includes a handle for user operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual screw tightening is used to attach medical devices to poles, then the attachment can be adjusted to different diameters, 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 device is attached, gravity acting on the pump body automatically engages the pawl mechanism to tighten the clamp around the pole, eliminating the need for manual tightening adjustments and reducing attachment time while maintaining adaptability to different pole diameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the traditional manual screw tightening mechanism with a gravity-driven pawl and lift bar mechanism. This mechanical substitution eliminates the time-consuming screw threading process while maintaining the ability to adjust to different pole diameters through the movable pawl design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual screw tightening is used to attach medical devices to poles, then the attachment can be adjusted to different diameters, but the process is susceptible to cross-threading and human error
Solution Approach 1:
The gravity-driven mechanism serves itself by automatically engaging the pawl teeth with the lift bar notches without requiring manual intervention. This self-service operation eliminates human error and cross-threading risks while maintaining adaptability through the designed clearance and tooth geometry that accommodates various pole diameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention substitutes the unreliable manual screw threading process with a more reliable pawl-based mechanical system. The interlocking teeth and notches provide positive engagement that prevents cross-threading and ensures consistent, error-free attachment across different pole diameters.
3Reliability
If gravity is used to amplify clamping force, then secure attachment is achieved, but the clamp mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp mechanism uses the device's own weight (gravity) as a counterweight force to amplify clamping pressure. The pawl and lift bar mechanism converts the downward gravitational force into radial clamping force against the pole, achieving secure attachment without additional complex components or active actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism uses gravity as a free, self-service force source that automatically provides the necessary clamping amplification. This eliminates the need for motors, sensors, or control systems that would increase complexity, while still achieving reliable and secure attachment through the passive gravity-driven pawl engagement.
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 cross-threading and human error, while accommodating devices of different diameters with ease.
Implementation Method 1
at least one bias member configured to bias the at least one pawl toward a first position
Implementation Method 2
a mechanism that amplifies clamping force due to gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A clamp apparatus is disclosed that includes a body, first and second actuators, first, second, third and fourth gear sets, first and second movable grippers, and at least one leaf spring. The first gear set is coupled to the first actuator and the second gear set is coupled to the second actuator. The first gear set engages the second gear set. The first and second movable grippers are each operatively coupled to the body. The third gear set is coupled to the first movable gripper and the fourth gear set is coupled to the second movable gripper. The third gear set operatively engages the fourth gear set. The leaf spring engages with the third gear set and the fourth gear set to urge the first movable gripper and the second movable gripper toward a clamped position.