Head Support Device with Counterweight for Weightless Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head support devices on operating tables are uncomfortable and risk neck and back injuries due to the weight of the head support bowl, which can feel heavy and cause displacement when adjusting positions, and they do not provide a sense of weightlessness or floating, especially during angle adjustments between the seat and back portions.
Innovation Solution
A head support device with a weight balancing unit, comprising a head support sled and counterweight housing connected via a force transfer unit, allowing for longitudinal movement and adjustable angle, and an electrically actuated adjustment arm for precise positioning, ensuring the device feels weightless or floating regardless of the back portion's angle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the head support bowl is fixed longitudinally during adjustments, then the head support device structure is simple, but it causes discomfort and risks neck and back injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The head support bowl is made longitudinally movable relative to the back portion through a sled mechanism, allowing it to dynamically adjust position during angle changes. This dynamic capability enables the bowl to maintain optimal positioning relative to the patient's head regardless of back portion angle, eliminating discomfort and injury risks while keeping the mechanism relatively simple.
2Ease of operation
If the head support bowl is disengaged during adjustments, then the head support device allows free movement, but the full weight of the device (10kg) is held by the patient's head
Solution Approach 1:
A counterweight mechanism is implemented that balances the 10kg weight of the head support device. The counterweight system includes a counterweight element connected through a force transfer unit to the head support sled, creating an equilibrium that eliminates the perception of device weight by the patient while maintaining secure support during adjustments.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the head support device has significant own weight, then the device structure is stable, but the patient experiences it as heavy rather than weightless
Solution Approach 1:
The counterweight mechanism directly addresses the perceived weight issue by balancing the device's own weight. The counterweight element, connected through the force transfer unit to the head support sled, creates an equilibrium that makes the device feel weightless to the patient while the actual structural stability is maintained through the robust sled and bearing mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The weight balancing unit creates an equipotential system where the gravitational forces on the head support device and counterweight are balanced. This equilibrium state ensures that no net force is transmitted to the patient's head, making the device feel weightless regardless of its actual mass, while structural integrity is preserved.
4Area of moving object
If the head support device occupies more space, then the patient has more room to move, but the surgeon has reduced accessibility for legs under the back portion
Solution Approach 1:
The head support device is segmented into modular components: the head support bowl, the sled mechanism, the counterweight housing, and the force transfer unit. This segmentation allows the device to be compact when retracted and extend only when needed, optimizing space utilization. The sled mechanism enables the bowl to extend forward to provide patient space while retracting to maintain surgeon accessibility under the back portion.
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 solution provides a comfortable and ergonomic experience by reducing the perceived weight of the head support device, allowing for smooth adjustments and minimizing the risk of injury, while maintaining accessibility for the surgeon's legs and enabling rapid positioning changes.
Implementation Method 1
The head support device is provided with a weight balancing unit. Through the weight balancing unit is achieved that the head support device is experienced by a user as being weightless or floating.
Implementation Method 2
The head support sled is journalled for movement back and forth in the carrier unit
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a head support device (19) attached to a treatment table (12). The treatment table comprises a back portion (13) pivotably joined to a seat portion (14). The head support device (19) is attached to the back portion (13) and has a head support bowl (18). The head support device (19) has a head support sled (32) arranged in a first bearing for linear forwards and backwards movement in a carrier unit (31) in the head support device (19). The head support device (19) is provided with a weight balancing unit (61). Through the weight balancing unit is achieved that the head support device is experienced by a user as being weightless or floating. The invention further relates to a back portion provided with such a head support device (19), and a treatment table (12) provided with such a head support device (19).