Medical Holding Joint With Wedge Locking for One-Hand Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing holding devices for medical instruments require two hands to lock and release, suffer from high friction losses, and have limited force transmission efficiency, making them cumbersome and prone to self-inhibition, especially at angles over 70°.
Innovation Solution
A holding device with a joint featuring axially displaceable thrust elements and a ramp system with a wedge body that allows for force deflection by 90°, enabling locking and releasing without a hand lever, reducing friction losses and improving force transmission efficiency up to threefold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hand lever or hand screw is used to lock the joint, then the holding device can be locked securely, but two hands are required to operate it and the expenditure of force is high
Solution Approach 1:
The holding device is designed to lock automatically through a spring mechanism that engages locking elements when the holding segments are positioned, eliminating the need for manual intervention to maintain the locked state. The device serves itself by using the positioning force to trigger the locking action.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex hand lever or hand screw mechanism is completely removed from the design. Instead, simple locking elements that can be engaged with minimal force are used, extracting the essential locking function while eliminating the cumbersome operating mechanism.
2Productivity
If tightening sleeves with steeper run-on surfaces are used, then the transmission relationship is improved, but self-inhibition becomes excessively large at angles over 70°
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism uses a spring element that dynamically adjusts the engagement force based on the position and load. The spring provides progressive engagement, allowing the locking elements to engage smoothly without excessive self-inhibition, adapting to the mechanical advantages at different angles.
Solution Approach 2:
A spring element acts as an intermediary between the holding segments and the locking elements, mediating the force transmission. The spring converts the positioning force into controlled engagement of the locking elements, preventing excessive self-inhibition while maintaining secure locking.
3Force
If friction losses in the central joint are reduced, then the expenditure of force for tightening is reduced, but the complexity of the joint structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional friction-based tightening mechanism is replaced with a mechanical advantage system using levers and locking elements. This substitution reduces reliance on friction for force transmission, allowing for more efficient force application with reduced expenditure.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint incorporates curved or spherical surfaces in the locking mechanism that reduce friction during engagement and operation. The curved geometry allows for smoother movement and reduced resistance, decreasing the force required to operate the locking mechanism.
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 can be easily locked or released with one hand, maintains instrument control in the released position, and applies high clamping forces with reduced friction, enhancing operational effectiveness and reducing the risk of unintended movement.
Implementation Method 1
the deflection elements comprise at least one ramp system with a wedge body
Implementation Method 2
reducing the friction losses
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a holding device 020 for human-medicine or veterinary-medicine applications comprising: a joint between a proximal holding segment 001 and a distal holding segment 017; wherein one axially displaceable thrust element 002, 016 in each case is arranged in the holding segments 001, 017; wherein the joint has a tightening bolt, which defines the pivoting and tightening axis, and has deflection elements, by means of which a thrust force, acting relative to the axis, of the proximal thrust element 002 is deflectable to lock the joint onto the tightening axis and to displace the distal thrust element 016; and wherein the deflection elements comprise at least one ramp system with a wedge body 008. The invention further relates to a holding system comprising the specified holding device and a method for locking the joint of the specified holding device 020.