Instrument Handle Quick Coupling With Anti-Decoupling Knob
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coupling apparatuses for instruments and handles often face issues such as bending and breaking of internal components, instruments getting stuck, and unwanted decoupling due to inertia and design flaws, particularly when there is no resistance, and a small coupling area can lead to permanent deformation.
Innovation Solution
A quick coupling apparatus with a housing and a knob featuring a key hole structure, spring mechanism, and milling groove to securely hold and release interchangeable instruments, including a cylindrical slot, angled coupling surface, and overhanging portions to prevent rotation, allowing for easy installation and removal while preventing decoupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a small coupling area is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but permanent deformation occurs in the contact area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a simple point-contact coupling to a distributed surface-contact coupling by introducing a coupling surface that extends across multiple dimensions. The coupling surface includes angled surfaces and flat surfaces that distribute contact forces across a larger area, preventing permanent deformation while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a movable knob that can be pressed to dynamically change the coupling state between locked and unlocked positions. This dynamic mechanism allows the coupling apparatus to adapt to different operational states, enabling easy installation and removal of instruments while maintaining structural integrity during use.
2Ease of operation
If a simple coupling structure is used, then the ease of operation is improved, but unwanted decoupling occurs due to inertia
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a milling groove in the coupling surface that preliminarily prevents unwanted decoupling by creating a mechanical interlock feature. This groove structure is built into the design to proactively counteract inertial forces that might otherwise cause decoupling, while still allowing straightforward instrument installation and removal when the knob is pressed.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling surface features asymmetric angled surfaces that provide different mechanical characteristics for insertion versus removal. The angled surfaces guide instrument insertion smoothly while the milling groove and pressed knob mechanism require deliberate action for removal, preventing accidental decoupling while maintaining ease of intentional operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If internal components are simplified, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but bending and breaking of components occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the coupling apparatus into distinct functional segments: a housing, a movable knob, a coupling surface with milling groove, and spring components. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall structural integrity. The distributed structure prevents stress concentration that would lead to bending or breaking of individual components.
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 apparatus effectively secures instruments in place, preventing unwanted decoupling and deformation during impact, facilitating easy cleaning and maintenance without disassembly, and ensuring reliable operation with a variety of interchangeable tools.
Implementation Method 1
at least one spring, and at least one spring support attached to the knob configured to compress and release the at least one spring
Implementation Method 2
The knob may include a milling groove to prevent unwanted decoupling of an inserted instrument
Implementation Method 3
The coupling surface may have a circular shape configured to receive a neck of the instrument on greater than one hundred eighty degrees of a circumference thereof
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an apparatus for use with an instrument handle, the apparatus including a housing, a knob receivable in the housing, the knob having a key hole structure to receive an instrument bulb and neck, a slot in the housing to receive the knob, wherein the knob is pressed into the slot to facilitate installation and removal of the instrument bulb and neck.