Instrument Handle Quick Coupling With Anti-Decoupling Knob Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coupling apparatuses for instruments and handles often face issues such as internal component bending or breaking, instruments getting stuck, and permanent deformation due to small coupling areas and unwanted decoupling caused by inertia and design flaws.
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 pin hole for perpendicular pin insertion and overhanging portions to prevent rotation, ensuring secure coupling and easy cleaning.
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 point-contact coupling to a surface-contact coupling by introducing a planar contact interface between the instrument bulb and coupling surface. This dimensional change from 0D to 2D contact area distributes the impact forces across a larger surface, preventing permanent deformation while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling interface is segmented into distinct functional zones: a planar contact surface for force distribution, an angled coupling surface for mechanical interlocking, and a milling groove for rotational constraint. This segmentation allows each zone to address specific mechanical requirements without increasing overall complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a simple coupling design is used, then ease of operation is improved, but unwanted decoupling occurs due to inertia
Solution Approach 1:
The angled coupling surface is designed to engage the instrument bulb at an angle that creates a mechanical lock before impact forces are applied. This preliminary mechanical interlocking prevents unwanted decoupling due to inertia during hammer strikes, while the overall simple design maintains ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism combines multiple material properties and structural features: a rigid housing for structural integrity, a spring mechanism for controlled engagement, and a milling groove for rotational constraint. This composite approach achieves reliable coupling under impact while maintaining simple operation.
3Device complexity
If internal components are made smaller, then the device complexity is reduced, but bending and breaking of components occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex internal locking mechanisms from traditional quick-connect couplings and replaces them with a simplified surface-contact coupling system. The instrument bulb directly contacts the coupling surface without requiring internal pins or complex spring mechanisms, eliminating bending and breaking risks while maintaining structural simplicity.
4Device complexity
If a compact coupling design is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but instruments get stuck in the coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism provides dynamic control over the coupling engagement. The spring allows controlled movement of the coupling surface to accommodate instrument insertion while maintaining secure locked position during use. This dynamic design prevents instruments from getting stuck while keeping the overall structure compact and simple.
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 prevents unwanted decoupling and deformation, allowing for easy installation and removal of instruments while maintaining secure attachment, even under impact forces, and facilitates cleaning without disassembly.
Implementation Method 1
The apparatus may further include 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 key hole structure may include an instrument receiving portion, and an angled coupling surface to couple with an instrument.
Data Source
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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.