Lockable Articulated Support Arm With Planar Drive Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support arm systems for medical applications require complex and costly locking mechanisms that often rely on compressed air, which may not be available in all medical environments, and have intricate components that complicate maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A support arm system with a lockable articulated connection featuring a passive drive, such as a compression spring, and an active drive, like an electromagnet, acting in the same plane to simplify the locking mechanism and eliminate the need for compressed air, with a compact design that reduces the number of necessary components and enhances maintenance friendliness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If compressed air is used for locking and releasing the articulated connection, then the locking mechanism can be actuated, but the system becomes dependent on compressed air availability and requires complex infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pneumatic system (compressed air) with an electric system. The locking mechanism is actuated by an electric motor that rotates a cam, which in turn actuates the brake shoes to lock or release the articulated connection. This substitution eliminates the need for compressed air infrastructure while maintaining the locking function.
2Reliability
If complex locking mechanisms with multiple components are used, then reliable locking can be achieved, but the device complexity increases and maintenance becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into integrated components. The cam mechanism serves both as a positioning element and as an actuator for the brake shoes. The electric motor integrates the driving function with the cam rotation. This merging reduces the number of separate components while maintaining reliable locking through the coordinated action of the integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The braking system is designed to be self-actuating through the cam mechanism. When the electric motor rotates the cam to the locked position, the cam geometry automatically applies the brake shoes against the brake drum without requiring additional actuators or complex control mechanisms. The system uses its own operational motion to achieve locking.
3Ease of operation
If the active drive acts in a perpendicular plane to the passive drive, then the locking mechanism can function, but additional mediating components such as balls are required to divert force direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement by having both the active drive (electric motor rotating the cam) and the passive drive (spring actuating brake shoes) act in the same plane. The cam's rotational motion in this plane directly translates to radial motion of the brake shoes against the brake drum, eliminating the need for intermediate force-direction-changing components like balls that would be required in a perpendicular arrangement.
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 cost-effective, low-maintenance locking mechanism independent of compressed air, ensuring reliable operation in medical settings with a simplified design that concentrates components for efficient operation and easy maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a passive drive, such as a compression spring
Implementation Method 2
an active drive, like an electromagnet
Data Source
AI summary
A support arm system (10) has at least one lockable articulated connection (16). A locking device (20) is associated with the articulated connection (16). The locking device (20) includes a passive drive (32) as well as an actuating device (36) associated with the locking device (20) with an active drive (38). The active drive (38) acts in the same plane as the passive drive (32).