Mechanical Stabilization Feet for Castor Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stabilization systems for medical devices on castors, such as surgical assistance robots, face issues with bulky size, dependence on electric power, fragility, and inability to compensate for floor flatness defects, leading to instability during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A mechanically robust stabilization system with movable feet that use elastic restoring means to maintain contact with the floor, eliminating the need for electric power and reducing maintenance complexity, while compensating for floor unevenness through friction and adjustable extension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electric or hydraulic jacks are used to stabilize the device on castors, then the stabilization capability is improved, but the device complexity and dependence on electric power supply increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electric or hydraulic jacks with a purely mechanical stabilization system consisting of feet that can be extended or retracted. This mechanical system uses a simple linkage mechanism connected to the castor assembly, eliminating the need for complex electric power supply and control systems while maintaining effective stabilization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the electric power supply dependency from the stabilization system. By removing motors, batteries, and control electronics, the design achieves stabilization through passive mechanical means, reducing complexity and maintenance requirements.
2Reliability
If feet are extended to compensate for device weight on castors, then the stabilization is improved, but the feet become exposed to shocks and may hinder displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic foot mechanism that can automatically extend or retract based on the operational state. During displacement, the feet remain retracted to avoid obstacles and shocks. When stabilization is required, the feet extend to provide support. This dynamic adaptation eliminates continuous shock exposure while maintaining stabilization capability.
3Reliability
If a body sill is used to rest on the floor, then the device is immobilized, but the space between the floor and device is reduced to less than 35 mm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the stabilization function into separate feet elements rather than using a continuous body sill. These feet can be positioned at specific locations beneath the device, providing immobilization while leaving the majority of the device body elevated, thus maintaining adequate clearance space for cable management and obstacle avoidance.
4Ease of operation
If mechanical brakes are used on each castor, then each castor can be locked independently, but the brake must be actuated independently for each castor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the stabilization function into a unified system where a single mechanical linkage connects all feet to the castor assembly. This allows simultaneous actuation of all feet through one control point, eliminating the need for independent brake actuation on each castor while maintaining the ability to control each castor's stabilization state.
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 system ensures reliable immobilization of medical devices on uneven floors, enhancing surgical precision by maintaining feet in contact with the floor and reducing the device's bulk size, thus improving mobility and reducing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
each having a structure including a connecting part connected to the mechanical transmission means and a supporting part in contact with the floor, said parts being pivotally mounted and provided with elastic restoring means intercalated between them
Implementation Method 2
The shoes exert an action on the floor permitting to immobilize the frame of the vehicle through mechanical friction against the floor
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a mechanical system for stabilization on the floor for vehicles on castors (for example a surgical assistance robot used in an operating room) that can adopt two stable states, i.e. disengaged, the vehicle resting on the castors, and activated, the vehicle being immobilized on the floor, respectively. According to the invention, the stabilization system comprises:feet for resting on the floor, movable between a first retracted position, at a distance from the floor, and a contact position ensuring the immobilization of the vehicle through mechanical friction against the floor;means for mechanically controlling said supporting feet, said control means being movable between two stable positions corresponding to the activated and disengaged states;mechanical means for transmitting the displacement of the control means simultaneously to all the supporting feet.