Medical Caster Shock-Absorbing Structure for Stable Obstacle Crossing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing caster units for medical apparatuses face damage due to high impact absorption challenges, particularly when moving over obstacles, and struggle to minimize vibration transmission to users, with existing solutions either being complex or ineffective in controlling the posture of the medical device during impacts.
Innovation Solution
A caster unit with an impact absorption part featuring a buffer member with an L-shaped cross-section, including first and second deformation parts with grooves and a connection portion, and a Shore A hardness of 40 to 80, which absorbs impacts by elastic deformation, maintaining a simple structure and effective impact absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate impact absorption part is added to absorb large impacts, then impact absorption capability is improved, but device complexity and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer member is integrated into the existing caster unit structure, combining the impact absorption function with the wheel support structure. The buffer member is positioned between the wheel fork and the medical device body, merging the impact absorption part with the caster unit rather than adding a separate component, thus improving impact absorption while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer member is made of elastic material that can deform flexibly to absorb impacts. This flexible element absorbs large impacts through elastic deformation without requiring a complex rigid structure, resolving the contradiction between impact absorption capability and structural complexity
2Reliability
If impact absorption is achieved by vertical deformation method, then impact absorption is improved, but structure becomes complex and volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer member uses elastic deformation of a flexible element to absorb impacts. This approach provides effective impact absorption without requiring a complex rigid structure with multiple components, maintaining structural simplicity while achieving reliable impact absorption
3Device complexity
If impact absorption is achieved by horizontal deformation method, then design simplicity is improved, but posture control becomes difficult due to tilting
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer member is positioned locally at the impact point between the wheel fork and the medical device body, absorbing impacts at the source before they can cause tilting. This localized impact absorption maintains the center of gravity stability and prevents posture control issues while keeping the design 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 caster unit achieves high impact absorption characteristics, preventing damage and minimizing vibration transmission to users, while maintaining a simple structure and easy posture control of the medical device during movement.
Implementation Method 1
a buffer member (150) disposed between the wheel fixing member (110) and the body fixing member (130) and supporting the wheel fixing member (110), wherein the buffer member (150) includes a first deformation part (151) extending in a direction parallel to an extension direction of the caster support part (213) and a second deformation part (152) extending from an end of the first deformation part (151) in a direction different from the extension direction of the first deformation part (151)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A medical apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a medical device; and a plurality of caster units, disposed below the medical device, for supporting the medical device to be movable, wherein each of the plurality of caster units includes: a wheel part; and a shock absorbing member which is configured to support the wheel part and to absorb the shock applied to the wheel part, wherein the shock absorbing member includes: a wheel fixing member for fixing the wheel part; a body fixing member which surrounds the wheel fixing member and is fixed to the medical device; and a cushioning member which is disposed between the wheel fixing member and the body fixing member and is capable of elastic deformation, wherein the shock absorbing member includes: a first deforming part extending in the vertical direction; and a second deformation part extending, from an end of the first deformation part, in a direction different from the extending direction of the first deformation part.