Medical Coupling Socket Axial Notching Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical-engineering coupling mechanisms for endoscopic surgery require complex structures and manual rotation for secure connection, which complicates handling and increases the risk of misalignment.
Innovation Solution
A coupling mechanism featuring notching hooks and a spring washer for a secure, watertight connection without additional manual action, utilizing an elliptical spring washer and beveled notches for axial tolerance compensation and self-inhibiting engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bayonet coupling with spring-loaded notching element is used, then secure connection is achieved, but device complexity increases and manual rotation is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the rotational operation from the coupling process by removing the bayonet coupling mechanism and retaining only the essential notching connection function. The coupling plug is inserted purely axially without any rotational movement, simplifying the coupling structure while maintaining secure connection through the notching hooks engaging with the coupling socket.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a bayonet coupling where rotation locks the components, the patent inverts the approach by using purely axial insertion where the notching hooks automatically engage with the coupling socket through axial movement alone. The spring element provides the locking force without requiring rotational motion, reversing the traditional sequence of operations.
2Reliability
If a bayonet coupling with manual rotation is used, then secure connection is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the rotational operation entirely from the coupling process, extracting only the essential axial insertion function. The coupling plug is inserted purely axially into the coupling socket, and the notching hooks automatically engage without requiring any manual rotation, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining secure connection.
3Reliability
If additional manual action is required for coupling, then secure connection is achieved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the additional manual rotational action from the coupling process, retaining only the essential axial insertion. The coupling plug is inserted purely axially into the coupling socket, and the notching hooks automatically engage through the axial movement alone, eliminating the need for separate rotational locking actions and thereby improving coupling speed and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The notching hooks are pre-configured on the coupling plug and the coupling socket is pre-configured with corresponding engagement features. When the coupling plug is inserted axially, the notching hooks automatically engage with the coupling socket without requiring additional manual actions, as the engagement is prepared in advance through the axial insertion motion itself.
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
Enables simple, secure, and watertight connection of medical instruments with reduced complexity, ensuring precise alignment and easy disconnection through a release mechanism, enhancing handling and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
at least one spring element configured as a spring washer
Data Source
AI summary
A medical-engineering coupling mechanism for connecting two medical instruments having a coupling plug and a coupling socket for inserting the coupling plug, so that the coupling socket and the coupling plug can be secured to one another by at least one spring-loaded notching connection. To produce a medical-engineering coupling mechanism that is easy to manipulate and ensures a secure notching connection of the components that are to be connected to one another, it is proposed with the invention that the notching connection consists of at least two notching hooks that are positioned on one of the components and are in active engagement with at least one spring element configured as a spring washer, and at least one notching recess positioned on the other component for insertion of the at least two notching hooks.