Medical Lighting Device Contactless Position Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical lighting devices for operating rooms rely on potentiometers for position detection, which are prone to degradation due to friction and vibration, leading to unreliable operation.
Innovation Solution
The use of contactless detection means, such as optical forks and non-contact indexing mechanisms, along with movable lenses for light diffusion, enhances the reliability and adjustability of the lighting device by preventing untimely control and ensuring accurate positioning of the lighting head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If potentiometers are used for position detection, then the device structure is simple, but the reliability deteriorates due to friction and vibration degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical potentiometer system with an optical detection system using optical forks (transmitters and receivers) that detect handle position without mechanical contact. This substitution eliminates friction and wear issues while maintaining structural simplicity, directly resolving the contradiction between simple structure and reliable operation.
2Reliability
If contactless detection means are used, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fork components serve multiple functions: they detect handle position, determine lighting modes (spot/flood), and provide feedback for control. By making the detection system multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate mechanisms for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving high reliability through contactless detection.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources are used for different lighting modes, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple light sources (central and peripheral) into a single integrated lighting module that can operate in different modes by activating specific sources. The control system merges the functionality of multiple lamps into one modular unit, providing adaptability for spot and flood lighting while managing complexity through unified design and control.
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 increases the reliability of the medical lighting device by providing precise angular position detection and control, reducing the risk of spurious operation and enhancing ergonomic handling, while allowing for adjustable light modes and spot sizes through pivoting mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
The detection means comprises at least one optical fork, each optical fork comprising a light emitter and a receiver located opposite the emitter and capable of detecting a light signal emitted by said emitter
Implementation Method 2
at least one light guide comprising a first end located facing and at a distance from the light indicator and a second end located at the level of the display surface, the light generated by said light indicator being adapted to be guided to the display surface by said light guide
Implementation Method 3
said corrugated surfaces of the lenses being arranged facing each other, so as to cause the light rays which pass through them to converge or diverge as a function of their respective positions
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a medical lighting device, in particular for an operating room, comprising a lighting head (6) including a body (7) in which is mounted at least one light source capable of generating a light beam, a handle (20) extending along an axis, mounted on the body (7) and movable in rotation relative to the body (7) around the axis of said handle (20), control means (16) located in the body (7) and capable of controlling a lighting parameter, means for detecting (18a, 18b, 26a, 26b) the angular position of the handle (20).The detection means comprise at least a first part (26a, 26b) coupled in rotation with respect to the handle (20) and at least a second part (18a, 18b) coupled in rotation with respect to the body (7) and capable of providing the control means (16) with a signal which is representative of the angular position of the handle (20) with respect to the body (7), the second part (18a, 18b) being capable of detecting the angular position of the first part (26a, 26b) without contact, or vice versa.