Medical Optical Instrument Stand with Flexible Cable Linkage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stand arrangements for medical-optical instruments fail to maintain the orientation of the front link independently of the position of the linkage unit, leading to instability and limited space usage.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a mechanically flexible force transfer element, such as a cable, belt, or chain, guided over direction-changing elements like rollers or sprockets, which allows for space-saving and low-weight configurations while maintaining the orientation of the front link, and optionally using compensating weights and active vibration damping systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid coupling mechanism is used between the holding unit and the means for force transmission, then the structural stability is improved, but the weight increases and the space required for the coupling means increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidweight of coupling means

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a flexible force transmission element (cable, belt, or chain) instead of a rigid coupling mechanism. This flexible element is guided over direction-changing rollers or sprockets to transmit force from the holding unit to the means for force transmission, achieving both weight reduction and space savings while maintaining functional stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces a traditional rigid mechanical coupling system with a flexible force transmission system. The flexible element (cable/belt/chain) combined with direction-changing rollers or sprockets substitutes for what would traditionally be a rigid mechanical connection, reducing weight and spatial requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If a flexible force transmission element is used to reduce weight and save space, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to maintain constant orientation of the front link deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplexity of coupling meansVSAvoidorientation stability of front link

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces direction-changing rollers or sprockets as intermediary elements between the flexible force transmission element and the mechanical components. These intermediaries guide the flexible element to properly transmit force while maintaining the correct orientation of the front link, resolving the orientation stability issue without adding significant complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the direction-changing roller or sprocket is rotatably journalled on the holding unit, then the vibration damping capability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration dampingVSAvoidcomplexity of coupling means

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the direction-changing roller or sprocket rotatably journalled on the holding unit rather than rigidly fixed. This dynamic configuration allows the component to absorb vibrations through rotational movement, improving vibration damping capability. The added rotational degree of freedom provides passive vibration isolation without requiring complex active control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 ensures the orientation of the front link remains unchanged during movements, providing a stable and space-efficient setup for medical-optical instruments, with the option for active vibration compensation and balanced design.

Implementation Method 1

a mechanically flexible force transfer element which can be loaded in tension

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Implementation Method 2

Flexible force transmission elements, which can be loaded in tension, can be guided over suitable direction-changing elements in order to change the direction of forces. The direction-changing elements can, for example, be rollers.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS7461824B2Stand arrangement for a medical-optical instrument

Publication Date: 2008.12.09 CARL ZEISS AG

AI summary

A stand arrangement (100) for a medical-optical instrument includes a first link (104) which is pivotally journalled on a holding unit (101) with a first rotational joint. The stand arrangement further includes a second link (107) which is rotatably connected to the first link (104) via a second rotational joint (106). In a forward section (108) of the second link (106), a take-up unit (110) for medical-optical equipment (111) is held with a third rotational joint (109). The take-up unit (110) includes a front link (112) which is coupled to a device for force transmission (115). This device is rotatably journalled on the second rotational joint (106). In the stand arrangement (100), a device is provided for coupling the holding unit and the device for force transmission. This device for coupling includes a flexible force transmitting element (133) which can be loaded in tension.