Operating Microscope Arm Frame with Movable Fulcrum for Floor Tilt Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional operating microscopes face challenges in maintaining balance and stability, especially on inclined surfaces, due to the generation of angular moments by the weight of the lens barrel and motion arms, which can lead to imbalance and affect the precision of surgical operations.
Innovation Solution
The operating microscope incorporates a base, post, horizontal and vertical motion arms, elastic members, and a fulcrum moving mechanism, where gas springs are used to balance the angular moments, and a floor tilt correcting mechanism adjusts the position of the fulcrum to counteract the effects of surface inclination, ensuring the microscope remains balanced and stable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a counterweight-type arm frame is used to balance the lens barrel and motion arms, then the balance and stability of the microscope is improved, but the overall weight and size of the microscope increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the counterweight principle by providing a counterweight member that can be rotated to adjust its position. This counterweight member is designed to offset the angular moment generated by the lens barrel and motion arms, thereby achieving balance without requiring a large fixed counterweight structure, thus reducing overall weight while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the counterweight member rotatable about a rotation axis, transforming it from a static to a dynamic component. This allows the counterweight to be adjusted to different positions to accommodate varying operational conditions and floor inclinations, optimizing the balance for each situation without permanently increasing the microscope's weight.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the fulcrum position is fixed on the horizontal motion arm, then the structure is simplified, but the ability to compensate for floor inclination is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed fulcrum position into a movable one by providing a fulcrum moving mechanism that allows the fulcrum to shift along the horizontal motion arm. This enables the system to adapt to different floor inclinations by adjusting the fulcrum position, improving versatility while adding only moderate structural complexity through the moving mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the position parameter of the fulcrum along the horizontal motion arm to compensate for floor inclination. By allowing the fulcrum to move to different positions, the system can adjust the balance characteristics to match the actual operating conditions, thereby improving adaptability without requiring a completely different structural design for each inclination scenario.
3Volume of moving object
If elastic members are used to balance angular moments, then the microscope becomes more compact and transportable, but the ability to maintain balance on inclined surfaces is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines elastic members with a rotatable counterweight member and a movable fulcrum mechanism. This dynamic system allows the elastic member to provide initial balancing while the rotatable counterweight and adjustable fulcrum compensate for inclined surfaces, maintaining balance capability without significantly increasing the microscope's volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple balancing functions into a single integrated system where elastic members, a rotatable counterweight member, and a movable fulcrum mechanism work together. This combination allows the system to achieve both compactness and the ability to maintain balance on inclined surfaces by utilizing the synergistic effects of all components rather than requiring separate systems.
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
This configuration allows the microscope to maintain balance and stability on both level and inclined surfaces, enhancing the precision and ease of use during surgical operations by automatically adjusting to floor tilt and temperature changes, thus ensuring consistent performance.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic member is provided between the post and the horizontal motion arm and cancels an angular moment around the horizontal motion arm
Data Source
AI summary
An operating microscope includes a base set on a floor surface, a post held for rotation around a vertical rotation axis with respect to the base, a horizontal motion arm held for rotation around a first horizontal rotation axis with respect to the post, a vertical motion arm held for rotation around a second horizontal rotation axis with respect to the horizontal motion arm, a lens barrel portion supported by the vertical motion arm, an elastic member which is provided between the post and the horizontal motion arm and cancels an angular moment around the horizontal motion arm, a fulcrum which is provided on the horizontal motion arm and receives a force from the elastic member, and a fulcrum moving mechanism configured to shift the position of the fulcrum in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the horizontal motion arm.