Microscope Stand Dead Man Brake Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical microscopes with foot parking brakes face safety issues due to the risk of unintended movement when external forces are applied or when the brake is inaccessible, and existing solutions like dead man's brakes are not easily operable, especially when the microscope base is positioned under an operating table.
Innovation Solution
A dead man's brake system is integrated into the microscope stand, where the stand is locked by default and only unlocked when the brake control unit is actuated, allowing for easy manual operation and ensuring the stand is locked when not in use, with a mechanical, electronic, or hybrid transmission mechanism to facilitate movement and braking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a foot parking brake is used to lock the stand, then the stand can be locked when stationary, but the brake becomes inaccessible or difficult to operate when the microscope base is positioned under an operating table
Solution Approach 1:
The brake control is moved from the floor level (under the table) to the handle level (above the table), changing the spatial dimension of brake operation. The cable-actuated mechanism transmits the braking force from the accessible handle location to the inaccessible roller brakes, resolving the accessibility problem while maintaining locking reliability.
2Reliability
If a foot parking brake is used, then the stand can be locked, but the brake may release without active intervention when external forces are applied, causing unintended movement
Solution Approach 1:
The braking system is inverted from a passive brake that requires active engagement to an active brake that remains engaged by default. The dead man's brake mechanism maintains continuous braking force unless actively released by the operator, preventing unintended movement while maintaining reliable locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The dead man's brake incorporates a spring-loaded mechanism that continuously monitors the brake state and provides feedback. When the handle is released, the spring automatically re-engages the brake, ensuring the stand remains locked unless the operator deliberately releases it, thereby preventing unintended movement from external forces.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a dead man's brake is used to prevent unintended movement, then safety is improved, but the brake requires continuous manual actuation which may be inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The dead man's brake is designed to be self-regulating through its spring-loaded mechanism. Once the operator releases the handle, the spring automatically re-engages the brake without requiring additional manual intervention. This self-service characteristic maintains safety while minimizing the operational burden on the user.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a microscope (1) with a stand (2), wherein the stand (2) has a braking device (3) for locking the stand (2), wherein the braking device is designed as a dead man's brake (3), wherein failure to actuate the dead man's brake (3) results in the stand (2) being locked.