Modular Tool Holder With Sliding Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular tool securing mechanisms fail to provide a solid positive engagement between handles and tool elements while allowing for easy uncoupling, particularly in high-force applications like surgical instruments, and are prone to accidental decoupling.
Innovation Solution
A tool holder design featuring slidably mating parts with mutually engaging retaining elements that allow longitudinal movement but prevent lateral movement, incorporating locking elements and helical features to secure the tool element, ensuring a strong and secure connection without accidental release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional securing mechanism like a Hudson Fitting is used, then the tool elements can be easily inserted and removed, but the connection lacks solid positive engagement and is prone to accidental decoupling under high forces
Solution Approach 1:
The tool holder employs a dynamic locking mechanism where the locking element can slide between locked and unlocked positions along the longitudinal axis. The spring element provides dynamic force to maintain engagement, while the cam surface enables controlled transition between states. This dynamic system allows easy uncoupling through deliberate action while maintaining secure engagement during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool holder is divided into distinct functional segments: the body, the movable locking element, the spring element, and the cam surface. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently - the body provides structure, the locking element provides engagement, the spring provides maintaining force, and the cam surface provides controlled release - collectively achieving both security and ease of operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a releasable securing mechanism is used to allow periodic replacement of tool elements, then adaptability is improved, but the risk of accidental uncoupling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element continuously applies a preliminary force to keep the locking element engaged with the tool element, creating a state of pre-loaded security. This preliminary anti-action counteracts any forces that might attempt to separate the components, requiring a deliberate action against the spring force to release the tool element, thereby preventing accidental uncoupling while maintaining adaptability.
3Reliability
If the tool holder structure is made more complex to prevent accidental decoupling, then reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions into a compact integrated structure. The locking element combines engagement, retention, and release functions; the spring element combines maintaining force and return force functions; the cam surface combines locking and unlocking surface functions. This merging achieves high reliability through coordinated interaction of these integrated components while minimizing overall structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A tool holder for a modular tool in which a tool element is trapped between two slidably mating parts, which may be slidingly aligned to trap the tool element, and slidingly separated to free the tool. The sliding operation of the slidably mating parts is defined by mutually engaging retaining elements configured to allow relative movement of said slidably mating parts along said longitudinal axis, but prevent relative movement in any other direction. The tool holder may form part of a kit comprising one or more tool holders, one or more tool elements, and one or more handles. The handle may be comprised with key elements engaging a proximal extremity of the slidably mating parts when aligned, to that with the handle in position, the slidably mating parts cannot be separated, and the tool element released.