Movable Cable Guidance for Floor-Routed Medical Appliance Wiring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable guidance systems in medical facilities, such as CT-scanners, face challenges with insufficient space for cable accommodation and interference with other systems, particularly when cables are routed through ceilings or narrow guide channels.

Innovation Solution

A cable guidance system with a feedthrough movable along a guide rail, comprising a cable duct and a cover arrangement, supported by a deformable support mechanism that allows a movable passageway for cables, using a toothed belt structure or chain-like elements to facilitate cable movement without hindering the movement of equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If cables are routed through the ceiling area, then cable connection is provided, but it interferes with air supply and other systems arranged within the ceiling area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable connectionVSAvoidinterference with air supply and other systems
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cable routing is moved from the ceiling area (horizontal dimension) to the floor area (vertical dimension below floor level). The cable duct is arranged below the floor surface, allowing cables to be supplied to movable medical appliances without occupying ceiling space, thus eliminating interference with air supply and other ceiling-based systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If guide channels are used for cable guidance, then cable routing is provided, but the guide channels are too narrow to provide sufficient space for cables to be accommodated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable routingVSAvoidspace for cable accommodation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cable guidance system is divided into separate functional components: a cable duct arranged below the floor surface for cable accommodation, a cover arrangement with floor sections for closing the duct, and a support mechanism with displaceable support elements. This segmentation allows the cable duct to be designed with sufficient cross-sectional area for multiple cables while maintaining a clean floor surface above.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cable duct is positioned in the vertical dimension below the floor surface, allowing it to have adequate cross-sectional area for cable accommodation without occupying horizontal floor space. This vertical placement resolves the contradiction between providing sufficient cable space and maintaining floor integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Stability of the object's composition

If a support mechanism is provided for the floor section, then floor stability is improved, but it may hinder the movement of flexible cable duct underneath

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefloor stabilityVSAvoidcable movement freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support mechanism incorporates displaceable support elements that can be temporarily moved from a supporting position to a non-supporting position. This dynamic capability allows the support mechanism to adapt to cable installation and movement requirements while maintaining floor stability during normal operation. The control element enables the support element to be displaced when cables need to be laid or moved underneath.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4593707B1Cable guidance in movable medical appliances
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP4593707B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4593707B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4593707B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to providing cable guidance in an at least partly moving medical appliance. In order to provide a cable connection with less impact on the usability of the medical facility, a cable guidance (10) with a feedthrough movable along a guide rail is provided. The cable guidance comprises a cable duct (12) and a cover arrangement (14). The cable duct is extending along a longitudinal direction (DL) and comprises a cable receiving and guiding space (16). The cable duct is configured to accommodate a cable connection comprising a number of cables. The cover arrangement comprises a floor section (18) for permanently delimiting the cable duct and for forming a floor part (20). A support mechanism (22) is provided comprising a longitudinal support element (24) that is configured to support a cantilevering edge of the floor section in the region of the cable duct. The support element is configured to be partly temporarily displaced to provide a movable passageway (26) from the cable duct to a connection opening.