Operating Table Column Electrical Transmission for Free Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operating table columns face limitations in rotational mobility and risk of sparking due to electrical energy transmission, which restricts the column's ability to rotate freely and can cause mechanical wear.
Innovation Solution
The operating table column features interactive electrical transmission elements on the column shaft and base, allowing for unrestricted rotation while ensuring electrical energy is only supplied when the column is locked, preventing sparking and reducing mechanical wear through a housing design that includes a slip ring and sliding contact for inductive energy transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If an electrical cable is routed through the base of the column to supply power to the power pack, then electrical energy can be transmitted to the power pack, but the rotational mobility of the column shaft is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrical cable from the rotation path by routing it through the floor to the column base, separating the stationary power supply from the rotating column shaft. This allows the column shaft to rotate freely while electrical energy is transmitted through the base without restricting rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The column base acts as an intermediary element that receives electrical energy from the floor and transmits it to the power pack in the column shaft. This mediator allows power transmission while enabling free rotation of the shaft relative to the base.
2Use of energy by moving object
If electrical energy is continuously supplied to the power pack during rotation, then the power pack remains powered, but sparking occurs and mechanical wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by interrupting electrical energy supply during rotation and only restoring it when the column shaft is locked in its operating position. The locking mechanism periodically connects and disconnects the electrical transmission elements, ensuring power is supplied only when needed and not during rotation, thereby preventing sparking.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism provides feedback control for electrical energy transmission. When the column shaft is locked, the electrical transmission elements are connected and power is supplied. When the shaft rotates or is unlocked, the connection is automatically interrupted. This feedback mechanism ensures safe operation by preventing sparking during rotation.
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 enhances rotational mobility, prevents sparking, and minimizes mechanical wear by ensuring electrical energy is only transmitted when the column is locked, allowing for reliable and efficient power supply to the power pack.
Implementation Method 1
a slip ring and sliding contact for inductive energy transfer
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an operating table column with a column shaft (11) on which an operating table top can be fixed, and a column base (12) which can be fixed to a floor, wherein the column shaft (11) is rotatably mounted on the column base (12) about its vertical axis. To further develop the operating table column such that the column shaft (11) has improved rotational mobility, it is proposed according to the invention that cooperating electrical transmission elements (50, 52) are arranged on the column shaft (11) and on the column base (12) for the transmission of electrical energy, and that the column shaft (11) is freely rotatable relative to the column base (12) while maintaining electrical transmission via the transmission elements (50, 52).