Pivot Bearing Structure for Smooth Medical Instrument Action
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical instruments with pivotable instrument branches experience uneven action and friction due to varying clearances and sharp edges between bearing surfaces, leading to inconsistent smoothness and reduced component stability.
Innovation Solution
The bearing surfaces are configured with offset portions around the pivot axis, forming a projection that defines the contact surface, allowing for uniform smoothness and constant frictional force throughout the range of motion by maintaining a consistent contact area and minimizing edges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If bearing surfaces are configured with offset portions around the pivot axis, then uniform smoothness of action is achieved throughout the range of motion, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing surfaces are configured with offset portions specifically in the region around the pivot axis, while other regions maintain conventional bearing surface configurations. This local modification ensures uniform contact and smoothness of action precisely where the pivot joint operates, without unnecessarily complicating the entire bearing surface structure. The offset portions are strategically placed only where needed to maintain consistent contact during rotation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If bearing surfaces are offset outward in the direction of the pivot axis, then component stability is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing surface is segmented into distinct regions: offset portions in the pivot axis region and non-offset portions in other regions. This segmentation allows each region to be manufactured using optimized processes appropriate to its functional requirements, while still forming an integrated bearing surface structure that enhances component stability.
3Ease of manufacture
If bearing surfaces have direct contact over entire bearing portion, then manufacturing is simplified, but frictional force varies during opening and closing movements
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of modifying the entire bearing surface, the offset configuration is applied locally only in the region around the pivot axis where contact occurs during operation. This localized approach maintains manufacturing simplicity for the majority of the bearing surface while achieving the critical function of constant frictional force through the offset portions.
4Device complexity
If bearing surfaces are planar over entire bearing portion, then device complexity is reduced, but cleanability deteriorates due to sharp edges and corners
Solution Approach 1:
The offset portions are configured to eliminate sharp edges and corners specifically in the critical pivot axis region where contact occurs, while other regions of the bearing surface can maintain simpler geometries. This localized refinement improves cleanability where it matters most without unnecessarily increasing overall device complexity.
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 ensures a uniform smoothness of action, enhances component stability, simplifies manufacturing, and improves cleanability by maintaining a constant contact surface and reducing frictional variations.
Implementation Method 1
During an opening movement and closing movement, the male and female bearing portions slide off each other under friction
Data Source
AI summary
A medical instrument includes a first instrument branch having a first bearing portion with a first support surface, and includes a second instrument branch having a second bearing portion with a second support surface. The first support surface bears flat against the second support surface such that the first support surface can pivot in a sliding fashion so that the first instrument branch is pivotable relative to the second instrument branch about a pivot axis. The first bearing portion and/or the second bearing portion has, in the region of the pivot axis, a shoulder portion or a shoulder element with an end face that includes the associated support surface. The shoulder portion or shoulder element is stepped outwardly relative to the associated bearing portion in the direction of the pivot axis so that the associated support surface is stepped outwardly relative to the associated bearing portion.