Rotating Hub Cable Management for Medical Suspension Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical device suspension systems face challenges in internally routing cables to medical devices mounted on upper extension arms, due to limited space and increased cable fatigue, which restricts the placement of accessories and limits the type of cables that can be used.
Innovation Solution
The medical device suspension system incorporates a spindle with a cable management cover, a hub, and a top hub cover that allows for internal cable routing. The top hub cover is rotatable, enabling the cable to move freely with the extension arm's movement, while maintaining a low profile and allowing for the mounting of medical devices on upper arms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If cables are internally routed through the spindle to upper extension arms, then cable protection and aesthetics are improved, but cable fatigue and routing limitations worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The cable management system is divided into distinct segments: a cable management cover surrounding the spindle, a hub with hub housing, and a top hub cover. This segmentation allows the cable to be routed through different zones (exterior of spindle, gap between cover and spindle, through top hub cover) rather than forcing it through the limited interior space of the spindle, reducing cable stress and fatigue while maintaining internal routing protection.
2Volume of moving object
If the system maintains a low profile design, then the system compactness is improved, but the ability to route cables to upper arms worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The cable routing path utilizes the radial dimension by creating a gap between the cable management cover and the spindle, allowing the cable to wrap around the spindle exterior. This dimensional approach provides adequate cable routing space without increasing the axial length of the system, maintaining a low profile while enabling cable access to upper extension arms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the top hub cover is made rotatable, then cable flexibility with arm movement is improved, but the device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The top hub cover is merged with the hub assembly, allowing it to rotate together with the hub and extension arm. This integration ensures the cable opening on the top hub cover remains properly positioned relative to the hub housing during rotation, providing cable flexibility without requiring separate rotation mechanisms or complex cable management systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
A medical device suspension system includes a spindle extending along a longitudinal axis and a cable management cover surrounding the spindle. A gap is formed between the cable management cover and the spindle. A hub is rotatably mounted to the spindle and includes a housing. A top hub cover is disposed along the longitudinal axis between the hub and the cable management cover and defines an end of the gap, the top hub cover including a passage in fluid communication with an internal volume of the housing. The top hub cover is rotatable with respect to the spindle about the longitudinal axis. A cable is provided within the gap, the cable entering the gap at a fixed location about the longitudinal axis and passing into the housing through the passage. Rotation of the top hub cover about the longitudinal axis causes the passage to rotate about the longitudinal axis.