Skin Retractor Axial Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing skin retractors face inconvenient operation due to the need to simultaneously manipulate multiple components like the winding roller and locking sleeve, making them cumbersome to use.

Innovation Solution

A skin retractor with a locking mechanism featuring a scotch structure on the winding roller and a matching structure on the retractor body, guided by a guide sleeve, allowing axial movement for locking and unlocking, facilitated by a locking elastic member and an operating sleeve, simplifying the operation to axial movement of the winding roller.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a locking sleeve and tetragonal structure are used for locking the winding roller, then the locking function is achieved, but the operation becomes inconvenient due to needing to simultaneously operate multiple components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking functionVSAvoidoperation convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking sleeve and tetragonal structure are merged into a single integrated locking structure. The tetragonal locking structure is directly formed on the winding roller shaft, eliminating the need for a separate locking sleeve. This integration allows the winding roller to be locked or unlocked by simply rotating the roller itself, without requiring simultaneous operation of multiple components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a separate locking sleeve is added to achieve locking, then the locking reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking function is merged into the winding roller structure itself through the tetragonal locking structures formed directly on the roller shaft. This eliminates the need for a separate locking sleeve component, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable locking through the engagement of tetragonal structures with corresponding grooves in the retractor body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the winding roller is made rotatable for winding the bracing wire, then the tension adjustment function is achieved, but the accidental release risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetension adjustmentVSAvoidaccidental release risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The tetragonal locking structures provide automatic feedback-based locking. When the winding roller is rotated to adjust tension, the tetragonal structures engage with corresponding grooves in the retractor body, automatically locking the roller in place. This feedback mechanism ensures the roller remains securely locked after rotation without requiring additional user action, thereby preventing accidental release while maintaining tension adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

The design enables convenient locking and unlocking of the bracing wire by axial movement of the winding roller, eliminating the need for simultaneous operation of multiple parts, thus enhancing user-friendliness and precision in tension adjustment.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member for providing elastic force to the jacking piece

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The winding roller is connected with a locking elastic member for keeping it in the lock position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4000537B1Skin retraction system and skin retractor therefor
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 ZHENGZHOU ONE MILLIMETER MEDICAL TECH CO LTD
  • EP4000537B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4000537B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4000537B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

This disclosure relates to a skin traction system and a skin retractor thereof. When the skin retractor of this disclosure is in use, a winding roller is rotated to wind a bracing wire on the winding roller, the winding roller is in a lock position, the locking is achieved through the matching of a scotch structure and a matching structure, thereby preventing the winding roller from rolling back; when it is necessary to loosen the bracing wire, push the winding roller along the winding roller to move it from the lock position to the unlock position, so that the scotch structure and the matching structure disengage, and the winding roller is in a free state, the bracing wire is loosened and detached from the winding roller under the opposite acting force, thereby realizing the loosening of the bracing wire.