Speculum Hinge Bearing Structure for Axial Load Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinge constructions for speculums, particularly those with a laterally offset position, face challenges in stability and risk of breaking under load due to axilateral forces, and require improvements in strength, low-friction, and material efficiency to avoid interference and ensure safe use during medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A hinge construction with multiple bearing structures, including cylinder surface segment shaped bearing surfaces, designed to absorb axilateral forces by sliding engagement, allowing for stable and lightweight rotation of speculum members over a limited angle, optimized for reduced material usage and ease of assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a laterally offset hinge construction is used to avoid interference with instruments, then the hinge construction does not obstruct the passage, but the hinge construction becomes unstable and risks breaking under axilateral forces
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge construction is divided into multiple independent bearing structures (first, second, third bearing structures) distributed at different locations. Each bearing structure contains bearing surfaces that slide against each other to handle specific force components. This segmentation allows the hinge to maintain stability under axilateral forces while keeping the overall design compact and laterally offset.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing surfaces are arranged in multiple spatial dimensions around the axis of rotation. The first bearing surfaces are positioned at a first radial distance, the second bearing surfaces at a second radial distance, and the third bearing surfaces at a third radial distance. This multi-dimensional arrangement distributes loads effectively and prevents sideways tilting while maintaining the lateral offset position.
2Reliability
If the hinge construction is made stronger to support axilateral forces, then the hinge construction becomes more stable, but the hinge size and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly strengthening the entire hinge construction, the patent applies bearing surfaces locally at specific positions where forces are transmitted. Each bearing structure is positioned to handle specific force components, providing strength exactly where needed without adding unnecessary material elsewhere in the hinge assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge construction uses multiple bearing surfaces with different geometric configurations (cylindrical, conical, spherical) made from materials optimized for their specific functions. This allows each component to be as strong as needed locally while keeping the overall volume minimal, avoiding the need to strengthen the entire hinge uniformly.
3Reliability
If multiple bearing structures are added to absorb axilateral forces, then the hinge construction becomes more stable, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple bearing structures are merged into a single integrated hinge construction. The first, second, and third bearing structures are combined within one hinge assembly, sharing common support structures and integrating their functions. This merging approach provides the stability of multiple bearing surfaces while avoiding the complexity of separate hinge components.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing surfaces are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously. The same bearing structures that enable rotation about the axis of rotation also absorb axilateral forces and prevent sideways tilting. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, keeping the overall device complexity low while maintaining high reliability.
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 proposed hinge construction effectively absorbs axilateral forces, providing stability and low-friction movement while minimizing material usage and size, thus enhancing safety and usability in medical applications.
Implementation Method 1
the first bearing surfaces and the second bearing surfaces are configured to slidingly engage each other to absorb a force having a force component in the axial direction
Data Source
AI summary
A hinge construction hingably connects a first member and a second member which are rotatable about an axis of rotation having an axial direction. A first bearing structure comprises first and second support structures having cylinder surface segment shaped first and second bearing surfaces at a radial distance from the axis of rotation, and configured to slidingly engage each other. Second and third bearing structures comprise third, fourth, fifth and sixth support structures having third, fourth, fifth and sixth bearing surfaces, the third and fourth bearing surfaces, and the fifth and sixth bearing surfaces configured to slidingly engage each other to absorb a force having a force component in the axial direction. A fourth bearing structure comprises seventh and eighth support structures having cylinder surface segment shaped seventh and eighth bearing surfaces at a radial distance from the axis of rotation, and configured to slidingly engage each other.