Spring-Loaded Pole Clamp for Fast Secure Medical Device Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical device attachment methods to poles are time-consuming, prone to cross-threading, and risk human error, failing to securely attach devices due to the complexity of adjusting to different pole diameters.
Innovation Solution
A clamp mechanism featuring a housing with a pawl assembly, a lift bar, and a bias member, which uses a combination of tracks and springs to amplify clamping force and automatically adjust to various object sizes, ensuring secure attachment with minimal user effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual screw adjustment is used to attach medical devices to poles, then the device can be attached to poles of different diameters, but the process is time-consuming and prone to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp mechanism automatically adjusts to different pole diameters through spring-loaded pawls that self-position on the pole surface. The bias member continuously applies force to keep the pawls engaged, eliminating the need for manual adjustment while maintaining adaptability across various pole sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional manual screw-threading mechanism with a spring-loaded pawl system. This mechanical substitution eliminates the time-consuming screw adjustment process while maintaining secure attachment through friction and normal forces generated by the biased pawls.
2Reliability
If manual screw tightening is used to secure the device, then the device can be firmly attached, but cross-threading and human error risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bias member automatically maintains continuous contact between the pawls and the pole, ensuring reliable attachment without requiring user intervention. The system self-regulates the clamping force through the spring mechanism, eliminating cross-threading risks associated with manual screw tightening.
Solution Approach 2:
The pawls are designed with curved gripping surfaces that conform to the cylindrical pole shape. This curvature allows the pawls to naturally follow the pole's contour, ensuring reliable engagement across different pole diameters while simplifying the attachment operation.
3Ease of operation
If a simple clamp design is used, then the device is easy to operate, but it cannot securely attach to poles of varying diameters
Solution Approach 1:
The bias member serves multiple functions: it applies continuous clamping force to maintain pawl engagement, compensates for variations in pole diameter, and ensures consistent contact pressure across different attachment scenarios. This multi-functionality enables the simple clamp design to adapt to various pole sizes while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded pawl system is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The bias member continuously adjusts the pawl position and contact force based on the pole diameter and surface conditions, allowing the clamp to securely attach to poles of varying sizes without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a complex adjustment mechanism is used to accommodate different pole diameters, then adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bias member automatically compensates for pole diameter variations through its spring mechanism, eliminating the need for complex adjustable components. The system self-regulates the pawl position and contact force, maintaining adaptability while keeping the overall mechanism simple and straightforward.
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 clamp mechanism provides a secure, efficient, and error-reduced method for attaching medical devices to poles, enhancing safety and reducing the risk of device damage or detachment during patient care.
Implementation Method 1
at least one bias member operatively coupled to the housing. The at least one bias member may be configured to bias the at least one pawl toward a first position
Data Source
AI summary
A clamp includes a fixed gripper, a moveable gripper, a driven member, an actuator, and first and second tracks. The driven member is configured to slide within the first and second tracks. The moveable gripper is operatively coupled to the driven member. The actuator is configured to move the driven member towards a first position to thereby move the moveable gripper towards the fixed gripper. The actuator is further configured to move the driven member towards a second position to thereby move the moveable gripper away from the fixed gripper.