Supporting Arm Bendable Tension Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing supporting arm systems for medical equipment are costly due to the number of bearings required for parallelogram cranking mechanisms and counterweights, which increase complexity and weight.
Innovation Solution
A simplified supporting arm system with a bendable tension intermediary guided by non-rotatable curved guide members, reducing the number of pivot axes and using tensioning means like springs or motorized actuators for weight compensation, minimizing parts and assembly complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If parallelogram cranking mechanisms with multiple bearings are used for weight compensation, then the supporting arm remains stationary in any position, but the device becomes costly and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex parallelogram cranking mechanism with multiple bearings, replacing it with a simplified tensioning system using springs or counterweights that directly balance the load without requiring intermediate mechanical linkages
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical parallelogram cranking system with a direct tension-based compensation system using elastic elements (springs) or gravitational counterweights, substituting complex mechanical linkages with simpler force-balancing mechanisms
2Reliability
If counterweights are used for weight compensation, then the supporting arm remains stationary, but the device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the compensation mechanism from heavy gravitational counterweights to lighter elastic tension elements (springs) that provide the same stabilizing function through elastic force rather than gravitational force, reducing the mass parameter while maintaining the stability function
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pivot axes are used for height adjustment, then the supporting arm can be positioned in X, Y and Z directions, but the number of parts and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes each pivot axis universal by designing the tensioning mechanism to work effectively across multiple degrees of freedom, where the same spring-based compensation system serves all pivot points rather than requiring specialized mechanisms for each axis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the weight compensation function into the pivot axis structure itself, combining the positioning mechanism and the tensioning mechanism into an integrated system where the same components serve both rotational movement and weight compensation functions
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 solution reduces costs, simplifies assembly, and maintains stability with a reduced number of parts, ensuring reliable and durable operation while minimizing additional weight and inertial actions.
Implementation Method 1
tensioning means connected to the second member for exerting a tension force on the second supporting arm member to stabilize the supporting arm in a given position
Implementation Method 2
the bendable tension intermediary being slip-free guided around a part of the circumference of the first curved guide member, and wherein a second curved guide member is non-rotatably arranged on the second pivot axis with the bendable tension intermediary being slip-free guided
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a Supporting arm system (1) for supporting technical equipment, especially medical equipment, comprising: a first base element (11) configured to be connected to a further element, a second base element (12) for carrying a technical device, especially a medical device (80), a supporting arm (30) pivotally mounted to the first base element (11) at a first pivot axis (21) and pivotally mounted to the second base element (12) at a second pivot axis (22). The supporting arm (30) comprises a first supporting arm member (31) which is formed as a load arm (31.1) and a second supporting arm member (32) for stabilizing a position of the load arm. The supporting arm (30) further comprises tensioning means (40) connected to the second supporting arm member (31) for exerting a tension force (T) on the second supporting arm member (32). According to the invention, the second supporting arm member (32) is formed as a bendable tension intermediary (32.1) which is fixedly connected at one end portion (33) to a transmission member (41) of the tensioning means (40) and which is fixedly connected at its respective other end portion (34) to a first curved guide member (24) that is non-rotatably mounted on the first pivot axis (21) with the bendable tension intermediary (32.1) being guided around a part of the circumference (C) of the first curved guide member (24). A second curved guide member (23) is non-rotatably mounted on the second pivot axis (22) with the bendable tension intermediary (32.1) being slip-free guided around a part of the circumference (C) of the second guide member (23).