Electro-Mechanical Interface for Robotic Surgical Arm Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic surgical systems face difficulties in quickly and efficiently swapping out robotic surgical arms, especially when one arm fails or needs maintenance, due to the weight and complexity of the arms, making the process time-consuming and labor-intensive for a single person.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of electro-mechanical interfaces with a strap drive system and slideable connectors allows for rapid mounting and dismounting of robotic surgical arms, utilizing a strap drive train to distribute the weight and facilitate easy swapping, along with floating electrical connectors to ensure secure and misalignment-free connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a robotic surgical arm is made heavy and complex to ensure structural strength and precision, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates when swapping arms
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic surgical arm is divided into modular segments that can be independently replaced. The electro-mechanical interface separates the arm into a mounting portion and a removable portion, allowing the heavy arm to be segmented into replaceable modules without compromising overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
An electro-mechanical interface acts as an intermediary mechanism between the surgical arm and the mounting structure. This interface includes electrical connectors and mechanical coupling elements that facilitate safe and efficient arm replacement while maintaining reliable connections during operation.
2Reliability
If electrical connectors are made rigid to ensure stable connections, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to misalignment during quick swapping
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connector is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to flex and adapt during the connection process. The connector can accommodate misalignment during quick swapping operations while maintaining stable electrical contact once connected, combining ease of operation with connection reliability.
3Productivity
If the mounting process is simplified for quick swapping, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The electro-mechanical interface is pre-configured with alignment features and guide structures that automatically position components correctly during the swapping process. This preliminary preparation ensures precise connections are achieved quickly without requiring complex manual alignment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting mechanism incorporates self-aligning features that automatically ensure precise positioning during the swapping operation. The interface design allows the components to self-correct minor misalignments, maintaining manufacturing precision while enabling rapid replacement.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment of the invention, a method of mounting a surgical robotic arm to a set-up arm of a robotic surgical system is provided that includes sliding a pair of guide slots of the surgical robotic arm over a pair of guide tabs in the set-up arm; aligning electrical connectors in the set-up arm to electrical connectors of the surgical robotic arm; and coincidentally mating male electrical connectors to female electrical connectors while finally mating the guide tabs in the set-up arm to flanges of a housing of the surgical robotic arm.