Surgical Light Support Arm Ring Covering Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical light support arms have a high risk of disengagement for the securing element during disinfection or rotation, leading to potential medical accidents.
Innovation Solution
A support arm design featuring a ring that moves between two positions, with the first position allowing the securing element to engage with the insertion portion and the second position covering the securing element to prevent disengagement, thereby enhancing safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the decorative cover is sleeved inside the support arm with screws, then the support arm structure is complete, but the screws may be forgotten to be arranged, causing the decorative cover to move axially and expose the securing element
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by designing the ring to automatically cover the securing element immediately after insertion, before any potential disengagement can occur. The ring is pre-configured with the insertion groove that guides the securing element, and the automatic covering action happens as part of the initial assembly process, preventing the need for separate screw fixation of the decorative cover
Solution Approach 2:
The ring serves as an intermediary component between the securing element and the decorative cover. It mediates the potential disengagement issue by providing both the insertion pathway (through the insertion groove) and the protective covering function, eliminating the need for screws to secure the decorative cover
2Reliability
If the ring is designed to move between first position (allowing insertion) and second position (covering securing element), then disengagement prevention is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The ring is designed with dynamic movement capability, transitioning between a first position where the insertion groove is aligned with the clamping groove to allow securing element insertion, and a second position where the ring covers the securing element to prevent disengagement. This dynamic behavior is achieved through the connection element that allows axial movement while maintaining the protective function
Solution Approach 2:
The ring mechanism is segmented into functional zones: the insertion groove for guiding insertion, the movement capability for position transition, and the covering portion for disengagement prevention. The connection element separates the ring from the connector body, allowing independent movement of the ring component
3Ease of operation
If the securing element is inserted radially into the support arm and insertion portion, then the medical device can be connected, but the securing element has high risk of disengagement during disinfection or rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The ring acts as an intermediary that protects the radially inserted securing element from disengagement. It provides the insertion groove for easy radial insertion while simultaneously serving as a protective barrier that prevents the securing element from being dislodged during subsequent operations like disinfection or rotation
Solution Approach 2:
The ring is positioned to cover the securing element immediately after radial insertion, creating preliminary protection before any disengagement risk occurs. This preliminary covering action ensures that the securing element is protected during subsequent handling, disinfection, or rotation operations
Data Source
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AI summary
A support arm and a surgical light are disclosed, which include an arm body, a securing element, a ring, and an insertion portion to connect a medical device. The arm body has a connector which is provided inside with an insertion cavity for inserting the insertion portion; a side wall of the connector is provided with a clamping groove. The ring has an insertion groove and is movably sleeved around an outer circumference of the connector, so as to at least move between a first position and a second position.. At the second position, the ring at least partially covers the securing element. When the ring covers the securing element, the securing element is not easily disengaged under the cover of the ring. Therefore, the medical device does not easily fall down, improving the reliability and safety of the medical device.