Surgical Lighting Suspension Mounting With Compression Screws
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mounting systems for surgical lighting in operating theaters using cap screws often result in wobbling and screw breakage due to tension and fatigue under heavy loads, leading to instability and maintenance issues.
Innovation Solution
The system replaces cap screws with pressure screws that apply compressive stress, eliminating flexing tension and preventing screw elongation, using a threaded body and tightening head with a bearing shoulder, and incorporating anti-loosening screws and protective caps for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cap screws are used to attach surgical lighting suspension to anchoring tube, then the suspension can be mounted to the ceiling, but the screws are subjected to flexing tension and can break due to fatigue under heavy loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional cap screw mounting approach by using pressure screws that work in compression rather than tension. The pressure screw's threaded body is screwed into the anchoring tube, and the bearing surface compresses the suspension against the tube, transforming the stress state from tensile (prone to fatigue) to compressive (more stable and reliable for heavy loads).
2Ease of operation
If elongated screws are used to span clearance between anchoring tube and suspension, then the suspension can be attached, but the screws contribute to wobbling of the suspension in the anchoring tube
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bearing surface as an intermediary element between the pressure screw and the suspension. This bearing surface compresses the suspension against the anchoring tube, eliminating clearance and preventing wobbling while maintaining ease of attachment. The compression force creates friction that stabilizes the suspension position.
3Force
If cap screws work under tension to attach suspension, then the attachment can be achieved, but the screws can break due to fatigue under heavy loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental stress parameter from tensile force (cap screws) to compressive force (pressure screws). By screwing the threaded body into the anchoring tube and allowing the bearing surface to compress the suspension against the tube, the system maintains strong attachment force while eliminating fatigue-related reliability issues associated with tensile loading.
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 provides a more reliable and stable mounting system by preventing screw breakage and eliminating clearance between the suspension and anchoring tube, ensuring lateral and rotational stability and reducing maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure screws may attach surgical lighting suspensions to anchoring tubes including by compressive stress. When the mount is in the assembled state, the pressure screws may extend between bores in the anchoring tube and internal attachment threads of the suspension. The pressure screws can be compressed downward against bores in the anchoring tube by the weight of the suspension, and by the weight of lighting and/or an arm of the lighting, if present.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for mounting surgical lighting to the ceiling of an operating theater can include an anchoring tube having attachment holes, and a surgical lighting suspension having internal attachment threads for receiving screws. The receiving screws may be pressure screws. The pressure screws may include a threaded body, and a tightening head which has a smaller diameter than the threaded body. The pressure screws can support and secure the surgical lighting suspension by copressive stress. Anti-loosening screws may be used to secure the pressure screws in place.