Surgical Table Drive Control Priority Override System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical table control systems face challenges in maintaining high availability and collision monitoring when the control unit malfunctions, as passive override control disables communication and collision monitoring functions.
Innovation Solution
A priority control system that allows direct control of the drive device using a second input control signal, which has priority over the first input control signal, enabling collision monitoring and communication between the override operating unit and the control unit, even in the event of a control unit malfunction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If passive override control is used to directly control actuators without microcontroller processing, then high availability is achieved by allowing operation even when control unit is defective, but collision monitoring and communication functions are lost
Solution Approach 1:
A safety release unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the override operating unit and the actuators. This safety release unit receives both the first input control signal from the control unit and the second input control signal from the override operating unit, and selectively connects the appropriate signal to the actuators based on the operational state. This mediator enables the system to switch between normal controlled operation and override operation while maintaining safety functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed to be dynamic, allowing switching between two operational modes: normal mode where the control unit processes signals and provides collision monitoring, and override mode where the override operating unit directly controls actuators. The system adapts its control path based on the operational requirements, enabling high availability while preserving safety functions when possible.
2Ease of operation
If the control unit is completely bypassed during override operation, then direct control is achieved for high availability, but the control unit cannot verify or monitor the override control signals
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit receives feedback about the second input control signal from the override operating unit. Even when the control unit does not directly control the actuators during override operation, it remains informed about the override signals being sent. This feedback mechanism allows the control unit to monitor the override operation and provide verification, maintaining reliability while allowing direct control when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for controlling at least one drive device of a surgical table, comprising a control unit for making available an output control signal on the basis of at least a first input control signal. The device is configured in such a way that the drive device is controllable with the aid of the output control signal, and that the drive device is directly controllable with the aid of a second input control signal. The device is characterized in that the control unit receives the second input control signal or a signal based on the second input control signal.