Surgical Table Support Pad Coupling Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing support pad coupling mechanisms for surgical table extension units have complex structures and high costs, making them unreliable and inconvenient to operate.

Innovation Solution

A support pad coupling mechanism featuring perpendicular coupling plates with hooks and position-limiting posts that engage with corresponding recesses and posts on an extension adapter, allowing for easy attachment and detachment, and optionally including a cushion block with a groove for stability, to reduce manufacturing costs and enhance operational convenience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing support pad coupling mechanisms are used, then the support pad can be attached to the extension adapter, but the structure becomes complex and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling reliabilityVSAvoidcoupling mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism is divided into separate functional elements: coupling plates with hooks attached to the support pad, and corresponding posts and recesses on the extension adapter. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining coupling reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using complex interlocking mechanisms, the design uses simple geometric shapes (hooks engaging with posts) where the support pad actively engages with the extension adapter. The position-limiting posts and recesses provide passive guidance and constraint, inverting the traditional active-passive relationship found in complex coupling mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If existing support pad coupling mechanisms are used, then the support pad can be attached to the extension adapter, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism uses simple, easily manufactured components (plates, hooks, posts, recesses) that can be produced at low cost. These components are designed to be replaceable and inexpensive, allowing for simple manufacturing processes while ensuring reliable coupling through their geometric engagement rather than complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling function combines multiple constraints (hook engagement, position-limiting posts, recesses) into a single integrated mechanism. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate components and assembly steps, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining coupling reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If existing support pad coupling mechanisms are used, then the support pad can be attached to the extension adapter, but operation convenience decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling reliabilityVSAvoidoperation convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The essential coupling function is extracted from complex mechanisms and represented by simple geometric engagement elements (hooks and posts). This extraction allows for easy operation while maintaining reliability, as the simplified components can be easily aligned and engaged without complex procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The position-limiting posts and recesses are pre-configured to guide the coupling plates into proper alignment during attachment. This preliminary positioning action ensures that the hooks engage correctly with the posts, making the operation convenient and reliable without requiring precise manual alignment by the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12036157B2Suppport pad coupling mechanism for surgical table extension unit and surgical table

Publication Date: 2024.07.16 BAXTER MEDICAL SYST GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

A support pad coupling mechanism for a surgical table extension unit and a surgical table are disclosed. The surgical table extension unit includes an extension adapter and a support pad. A lower side of the support pad is provided with two coupling plates that are perpendicular to the support pad. Each coupling plate is provided with a hook portion and a first position-limiting post. The first position-limiting posts extend along a direction perpendicular to the coupling plates. The extension adapter is provided with two second position-limiting posts that cooperate with the hook portions and two position-limiting recessed portions that cooperate with the first position-limiting posts. When the support pad and the extension adapter are coupled together, the first position-limiting posts are positioned in the position-limiting recessed portions and the hook portions are hooked onto the second position-limiting posts.