Telescopic Column Safety Device for Medical Lifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Telescopic columns lack a safety device to automatically stop movement when encountering obstacles, posing a hazard in medical settings where equipment or personnel may be lowered, potentially causing severe injuries.
Innovation Solution
A safety device is integrated into the telescopic column, comprising a contact-type mechanism with a circuit breaker and elastic assembly that stops the drive unit when a counteracting force exceeds a predetermined threshold, preventing accidental collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a telescopic column is used to raise and lower equipment or personnel, then mobility and accessibility are improved, but safety is worsened due to lack of automatic stoppage device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-installing a safety device with a circuit breaker and elastic assembly that is ready to activate before any accident occurs. The elastic assembly is pre-loaded with force capable of overcoming the drive unit's resistance, and the circuit breaker is pre-positioned to interrupt the electrical circuit immediately when the threshold force is reached during lowering operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary mechanism consisting of the elastic assembly and circuit breaker that mediates between the drive unit and the supporting plate. This intermediary safety device detects excessive force through the elastic element and automatically interrupts power transmission via the circuit breaker, preventing direct harm to personnel or equipment without requiring human intervention.
2Ease of operation
If the supporting plate is lowered close to the ground for accessibility, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of collision with obstacles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through the elastic assembly that continuously monitors the force exerted on the supporting plate during lowering. When the force exceeds the predetermined threshold (indicating contact with an obstacle), the elastic element compresses and triggers the circuit breaker, which immediately cuts power to the drive unit, creating a closed-loop safety feedback system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by designing the elastic assembly with pre-loaded force capability that is sufficient to counteract any unexpected obstacles. The safety device is calibrated to detect and respond to forces exceeding normal operating conditions, automatically applying counter-action by interrupting the lowering motion before significant harm can occur.
3Reliability
If a safety device is added to the telescopic column, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the safety device components (circuit breaker, elastic assembly, triggering mechanism) into an integrated unit that is coupled to the existing drive unit and supporting plate structure. The circuit breaker is electrically connected to the drive unit's power supply, and the elastic assembly is mechanically integrated with the supporting plate assembly, creating a compact combined safety system rather than separate add-on components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves universality by designing the elastic assembly to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the sensing element for detecting obstacle contact and the actuating element for triggering the circuit breaker. The same elastic element that measures force also mechanically activates the circuit breaker when the threshold is exceeded, eliminating the need for separate sensors and actuators.
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 safety device effectively prevents collisions by automatically stopping the column's movement upon encountering obstacles, enhancing safety in medical and other applications where equipment and personnel are raised or lowered.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic assembly (13) interposed between the means (12) for operating the circuit breaker (11) and the cover (4)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is a telescopic column (1) comprising: two or more tubular members (2; 3) telescopically engaging one inside the other; a drive unit (6) contained inside the tubular members (2; 3); a cover (4) attached to the end of the inner tubular member (3); a supporting plate (8) attached to the outside of the cover (4); a tubular rod (5) associated with the drive unit (6), installed inside the tubular members (2; 3) with its end (5a) associated with the cover (4); means (7) for controlling the extension and withdrawal of the tubular members (2; 3). During the withdrawal of the tubular rod (5) inside the tubular members (2; 3), a safety device (9) operatively connected to the control means (7) stops the drive unit (6) if a counteracting element (C) obstructs the lowering of the supporting plate (8).