Toggle-Lever Lock for Wound Retractor Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick-release clamps for wound spreader devices require significant effort to secure and release holding arms, often result in unfavorably aligned actuating levers, and have clamping properties that are difficult to dose and adjust, with limited adjustability and high risk of pivot or disconnection.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a toggle-lever lock mechanism with two articulated levers connected via a connecting joint, allowing for high clamping forces with minimal effort, and a compact design that enables easy adjustment and secure clamping with a small actuator travel, suitable for rod-shaped and spherical joint elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If screw closures are used for tensioning devices, then clamping force can be generated, but actuating levers are unfavorably aligned and require a great deal of effort to secure and release holding arms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a toggle-lever mechanism that dynamically transitions between open and clamped positions. The actuating lever pivots about an axis, with the first articulated lever connected to the pipe clamp and the second articulated lever connected to the actuating lever. As the actuating lever moves through a small angular range, the toggle mechanism dynamically transforms this small input motion into large clamping forces at the pipe clamp, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and clamping force generation.
2Productivity
If eccentric clamping devices are used, then quick action is achieved, but clamping properties are difficult to dose and cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The toggle-lever mechanism provides dynamic adjustability through the angular position of the actuating lever. By controlling the angular range of the actuating lever, the system can achieve different clamping forces while maintaining quick action. The mechanism allows for dosed adjustment of clamping properties by limiting the pivot angle of the actuating lever, combining quick action with adjustable clamping properties.
3Adaptability or versatility
If actuating lever is moved over large angular range, then adjustment is achieved, but large free radius is required which may not be present in operating field
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of angular range by utilizing the mechanical advantage of the toggle-lever mechanism. Instead of requiring large angular movements, the mechanism amplifies small angular displacements of the actuating lever into significant clamping actions. The small angular range of the actuating lever (limited pivot angle) is transformed by the toggle mechanism into effective adjustment and clamping, eliminating the need for large free radius in the operating field.
4Productivity
If other quick-action clamps with two positions are used, then quick release is achieved, but fixing arms or joint balls can pivot uncontrollably or connection can fall apart completely
Solution Approach 1:
The toggle-lever mechanism provides controlled transition between positions through its dynamic behavior. The mechanism passes through a neutral position during the transition from open to clamped state, providing inherent control. The mechanical advantage of the toggle mechanism ensures that the holding arms are securely held in the clamped position while allowing controlled release when the actuating lever is moved, preventing uncontrolled pivoting or complete disconnection while maintaining quick release capability.
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
Enables safe, easy, and quick operation with low operating forces, providing high clamping forces and adjustable positions, suitable for various installation scenarios, including those with limited space, and allows for efficient use by physically less strong users.
Implementation Method 1
By means of such a toggle lever closure, all clamps of wound spreader devices that are operated via threads or eccentrics can be redesigned in such a way that very high clamping forces can be achieved with only little effort
Data Source
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AI summary
A quick-action tensioning clip of a wound retractor, with at least one braceable seat for at least one holding arm and/or for a joint ball of a holding arm, is made available which can be operated safely, easily and quickly and which requires only low operating forces and at the same time safely and permanently generates high clamping forces, this being achieved by the fact that, in order to generate the tensioning force, it is equipped with a toggle catch composed of two joint levers (7; 8) which are connected to each other via a connecting joint (4) and which, at their free ends, are articulated via attachment joints (5; 6) on component parts of the quick-action tensioning clip (17; 18; 19) that can be mechanically moved away from or towards one another.