Medical Trolley Support Hook Locking for Tool-Free Secure Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical equipment carriers, such as trolleys, require flexible and easy-to-modify solutions for supporting medical appliances and instruments in operating theaters, with the need for tools-free assembly and disassembly, secure connection, and adaptability to new tasks without technical training.
Innovation Solution
A support device with an engagement hook and bolt system for releasable connection to equipment carriers, allowing quick mounting and locking in various positions, featuring a safety mechanism for secure locking and tactile/audible feedback, and a spar for supporting medical appliances or instruments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If support devices are designed for tool-free assembly and disassembly, then ease of operation is improved, but connection reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into separate functional components: an engagement hook for quick insertion, a bolt for secure locking, and a safety mechanism for verification. This segmentation allows tool-free operation while maintaining reliability through multiple independent securing stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The bolt is designed as a movable component that transitions between locked and unlocked positions, enabling dynamic adjustment. The safety mechanism provides dynamic feedback through tactile and audible signals, allowing operators to verify connection status without tools while ensuring reliable locking.
2Productivity
If support devices can be quickly assembled and disassembled, then productivity is improved, but connection strength may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement hook is pre-configured with a geometry that enables immediate engagement with the opening upon insertion. This preliminary positioning action occurs before bolt engagement, allowing quick assembly while ensuring the hook is properly aligned for subsequent secure locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The bolt provides a dynamic locking mechanism that can be quickly engaged and disengaged. Its movable design allows rapid transition between locked and unlocked states, maintaining strong connections during use while enabling fast modifications when needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple engagement positions are provided, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement hook design is universal, capable of engaging with any opening in the set of openings on the equipment carrier. This single multi-functional component provides adaptability across multiple positions without requiring different hook designs, thereby avoiding increased complexity.
4Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to secure the connection, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bolt includes integrated tactile and audible feedback mechanisms that automatically indicate when locking is complete. This self-service feature allows operators to verify secure connection without requiring tools or technical expertise, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety mechanism provides immediate tactile and audible feedback when the bolt reaches the locked position. This feedback loop confirms proper engagement and locking, ensuring connection security while keeping the operation simple and intuitive for users without technical training.
Data Source
AI summary
A support device for releasable connection to an equipment carrier, and for supporting a medical appliance, a medical instrument or another payload, includes an engagement hook for engaging in an opening on an equipment carrier and a bolt for locking a connection between the engagement hook and an opening in which the engagement hook engages.