VAD Battery Latch Mechanism for Controlled Release Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing VAD systems face challenges in ensuring a secure and reliable connection between the accumulator or battery unit and the control unit to prevent accidental disconnection, which can disrupt the power supply to the heart pump and control unit.
Innovation Solution
A safety mechanism is introduced, featuring a latching hook and latching opening system with an actuating element that requires deliberate actuation to release, incorporating elastic elements and safety elements to prevent accidental separation, ensuring a secure and controlled detachment of the accumulator or battery unit from the control unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple connection mechanism is used between the accumulator unit and control unit, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of the connection deteriorates due to risk of accidental disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism is divided into two distinct units: a control unit with a latching hook and an accumulator unit with a latching opening. This segmentation allows each unit to have specialized components that work together to provide both secure connection and controlled release, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching hook is pre-configured with a latching lug that automatically engages with the latching opening when the units are connected. This preliminary action ensures that the connection is securely established before any operation begins, preventing accidental disconnection while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Reliability
If a secure locking mechanism is implemented to prevent accidental disconnection, then the connection reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring deliberate actuation steps
Solution Approach 1:
The latching mechanism transitions from a static locked state to a dynamic release process. The actuating element can be moved between different positions (first position for locking, second position for release) to control the engagement and disengagement of the latching lug. This dynamic control allows the system to maintain high reliability during normal operation while enabling intentional release when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating element serves as an intermediary between the user's intent to release and the actual disengagement of the latching mechanism. By requiring the actuating element to be moved to a specific position before release can occur, it provides a deliberate control step that prevents accidental operation while maintaining ease of intentional release.
3Reliability
If the latching lug continuously engages the latching opening to maintain secure connection, then the connection reliability is improved, but the ability to release deteriorates until deliberate actuation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The latching mechanism is designed to be dynamically controllable. The latching lug continuously engages the latching opening to maintain secure connection during normal operation, but the actuating element can be moved to a second position that disengages the latching lug from the latching opening, enabling release. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to switch between secure locked state and release state as needed.
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 mechanism enhances the reliability of the connection by minimizing accidental disconnections, maintaining power supply integrity, and providing a controlled release process, thus ensuring the stability and safety of the VAD system operation.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating elastic elements and safety elements to prevent accidental separation
Data Source
AI summary
A safety mechanism for locking and releasing an accumulator unit of a VAD system with a control unit of a VAD system may be provided. Safety mechanisms may comprise a latching hook having a latching lug, a latching opening, and an actuating element, and may have a rest position, a pre-release position, and a release position as described herein. An actuating element may be configured such that actuation of the actuating element moves the latching hook and/or the latching opening from a pre-release position into a release position.