DEVICE FOR MANUALLY UNLOCKING A HOLDING MECHANISM TO WHICH A LOAD CAN BE APPLIED

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (50) for manually unlocking a holding mechanism (10) to which a load can be applied, comprising an operating element (62) which is to be operated manually for unlocking the holding mechanism (10) with an operating force becoming larger as the load increases, a conversion mechanism (64, 90) which includes a force transfer element (72) coupled to the operating element (62), and a trigger (66) coupled to the force transfer element (72), wherein in order to unlock the holding mechanism (10) the trigger is movable by the operating force transferred by the force transfer element (72) to the trigger (66) from a locked position in which the trigger (66) is operatively decoupled from the holding mechanism into an unlocked position in which the trigger (66) is operatively coupled to the holding mechanism in order to unlock said holding mechanism. The conversion mechanism (64, 90) includes an elastically deformable force limiter (80) via which the force transfer element (72) is coupled to the trigger (66) and which prevents the transfer of the operating force to the trigger (66) due to the elastic deformation thereof, if the operating force exceeds a predetermined force.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is entitled to the benefit of and incorporates by reference subject matter disclosed in International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2013/052408 filed on Feb. 7, 2013 and German Patent Application No. 10201200970.8 filed Feb. 7, 2012.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a device for manually unlocking a holding mechanism to which a load can be applied, comprising an operating element which is to be operated manually for unlocking the holding mechanism with an operating force becoming larger as the load increases, a conversion mechanism which includes a force transfer element coupled to the operating element, and a trigger coupled to the force transfer element, wherein in order to unlock the holding mechanism the trigger is movable by the operating force transferred by the force transfer element to the trigger from a locked position in which the trigger is operatively decoupled from the holding mechanism into an unlocked position in which the trigger is operatively coupled to the holding mechanism in order to unlock said holding mechanism.

BACKGROUND

In medical technology recently a mechanical assistance system is used, e.g. for supporting the arm in operations at the shoulder or at the upper arm of a patient. This assistance system is substantially formed by a holding arm, which is illustrated purely schematically in FIG. 1.

The holding arm referred to with 10 in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of rigid holding members 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 which are coupled together via joints 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32. At one end of the holding arm 10 a fixing device 34 is arranged which serves to attach the holding arm 10 at a sliding rail of an operating table. At the other end of the holding arm 10 a handle 36 is positioned which can be manually operated by the operator to unlock the holding arm 10 in the manner described below. At the handle 36 a holder 40 provided with a plurality of latch openings 38 is attached at which a not shown support, e.g. for supporting the patient's arm, can be attached.

As mentioned above, the handle 36 serves to unlock the holding arm 10, in particular the joints 24 to 32 coupling the individual holding members 12 to 22 together. For this, the handle 36 includes a mechanical trigger, not shown in FIG. 1, which upon compressing the handle 36 operates an unlocking rod system, not shown in FIG. 1, guided through the holding arm 10. In doing so, the operating force exerted on the handle 36 is transferred via a conversion mechanism, which is positioned inside the handle 36, to the trigger. If the trigger due to the operation of the handle 36 acts on the rod system, the latter ensures that the individual joints 24 to 32 are unlocked. Each of the joints 24 to 32 is formed such that it allows in the unlocked state a relative movement of the two holding members which are coupled to each other by said joint.

If no operating force is exerted on the handle 36, the holding members 12 to 22 of the holding arm 10 are rigidly coupled to each other via the joints 24 to 32. In this state, the holding arm 10 forms a rigid unit which is suited to support the patient's arm in a stable position. If the position of the patient's arm in the space shall be changed, the operator compresses the handle 36 causing the unlocking mechanism to be operated via the mechanical trigger. By operating the handle 36 the holding members 12 to 22 coupled to each other via the joints 24 to 32 become thus movable relative to each other, so that the operator can align the holding arm 10 as desired. If the operator subsequently releases the handle 36 again, the joints 24 to 32 are locked again and the holding arm 10 is fixed again in its changed alignment.

The operating force which the operator has to exert on the handle 36 in order to unlock the holding arm 10 depends on the load which is applied to the holding arm 10. This load is composed of the proper weight of the holding arm 10 and the weight of the supported patient's arm. The heavier the patient's arm is, the larger the operating force consequently has to be, which the operator has to exert on the handle 36 in order to unlock the holding arm 10.

If the operator operates the handle 36 with a sufficiently large operating force, the holding arm 10 is promptly unlocked. This means that the holding arm 10 instantly yields under the load, i.e. substantially the weight of the patient's arm. This yielding of the holding arm 10 is less problematic as far as the weight supported on the holding arm 10 is relatively low. In this case, the operator can counteract a sudden bagging of the holding arm 10 by exerting with his hand holding the handle 26 a counteracting force opposite to the weight of the patient's arm, i.e. he generally pushes the handle 36 a little upwards since the load acts downwards.

However, if the weight of the supported patient is relatively large, the operator has to exert a correspondingly large counteracting force after unlocking the holding arm 10 to stabilize the holding arm 10. As the unlocking of the holding arm 10 occurs promptly, the operator has to react quickly, which renders handling of the holding arm 10 difficult. Now, the operator can prevent an abrupt bagging of the holding arm 10 from the very beginning by supporting the holding arm 10 from below with his one hand, while operating the handle 36 with the other hand. This additionally facilitates also unlocking of the holding arm 10. However, it often occurs in practice that the operator forgets this security measure for supporting the holding arm 10 and is thus surprised that the holding arm 10 suddenly loses its stability during the unlocking procedure and bags downwards. This renders handling of the holding arm 10 difficult.

SUMMARY

It is the object of the invention to develop a manually operable unlocking device determined for a holding mechanism of the above-mentioned type further such that the handling thereof becomes easier and safer than has been the case so far.

The invention solves this object in that the conversion mechanism includes an elastically deformable force limiter via which the force transfer element is coupled to the trigger and which prevents due to its elastic deformation the transfer of the operating force to the trigger, if the operating force exceeds a predetermined force.

The invention takes advantage of the fact that the operating force which is to be manually exerted on the operating part in order to unlock the holding mechanism depends on the load to be supported, in particular becomes larger as the load increases. This means that the force to be applied in order to unlock the holding mechanism can be considered as a measure for the load which is applied to the holding mechanism. The circumstance that the operating force becomes larger with increasing load also includes a security aspect to the effect that an accidental unlocking in case of a large load is prevented.

The invention provides an elastically deformable force limiter which only allows a transfer of the operating force manually exerted on the operating part to the trigger, if the operating force is not larger than a predetermined force. As the operating force, as explained above, is a measure for the load resting on the holding mechanism, the force limiter prevents a transfer of the operating force to the trigger and thus unlocking of the holding mechanism to which the load is applied, if this load exceeds a predetermined value. Conversely, this means that unlocking of the holding mechanism only by operating of the operating part is only possible according to the invention, if the load is not larger than this predetermined value.

If the operator operates the operating part and in doing so realizes that in this way unlocking of the holding mechanism is not possible for him, the operator becomes aware that the load resting on the holding mechanism is larger than the predetermined value. After the operator has realized that, he can for example, while continuing to exert the operating force on the operating part, support with the same or his other hand the holding mechanism, in order to counteract the load resting on the holding mechanism and thus to unload the holding mechanism. If the holding mechanism is sufficiently unloaded in this manner, it becomes possible for the operator to unlock the holding mechanism by exerting the operating force on the operating part. Thereby it is reliably prevented that the operator is surprised by a sudden transfer of the holding mechanism from a load holding state to a load yielding state. Further, by the limitation of the effective operating force damage of the unlocking device and/or the parts forming the holding mechanism as a consequence of an excessive force application is prevented. Finally, by limiting the operating force good ergonomics of the handle operation is guaranteed.

In a preferred embodiment, the force limiter is a spring, the restoring force of which is dimensioned such that the spring maintains its original shape, if the operating force is smaller or equal to the predetermined force, and that the spring is elastically deformed, if the operating force exceeds the predetermined force. If the operating force is sufficiently small, the spring interconnected between the force transfer element and the trigger acts as a substantially rigid element, so that the operating force exerted on the operating part acts via the spring largely unweakened on the trigger and the holding mechanism is unlocked. If, however, the operating force exerted on the operating part is that large, that the operator should unload the holding mechanism before its unlocking, in order not to be surprised by the suddenly occurring instability of the holding mechanism, the spring absorbs as a consequence of its elastic deformation quasi the exerted operating force, whereby the latter does not act on the trigger anymore and the holding mechanism remains locked. Only with unloading of the holding mechanism the operating force to be exerted on the operating part becomes so small again that this does not cause an elastic deformation of the spring and the operating force is transferred to the trigger.

Preferably, the spring is a pressure spring, which is compressed between the force transfer element and the trigger, if the force exerted on the operating part is larger than the predetermined force.

In a preferred embodiment, the conversion mechanism comprises a first toothing formed at the operating part and a second toothing formed at the force transfer element which meshes with the first toothing. Such a transmission formed by two toothing patterns is particularly suitable to convert an operation of the operating part e.g. in a linear movement of the force transfer element and thus in a corresponding movement of the trigger coupled via the force limiter to the force transfer element (as far as the operating force does not exceed a predetermined force).

In an alternative embodiment, the conversion mechanism comprises a movable pressing surface formed at the operating part and a toggle lever with a longer first leg and a shorter second leg, wherein the longer first leg of the toggle lever is supported at one end in a first center of rotation stationary inside the unlocking device, the shorter second leg of the toggle lever is rotatably supported at one end in a second center of rotation, which is stationary relative to the movably guided force transfer element, the two legs are supported respectively at their other end in a common third center of rotation, and the pressing surface presses onto the toggle lever in the region of the third centre of rotation when the operating part is manually operated. By using a toggle lever a delayed transmission of the operating force at constant operating speed can be obtained. This means that at constant operating speed the stroke speed, with which the force transfer element is moved, decreases, while the force exerted by the force transfer element increases. Thus, the operating force exerted by the operator comes into effect with delay, so that the operator can better prepare for the coming unlocking of the holding mechanism when operating the operating part. Further, in this manner a larger force transmission becomes possible.

Preferably, the force transfer element includes a hollow cylindrical portion in which the force limiter is supported. This allows a particularly compact construction of the unlocking device. The trigger comprises for example a trigger rod which is linearly guided in the direction of its longitudinal axis. In this case, the trigger rod can be at least partially guided inside the oblong force limiter. If the force limiter is e.g. a coil spring, in this embodiment a part of the trigger rod extends into the interior of the coil spring. This also favours a particularly compact construction of the unlocking device.

Preferably, an end stop is provided, which limits the elastic deformation of the force limiter. If the force limiter is for example a compression spring, the end stop guarantees that the compression spring is only compressed so tightly that the spring deflection caused thereby is still within an operating region determined by a pre-defined spring-load deflection curve. This ensures that the spring can fulfill its function, i.e. either allowing or preventing the transfer of the operating force exerted on the operating part, depending on the size of said force, to the trigger reliably for a long period of time.

The above-mentioned end stop is for example an end stop surface which abuts the force transfer element. In this embodiment, the end stop limits the lifting of the force transfer element. It is however also possible to assign the end stop for example to the operating part to restrict the operating path thereof.

According to a further aspect of the invention a holding mechanism to which a load can be applied is provided which comprises an unlocking device of the above-described type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be explained in the following on the basis of the Figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a conventional holding arm for supporting a patient's arm;

FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal section through an unlocking device usable for the holding arm according to FIG. 1 according to the first embodiment in a state in which a handle of the unlocking device is not operated and the holding arm is locked;

FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section through the unlocking device according to FIG. 2 in a state in which the handle is operated and as a result the holding arm is unlocked;

FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal section through the unlocking device according to FIG. 2 in a state in which the handle is operated and the holding arm still remains locked;

FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal section through a locking device usable for the holding arm according to FIG. 1 according to the second embodiment in a state in which the handle of the locking device is not operated and the holding arm is locked;

FIG. 6 shows a longitudinal section through the unlocking device according to FIG. 5 in a state in which the handle is operated and the holding arm is unlocked; and

FIG. 7 shows a longitudinal section through the unlocking device according to FIG. 5 in a state in which the handle is operated and the holding arm still remains locked.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 2 shows an unlocking device 50 in a longitudinal section as first embodiment. The unlocking device 50 is suited to unlock the holding arm 10 shown in FIG. 1 in the manner described below.

The unlocking device 50 has an elongated housing 52 which is formed from two housing parts 54 and 56 being coupled together via screwed connections 58 and 60. The unlocking device 50 further includes a handle 62 being manually operable by an operator, a conversion mechanism generally referred to with 64 in FIG. 2 and a trigger rod 66 movably guided along the housing longitudinal axis. The conversion mechanism 64 is formed by a transmission in the first embodiment which comprises a toothed wheel portion 68 formed at the handle 62 and a toothed rack 70 meshed with the toothed wheel portion 68. The toothed rack 70 is part of a force transfer element 72 which includes a hollow cylindrical portion 74 at the end thereof facing away from the toothed rack 70.

At the end of the trigger rod 66 facing the handle 62 a support 76 is installed which together with a rigid, hollow cylindrical end stop 78 defines a space in which a pressure loadable coil spring 80 is arranged.

The trigger rod 66 extends through a through bore 82 formed in the housing part 56. Thereby, the trigger rod 66 is movably guided in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the housing 52. The trigger rod 66 serves to operate an unlocking mechanism which is included in the holding arm not shown in FIG. 2. Of this unlocking mechanism in FIG. 2 only a single unlocking component 84 is illustrated which is pivotably supported about a pivoting axis 86. Due to the trigger rod 66 pressing onto the unlocking component 84 the latter is moved about the pivoting axis 86 for unlocking the holding arm.

The coil spring 80 via which the force transfer element 72 is coupled to the trigger rod 66 forms a force limiter which ensures that the operating force manually exerted by the operator on the handle 62 is only transferred via the conversion mechanism 65 to the trigger rod 66 and thus to the unlocking component 84, if the operating force does not exceed a predetermined force.

The spring force with which the coil spring 80 counteracts its compression is selected exactly such that the coil spring 80 is only compressed, if the operating fore exceeds the predetermined force. In this case, the coil spring 80 quasi absorbs the operating force exerted via the handle 62 on the force transfer element 72 by being elastically compressed. If the operating force is, however, smaller or equal to the predetermined force, it is not sufficient to compress the coil screw 80. The coil screw 80 then forms a rigid coupling element between the force transfer element 72 and the trigger rod 66, so that the movement of the force transfer element 72 caused by operating the handle 62 is converted into a corresponding movement of the trigger rod 66 in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the housing 52 causing the unlocking component 84 to be moved about the pivoting axis 86 and ultimately the holding arm to be unlocked.

FIGS. 2 to 4 illustrate the mode of operation of the unlocking device 50, in particular of the force limiter formed by the coil spring 80.

In FIG. 2, the handle 62 is not operated. Correspondingly the trigger rod 66 remains in its locking position in which it does not act on the unlocking component 84. The holding arm is unlocked.

In FIG. 3, the handle 62 is operated with a (load dependent) operating force, which is not sufficient to compress the coil screw 80 significantly. Thus, in this state the coil screw 80 forms a substantially rigid element which is moved together with the force transfer element 72 in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the housing 52 downwards until the hollow cylindrical portion 74 of the force transfer element 72 abuts the rigid end stop 78. Thus, the operating force is transferred to the trigger rod 66 causing it to be moved in its unlocking position and the unlocking component 84 to be pivoted about the pivoting axis 86. The holding arm is unlocked.

In FIG. 4, the handle 62 is operated with a (load dependent) operating force, which is large enough to compress the coil spring 80. The coil spring 80 thus absorbs the exerted operating force causing the trigger rod 62 to remain in its locking position and not to act on the unlocking component 84. The holding arm 62 remains locked despite of the operation of the handle 62.

In FIGS. 5 to 7, a modification of the unlocking device 50 is illustrated as a second embodiment. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 only by a modified conversion mechanism, which is referred to with 90 in FIGS. 5 to 7. Said components of the second embodiment which correspond in their function with those of the first embodiment are provided with the reference signs used in the first embodiment.

The conversion mechanism 90 modified with respect to the first embodiment includes a toggle lever 92, which is formed from a longer first leg 94 and a shorter second leg 96. The first leg 94 is supported with one end at a pivot axis 98 which is rigidly installed in the housing 52. The pivoting axis 98 thus forms a first center of rotation of the toggle lever 92 stationary relative to the housing 52. The second leg 96 is supported with its end facing away from the first leg 94 at a pivoting axis 100, which is rigidly installed at the force transfer element 72, which is movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the housing 52. The pivoting axis 100 thus forms a second center of rotation which is moved together with the force transfer element 72.

At the ends thereof facing each other the two legs 94 and 96 are rotatably coupled to each other. For this, the second leg 96 includes an approximately spherical portion 102, which is supported in a corresponding spherical receptacle, which is formed at the end of the first leg 94a facing the second leg. By this rotatable coupling of the two legs 94 and 96 a common movable third center of rotation of the toggle lever 92 is given.

The toggle lever 92 abuts in the region of its third center of rotation a pressing surface 104 formed at the handle 62. If the operator operates the handle 62, the two legs 94 and 96 are, as shown in FIG. 6, aligned vertically bringing the toggle lever 92 altogether in a form in which it is positioned approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing 92. By this alignment of the toggle lever 92 the operating force exerted on the handle 62 is transferred to the force transfer element 72 causing it to be moved downwards in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the housing 52 (in FIGS. 5 to 7).

Besides, the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 operates in the same manner as the first embodiment according to FIGS. 2 to 4. For that matter, the state shown in FIG. 5 in which the handle 62 is not operated and the holding arm is consequently locked corresponds to the state according to FIG. 2, while the state illustrated in FIG. 6 in which the handle 62 is operated and the holding arm is unlocked corresponds to the state according to FIG. 3 and the state shown in FIG. 7 in which the handle 62 is operated, but the holding arm remains locked corresponds to the state according to FIG. 4.

Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described and shown, the invention is not restricted thereto, but may also be embodied in other ways within the scope of the subject-matter defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A device for manually unlocking a holding mechanism to which a load can be applied, comprising:

an operating element which is to be operated manually for unlocking the holding mechanism with an operating force becoming larger as the load increases,

a conversion mechanism which includes a force transfer element coupled to the operating element, and

a trigger coupled to the force transfer element, wherein in order to unlock the holding mechanism the trigger is movable by the operating force transferred by the force transfer element to the trigger from a locked position in which the trigger is operatively decoupled from the holding mechanism into an unlocked position in which the trigger is operatively coupled to the holding mechanism for unlocking said holding mechanism,

wherein

the conversion mechanism includes an elastically deformable force limiter via which the force transfer element is coupled to the trigger and which prevents due to the elastic deformation thereof the transfer of the operating force to the trigger, if the operating force exceeds a predetermined force.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein an elongated housing, in which the conversion mechanism converts the operating force manually exerted on the operating element into a movement of the force transfer element along a housing longitudinal axis and the force limiter is elastically deformable along the housing longitudinal axis.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the force limiter is a spring, the restoring force of which is dimensioned such that the spring maintains its original form, if the operating force is less than or equal to the predetermined force, and that the spring deforms elastically, if the operating force exceeds the predetermined force.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the spring is formed as pressure spring.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the conversion mechanism comprises a first toothing formed at the operating element and a second toothing formed at the force transfer element which is meshed with the first toothing.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein

the conversion mechanism comprises a pressing surface formed at the operating element and a toggle lever having a longer first leg and a shorter second leg,

the longer first leg of the toggle lever is rotatably supported at one end in a first center of rotation stationary inside the device,

the shorter second leg of the toggle lever is rotatably supported at one end in a second center of rotation which is stationary relative to the movably guided force transfer element,

the two legs are rotatably supported respectively at their other end in a common third center of rotation, and

the pressing surface during manual operation of the operating element presses onto the toggle lever in the region of the third center of rotation.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the operating element is a pivotably supported handle.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the force transfer element includes a hollow cylindrical portion in which the force limiter is supported.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the trigger comprises a trigger rod which is linearly guided in the direction of the longitudinal axis thereof.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the trigger rod is guided at least partially inside the oblong force limiter.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein an end stop which limits the elastic deformation of the force limiter.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the end stop is formed by an end stop surface that abuts the force transfer element.

13. A holding mechanism to which a load can be applied, comprising a device for unlocking said holding mechanism according to claim 1.

14. The holding mechanism according to claim 13, wherein the holding mechanism is a holding arm formed for supporting a body portion of a patient, which has at least two rigid holding members and a joint, which connects the two holding members together, and an unlocking mechanism, which cooperates with the trigger such that the joint rigidly couples the two holding members together in the locking position of the trigger and movably couples the two holding members in the unlocking position of the trigger.

15. The device according to claim 2, wherein the force limiter is a spring, the restoring force of which is dimensioned such that the spring maintains its original form, if the operating force is less than or equal to the predetermined force, and that the spring deforms elastically, if the operating force exceeds the predetermined force.

16. The device according to claim 2, wherein

the conversion mechanism comprises a pressing surface formed at the operating element and a toggle lever having a longer first leg and a shorter second leg,

the longer first leg of the toggle lever is rotatably supported at one end in a first center of rotation stationary inside the device,

the shorter second leg of the toggle lever is rotatably supported at one end in a second center of rotation which is stationary relative to the movably guided force transfer element,

the two legs are rotatably supported respectively at their other end in a common third center of rotation, and

the pressing surface during manual operation of the operating element presses onto the toggle lever in the region of the third center of rotation.

17. The device according to claim 3, wherein

the conversion mechanism comprises a pressing surface formed at the operating element and a toggle lever having a longer first leg and a shorter second leg,

the longer first leg of the toggle lever is rotatably supported at one end in a first center of rotation stationary inside the device,

the shorter second leg of the toggle lever is rotatably supported at one end in a second center of rotation which is stationary relative to the movably guided force transfer element,

the two legs are rotatably supported respectively at their other end in a common third center of rotation, and

the pressing surface during manual operation of the operating element presses onto the toggle lever in the region of the third center of rotation.

18. The device according to claim 4, wherein

the conversion mechanism comprises a pressing surface formed at the operating element and a toggle lever having a longer first leg and a shorter second leg,

the longer first leg of the toggle lever is rotatably supported at one end in a first center of rotation stationary inside the device,

the shorter second leg of the toggle lever is rotatably supported at one end in a second center of rotation which is stationary relative to the movably guided force transfer element,

the two legs are rotatably supported respectively at their other end in a common third center of rotation, and

the pressing surface during manual operation of the operating element presses onto the toggle lever in the region of the third center of rotation.