EP0464410A2 - Combination of work unit and Vertically adjustable supply unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A supply unit with a vertically adjustable connection head, for example in the form of a ceiling supply unit or ceiling suspension lamp, can receive a working unit, for example an anaesthetic unit, and should for this purpose permit a reliable coupling so that the user can carry out his or her task safely with the working unit connected correctly. This is permitted by a coupling part (34) which is equipped with guide surfaces (35) and into which there engages a receiving part (14), which is provided with complementary receiving jaws (15) and which, when the engagement gives an exact fitting, activates electrical switches (18) in such a way that the operating elements (10) provided on a console (9), for adjusting the height of the connection head (1) and/or for supplying the working unit (30) with the operating media, are released. …<IMAGE>…

Description

The invention relates to a supply unit with a highly adjustable connecting head, to which a working device fed from supply channels in the connecting head with operationally necessary media (gas, electricity) can be coupled by a coupling part located on the working device engaging in a receiving part provided on the connecting head.

Supply units of this type are mainly used in the medical field, a height-adjustable and pivotable supply column with a connection head generally hanging from the ceiling of a room, to which a medical device can be coupled. Such supply units are used in particular when the implement is to be moved in different positions in the corresponding space with respect to height and lateral swivel surface.

With the respective changes of location, there is no need to take into account whether the ground path is clear, since the supply unit carries all supply connections that are coupled to the implement during the entire movement stay. The required tools can thus be conveniently brought into the respective working position and the associated work location by the user. Both the height adjustment and the area-wide swiveling movement are carried out by means of electromechanical aids, such as, for example, electric motor spindles or electric linear drives or pneumatic reciprocating piston drives.

A medical technology supply unit is described in US-A-3,431,937. It consists of two telescoping columns that hang down from a ceiling and in which the pneumatic supply lines necessary for the operation of a medical device are routed to a connection head to which the device is connected. For the mechanical attachment of the implement, a pivotable support arm is attached to the connection head as a receiving part. The connections for the supply media, such as anesthetic gas or respiratory gas for the use of an anesthetic device as a working device, are led from the supply channels in the connection head via suitable supply lines to the working device.

The coupling of the implement, e.g. B. an anesthetic device, must be done by the user without further coupling aids, namely by attaching the anesthetic device to the connection head on special columns and extension arms. A properly carried out connection attachment can only be verified by means of a functional check of the connected implement. Then all connections are already firmly coupled, so that when corrected a faulty coupling, the entire device may first have to be completely detached from the connection head.

In an examination device according to DE-B-28 12 074, a working device in the form of a mobile lying surface is coupled to an X-ray device, the chassis being guided in rails and the coupling devices engaging in fittings provided for this purpose. When the chassis is correctly engaged in the X-ray table, a guide pawl on the chassis engages in the switch contact of a switch attached to the pick-up head, thus signaling that the lying surface can now be lowered onto the chassis.

In this known examination device, only the correct position of the undercarriage with respect to the height-adjustable connection head is ensured, but there is no monitoring of the coupling of the lying surface that has been lowered onto the ready undercarriage. If the chassis is positioned in front of the height-adjustable column, the lying surface can only be lowered and couples into the coupling parts of the chassis. It cannot be checked whether the bed frame has been correctly coupled to the chassis. It can therefore happen that the lying surface that is not properly coupled is transported unsecured on the chassis without the user noticing.

The present invention has for its object to provide a supply unit of the type mentioned improve that the coupling of the implement is carried out more reliably in such a way that the user can carry out a safe operation with proper coupling of the implement.

The object is achieved in that the coupling part equipped with guide bevels engages in a receiving part provided with complementarily extending receiving cheeks and in that, with a precisely fitting engagement, vertically running pins can be guided into corresponding pin receptacles on the implement.

The advantage of the invention lies essentially in the fact that by guiding the implement to the supply unit with the aid of the coupling part and the receiving part, a precisely fitting positioning takes place from the outset, which can only be followed by a reliable work holder secured by pins. It is thus possible to attach the implement to the supply unit and to ensure safe operation of the unit and the implement when the implement is properly coupled.

The guide surfaces and receiving cheeks on the coupling part or receiving part enable the centering of the implement to be pushed towards the connection head in the horizontal direction. The coordinated shape of the guide surfaces and receiving cheeks can be designed to facilitate centering as angled insertion bevels, so that a frusto-conical coupling part engages in a correspondingly conically hollowed receiving part. Another favorable combination can be seen in a hemispherical coupling part and a bowl-shaped receiving part. If correct in the coupled state, vertically extending pins on the receiving part can then engage in corresponding pin receptacles on the implement by lowering the connection head.

If the supply unit and the working device are provided with a switching device which is actuated in the coupled state, then this device can release the commissioning of the working device and / or the connecting head via electrical contacts in such a way that the height adjustment of the connecting head and / or the supply of the working device are effective with the operating media.

This further solution of the task according to the invention ensures that the operation of the connection head and / or the implement depends on the correct coupling condition, so that working with implements that are not or incorrectly coupled is not possible.

Only by pressing the electrical contacts, e.g. B. REED contacts, an operation of the devices is made possible. The REED contacts close the power supply to the control panel, which is simultaneously shown by a display lighting up, so that the operator knows that a correct coupling has taken place and that he can operate the control panel. Compressed gas or pressurized oxygen and electrical current are generally provided as the media required for the operation of both the supply unit or its connection head and for the working device. These are routed through the supply unit in corresponding channels and led out at coupling orifices at the connection head, into which the corresponding Coupling plugs, either from the coupling part or from the implement, can be inserted.

If you want to increase the reliability of a correct coupling state, in addition to the switching device, the coupling part is advantageously to be provided with guide surfaces and the receiving part with receiving cheeks which are complementary thereto. The advantages of the bevels and the cheeks described above then also come into play here.

Another improvement can be seen in the fact that pins are provided on the receiving part, which engage in corresponding pin receptacles after the engaged state. In the combined arrangement on the coupling part or receiving part with the switching device for operating release and the pin holder, a particularly safe and reliable coupling of the working device to the supply unit is guaranteed.

In order to enable the coupling of work tools with different heights to the connection head, it is expedient to adjust the receiving part on vertically running rails. This takes into account the various heights of different work tools with their coupling part for mounting on a universal connection head.

It is also expedient to provide the receiving part with a stop for the implement to be picked up, which is at least perpendicular to the vertical connecting plane between the implement and the implement by means of an adjusting device Receiving part is designed to be pivotable. This gives the advantage that a vertical position of the coupled implement can be achieved in particular when coupling and hanging up heavy-duty implements despite a possible displacement of the vertical connection head from its vertical equilibrium position. In addition, fit or construction tolerances between the implement and the connection head can be compensated. Since when adjusting a tool to the vertically aligned connection head the adjustment device must be mainly pivotally aligned in the vertical plane, it may also be advantageous to design the adjustment device in the other two, perpendicular to the first planes, on the one hand in the parting plane between Tool and receiving part and on the other hand in the swivel plane of the connection head. This gives you a three-dimensional adjustment option for the implement in relation to the receiving part.

The location for the control panel is provided at a suitable location at the operating height either on the implement or on the receiving part. Thus, the monitoring of the implement and the connection head is possible either using the control panel attached to the implement, so that each implement releases those working media that are specific to its operation when correctly coupled; or the specification of the working media to be released is determined by the supply unit itself when the control panel is attached to the receiving part.

An ergonomically sensible connection of the control desk In the immediate vicinity of a handle holder, the operation of the implement or the receiving part in connection with the coupling of the implement to the supply unit is facilitated.

If the receiving part has to be serviced for the purpose of service or repair, it is necessary to operate the supply unit even without a connected implement. This option is provided by an insert which can be inserted into the receiving cheeks of the receiving part and which actuates the switching device. The insert can, for example, be designed in such a way that it consists of a spar which is equipped with the guide surfaces which are inserted into the receiving cheeks and which then actuates the electrical contacts. Pin receptacles can also be provided on the insert, into which the pins engage on the receiving part as soon as the insert is inserted.

In an expedient development, the insert is designed as a fitting which is connected to the connection head and can be folded into the receiving cheeks, the electrical contacts which release the start-up of the connection head being actuated in the folded state so that the operating elements provided on the control panel for height adjustment of the Connection head are effective. If the supply unit has to be operated without a working device, there is no longer any need to insert it loosely into the receiving cheeks, but the fitting is folded into the receiving cheeks and actuates the electrical contacts. The fitting is additionally provided with an attachment which, when the fitting is folded back and the implement is inserted, serves as a support for the vertical Positioning of the implement is used.

If the electrical contacts are arranged on the receiving part in the vicinity of the pins, the attachment can also serve to actuate the electrical contacts at the same time. If, for example, the electrical contacts are designed as REED contacts, the attachment in the area of the REED contacts is equipped with a magnetic strip.

In order to facilitate the coupling and connection of the supply media from the supply unit into the coupled working device, it is expedient to provide a supply block which can be connected to the outputs of the supply channels on the surface of the coupling part which faces the receptacle. The supply block has either plug contacts, which are inserted and connected in the outputs of the supply channels when the implement is coupled, or the supply block has connecting lines with plug-in couplings for the gaseous operating media or plugs for the electrical current, which can be plugged into corresponding sockets.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated using a schematic drawing and explained in more detail below.

Figur 1

die perspektivische Teilansicht des Anschlußkopfes mit dem Aufnahmeteil

Figur 2

die perspektivische Rückansicht eines Arbeitsgerätes mit seinem Kupplungsteil

Figur 3

Die Seitenansicht eines verstellbaren Anschlags für das Kupplungsteil

Figur 4

einen Einsatz für das Aufnahmeteil.

Show it

Figure 1

the partial perspective view of the connection head with the receiving part

Figure 2

the rear perspective view of an implement with its coupling part

Figure 3

The side view of an adjustable stop for the coupling part

Figure 4

an insert for the receiving part.

The connection head 1 shown in Figure 1 is composed of two telescopically displaceable sections (upper part (2), lower part (3)). The height of the two parts (2, 3) can be actuated by means of a spindle drive (not shown). In the upper part (2) there are the supply channels (4), which consist of three compressed gas lines and an electrical power line. The supply channels (4) are routed to a distributor connection (5) which has corresponding plug-in couplings (6) for the gas supply channels and power sockets (7) for the electrical supply channels. The upper part (2) is continued up to the ceiling of a work space, not shown, and is either fixed or pivoted there. The supply channels (4) are also led up to the ceiling within the upper part (2) and from there fed to a gas supply or power supply, not shown. Inside the upper part (2) is the motor drive for height adjustment, also not shown, whose electrical control connections are led to a control panel (9) via a ribbon cable (8). The control panel (9) is located outside the lower part (3) and has a control panel (10) for actuating the height adjustment. The switching point (9) is also electrically connected to the distributor connection (5), whereby a pneumatic valve (11) in one or more when a button on the control panel (10) is pressed accordingly the gas supply channels or an electrical switch (12) in the power lines. The side surface of the lower part (3) facing the user carries two vertically running rails (13), on each of which a receiving part (14) is slidably attached. The receiving parts (14) can be loosened by means of a screw connection and moved vertically along the rails and fixed in the appropriate height position. The receiving parts (14) have receiving cheeks (15) which are configured opposite one another in such a way that they enclose a common acute angle tapering towards the operating surface of the lower part (3). On the top of the receiving parts (14) there is a pin (16) which points in the vertical direction. In the end faces (17) of the receiving parts (14) electrical contacts (18) are embedded, which are designed as REED contacts in the example. Their electrical connections are also routed to the control panel (9), and their switching status is indicated by a corresponding display in the control panel (10). On the side faces of the receiving parts (14) facing away from the receiving cheeks (15) there is in each case a stop (19) which is shown in more detail in FIG. The stop (19) is a steel strip which is screwed onto the receiving part (14) and on which an adjusting piece (20) is fastened so that it can be tilted by means of two square screws (21). When screws (21) are loosened, the adjusting piece (20) can be adjusted in the area of the kidney-shaped recess (22) and then blocked in this tilted position.

In Figure 2, a working device (30) is shown schematically, namely as the housing (31) of an anesthetic machine on a chassis (32), and which has a coupling part (34) on its rear side (33). The shape of the coupling part (34) is adapted to the receiving part (14), ie it has on its outer contour guide surfaces (35) which are complementarily adapted to the receiving cheeks (15). The guide surfaces (35) thus taper towards a stump end (41) of the coupling part (34). At a lateral distance from the coupling part (34) at a common height there are two pin receptacles (36) on the rear side (33), through whose bores (37) the pins (16) are stuck when the implement (30) is engaged. Below the pin receptacles (36), on the side next to the guide surfaces (35), two contact pins (38) are attached to the rear (33), which are designed as magnetic strips that operate the REED contacts (18).

To connect the implement (30) to the connection head (1), the lower part (3) is first lowered by the height adjustment until the receiving parts (14) are positioned at the level of the coupling part (34). Then the implement (30) on its chassis (32) is moved up to the connection head (1) and its rear side (33) is pushed against the lower part (3) until the guide surfaces (35) of the coupling part (34) on the receiving cheeks ( 15) of the receiving part (14). With correct positioning and coupling, the pin receptacles (36) with their bores (37) extend over the pins (16). At the same time, the magnetic strips (38) have actuated the REED contacts (18) and emit a corresponding release signal to the control panel (9) by the release being indicated by a visual display, so that the height adjustment of the connection head (1) on the control panel (10) of the control panel (9) can be operated. The The lower part (3) moves up so that the pins (16) are inserted into the bores (37) of the pin receptacles (36) and the pin receptacles (36) rest on the receiving parts (14). A further raising of the lower part (3) lifts the implement (30) out of its chassis (32), which can now be moved aside. Thus, the implement hangs on the supply unit at a free distance above the floor of the work space, from the ceiling of which the supply unit hangs. In the raised state, the implement (30) is thus anchored in the pin (16) and received in its position by the receiving parts (14), so that horizontal pivoting movements safely carry the implement. The vertical position of the carried implement is aligned vertically by the adjustable stops (19). When properly coupled, the connecting lines of the working device (30) can be connected to the distributor connection (5) of the upper part (2) of the supply unit and the supply channels (4) can be connected to the working device (30) by actuating the valves (11) and switches (12) will. The control panel (9) is provided with a handle (39) for better handling of the attached implement (30), which is pivotably movably attached to the supply unit. In order to transmit the control signals from the implement (30) to the connection head (1), a multiple plug connection (40) is attached to the rear (33) of the implement (30) and to the side surface of the lower part (3). Both plug connections can be connected with a corresponding multiple cable.

As an alternative for data transmission via the multiple plug connection (40), the A pair of first optocouplers (400) are arranged in the receiving parts (14) in the region of the pegs (16) and are opposite a corresponding pair of second optocouplers (401) on the peg receptacles (36). Each of the optocouplers (400, 401) is equipped with two transmission channels, so that a total of four transmission channels are available. The presence of four transmission channels also makes it possible to carry out position detection when the implement (30) is coupled to the connection head (1). Two channels, one on the right and the other on the left of the optocouplers (400, 401), are used for signal transmission from the connection head (1) to the implement (30) and the other two channels are used to transmit an enable signal from the implement (30) to the control panel (9). The control panel (10) can only be actuated when the enable signals of the right and left optocoupler (400) are present and displayed on the control panel (9).

In order to enable operation of the connection head (1) for the purpose of maintenance or checking even when the implement (30) is not connected, an insert (50) is provided which is provided with the individual parts necessary for the operational actuation of the connection head (1) . The insert (50) also has pin receptacles (36) with associated bores (37) and a coupling part (34) with associated guide surfaces (35) and a stump end (41). The contact pins (38) designed as magnetic strips for actuating the REED contacts (18) are attached to the side of the pin receptacles (36) next to the guide bevels (35). The insert (50) is placed with its peg receptacles (36) on the pegs (16) of the receptacle parts (14), whereby on the one hand the receptacle part (14) for coupling a Tool (30) is blocked, on the other hand, the REED contacts (18) are actuated by the magnetic strips (38) and give the supply unit the presence of a tool (30), so that its function can be checked with the help of the control panel (9) can. This check relates, for example, to the functional monitoring of the height adjustability or the correct wiring of the valves (11) and switches (12) in order to control the supply power from the supply channels (4).

As an alternative to the insert (50), a shaped piece (500) which can be folded into the receiving cheeks (15) is provided, the electrical contacts (18), which initiate the connection of the connection head (1), being actuated via the contact pins (38) in the folded state. release in such a way that the control elements (10) provided on a control panel (9) for adjusting the height of the connection head (1) are effective. The fitting (500) can be rotated about an axis (502) and has an attachment (501) which bears against the rear (33) when the implement (30) is coupled and is a support for the vertical positioning of the implement (30). In a further embodiment variant, not shown, the REED contacts (18) are arranged in the vicinity of the first optocouplers (400) and the attachment (501) is designed as a contact pin (38). If the shaped piece (500) is folded into the receiving cheeks (15), the contacts (18) are actuated by the attachment (501), whereby the commissioning of the connection head (1) is released via the control panel (9).

Claims (13)

Supply unit with a height-adjustable, vertically aligned connection head (1), to which a working device (30) fed from supply channels (4) in the connecting head (1) with operationally required media (gas, electricity) can be coupled by a working device (30) located on the working device Coupling part (34) engages in a receiving part (14) provided on the connection head (1), characterized in that the coupling part (34) equipped with guide surfaces (35) engages in the receiving part (14) provided with complementarily extending receiving cheeks (15), and that vertically extending pins (16) can be guided into corresponding bores (37) of the pin receptacles (36) on the implement (30) in the case of a precisely fitting engagement. Supply unit with a height-adjustable, vertically aligned connection head (1), to which a working device (30) fed from supply channels (4) in the connecting head (1) with operationally necessary media (gas, electricity) can be coupled by a working device (30) located on it Coupling part (34) engages in a receptacle part (14) provided on the connection head (1), a switching device (18, 38) being actuated in the correct coupling state, characterized in that the electrical contacts (18) which actuate the actuation are actuated when the engagement is precise Start up the connection head (1) and / or implement (30) in such a way that controls (10) provided on a control panel (9) are effective for adjusting the height of the connection head (1) and / or for supplying the implement (30) with the operating media . Supply unit according to claim 2, characterized in that the coupling part (34) equipped with guide surfaces (35) engages in the receiving part (14) provided with complementary receiving cheeks (15). Supply unit according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, in the coupled state, vertically extending pins (16) on the receiving part (14) can be inserted into corresponding pin receptacles (36) on the implement (30) of the connection head (1). Supply unit according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the receiving part (14) is adjustably guided along rails (13) which run vertically on the connection head (1). Supply unit according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the receiving part (14) has a stop (19) for the implement (30) to be accommodated, which by means of an adjusting device (20) at least perpendicular to the vertical connecting plane between the implement (30) and receiving part (14) is designed to be pivotable. Supply unit according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the control panel (9) is attached to the working device (30) at operating height. Supply unit according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the control panel (9) is attached to the connection head (1) at operating height. Supply unit according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the control panel (9) is mounted in the immediate vicinity of a handle holder (39). Supply unit according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that an insert (50) actuating the switching device (18) and occupying the bevels (15) can be inserted into the receiving part (14) when the implement (30) is disengaged. Supply unit according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that a fitting (500) which can be folded into the receiving cheeks (15) is provided on the connection head (1), the electrical contacts (18) which actuate the start-up of the Release the connection head (1) in such a way that the control elements (10) provided on the control panel (9) are effective for adjusting the height of the connection head (1). Supply unit according to claim 11, characterized in that the shaped piece (500) is provided with an attachment (501) which, when the implement (30) is inserted, serves as a support for the vertical positioning of the implement (30). Supply unit according to claim 12, characterized in that the attachment (501) is designed to actuate the switching device (18).

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