WO2025061227A1 - Device and system for aligning a platform - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (20) for a lifting column (10) for aligning a platform supported by the lifting column (10), to a system (1) for positioning a platform, and to a patient support (100). The device (20) has an inner frame (30) for connecting to the lifting column (10) in an articulated manner, thereby forming a first tilting axis (A), and an outer frame (40), wherein the outer frame (40) is connected to the inner frame (30) in an articulated manner, thereby forming a second tilting axis (B) which is orthogonal to the first tilting axis (A). Additionally, two electromechanical linear drives (50) are provided which are connected to at least one support (60), in an articulated manner, for installing on the lifting column (10) and to the outer frame (40), in an articulated manner, at two different actuation points (42) such that the outer frame (40) can be tilted about each of the two tilting axes (A, B) by means of the linear drives (50).

Description

Device and system for aligning a platform

The invention relates to a device for a lifting column for aligning a platform carried by the lifting column, a system for positioning a platform, and a patient support.

For flexible and needs-based storage of loads, lifting columns equipped with a device for aligning a platform are known. The device typically has a joint that connects the platform to the lifting column. By means of a linear drive that acts eccentrically on the platform with respect to a tilting axis of the joint, the platform, together with the load mounted or placed on it (e.g., a seat or lying surface, a tool, and/or the like), can then be tilted relative to the lifting column. Together with the height adjustability provided by the lifting column, this allows the platform or load to be positioned as desired.

Systems consisting of a lifting column and such a device are used, for example, for the alignment and height adjustment of patient tables, for example, during operations. The articulated connection of the platform to the lifting column typically enables a linear drive-driven tilting movement of the table's longitudinal axis (Trendelenburg or anti-Trendelenburg movement) and, independently of this, a tilting movement of the table's transverse axis (lateral movement).

In such systems, hydraulic cylinders are often used as linear drives due to their excellent power density. Hydraulic cylinders can also be used in compact A lot of force has to be applied. Therefore, the actuation points where the hydraulic cylinders are connected to the platforms can also be placed close to the respective tilting axis. This allows for a particularly compact design.

Compared to hydraulic cylinders, electromechanical linear drives, in which the rotational movement of a motor shaft is converted into a translational movement by means of a linear unit, have certain advantages. For example, they offer greater positioning precision, low maintenance, and do not require complex sealing measures designed for high pressure. However, to generate comparable forces, electromechanical linear drives must be significantly larger than hydraulic cylinders.

Against this background, it is an object of the invention to enable the reliable alignment of a platform carried by a lifting column by means of electromechanical linear drives while at the same time maintaining a compact design.

This object is achieved by a device for a lifting column for aligning a platform carried by the lifting column, a system for positioning a platform and a patient support according to the independent claims.

Preferred embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims and the following description.

The device for a lifting column for aligning a platform carried by the lifting column, according to a first aspect of the

Invention, has an inner frame for articulated connection to the lifting column to form a first tilting axis and an outer frame, wherein the outer frame is articulated to the inner frame to form a second tilt axis orthogonal to the first tilt axis. In addition, two electromechanical linear drives are provided, which are articulated, on the one hand, to at least one, in particular a single, support for mounting on the lifting column and, on the other hand, to the outer frame at two different actuation points, such that the outer frame—at least when the inner frame and the two linear drives are connected to the lifting column—can be tilted about each of the two tilt axes by means of the linear drives.

An actuation point within the meaning of the invention is preferably a section in which a linear drive, in particular the push rod of a linear drive, is connected to the outer frame. An actuation point can be formed, for example, by a corresponding joint. In particular, an actuation point can be defined by an intersection point of two intersecting pivot axes of a joint arrangement about which the linear drive can pivot relative to the outer frame.

One aspect of the invention is based on the approach of having two linear drives act on the same component of a device for aligning a platform carried by a lifting column, such as a support structure for a patient. For example, the two linear drives can each be articulated to an outer frame in two different sections. The platform can be mounted on the outer frame. Alternatively, the outer frame can be part of the platform. The outer frame is expediently mounted on an inner frame so as to be pivotable about a second tilt axis, which in turn can be pivoted about an axis orthogonal to the second tilt axis. The first tilting axis can be pivoted on the lifting column. Compared to conventional devices, in which one of the linear drives is attached to the inner frame and the other to the outer frame, the load acting on the linear drives or the force required to tilt the load can be halved or at least reduced. The articulated connection of both linear drives to the outer frame, which expediently has a larger diameter relative to the inner frame, also allows for a greater distance between the actuation points and at least the first tilting axis, thus providing a larger lever. The associated lower power requirements enable the use of more compact linear drives.

The articulated connection of both linear drives to the outer frame also enables the platform, which is expediently mounted on the outer frame or formed integrally with the outer frame, to be aligned in any direction, i.e., both longitudinally and transversely. If the actuation points with respect to the second tilting axis are on the same side of the frame, tilting about the second tilting axis can be achieved, for example, by similar or symmetrical actuation of the linear drives. On the other hand, tilting about the first tilting axis can be achieved by complementary or asymmetrical actuation. On the other hand, if the actuation points with respect to the second tilting axis are on opposite sides of the frame, tilting about the second tilting axis can be achieved, for example, by complementary actuation of the linear drives and tilting about the first tilting axis can be achieved by similar actuation.

Preferred embodiments of the invention and their further developments are described below. These embodiments can, unless expressly excluded, can be combined with each other as well as with the aspects of the invention described below.

In a preferred embodiment, the actuation points lie on a line parallel to the first or second tilt axis. This line preferably runs to the side of the inner frame, at least when the inner and outer frames are aligned parallel. This allows for a greater leverage of the two linear drives when tilting the outer and inner frames.

Lateral here preferably refers to the relative position in a direction transverse to a surface normal of the inner frame, preferably independently of the relative position in a direction parallel to the surface normal. The actuation points or their projection into a plane defined by the inner frame are therefore preferably arranged outside the inner frame or adjacent to the inner frame, wherein the line through both actuation points or their projection into the plane does not intersect the inner frame.

In a further preferred embodiment, the first and second tilt axes lie essentially in one plane, particularly regardless of the relative orientation of the inner and outer frames. The two tilt axes expediently intersect, particularly in this plane. This allows the device to be extremely low in height, particularly lower than conventional devices with an outer and inner frame, each of which is acted upon by a linear drive.

In a further preferred embodiment, the two linear drives are gimbal-connected to the outer frame at the two actuation points. For this purpose, a joint arrangement can be provided on the outer frame for each linear drive. The linear drives are conveniently suspended from the outer frame via the joint arrangements. Such a gimbal connection of the linear drives to the outer frame enables the linear drives to pivot relative to the outer frame about two mutually orthogonal pivot axes. The linear drives thus have two degrees of freedom of movement when the outer frame and/or the inner frame tilt and can automatically align themselves due to the rotation of the actuation points around the first or second tilt axis when the outer frame tilts relative to the lifting column.

In a further preferred embodiment, the two linear drives are each gimbal-connected to the at least one support, i.e., each can pivot relative to the support about two mutually orthogonal axes. This allows the alignment of each of the two linear drives to be automatically adjusted in the event of a tilt of the outer and/or inner frame and the associated movement of the actuation points relative to the lifting column.

The system for positioning a platform, according to a second aspect of the invention, comprises a lifting column and a device according to the first aspect of the invention. The inner frame of the device is expediently connected to the lifting column in an articulated manner, in particular at a free end of the lifting column, forming the first tilting axis. A free end is preferably an end of the lifting column which is opposite an end of the lifting column fixed, for example, to a floor or a wall, i.e. which is movable relative to the floor or wall by telescoping the lifting column. The at least one support is expediently attached laterally to the lifting column, in particular to an outermost column element of the lifting column. In such a system, the maximum permissible load which the platform and can be aligned using the linear drives, can be doubled or at least increased compared to conventional systems.

In a preferred embodiment, the inner frame encompasses the lifting column at least in sections, i.e., a lifting column section is expediently arranged inside the inner frame. In other words, it is preferred if the lifting column extends through the inner frame at least in sections. The inner frame is expediently connected to the lifting column in an articulated manner by means of at least one bearing pin, at least one end of which protrudes laterally from the lifting column. This allows the inner frame, and thus also the outer frame, to tilt around the free end of the lifting column, in contrast to conventional systems in which at least the outer frame tilts on or above the lifting column.

In a further preferred embodiment, each of the two linear drives is pivotally connected to a respective support. The two supports are expediently arranged on opposite sides of the lifting column. Compared to a single support, which is flanged to the side of the lifting column, for example, this allows additional space savings. At the same time, the power transmission from the linear drives to the lifting column can be distributed more evenly.

The patient support according to a third aspect of the invention, in particular the patient table or chair, comprises a system according to the second aspect of the invention and a support structure, in particular a lying or sitting surface. The support structure is expediently mounted on the outer frame of the device or formed integrally therewith. Such a patient support enables stable support of a load carried by the platform. This type of patient support is also particularly low in height, allowing for a particularly low loading position. The electromechanical linear drives allow the support structure to be aligned with particular precision and smoothness.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to figures. Where appropriate, elements with the same function are provided with the same reference numerals. The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures - not even with regard to functional features. The previous description as well as the following description of the figures contain numerous features, some of which are summarized in the dependent subclaims. However, a person skilled in the art will also consider these features, as well as all other features disclosed above and in the following description of the figures, individually and combine them to form further useful combinations. In particular, all of the features mentioned can be combined individually and in any suitable combination with the device according to the first aspect of the invention, the system according to the second aspect of the invention, and the patient support according to the third aspect of the invention.

They show, at least partly schematically:

Fig. 1 shows an example of a system for positioning a platform in a side view;

Fig. 2 the system from Figure 1 in another side view;

Fig. 3 the system from Figure 1 with the outer frame tilted by 30° around the first tilting axis; Fig. 4 the system from Figure 1 with 45° around the second

Tilting axis tilted outer frame; and

Fig. 5 an example of a patient tray.

Figure 1 shows a side view of a system 1 for positioning a platform (not shown). The system 1 has a lifting column 10 with three column elements 12, 14, 16 that can be moved relative to one another by means of a drive (not visible). The system 1 also has a device 20 for aligning the platform relative to a lifting direction or longitudinal axis L of the lifting column 10. The device 20 comprises an inner frame 30, which is articulated to the lifting column 10 to form a first tilting axis A (perpendicular to the plane of the figure), and an outer frame 40, which is articulated to the inner frame 30 to form a second tilting axis B that is orthogonal to the first tilting axis A (see Figure 2). In addition, two linear drives 50 are provided, each of which is articulated to a support 60 at one end and to the outer frame 40 at two different actuation points 42. The supports 60 are fixedly mounted, for example, flanged, on a side surface of the lifting column 10, in particular the outermost column element 12. As a result, the outer frame 40 can be tilted about both the first tilting axis A and the second tilting axis B by appropriately actuating the linear drives 50.

The inner frame 30 is preferably pivotally mounted on the lifting column 10 by means of at least one bearing pin 32 which projects laterally from the lifting column 10 in the region of a free end 18 of the lifting column 10, in particular from the outermost column element 12. The actuation points 42 are expediently defined by two mutually orthogonal pivot axes about which push rods 52 of the linear drives 50 can pivot relative to the outer frame 40. These pivot axes can be part of a cardanic suspension of the linear drives 50 on the outer frame 40, which in the example shown is realized by corresponding joint arrangements 44. The joint arrangements 44 are expediently arranged on an underside, ie, a side facing the lifting column 10, of the outer frame 40.

The supports 60 each comprise a cage 62, in which the corresponding housing 54 of the respective linear drive 50 is also cardanically suspended, i.e., pivotably mounted about two orthogonal axes. The cages 62 are mounted on opposite sides of the lifting column 10, in particular the outermost column element 12. Due to the cardanic suspension of the linear drives 50 on both the outer frame 40 and the supports 60, the linear drives 50 can automatically align themselves relative to the longitudinal axis L of the lifting column 10 when the outer frame 40 tilts about the first and/or second tilt axis A, B.

In Figure 1, the outer frame 40 is aligned parallel to the inner frame 30 and parallel to the end face of the lifting column 10 at its free end 18, i.e., transversely to the longitudinal axis L. The push rods 52 of the linear drives 50 are both extended by the same predetermined distance from a respective housing 54 of the linear drives 50, with which the linear drives 50 are mounted on the supports 60. This, in particular horizontal, alignment of the outer frame 40 is also referred to as the neutral position. The first and second tilting axes A, B extend essentially in one plane. The lifting column 10, in particular the outermost column element 12, extends through the inner frame 30. The two tilting axes A, B therefore intersect within the lifting column 10.

Figure 2 shows system 1 from Figure 1 in a different side view, with the viewing direction rotated by 90° compared to Figure 1. The viewing direction is therefore not parallel to the first tilt axis A as in Figure 1, but parallel to the second tilt axis B. From this viewing direction, only one of the linear drives 50, only one of the supports 60, and only one of the joint assemblies 44 on the outer frame 40 are visible.

From Figures 1 and 2, it is clear that the actuation points 42 lie on a line which, in the neutral position shown of the outer frame 40, runs laterally of the inner frame 30. Laterally means that the line runs in a direction transverse to a surface normal of the area enclosed by the inner frame 30 or a projection of the line into a plane defined by the inner frame 30 outside the inner frame 30.

Since the lifting column 10 passes through the inner frame 30, the line through the two actuation points 42 also runs laterally of the lifting column 10, at least in the neutral position of the outer frame 40.

Furthermore, Figures 1 and 2 clearly show that the line through the two actuation points 42 runs parallel to the second tilt axis B. The actuation points 42 are located on the same side of the outer frame 40 with respect to the second tilt axis B. Alternatively, it is also conceivable to connect the linear drives 50 to the outer frame 40 in an articulated manner on different sides of the outer frame 40 with respect to the second tilt axis B. In this case, the actuation points 42 are expediently located on a line that runs parallel to the first tilt axis A.

In the configuration of the device 20 shown in Figures 1 and 2, tilting of the outer frame 40 about the first tilt axis A can be achieved by extending the push rod 52 of one of the two linear drives 50 from the corresponding housing 54 by a predetermined distance and retracting the push rod 52 of the other of the two linear drives 50 from the corresponding housing 54 by the same distance, in particular starting from the neutral position of the outer frame 40.

Figure 3 shows system 1 from Figure 1 with the outer frame 40 tilted by 30° about the first tilt axis A relative to the horizontal or neutral position. In this position of the outer frame 40, a push rod 52 of one of the two linear drives 50 is essentially completely retracted into the corresponding housing 54. The push rod 52 of the other linear drive 50, on the other hand, is essentially completely extended from the housing 54 of this linear drive 50.

In contrast, in the configuration of the device 20 shown in Figures 1 and 2, tilting of the outer frame 40 about the second tilt axis B can be achieved by moving the push rods 52 of both linear drives 50 in or out of the corresponding housing 54 by the same predetermined distance, in particular starting from the neutral position of the outer frame 40. Figure 4 shows system 1 from Figure 1 with the outer frame 40 tilted by 45° about the second tilt axis B relative to the horizontal or neutral position. In this position of the outer frame 40, the push rods 52 of both linear drives 50 are essentially fully extended into the housings 54. Tilting in the opposite direction can be achieved by essentially fully extending the push rods 52 of both linear drives 50 from the housings 54.

Of course, it is also possible to bring about tilting simultaneously about the first tilting axis A and about the second tilting axis B by appropriately controlling the linear drives 50.

Figure 5 shows an example of a patient support 100 designed as a patient table. The patient support 100 has a support structure 101 designed as a lying surface and a system 1 for positioning the support structure 101. The patient support 100 can in particular be an operating or examination table.

The support structure 101 is mounted on an outer frame 40 of a device 20 for aligning the support structure 101. Alternatively, the outer frame 40 and the support structure 101 can also be formed as a single piece. A load carried by the outer frame 40 or the support structure 101, for example a patient, can be tilted out of the horizontal position relative to a lifting column 10 by means of two linear drives 50 about two orthogonal tilt axes A, B. The linear drives 50 both act on the outer frame 40.

In another example, not shown, the patient support 100 can also be designed as a patient chair. the outer frame 40 can support a seat which can be positioned accordingly using the system 1.

List of reference symbols

1 system

10 lifting column

12 column element

14 Column element

16 column element

18 free end

20 Device

30 inner frames

32 bearing pin

40 outer frames

42 actuation point

44 Joint arrangement

50 linear actuators

52 push rod

54 housings

60 carriers

62 cage

100 patient trays

101 Support structure

A first tilt axis

B second tilt axis

L Longitudinal axis

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device (20) for a lifting column (10) for aligning a platform carried by the lifting column (10), with - an inner frame (30) for articulated connection to a lifting column (10) forming a first tilting axis (A), - an outer frame (40) which is articulated to the inner frame (30) to form a second tilt axis (B) orthogonal to the first tilt axis (A) and - two electromechanical linear drives (50) which are on the one hand articulated to at least one support (60) for mounting on the lifting column (10) and on the other hand articulated at two different actuation points (42) to the outer frame (40) in such a way that the outer frame (40) can be tilted about each of the two tilting axes (A, B) by means of the linear drives (50) when the inner frame (30) and the two linear drives (50) are connected to the lifting column (10). 2. Device (20) according to claim 1, wherein the actuation points (42) lie on a line parallel to the first or second tilt axis (A, B), which line runs laterally of the inner frame (30) at least when the inner and outer frames (30, 40) are aligned parallel. 3. Device (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first tilt axis (A) and the second tilt axis (B) lie substantially in one plane. 4. Device (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the two linear drives (50) are gimbal-connected to the outer frame (40) at the two actuation points (42). 5. Device (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the two linear drives (50) are each gimbal-connected to the at least one carrier (60). 6. System (1) for positioning a platform, comprising a lifting column (10) and a device (20) according to one of the preceding claims. 7. System (1) according to claim 6, wherein the inner frame (30) encompasses the lifting column (10) at least in sections and is connected to the lifting column (10) in an articulated manner by means of at least one bearing pin (32) which projects laterally from the lifting column (10) with at least one end. 8. System (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein each of the two linear drives (50) is pivotally connected to a respective support (60) and the two supports (60) are arranged on opposite sides of the lifting column (10). 9. Patient support (100), in particular a patient table or chair, with a system (1) according to one of claims 6 to 8 and a support structure (101), in particular a lying or sitting surface, which is mounted on the outer frame (40) of the device (20) or is formed in one piece with it.