Actuator Buffer Structure for Hospital Bed Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional actuators used in hospital beds lack a buffer mechanism to absorb impact forces during fast release, potentially injuring patients and require additional complex components like pneumatic cylinders, increasing manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
An actuator design incorporating a buffer structure with a drive screw, external tube, stretchable tube, nut, positioning member, and buffer unit, where the buffer unit, typically a compressed helical spring, absorbs impact forces by utilizing the spring force to mitigate the effect of fast falling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a pneumatic cylinder is installed beside the actuator to provide buffer function, then the impact force can be absorbed, but the structure becomes more complex and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer unit is merged with the drive screw and nut mechanism to form an integrated buffer structure. The buffer unit is disposed between the nut and the drive screw, combining the buffering function with the existing actuator components rather than adding a separate pneumatic cylinder system.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer structure utilizes the existing components (drive screw, nut, and buffer unit) to absorb impact forces. The system serves its own buffering needs through the elastic deformation of the buffer unit during fast falling, eliminating the need for external buffer devices.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a pneumatic cylinder is installed beside the actuator to provide buffer function, then the impact force can be absorbed, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer function is merged into the existing actuator mechanism through the buffer unit positioned between the nut and drive screw. This integration eliminates the need for separate pneumatic cylinder components, reducing part count and manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer unit appears to be a simple elastic component that can be manufactured at low cost compared to a pneumatic cylinder. The design prioritizes cost-effective impact absorption using basic mechanical elements rather than complex pneumatic systems.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the buffer unit withstands the impact without positioning member fixed to drive screw, then the buffer function is provided, but surrounding components or mechanism may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning member is pre-fixed to the drive screw to prevent unwanted movement or rotation during impact. This preliminary constraint ensures that the buffer unit absorbs impact forces in a controlled manner, directing the protective action toward the intended target while preventing damage to surrounding components.
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 buffer structure effectively absorbs impact forces without additional complex components, reducing the risk of injury and manufacturing costs by integrating the buffer function directly into the actuator mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
the buffer unit, typically a compressed helical spring, absorbs impact forces by utilizing the spring force to mitigate the effect of fast falling
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator includes a drive screw (32), an external tube (34), a stretchable tube (35), and a buffer structure (50). The external tube (34) is sleeved around the drive screw (32) externally. The stretchable tube (35) is passed through and connected to the external tube (34), wherein the stretchable tube (35) has a nut (351) screwed to and driven by the drive screw (32). The buffer structure (50) comprises a positioning member (51) and a buffer unit (52). The positioning member (51) is fixed to the drive screw (32). The buffer unit (52) is sleeved around the drive screw (32) and between the nut (351) and the positioning member (51). Therefore, the impact force generated during the fast falling of the stretchable tube (35) can be absorbed.