Linear Actuator Buffering Mechanism for Hospital Bed Safety
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing linear actuators for hospital beds lack an effective buffering mechanism to absorb the impact during rapid retraction, potentially causing secondary injuries and complicate the installation process with the need for additional components like pneumatic rods.
Innovation Solution
A linear actuator with an integrated buffering mechanism, featuring a variable damping pneumatic cylinder connected to the extendable tube, which absorbs impact forces during rapid retraction and simplifies the assembly by eliminating the need for separate buffering components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pneumatic rod is installed separately on the hospital bed to provide buffering function, then the buffering capability is improved, but the installation procedure becomes complicated and the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the buffering mechanism directly into the linear actuator by incorporating a buffering member within the extendable tube structure. This merging of the buffering function into the existing actuator eliminates the need for separate pneumatic rod installation, reducing installation complexity while maintaining buffering capability during quick release operations
2Reliability
If a pneumatic rod is installed separately on the hospital bed to provide buffering function, then the buffering capability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The buffering member is integrated into the linear actuator's extendable tube, combining two functions (actuation and buffering) into a single component. This reduces the total part count and assembly requirements, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while providing the necessary buffering capability
3Speed
If the extendable tube retracts rapidly during emergency quick release, then the response time is improved, but the impact force increases causing potential secondary injury
Solution Approach 1:
The buffering member is pre-positioned within the extendable tube to provide cushioning during rapid retraction. When the quick release mechanism is activated and the extendable tube retracts quickly, the buffering member engages to absorb impact forces before the tube reaches its fully retracted position, preventing secondary injury while maintaining fast response time
Solution Approach 2:
The buffering member acts as an intermediary element between the extendable tube and the housing base. During rapid retraction, it mediates the impact by providing a controlled deceleration force, reducing the harmful impact force transmitted to the patient while allowing the quick release function to operate at high speed
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 buffering mechanism reduces the risk of injury by absorbing impact forces and simplifies the assembly and structure of hospital beds, reducing manufacturing costs and installation complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a variable damping pneumatic cylinder connected to the extendable tube, which absorbs impact forces during rapid retraction
Data Source
AI summary
A linear actuator (1) with a buffering mechanism includes an actuator main body (10), a quick release mechanism (30) and a buffering member (50). The actuator main body (10) includes a housing base (11), an outer tube (14) connected to the housing base (11) and an extendable tube (15) penetrating into the outer tube (14). The quick release mechanism (30) is installed on the actuator main body (10). The buffering member (50) is arranged at one side of the outer tube (14). One end of the buffering member (50) is connected to the outer tube (14) or the housing base (11), and another end of the buffering member (50) is connected to the extendable tube (15). Accordingly, the impact force generated during the rapid retraction of the extendable tube can be reduced.