Angle-Limiting Hinge for Single-Actuator Electric Bed Frame Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electric beds with a single actuator require complex mechanisms and many components to adjust the angle of a user's head and back, complicating assembly and increasing costs.

Innovation Solution

A hinge with a limited pivotal angle, comprising first and second members and a pivot, allowing the head and back supporting frames to be driven sequentially by a single actuator, reducing the need for additional components and facilitating cost reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If only one actuator is provided to reduce cost, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the mechanism requires many components with complicated assembling processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidassembling processes

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of multiple components into a single integrated hinge structure. The hinge combines the pivot connection, angle limiting mechanism (through abutment surfaces), and weight-bearing function into one unified component that directly connects the head supporting frame and back supporting frame, eliminating the need for separate linkage mechanisms and reducing assembly complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a pivot connection point, limits the pivotal angle through its abutment surfaces, supports the weight of the head supporting frame, and enables sequential movement control. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed in the system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If linkage or long groove mechanism is provided to enable single actuator to drive both frames, then single actuator can control both frames, but many components with complicated assembling processes are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesingle actuator control capabilityVSAvoidmechanism components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge merges the pivot connection and angle limiting functions into a single integrated structure, eliminating the need for separate linkage mechanisms or long groove mechanisms that would be required to achieve sequential actuator control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Strength

If hinge is designed to bear human body weight, then structural strength is improved, but hinge structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight bearing capacityVSAvoidhinge structure

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge combines the pivot connection structure with the weight-bearing structure into a single integrated component. The first and second members of the hinge are designed with appropriate thickness and reinforcement at critical areas to bear the weight of the head supporting frame and user, while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12121153B2Hinge and electric bed using the same

Publication Date: 2024.10.22 STAR SEEDS CO LTD

AI summary

A hinge includes identical first and second members each having a base portion with an end surface, a long arm with a pivot hole and a middle abutment surface and a short arm with a rear abutment surface both extending from the end surface, and a protrusion at a distal end of the long arm. Each protrusion has a front abutment. A pivot is inserted through the pivot holes to couple the first and second members in a way that the hinge is limited in a range of pivotal angle.