Articulating Bed Torque Tube Drive to Prevent Torsional Binding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing articulating bed systems face challenges in maintaining rigidity and avoiding torsional binding due to the weight and flexibility of mattresses, often requiring multiple motors and complex lever mechanisms, which increase cost and structural complexity.
Innovation Solution
An actuating mechanism utilizing a torque tube with pinion gears at each end, driven by a single actuator that imparts translational motion perpendicular to its axis, connected to elevation bars and a mattress support plate, providing angular displacement for elevation without torsional binding and minimizing structural weight and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple motors and lever mechanisms are used to provide adjustment of the head and foot elements, then the bed can achieve the required positioning functionality, but the cost, complexity and weight of the system increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple drive functions into a single actuator that operates both the head and foot sections of the bed. The actuator connects to a common drive shaft that transfers rotational motion through a series of gears and linkages to simultaneously control both sections, eliminating the need for separate motors and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The single actuator serves multiple functions by controlling both the head and foot sections of the bed. The drive mechanism is designed to provide universal motion transmission capability, allowing one actuator to perform the work of multiple actuators through its connection to the common drive shaft and associated transmission components
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple motors and lever mechanisms are used to provide adjustment of the head and foot elements, then the bed can achieve the required positioning functionality, but the weight of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple drive functions into a single actuator that operates both the head and foot sections of the bed. The actuator connects to a common drive shaft that transfers rotational motion through a series of gears and linkages to simultaneously control both sections, eliminating the need for separate motors and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The single actuator serves multiple functions by controlling both the head and foot sections of the bed. The drive mechanism is designed to provide universal motion transmission capability, allowing one actuator to perform the work of multiple actuators through its connection to the common drive shaft and associated transmission components
3Reliability
If drive motors are placed symmetrically to avoid binding created by torsional flexibility, then torsional binding is prevented, but the structural complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an asymmetric drive configuration where a single actuator is positioned on one side of the bed frame. The drive shaft and transmission components are arranged to accommodate this asymmetric layout, with the actuator connecting to one end of the drive shaft and the other end transferring motion to the opposite side of the bed through the linkage mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The drive shaft acts as an intermediary component that transfers rotational motion from the single actuator to both the head and foot sections of the bed. This intermediary mechanism allows asymmetric actuator placement while still achieving balanced control of both bed sections, eliminating the need for symmetric motor placement
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 solution simplifies drive components, prevents torsional binding, and maintains rigidity with minimal structural weight or complexity, allowing for reliable and efficient adjustment of articulating beds.
Implementation Method 1
A rack is attached to each side rail and a torque tube extends between the side rails with a pinion gear attached at each end to engage a respective one of the racks
Implementation Method 2
An actuator imparts translational motion to the torque tube perpendicular to an axis of the torque tube
Implementation Method 3
At least one elevation bar is connected to the torque tube and the support plate which is angularly displaced by translation of the torque tube to elevate the support plate from a horizontal position
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanism for activation of an articulating bed incorporates at least one mattress support plate and a pair of side rails. A rack is attached to each side rail and a torque tube extends between the side rails with a pinion gear at each end engaging a respective one of the racks. An actuator imparts translational motion to the torque tube perpendicular to its axis. Elevation bars connected to the torque tube and the support plate are angularly displaced by translation of the torque tube.