Hospital Bed Base Frame Lateral Support Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Hospital beds lack effective lateral support mechanisms that allow for efficient transition between horizontal and vertical positions, compromising patient safety and mobility, especially in bariatric and rotational therapy applications.
Innovation Solution
A bed base frame assembly with a lateral support system featuring actuators and linkages that rotate legs from a retracted to an extended position, supported by sensors and software control, ensuring stability and safety during tilt and stand modes, and incorporating emergency release mechanisms for manual operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lateral support mechanisms are added to hospital beds to enable transition between horizontal and vertical positions, then patient safety and mobility are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral support system is divided into separate leg assemblies (first and second legs) that can independently rotate between retracted and extended positions. Each leg is connected to the base frame through separate supports and linkages, allowing modular operation and maintenance while providing comprehensive lateral support during patient transfer operations.
Solution Approach 2:
A three-bar linkage mechanism serves as an intermediary between the actuator and the legs, converting linear actuator motion into rotational leg movement. The linkage includes a first linkage connecting the actuator to the first leg, and a second linkage connecting the actuator to the second leg, enabling controlled rotation without direct actuator-leg connection.
2Ease of operation
If actuators and linkages are used to rotate legs for vertical positioning, then patient mobility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system includes an emergency release mechanism that allows manual operation of the legs without requiring the actuator system. The release mechanism enables direct rotation of the legs between retracted and extended positions, providing a self-service capability for emergency situations or when the actuator system is unavailable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex motorized control systems with a mechanically advantageous linkage system. The three-bar linkage mechanism provides mechanical advantage that reduces the force required from the actuator, and the emergency release replaces electronic control with simple mechanical operation for leg rotation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If legs are extended to provide lateral support during tilt mode, then stability is improved, but the mechanism requires more space
Solution Approach 1:
The legs are designed to nest within the confines of the base frame when in the retracted position. The supports and linkages are configured to allow the legs to fold inward against the side members of the base frame, minimizing the horizontal space occupied when lateral support is not required, while still providing full extension capability when stability is needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A bed base frame assembly of a bed generally comprises a base frame, a plurality of steerable and lockable casters, a lateral support assembly at the first and second sides of the base frame assembly, and an in-line support assembly at the foot end of the base frame assembly. The lateral support assembly may further include: a base frame; a first leg and a second leg rotatably connected to the base frame; a first actuator connected to the first leg and the second leg, wherein the first leg and the second leg rotate from the retracted position to the extended position; a third leg and a fourth leg rotatably connected to the base frame; and a second actuator connected to the third leg and the fourth leg, wherein the third leg and the fourth leg rotate from the retracted position to the extended position.