Movable Bed End Panel Barrier for Siderail Gap Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bed end designs for patient-support apparatuses fail to effectively fill the gap between siderails and end panels, leading to potential patient safety issues as patients can slip off the bed.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates movable end panel components, such as extenders and retractable webs, that pivot or extend to form a barrier between the siderails and end panels, preventing patient slippage by adjusting to changes in bed configuration and size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fixed end panel designs are used, then the structure is simple and stable, but the gap between siderails and end panels cannot be effectively filled, creating patient safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The end panel incorporates movable components (extenders or pivotable sections) that can dynamically adjust their position and configuration. These components pivot or extend to fill the gap between siderails and the end panel, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that adapts to different bed configurations and articulation states, thereby eliminating safety gaps while managing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The end panel is divided into multiple functional segments: a fixed main body and movable extender components. This segmentation allows the fixed portion to maintain structural stability while the movable segments actively fill gaps, resolving the contradiction by distributing functions across different parts of the structure
2Adaptability or versatility
If the bed frame articulates or changes size, then the bed is more adaptable to patient needs, but the gap between siderails and end panel increases, compromising safety
Solution Approach 1:
The movable extender components are mechanically linked to the bed frame's articulation mechanism. As the frame articulates or changes size, the extenders automatically pivot or extend to maintain contact with the siderails, ensuring the gap remains filled throughout the range of motion. This dynamic coupling preserves both adaptability and safety
Solution Approach 2:
The extender components are pre-positioned and mechanically configured to automatically engage and fill gaps before the bed articulation creates hazardous openings. The design anticipates potential gap formation and proactively maintains barrier coverage through pre-configured mechanical movements
Data Source
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AI summary
An end panel (312) for a patient-support apparatus (310) includes a main portion (316) and one or more movable portions (330, 332). The movable portions (330, 332) are movable to provide a barrier (318) in a gap between a siderail (360) of the patient-support apparatus (310) and the main portion (316) of the end panel (312).