Wireless Bed Exit Lighting System for Elderly Fall Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Elderly individuals face difficulties navigating in the dark due to slower dark adaptation and weakened muscles, leading to a higher risk of accidents and falls when getting up at night.

Innovation Solution

A wireless lighting system comprising bed exit sensing devices and light source devices that automatically illuminate the path to destinations like the bathroom, with ambient light sensors controlling brightness and energy-efficient battery-powered components for flexible placement and reduced wire connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If automatic lighting is provided to illuminate the path at night, then safety is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting system activates only during specific periods when needed (when motion is detected or bed exit is sensed) rather than operating continuously. The light turns on automatically during nighttime movement and turns off when no motion is detected, creating a periodic operation pattern that ensures safety while minimizing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses motion sensors and bed exit sensors to automatically detect when lighting is needed and activates the lights without human intervention. The system serves itself by monitoring environmental conditions and user behavior, turning lights on during nighttime movements and off during daytime or when no movement occurs, thereby balancing safety with energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Illumination intensity

If bright light is used to ensure full illumination, then visibility is improved, but sleep disturbance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevisibilityVSAvoidsleep disturbance
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting system provides illumination only in the specific local area where movement is detected, such as the path from the bed to the bathroom, rather than illuminating the entire room. This localized lighting approach ensures adequate visibility for safe movement while minimizing light exposure to the sleeping area, thereby reducing sleep disturbance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system adjusts lighting intensity based on the time of day and detected activity patterns. During nighttime hours when sleep disturbance is a concern, the system provides minimal sufficient illumination only when movement is detected. During daytime, full illumination is provided when needed, creating a periodic intensity pattern that balances visibility with sleep protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of manufacture

If wireless battery-powered components are used for flexible placement, then ease of installation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting system is divided into separate modular components: battery-powered motion sensors, bed exit sensors, and individual light fixtures. Each component operates independently with its own power source and control logic. This segmentation allows flexible placement of sensors and lights throughout the space without complex wiring, while each simple modular unit reduces individual device complexity despite the overall system having multiple components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3490345B1Lighting system for use in a building, and method of delivering a lighting system
Publication Date: 2021.04.28 BELLMAN & SYMFON EURO
  • EP3490345B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

A lighting system (10) for use in a building like private home, nursing home, retirement home or hospital, in particular for elderly people, comprises at least one light source device (11A, 11B) comprising or connectable to a light emitter (19), said light source device (11A, 11B) comprising a wireless receiver (17); and at least one bed exit sensing device (13) to be placed in a bed and adapted to detect a person leaving the bed. The bed exit sensing device (13) comprises a wireless transmitter (31) to control the at least one light source device (11A, 11B) through wireless transmission in response to detecting a person leaving the bed, in order to switch on said light source device (11A, 11B).