Hospital Bed Foot Deck Layout for Low-Floor Chair Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hospital beds lack the ability to convert to a chair configuration with the foot deck lowered close to the floor, making it difficult for patients to easily exit, especially when the foot deck is in a vertical position.
Innovation Solution
A hospital bed design featuring a frame assembly with a deck that has angularly movable head, seat, and foot sections, where the foot deck section is pivotally mounted to change between horizontal and vertical positions, allowing the bed to convert into a chair configuration with the foot deck lowered close to the floor, and incorporating actuators and sensors to manage the movement safely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the foot deck is kept in a horizontal position to support the mattress, then the bed provides adequate patient support, but the bed cannot be lowered close to the floor when converted to a chair configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The foot deck is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable, transitioning from a horizontal support surface during bed mode to a vertical non-supporting structure during chair mode. This dynamic transformation allows the foot deck to adapt its function and position based on the operational mode, enabling the bed to lower close to the floor while maintaining adequate support when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The deck is divided into separable sections, with the foot deck being a distinct movable segment that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the foot deck to be detached from its horizontal support function and repositioned vertically, resolving the conflict between providing support and enabling low-floor conversion.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the foot deck is extended to accommodate the full mattress length, then the mattress is fully supported, but the bed cannot be converted to a chair configuration with the foot deck lowered close to the floor
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the foot deck's position and function based on operational mode. During bed mode, the foot deck extends horizontally to support the mattress; during chair mode, it transitions to a vertical position where it no longer needs to support the mattress, allowing the bed to lower close to the floor.
Solution Approach 2:
The deck is segmented into movable sections, allowing the foot deck to be independently repositioned. This segmentation enables the foot deck to be separated from its support function and repositioned vertically during chair conversion, while the remaining deck sections continue to provide mattress support.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the foot deck is made movable to enable chair conversion, then the bed can be lowered close to the floor, but the structural complexity of the bed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The foot deck incorporates dynamic positioning capabilities with actuators and control systems that enable automatic transition between horizontal and vertical positions. This dynamic mechanism, while adding complexity, provides automated control that simplifies the conversion process and ensures reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The foot deck is designed as a multi-functional component that serves dual purposes: horizontal mattress support during bed mode and vertical structural element during chair mode. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each mode, thereby managing complexity through versatile design.
4Ease of operation
If the foot deck is lowered close to the floor in chair configuration, then patient mobility is enhanced, but the foot deck cannot maintain a horizontal support position
Solution Approach 1:
The foot deck dynamically changes its orientation from horizontal to vertical based on the operational mode. During chair configuration, it transitions to a vertical position that allows the bed to lower close to the floor, enhancing patient mobility while accepting that horizontal support is not needed in this mode.
Data Source
AI summary
A bed is provided having a decreased length foot deck to allow the bed to be converted to a chair bed and lowered close to the floor even when the foot deck is in a substantially vertical position. In one embodiment, the bed has a frame assembly, a deck supported on the frame assembly, and a mattress supported on the deck. The deck has a length extending from a head end of the head section to a foot end of the foot section when the deck is in a substantially horizontal position. The mattress has head, seat and foot mattress portions corresponding, respectively, to the head, seat and foot sections of the deck. The mattress has a length extending from a head end of the mattress to a foot end of the mattress when the mattress is in a substantially horizontal position. The length of the mattress is greater than the length of the deck, such that in one embodiment the mattress has a foot end that overhangs and is cantilevered from the edge of the foot deck section.