Bed-Lift Control System for Synchronized Patient Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patient supports, such as beds and mobile lifts, often require assistance for mobility, but existing systems lack integrated control mechanisms for seamless interaction and coordination between the bed and mobile lift, making transfers inefficient and requiring manual coordination by caregivers.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical and electrical connection between a patient bed and a mobile lift, featuring a control system that determines if the lift is connected, receives user input, and communicates to control bed and lift features, such as raising/lowering, to facilitate smooth transfers and secure docking of the lift relative to the bed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual coordination by caregivers is used to operate bed and mobile lift separately, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity of patient transfers decreases and ease of operation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the control systems of the bed and mobile lift into a single integrated control unit. The control system includes a processor that receives signals from both the bed control panel and mobile lift control panel, and generates coordinated control signals for both devices. This merging eliminates the need for separate manual coordination by caregivers, thereby improving transfer efficiency while managing complexity through unified control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated control system serves multiple functions: it controls both the bed and mobile lift operations, detects docking status automatically, coordinates raising/lowering operations, and manages safety interlocks. This multi-functionality allows a single control system to replace what would otherwise require separate control mechanisms for each device, improving productivity without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Ease of operation
If integrated control system is implemented to coordinate bed and mobile lift, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system includes a docking detection mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the bed and mobile lift. This detection mechanism automatically identifies when the mobile lift is properly docked to the bed and activates or deactivates controls accordingly. This intermediary function simplifies operation by automatically managing the transition between disconnected and connected states, reducing the manual coordination burden while the complexity is contained within the automated detection and control logic.
3Reliability
If mechanical connection and electrical connection are established between bed and mobile lift, then reliability of coordinated control improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines mechanical docking and electrical connection into a single integrated docking mechanism. The mobile lift docks mechanically with the bed frame, and electrical contacts are automatically engaged through the same docking action. This merging ensures that mechanical stability and electrical connection are achieved simultaneously, improving reliability while reducing the number of separate connection systems required.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is configured to detect the docking status before enabling coordinated control functions. The docking detection mechanism performs preliminary verification that the mobile lift is properly connected to the bed before allowing the integrated control system to activate. This preliminary action ensures reliability by preventing operation in an improperly connected state, while the complexity is managed through automated detection rather than manual verification procedures.
Data Source
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AI summary
A patient bed (10) has a control system (64) configured to determine whether a mobile lift (150) is connected to the bed (10), the mobile lift (150) including a lift arm (156) configured to assist a person in moving from one location to another. The control system (64) is configured to receive input from a user control (38) of the bed (10), the user control (38) being configured to control a feature of the mobile lift (150), if the mobile lift (150) is connected to the bed (10), and communicate with the mobile lift (150) to cause the feature of the mobile lift (150) to be controlled in accordance with the user control (38) of the bed (10).