Variable-Link Bed Lift Mechanism for Stable Caster Position
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Solution Overview
Problem
Long-term care beds in facilities like nursing homes require adjustable bed frames to accommodate patient needs, but existing mechanisms often result in horizontal or lateral movement of caster assemblies during elevation, which can be undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A bed lift mechanism featuring a leg assembly coupled to a support link assembly via a slot with multiple paths, allowing for automatic variation in link length as the support link moves, preventing horizontal movement of caster assemblies and enabling precise elevation and tilting of the bed frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing bed lift mechanisms are used to elevate the bed frame, then the bed frame can be elevated to different positions, but horizontal or lateral movement of caster assemblies occurs during elevation
Solution Approach 1:
The support link assembly incorporates a slot with multiple paths that allows dynamic adjustment of the link length between the leg assembly and support link. This dynamic length variation compensates for dimensional changes during elevation, maintaining the horizontal position of caster assemblies while enabling bed frame elevation to different positions including therapeutic positions like Trendelenburg
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism changes the geometric parameter of link length dynamically during operation. The slot with multiple paths enables the support link assembly to vary its effective length as the bed frame is elevated, allowing the system to maintain caster assembly horizontal position while achieving the desired bed frame elevation and tilting
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing bed lift mechanisms are used to enable therapeutic positions like Trendelenburg, then the bed frame can be tilted, but jolting or loading issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic support link assembly with variable length capability provides smooth transition during elevation by continuously adjusting the link geometry. This eliminates jolting or loading issues that occur with fixed-length mechanisms when achieving therapeutic positions like Trendelenburg, ensuring reliable and comfortable patient positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism preliminarily adjusts the link length through the slot configuration before the elevation action is completed. This preliminary geometric adjustment ensures that the transition to therapeutic positions occurs smoothly without sudden jolts or unexpected loading on the mechanism components
Data Source
AI summary
A bed with a leg assembly coupled to a support link assembly by a joint, the joint comprising a slot having at least two paths. A support link assembly defining a length that automatically varies as the support link assembly moves relative to the leg assembly.