Bed Lifting Mechanism Using Linkage Leverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional body lifting devices for beds are bulky, inconvenient to use in narrow spaces, and require additional power, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage to users when caregivers with weak strength attempt to lift and reposition them.
Innovation Solution
A body lifting device for beds that minimizes space occupation and does not require separate power, featuring a support unit with adjustable components, a driving force transfer member, and a lifting unit that adjusts based on the angle of the bed's movable part, allowing for user lifting without additional energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a separate power lifting device is used to lift the user's body, then the lifting force is sufficient, but the device volume becomes large and requires additional power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting function is merged with the bed structure itself. The bed frame includes a lifting unit that integrates the lifting mechanism into the bed's existing framework, eliminating the need for separate external lifting devices. This combination provides sufficient lifting force while maintaining a compact form factor that does not increase overall device volume significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The bed structure is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the support structure for the user and the lifting mechanism. The movable part and driving force transfer member enable the bed to adjust angles and lift the user's body without requiring separate dedicated lifting equipment, thereby achieving multi-functionality with unified structure.
2Force
If a separate power lifting device is used, then the lifting capability is improved, but additional electric power or energy is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting mechanism utilizes the bed's own weight and structural rigidity as counterbalancing elements. The driving force transfer member leverages the mechanical advantage of the bed frame's geometry to generate sufficient lifting capability without requiring additional power sources, effectively using the system's inherent physical properties to offset the need for external energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
The bed structure serves itself by incorporating the lifting function directly into its framework. The movable part and driving force transfer member enable the bed to lift the user's body using its own structural components rather than relying on external power sources or separate lifting devices, achieving self-sufficiency in the lifting operation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the bed angle is adjusted to lift the user's body, then no additional power is required, but the occupation area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bed is divided into distinct functional segments: a fixing part that remains stationary and a movable part that can be adjusted independently. This segmentation allows the movable part to be angled for lifting while the fixing part maintains a compact footprint, thereby reducing the overall occupation area compared to a fully extended traditional lifting mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting function is achieved by utilizing the vertical and angular dimensions rather than extending horizontally. By adjusting the angle of the movable part relative to the fixing part, the lifting action occurs in a three-dimensional space that does not significantly increase the bed's horizontal footprint, thus minimizing occupation area.
4Device complexity
If caregivers manually lift the user's body, then no additional device is needed, but a very large effort is consumed and user damage may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting function is merged with the bed structure itself. The bed frame includes a lifting unit that integrates the lifting mechanism into the bed's existing framework, eliminating the need for separate external lifting devices. This combination provides sufficient lifting force while maintaining a compact form factor that does not increase overall device volume significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The driving force transfer member acts as an intermediary mechanical element between the bed structure and the user's body. It transfers and amplifies the lifting force through its geometric configuration, reducing the effort required by caregivers while maintaining structural simplicity and avoiding direct manual lifting of the user.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a compact, convenient, and energy-efficient body lifting mechanism that can be applied to pre-manufactured beds, reducing the risk of user damage and energy consumption while facilitating easier caregiver operations.
Implementation Method 1
a driving force transfer member (200) having one end connected to the movable part (10b), the other end extending toward the fixing part (10a) and a support point at which at least a portion between the one end and the other end of the driving force transfer member (200) is supported by the support unit (110), wherein a length between the support point and the other end is varied depending on adjusting of an angle of the movable part (10b)
Data Source
AI summary
A body lifting device for a bed is provided with a support unit, having a predetermined height, connected to a fixing part of a bed. A movable bed part adjusts an angle between the fixing and movable parts. A driving force transfer member of the device is connected to the movable part at one end, the other end extending toward the fixing part, and has a support point therebetween supported by the support unit. A length between the support point and the other end varies depending on an angle adjustment of the movable part. A lifting unit of the device supports a portion of a user's body, and is connected to the other end of the driving force transfer member. The lifting unit selectively lifts up the user's body depending on movement of the driving force transfer member, which is caused by adjusting an angle of the movable part.