Adjustable Bed Parallelogram Lift for Vertical Raising Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing height and angle adjustable beds require mechanical or hydraulic compression assist mechanisms to lift from a fully lowered position, which can fail unexpectedly, leading to safety hazards and inefficiencies, and often require large swings that change the bed's center of gravity and are slow to raise.
Innovation Solution
A bed design utilizing a system of parallelograms with actuators connected in series, where the first and second parallelograms extend in opposing rotational directions, allowing for vertical or near-vertical rise and lowering, reducing the risk of imbalance and maintaining efficiency by adjusting the effective length of lever arms to maintain peak actuator performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical or hydraulic compression assist mechanisms are used to lift the bed from a fully lowered position, then the bed can be raised from low positions, but the mechanisms may fail unexpectedly causing safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the mechanical compression assist mechanism entirely from the system. Instead of using a separate assist mechanism to overcome the cosine effect at low angles, the design relies solely on the actuator's direct mechanical advantage through optimized linkage geometry, eliminating the source of potential failure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical compression assist mechanism with an optimized parallel linkage system that uses geometric relationships to maintain actuator advantage throughout the range of motion. The substitution transforms a reliability problem into a geometric design solution
2Force
If two motors act in parallel to overcome mechanical disadvantage at low positions, then lifting force is increased, but the motors can get out of synchronization causing safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of two parallel motors into a single actuator system. The parallel linkage mechanism provides the mechanical advantage previously requiring dual motors, while a single actuator ensures synchronized operation and eliminates coordination problems between multiple motors
Solution Approach 2:
The single actuator in the patent performs multiple functions: it provides the lifting force, maintains synchronization through direct control, and achieves the necessary mechanical advantage through the optimized linkage geometry. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate synchronization control systems
3Ease of operation
If the bed frame swings forward or rearward to raise the bed from lowered position, then the bed can be repositioned, but the center of gravity changes significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the linkage system so that the bed frame moves along a path that maintains a relatively constant center of gravity. The geometric relationships in the parallel linkages are optimized to minimize vertical displacement of the bed's center of mass during the raising operation
4Speed
If mechanical compression assist mechanisms are used to raise the bed from fully lowered position, then lifting is enabled, but the process is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the mechanical compression assist mechanism that limited raising speed. The direct actuator-driven parallel linkage system eliminates the intermediate mechanical stages, allowing faster response and more rapid bed elevation
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention has a deck and a mid-frame, connected by first and second levers. An arm of the first lever has an interface. These levers are connected with a drag link. An actuator is pivotally and movably connected to the interface and pivotally connected to the drag link. The location of the actuator relative the interface is controlled with a control arm. The deck, mid-frame and first set of levers comprise a first parallelogram. Third and fourth levers are connected to the mid-frame. The fourth lever has an arm with an interface. These levers are connected with a drag link. An actuator can be pivotally and movably connected to the interface and pivotally connected to the drag link. The location of the actuator relative the interface is controlled with a control arm. The bases, mid-frame and second set of levers comprise a second parallelogram.