Bed with Pivoting-Link Lifting Mechanism for Lateral Mattress Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
The space underneath a bed is inconvenient to access for storage, requiring individuals to lie on the floor and reach under the bed, making it difficult to utilize effectively for storing household items.
Innovation Solution
A bed design featuring a foundation with a lifting mechanism comprising interconnected pivoting links that moves the mattress assembly between a lowered and raised position, allowing access to storage cavities formed within the foundation, with the mattress assembly able to be lifted laterally to provide accessible storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the mattress assembly is kept in a lowered position on the foundation, then the bed structure remains stable and compact, but the storage cavity underneath becomes difficult to access
Solution Approach 1:
The mattress assembly is made dynamically movable between a lowered position (resting on the foundation) and a raised position (elevated to access storage). The lifting mechanism with interconnected pivoting links enables this dynamic transformation, allowing the system to adapt between stability and accessibility as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting mechanism introduces vertical dimensionality to the mattress assembly, enabling it to move from a horizontal plane on the foundation to an elevated position. This dimensional change creates clearance for accessing the storage cavity while maintaining the bed's compact footprint when lowered.
2Ease of operation
If a lifting mechanism is added to raise the mattress assembly for storage access, then accessibility to the storage cavity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting mechanism is segmented into multiple independent pivoting links that can be manufactured and assembled separately. This segmentation reduces the complexity of producing the entire mechanism as one piece and allows for easier maintenance and replacement of individual components.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting mechanism components are nested within the bed structure, with pivoting links integrated into the foundation and mattress assembly framework. This nesting minimizes the additional space required and reduces visual complexity while maintaining full functionality.
3Ease of operation
If the mattress assembly is raised laterally off the foundation, then storage cavity accessibility is enhanced, but the risk of accidental movement or instability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting mechanism incorporates preliminary anti-action through its mechanical design, where the interconnected pivoting links create inherent resistance to unintended movement. The mechanism requires deliberate activation to raise or lower the mattress, preventing accidental activation while maintaining stability in both raised and lowered positions.
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
Enables convenient access to storage space underneath the bed without the need to lie on the floor, enhancing storage capabilities and security by maintaining the mattress in a lowered position when not in use, and accommodating typical furniture arrangements.
Implementation Method 1
a lifting mechanism comprising a series of interconnected pivoting links. The lifting mechanism is mounted to the foundation and the mattress assembly and is configured to move the mattress assembly between a lowered position and a raised position
Data Source
AI summary
A bed includes: a foundation; a mattress assembly comprising a mattress and an underlying panel; and a lifting mechanism comprising a series of interconnected pivoting links. The foundation includes a head wall, a foot wall opposed to the head wall, opposed side walls between the head wall and the foot wall, and a floor, the head wall, the foot wall, the side walls and the floor forming at least one storage cavity. The lifting mechanism is mounted to the foundation and the mattress assembly and is configured to move the mattress assembly between a lowered position, in which the mattress assembly is positioned atop the foundation, and a raised position, in which the mattress assembly is positioned above and at least partially laterally of the foundation, such that the storage cavity is accessible.