Wireless Bed Sensor With Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bed mechanisms for assisting occupants to stand up, such as the Mobi-stick and Mobi-lift, require a fixed handle on each side and complex wired energy supplies, which are costly and require regular battery maintenance, limiting their simplicity and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A bed with a sensor system using radio interfaces and energy-harvesting elements like piezo elements or solar cells, allowing wireless signal transmission and eliminating the need for wired connections or battery maintenance, with sensors that can be easily positioned and removed without tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed handle with wired energy supply is used, then the mechanism provides reliable support and control, but the device complexity and installation effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired energy supply system with a wireless energyless communication system. The sensor generates energy locally through user interaction (piezoelectric effect) and transmits control signals wirelessly to the actuator, eliminating the need for complex wiring while maintaining functional reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor unit is designed to be self-powered through energy harvesting from user interaction. The piezoelectric element converts mechanical energy from handle movement into electrical energy, allowing the sensor to operate autonomously without external power supply or battery maintenance
2Adaptability or versatility
If handles are provided on both sides of the bed, then the occupant can leave the bed from either side, but the cost and installation effort double
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless sensor unit is designed as a universal component that can be positioned on either side of the bed or even removed for use with other mobility devices. The wireless communication and energy-harvesting design makes the sensor location-independent, allowing flexible deployment to achieve bidirectional mobility without duplicating the entire handle mechanism
3Ease of operation
If batteries are used for energy supply, then wireless operation is enabled, but regular maintenance and state of charge monitoring are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses energy harvesting through the piezoelectric effect, where user interaction with the handle directly generates the electrical energy needed to power the sensor and transmit signals. This eliminates batteries entirely, requiring no charging, replacement, or state of charge monitoring, while maintaining continuous wireless operation
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 simpler, cost-effective mechanism for assisting occupants to stand up, offering greater flexibility and autonomy, as well as easier installation and maintenance, while enabling wireless operation and integration with other smart home technologies.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor (5) comprises at least one element for producing energy, by which the energy needed for generating and transmitting the control signal can be generated via the actuation of the sensor from the outside
Implementation Method 2
energy-harvesting elements like piezo elements or solar cells
Data Source
AI summary
A bed comprises: a height-adjustable lying surface; a head part, a foot part, and/or at least one side part; a motor for adjusting the height of the lying surface; and a control system for controlling the motor to adjust the height. The control system comprises at least one sensor and at least one actuator. The sensor includes: at least one actuating element that can be actuated to generate a control signal; an interface to emit the control signal; and at least one element for producing energy, by which energy needed for generating and transmitting the control signal can be generated via actuation of the sensor from the outside. The actuator includes: an interface to receive the control signal; and a switching element to switch at least one current path or an adjusting element to set at least one voltage, one current, or another physical variable based on the control signal.