Non-contact Sensor for Bed Side Panel Position Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bed side rail detection systems require significant adjustment efforts and are prone to wiring issues due to the placement of switches under the bed, leading to potential wire breaks and complexity in installation and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact sensor arrangement, such as a transmitter-receiver pair using infrared or ultrasound signals, is mounted on the bed to detect the position of the side rail, allowing for easy installation with minimal adjustment and eliminating the need for complex wiring, featuring a control circuit and communication device for wireless operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If switches are used to detect side panel position, then position detection is achieved, but adjustment work is required to ensure correct activation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical switches with optical sensors (transmitter and receiver) to detect side panel position. The optical sensor system eliminates the need for mechanical contact and adjustment, as the transmitter and receiver can detect position changes through optical field changes without requiring precise mechanical alignment or activation force calibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical field as an intermediary between the side panel and the detection system. The transmitter emits optical signals that interact with the side panel (directly or via reflector), and the receiver detects these signals to determine position, eliminating the need for direct mechanical switching and complex adjustment procedures.
2Measurement precision
If switches are placed below side panels, then position detection is possible, but cable routing becomes difficult and wires may break
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wired mechanical switches with wireless optical sensors. The optical transmitter and receiver communicate through optical fields rather than physical cables, eliminating cable routing issues entirely. This allows flexible placement of the sensor system without concern for cable management, kinks, or wire breakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the cable routing problem from the system by removing physical wiring. The optical sensor system transmits position information wirelessly through optical signals, separating the detection function from the need for physical cable connections and eliminating the associated installation and maintenance difficulties.
3Ease of manufacture
If contactless sensors are used, then installation effort is reduced and positioning tolerance increases, but additional components (transmitter, receiver, reflector) are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the transmitter and receiver into a single integrated sensor unit that can detect side panel position. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components that need to be installed and positioned, simplifying the overall installation process while maintaining contactless detection capabilities and large positioning tolerance.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical sensor system is designed to work in multiple configurations (direct detection or with reflector) and can detect various positions of the side panel. This multi-functionality allows the same sensor components to handle different detection scenarios, reducing the need for additional specialized components for each situation.
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
This solution enables reliable detection of the side rail position with reduced installation effort and simplified wiring, minimizing the risk of wire breaks and improving maintenance accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
The transmitter and receiver can operate optically, particularly with infrared light, or acoustically, particularly with ultrasound. The reflection geometry allows the transmitter and receiver to be arranged on the same side of the side grille
Implementation Method 2
The transmitter and receiver can operate optically, particularly with infrared light
Implementation Method 3
The transmitter and receiver can operate acoustically, particularly with ultrasound
Implementation Method 4
the sensor comprises a transmitter and a receiver for a signal in reflection geometry... the aforementioned reflection geometry can incorporate a time-of-flight measurement between the transmission and reception of the signal to measure the distance to the side panel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for determining the position of a side panel (4) of a bed (1), in particular a nursing or hospital bed. The device is characterized in that a sensor (11) is arranged on the bed (1) in the area of the side panel (4), which detects the position of the side panel (4) without contact.