Powered Bed Width Wings Using a Compact Lead Screw Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hospital beds with powered width expansion wings face challenges due to the bulk, weight, and cost of hydraulic cylinders or linear actuators, necessitating a more compact, lightweight, and cost-effective solution for wing actuation that can be easily retrofitted onto existing beds.
Innovation Solution
A bed design featuring a motor assembly grounded to the fixed width section and a lead screw system with oppositely handed lead screws and receivers, allowing the wings to be moved between deployed and stored positions, along with a retrofit kit for upgrading manually operated beds with a motor assembly, bracket, and lead screw set.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If hydraulic cylinders or linear actuators are used to power the width expansion wings, then the wings can be automatically positioned, but the system becomes bulky, heavy, and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical actuation systems (hydraulic cylinders or linear actuators) with a simpler lead screw mechanism driven by a motor assembly. The lead screw converts rotational motion from the motor into linear motion to position the wings, eliminating the need for bulky hydraulic or actuator systems while maintaining automated positioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential function of wing positioning from complex actuation systems and implements it through a simplified mechanism. By removing unnecessary components of hydraulic cylinders or linear actuators and retaining only the core positioning function through the lead screw and motor assembly, the system achieves automation without the associated weight and complexity.
2Extent of automation
If hydraulic cylinders or linear actuators are used to power the width expansion wings, then the wings can be automatically positioned, but the system becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes complex mechanical actuation systems with a simpler lead screw mechanism. The lead screw provides inherent mechanical advantage and positioning control through its threaded geometry, eliminating the need for complex control systems, seals, and hydraulic fluid management associated with cylinders and actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a motor assembly with lead screw that can be more easily and economically manufactured and replaced compared to hydraulic cylinders or linear actuators. The modular design allows for cost-effective production and simplified maintenance, reducing overall system cost while maintaining automated functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual operation is used to deploy the wings, then the system remains simple and lightweight, but the bed cannot accommodate bariatric patients requiring wider configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the bed to transition between different width configurations (standard and bariatric) by automatically positioning the wings. The motor assembly and lead screw system allow for controlled adjustment of wing position, enabling the bed to adapt its width parameter to accommodate different patient sizes without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated motor assembly performs the wing deployment and positioning function that would otherwise require manual effort from caregivers. The system serves itself by automatically adjusting the wing configuration based on operational needs, eliminating the physical strain of manual wing manipulation while maintaining the ability to accommodate different patient requirements.
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, lightweight, and cost-effective means to power width expansion wings, enhancing the mobility and adaptability of hospital beds while maintaining simplicity and reliability, and allowing for easy retrofitting and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a lead screw coupled to the motor assembly and to a lead screw receiver nonmovably associated with the other of the fixed width section and the wing
Data Source
AI summary
A method for governing care of a person includes determining the importance of a candidate activity (84) relative to the importance of patient sleep continuity (104) and, if the candidate activity is more important than sleep continuity, carrying out the activity or indicating the acceptability of carrying out the activity (106) and, if the candidate activity is not more important than sleep continuity, refraining from carrying out the activity or indicating the unacceptability of carrying out the activity (108). A system for patient care governance comprises a decision engine (80) for determining the importance of the candidate activity relative to the importance of sleep continuity, and a controller (92) responsive to the decision engine for issuing a command to carry out the activity or indicate the acceptability of carrying out the activity (106), refrain from carrying out the activity or indicate the unacceptability of carrying out the activity (108).