Belt-Driven Bed Width Expansion for Compact Wing Actuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hospital beds with powered width expansion wings face challenges due to bulkiness, weight, and high cost of hydraulic cylinders or linear actuators, necessitating the development of more compact, lightweight, and cost-effective systems for wing actuation that can be retrofitted onto existing beds.

Innovation Solution

A bed design incorporating a motor assembly, lead screws, and oppositely handed lead screw receivers to power width expansion wings, along with a retrofit kit for manually operated wings, utilizing a motor assembly, bracket, and lead screw support brackets for seamless integration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hydraulic cylinders or linear actuators are used to power width expansion wings, then the wings can be deployed and stored, but the system becomes bulky, heavy, and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewing actuation reliabilityVSAvoidactuation system weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces hydraulic cylinders or linear actuators with a belt-driven mechanical system consisting of a drive wheel, idler wheel, and belt. This substitution eliminates the need for complex hydraulic or electric actuation mechanisms, significantly reducing weight, bulk, and cost while maintaining reliable wing deployment and storage functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If hydraulic cylinders or linear actuators are used to power width expansion wings, then the wings can be deployed and stored, but the system becomes bulky and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewing actuation reliabilityVSAvoidactuation system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex hydraulic or electric actuation systems with a simple belt-driven mechanical system. The drive wheel engages the belt to rotate the wing, while the idler wheel maintains belt tension. This mechanical substitution dramatically reduces system complexity, component count, and cost while preserving reliable actuation functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the bed width is expanded to accommodate a bariatric occupant, then the bed can support larger patients, but the bed becomes too wide to fit through typical doorways for transport

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebed width adaptabilityVSAvoidbed transportability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamically adjustable bed width system where wings can be deployed to expand the bed for bariatric patients and retracted to reduce width for transport. The belt-driven mechanism allows smooth transitions between expanded and contracted states, enabling the bed to adapt to different operational requirements - full width for patient care and reduced width for doorway passage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent stores the width expansion wings underneath the fixed width center section of the bed when not in use. This nesting arrangement allows the wings to be compactly positioned within the bed structure, minimizing the overall width for transport while enabling full expansion when needed for patient accommodation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Device complexity

If manual operation of width expansion wings is used, then the system is simple, but it requires significant physical effort from caregivers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuation system complexityVSAvoidwing deployment ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual pushing and pulling of wings with an automated belt-driven mechanical system. The drive wheel, powered by a motor (not detailed in this patent but implied as the replacement for manual operation), rotates the belt which in turn rotates the wing through the drive wheel engagement. This substitution eliminates the need for caregivers to exert significant physical force while maintaining mechanical simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 mechanism for powering width expansion wings, ensuring reliability and ease of retrofitting, while maintaining simplicity and functionality.

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

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLead screw mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

an idler wheel positioned between the drive wheel and the wing and in frictional engagement with the belt

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction drive: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS12502321B2Belt driven width expansion of a bed

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 HILL ROM SERVICES INC

AI summary

A bed comprises a fixed width deck section, a wing movably coupled to the fixed width section, and a mechanism for extending and retracting the wing.