Birthing Bed Retaining Bracket Braking Torque Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing birthing beds with pivoting retaining brackets pose a risk of uncontrolled movement when the locking device is released unintentionally, potentially causing injuries to the newborn due to the bracket's weight, as they lack a mechanism to prevent uncontrolled pivoting.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a braking device that applies a preset braking torque to counteract the pivoting movement of the retaining bracket, ensuring it remains fixed or moves slowly after the locking device is opened, with an adjustable multi-disc brake design to accommodate various conditions and ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the locking device is released, then the retaining bracket can be pivoted freely to adjust position, but the bracket may swing down uncontrolled due to its own weight causing injury risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of pivotingVSAvoidinjury risk from uncontrolled movement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The braking device applies a preliminary braking torque to the retaining bracket before any pivoting movement occurs. This counter-torque prevents the bracket from swinging down uncontrolled when the locking device is released, while still allowing controlled pivoting when intentionally actuated by the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The braking device acts as an intermediary between the locking device and the retaining bracket. It provides a controlled resistance force that mediates the bracket's movement, preventing harmful uncontrolled swinging while allowing intentional position adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the braking torque is increased to prevent uncontrolled movement, then safety is improved, but the ease of manual adjustment by users is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuncontrolled movement preventionVSAvoidmanual adjustability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The braking device is designed with dynamic characteristics where the braking torque can be overcome by sufficient user force. The system transitions from a static locked state to a dynamic controllable state, allowing trained personnel to adjust the bracket position by applying force greater than the braking torque while preventing unintentional movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The braking torque parameter is optimized to a specific range that balances safety and adjustability. The torque is set high enough to prevent uncontrolled movement from the bracket's weight, but low enough to be overcome by intentional manual adjustment forces applied by trained personnel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 braking device effectively prevents uncontrolled movement of the retaining bracket, reducing the risk of injury by ensuring it cannot pivot due to its own weight after the locking device is released, while allowing trained personnel to adjust the braking torque for optimal performance.

Implementation Method 1

the braking device (31) interacts with the retaining bracket (02) in such a way that a braking torque is applied by the braking device (31), which counteracts the pivoting movement of the retaining bracket (02)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2979674B1Birthing bed with a retaining handle and braking device
Publication Date: 2016.11.16 RUTHLEIN CHRISTIAN
  • EP2979674B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2979674B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2979674B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a birthing bed with a support bar (02) that can be pivoted parallel to the lying surface (01). The support bar (02) can be locked at the desired pivot angle by means of a locking device (11, 21). Furthermore, a braking device (31) is provided which counteracts any pivoting movement of the support bar (02).