Hospital Bed Siderail Assembly for Chair Bed Patient Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing siderails for hospital beds lack functionality in facilitating easy patient entry and exit, particularly in chair bed configurations, as they either provide inadequate support or obstruct access when moved.
Innovation Solution
A bed design featuring siderails that remain stationary during deck section movement, with a handle system allowing the siderails to move from above to below the patient support surface, and a sensor-activated mechanism to prevent vertical movement when the siderail is disengaged, ensuring safe patient access and exit while maintaining bed functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the siderail is connected to the movable third deck section, then the siderail moves with the deck section, but this obstructs patient access and reduces ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The siderail is designed to be movable relative to the third deck section, transitioning between a first position that provides support and a second position that facilitates patient access. This dynamic configuration allows the siderail to adapt its function based on operational needs, resolving the contradiction between stability and accessibility.
2Ease of operation
If the siderail is made movable to facilitate patient access, then ease of operation improves, but the risk of accidental bed reconfiguration increases
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor is implemented to detect the position of the third deck section and control the actuator based on this feedback. When the deck section is in a horizontal position, the sensor prevents actuation to avoid accidental reconfiguration. This feedback mechanism ensures safety while maintaining ease of operation during appropriate conditions.
3Reliability
If a sensor-activated mechanism is added to prevent accidental movement, then bed configuration stability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical interlocking systems with a sensor-based control mechanism that uses electrical signals to prevent accidental actuation. This substitution simplifies the overall system while maintaining reliability, as the sensor-controlled approach requires fewer mechanical components compared to traditional mechanical safety systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A siderail assembly for a hospital bed is provided. In one embodiment the bed is a chair bed having a first deck section, a second deck section and a third deck section. A pair of siderails are operably connected to the third deck section of the bed. In another embodiment, the siderail coupled to the third deck section remains stationary relative to the third deck section during movement of the third deck section between the generally horizontal and the substantially vertical position. The siderail is configured to be gripped by a patient while the patient is entering and exiting the chair bed.