Clinical Bed Brake Actuator with Segmented U-Bar
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing controllers for clinical beds require users to move to specific locations to actuate the bed's movement positions, which is inefficient and time-consuming, especially when the user is not near the controller.
Innovation Solution
A U-shaped angled bar connected tiltingly to the bed, with a main actuating section extending parallel to one side of the bed and tilting connections at intermediate points, allowing actuation from three sides of the bed via pedal zones at the free ends of the bar sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pedal controller is used positioned on the lower frame of the bed, then the controller can actuate the bed position change, but the user has to move to the specific location of the pedal to change the bed position, which is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The controller bar is divided into multiple sections with tilting connections at intermediate points, creating multiple actuation zones along the bar's length. This segmentation allows users to actuate the controller from different locations along the bar rather than from a single fixed position, reducing the time needed to change bed position.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller transitions from a single-point actuation (pedal) to a distributed multi-point actuation system along the length of the bar. By adding the spatial dimension of multiple actuation points along the bar, users can operate the controller from various locations without moving to a specific position, thereby reducing time loss.
2Ease of operation
If a swing bar extending along one of the short sides of the bed is used, then the bar extends along a greater length than the pedal and there is no need to seek the specific position of the controller, but if the user is at one of the long sides, or at the short side of the bed opposite the side with the bar, they have to move to the short side to actuate the controller
Solution Approach 1:
The bar is segmented with tilting connections at intermediate points, creating multiple independent actuation zones. This allows the bar to be effectively controlled from multiple locations along its length, including from long sides and opposite short sides, without requiring the user to move to a specific location.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented bar structure provides universal actuation capability from multiple sides and positions. Each section of the bar can function as an independent actuation point, making the controller adaptable to users positioned at various locations around the bed, whether at long sides or opposite short sides.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the bar has tilting connections with the bed at corresponding intermediate points of each bar section, then pedal actuation zones can be arranged at the free ends of the U-shape enabling actuation from three sides of the bed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bar is divided into multiple sections with tilting connections at intermediate points. While this segmentation increases structural complexity, it enables the bar to be actuated from multiple sides (three sides in total), providing versatile control options that justify the added complexity through improved usability and adaptability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Clinical bed with movable wheels, the bed having at least one movement position in which the wheels can roll on the ground and a braked position in which the bed cannot roll, and an actuating controller that enables switching from the movement position to the braked position and vice versa, said controller comprising a U-shaped angled bar connected tiltingly to the bed, said bar having a main actuating section of the controller that extends parallel to one side of the bed, characterized in that said bar extends along the whole of said side of the bed, having tilting connections with the bed at corresponding intermediate points of each bar section, which are the sections of said U-shape that are perpendicular to said side, with corresponding pedal zones for actuating the controller at the free ends of each section, said pedal zones being located on sides adjacent to said side, thereby enabling the controller to be actuated for tilting thereof from said pedal zones or from said actuating bar section.