Emergency Cot Hydraulic Lift With Movable Pivots for Ambulance Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient handling apparatuses, such as emergency cots, face challenges in quickly adjusting to different ambulance compartment heights and efficiently unloading from vehicles due to limited range of motion and deployment speed of components.
Innovation Solution
A patient handling apparatus with a lift assembly featuring compliant mechanisms and a hydraulic control system that allows for increased range of motion and rapid adjustment of the litter frame relative to the base, utilizing telescoping compression/tension members and movable pivot connections guided by non-linear paths, along with a hydraulic system that enhances the speed of component movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the litter frame is raised to sufficient height for loading into ambulance compartment, then the head-end of the cot can be moved into the compartment, but the base cannot be raised high enough to allow the whole cot to be pushed in
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the pivot connections movable rather than fixed. The foot-end upper pivot connection moves along a non-linear guide path that includes an oblique section, allowing the litter frame to tilt upwardly beyond the normal operating range. This dynamic adjustment enables the lift assembly to adapt to different loading heights and ambulance configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an additional degree of freedom by allowing the pivot connection to move not only vertically but also laterally along the guide path. The oblique section of the guide path enables the foot-end to move both upward and toward the longitudinal axis, creating a tilting motion that extends the range of motion in a multi-dimensional manner.
2Volume of moving object
If manual lifting is used to raise the litter frame above fully raised height, then loading can be achieved, but the deployment time increases and physical effort is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hydraulic lift assembly to provide powered elevation of the litter frame. The hydraulic system can rapidly extend to raise the litter frame to the required loading height and beyond, eliminating the need for manual lifting and significantly reducing deployment time. The hydraulic actuator provides controlled, high-force movement to achieve the extended range of motion.
3Productivity
If the base is lowered quickly for rapid unloading, then patient delivery speed increases, but control and stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors that detect the position of the base and litter frame, as well as the status of the pivot connections. This feedback information is used by the control system to monitor the deployment process and adjust hydraulic fluid flow accordingly, ensuring controlled rapid lowering while maintaining stability and preventing uncontrolled movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic control system dynamically changes flow parameters to optimize deployment speed while maintaining control. By adjusting the flow rate and pressure of hydraulic fluid to the actuator, the system can achieve rapid base lowering when needed while preventing instability through controlled parameter modulation.
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
Facilitates quick and efficient loading and unloading of patient handling apparatuses into ambulances by allowing for greater range of motion and rapid component adjustment, improving deployment speed and ease of use in emergency situations.
Implementation Method 1
The lift assembly is configured for extending or contracting to raise or lower the base or the frame with respect to the other of the base and the frame
Implementation Method 2
load bearing members, such as compression/tension members, that are pivotally mounted to the litter frame and the base by head-end and foot-end upper pivot connections and head-end and foot-end lower pivot connections, respectively, for raising or lowering the base or the litter with respect to the other
Data Source
AI summary
An emergency cot includes a litter frame, a base, and a lift assembly supporting the litter frame relative to the base. The lift assembly includes load bearing members pivotally coupled to the litter frame by head-end upper pivot connections and foot-end upper pivot connections and to the base by head-end lower pivot connections and foot-end lower pivot connections for raising or lowering the base or the litter frame with respect to the other. The foot-end upper pivot connections or head-end upper pivot connections are movable toward or away from the longitudinal axis of the litter frame to allow one end of the litter frame to be tilted upwardly.