Double Roller Actuation System for Compact Articulating Bed Profile
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing articulating bed designs face challenges in maintaining rigidity and compactness due to the size and weight of the mattress and support structure, with traditional actuators being large and visible, and require enhanced leverage mechanisms to avoid 'dead spots' and overcenter conditions.
Innovation Solution
A double roller compact profile actuation system with two angled arms and two pairs of wheels that engage longitudinal rails, providing a first and second range of motion to leverage the upper body support frame, allowing for articulation while maintaining a reduced thickness profile and masking the actuation system within side rails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional actuators are used for articulating the bed, then the bed can achieve the required positioning functions, but the actuators become large and visible, increasing the profile thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the first pair of wheels inside the side rails and the second pair of wheels inside the upper body support frame, allowing the actuation system to be concealed within the bed structure itself, thereby reducing the visible profile thickness while maintaining full articulation functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-plane actuation mechanism to a three-dimensional double-roller system with wheels positioned at different spatial locations (first pair in side rails, second pair in upper body support), enabling compact integration across multiple dimensions while preserving the required range of motion
2Device complexity
If traditional single lever mechanisms are used, then the structure can be simpler, but dead spots and overcenter conditions occur reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single lever mechanism into two separate roller pairs with distinct functions: the first roller pair handles the initial articulation phase, while the second roller pair takes over for the remaining range of motion, thereby eliminating dead spots and overcenter conditions that plague single-lever systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic transition between two roller pairs during articulation, where the system automatically shifts from the first roller pair to the second roller pair based on the articulation angle, ensuring continuous smooth motion without mechanical dead spots throughout the entire range of motion
3Length of stationary object
If the actuation system is made compact to reduce profile thickness, then aesthetics improve, but the system may lack sufficient leverage for heavy loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of two separate roller pairs into a unified actuation system, where both rollers work together to provide cumulative leverage, enabling the compact system to handle heavy loads (mattress plus occupant) effectively while maintaining a reduced profile thickness
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
Enables efficient articulation of the bed while maintaining a compact profile, preventing lockup or overcentering and allowing the actuation system to be concealed within the side rails, enhancing the bed's rigidity and aesthetic appeal.
Implementation Method 1
A first pair of wheels is attached to the angled arms at a vertex and a second pair of wheels attached at an end of the arms distal from the hinges
Implementation Method 2
providing a first and second range of motion to leverage the upper body support frame
Implementation Method 3
An upper body support frame is rotatably connected to a first cross member in the frame. An elevating assembly for the upper body support frame has two angled arms attached to the first cross member with hinges
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
An articulating bed incorporates a support frame (10) with a head end rail (113a), a foot end rail (13b) and having side frame rails (11a), (11b). An upper body support frame (16) is rotatably connected to a first cross member (20) in the frame. An elevating assembly (22) for the upper body support frame has two angled arms (24) attached to the first cross member with hinges. A first pair of wheels (28) is attached to the angled arms at a vertex and a second pair of wheels (29) attached at an end of the arms distal from the hinges. A first actuator (21) is attached from the head end rail to a cross brace (23) extending between the angled arms. The elevating assembly has a first range of motion in which the first pair of wheels are in contact with longitudinal rails (52) in the upper body support and a second range of motion in which the second pair of wheels are in contact with the longitudinal rails.