Electric bed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric beds lack adjustable support angles for users who sleep on their stomachs or require head-up positions, which can lead to discomfort and issues like snoring and sleep apnea, as they are typically designed for face-up sleeping.
Innovation Solution
An electric bed with a base, back supporting unit, first actuator for adjusting the back supporting unit's angle, and a second actuator for the head supporting unit to swing between initial and head-up positions, allowing users to lie comfortably on their stomachs and assume a head-up posture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the electric bed is designed with fixed support angles for face-up sleeping, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate stomach sleeping or head-up positions
Solution Approach 1:
The bed is divided into multiple independently adjustable segments: back supporting unit and head supporting unit. Each segment can be adjusted separately by its own actuator, allowing different sleeping positions (face-up, stomach, head-up) without requiring complete structural redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The bed structure transitions from fixed angles to dynamically adjustable angles. The back supporting unit and head supporting unit can change their support angles independently through actuators, enabling the bed to adapt to various sleeping positions and user needs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the head supporting unit is added with swing function, then head-up position is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The head support system is segmented into the head supporting unit that can swing independently relative to the back supporting unit. This segmentation allows the head unit to achieve head-up position while the back unit maintains its position, controlled by a separate second actuator.
Solution Approach 2:
The head supporting unit serves multiple functions: it can be flush with the back supporting surface for normal sleeping, swing to head-up position for snoring relief, and provide adjustable head support. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity of the second actuator.
Data Source
AI summary
An electric bed includes a base, a back supporting unit pivotally connected with the base, a first actuator to drive the back supporting unit to upwardly and downwardly swing relative to the base, a head supporting unit pivotally connected with the back supporting unit, and a second actuator to drive the head supporting unit to swing between an initial position and a head-up position relative to the back supporting unit. When the head supporting unit stays at the initial position, a head supporting surface of the head supporting unit is flush with a back supporting surface of the back supporting unit. The head-up position is lower than the initial position.