Electric Bed USB Receptacle for In-Bed Device Charging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of electric beds face inconvenience when trying to charge electronic devices, as they must leave the bed to plug in and unplug devices from a USB receptacle located elsewhere, often far from the bed.

Innovation Solution

An electric bed with a built-in USB receptacle and power converter that allows users to charge devices directly from the bed by converting AC power to DC power, enabling charging without leaving the bed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the USB receptacle is located away from the bed (e.g., on the computer), then the computer can be positioned in a suitable location, but the user must repeatedly leave the bed to charge devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of chargingVSAvoidtime spent leaving and returning to bed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the USB receptacle function with the bed structure by mounting the receptacle directly on the bed frame. This merging of the charging function into the bed itself eliminates the need for users to travel to a separate computer location, thereby resolving the contradiction between computer positioning flexibility and charging convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If the USB receptacle is mounted on the bed frame, then the user can charge devices while staying in bed, but the bed frame structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of chargingVSAvoidbed frame structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bed frame is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support for the bed and simultaneously houses the USB receptacle for device charging. This multi-functionality approach allows the bed frame to incorporate the charging feature without requiring a completely separate charging system, thereby minimizing the increase in overall device complexity while achieving the convenience of in-bed charging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enhances user convenience by allowing charging of electronic devices while remaining in a comfortable position on the bed, eliminating the need for repeated trips to a distant USB receptacle.

Implementation Method 1

a power converter mounted with the bed frame and having an AC input for connection of an external AC power source, and a first DC output for providing a DC power

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAC to DC conversion:

Data Source

PatentUS8347433B1Electric bed with USB receptacle

Publication Date: 2013.01.08 RUOEY LUNG ENTERPRISE

AI summary

An electric bed includes a bed frame, a power converter mounted with the bed frame for converting a 110V AC power to a 5V DC power, and a USB receptacle mounted to the bed frame and electrically connected with the power converter for transmitting the 5V DC power generated by the power converter. By this way, a user lying down on the electric bed can charge an electric device through the USB receptacle without leaving the electric bed, thereby enhancing the convenience of the user.