Fixing member, bed supporting structure, and bed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional beds with integrated load sensors require special structures or modifications, leading to high manufacturing costs and hindering widespread adoption.
Innovation Solution
A support structure for beds that includes a lower frame, upper frame, and a raising/lowering mechanism with a support shaft, using fixing tools with flexure elements and strain gauges to attach a supported member to the upper frame, allowing easy integration of load detection without special structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a load sensor is incorporated into the bed using conventional techniques, then load detection function is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases due to special structures or modifications
Solution Approach 1:
The support shaft serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for the upper frame and simultaneously acts as a load sensor through the integrated flexure element and strain gauge. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate load sensing components and structural modifications, thereby achieving load detection without increasing manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the support function and load detection function into a single integrated component (support shaft with flexure element and strain gauge). By combining these functions, the patent avoids the need for separate load sensors and special structural modifications, thus reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining reliable load detection.
2Reliability
If a load sensor is incorporated into the bed using conventional techniques, then load detection function is achieved, but device complexity increases due to special structures or modifications
Solution Approach 1:
The support shaft is designed to perform both mechanical support and load detection functions simultaneously. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby simplifying the overall bed structure while maintaining reliable load detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the support function and load detection function into a single integrated component, the patent reduces structural complexity. The flexure element and strain gauge are integrated into the existing support shaft, eliminating the need for separate load sensor assemblies and special structural modifications.
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 the easy manufacture of beds with load detection functionality, facilitating accurate load measurement and reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a strain gauge attached to the flexure element
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2(a)~2(c)
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
Provided is a fixing member for use in a bed supporting structure (100). The supporting structure has: a lower frame (10); an upper frame (20); a hoisting and lowering mechanism (30) which hoists and lowers the upper frame with respect to the lower frame and which has a supporting shaft (312) that extends in the width direction of the bed; and a to-be-supported member (221, 222) which is fixed to the upper frame and supported by the supporting shaft. The supporting shaft is moved along the longitudinal direction of the bed while supporting the to-be-supported member when the upper frame is hoisted and lowered. The fixing member is provided with a plurality of fixtures (S11-S14) that are for fixing the to-be-supported member to the upper frame. Each of the fixtures comprises: a strain-generating body (SB) which has one end fixed to the upper frame and the other end fixed to the to-be-supported member; and a strain gauge (SG) that is attached to the strain-generating body