Fluidized Person Support Structure with Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluidized person support structures lack efficient control over fluidization, leading to suboptimal fluid flow rates and inconsistent fluidization levels, which can affect the comfort and therapeutic effectiveness for users.
Innovation Solution
A fluidized person support structure comprising a fluidizable medium, a fluid supply, a sensor, and a controller that calculates and adjusts the fluid flow rate based on input from sensors to maintain a desirable fluidization threshold and level, ensuring optimal fluidization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a fixed fluid flow rate is used in existing fluidized person support structures, then the system structure is simple, but the fluidization level becomes inconsistent and suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where sensors detect the fluidization level of the fluidizable medium and provide signals to a controller. The controller adjusts the fluid flow rate based on this feedback to maintain optimal fluidization. This resolves the contradiction by using feedback to achieve precise fluidization control without requiring overly complex manual adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically adjusts the fluid flow rate based on sensor inputs and controller calculations, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The controller self-regulates the fluidization level by comparing sensor data against desired parameters and autonomously modifying the fluid supply, thereby achieving consistent fluidization without increasing operational complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If the fluid flow rate is increased to improve fluidization, then the fluidization level improves, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic adjustment of the fluid flow rate based on real-time sensor measurements and user characteristics. Rather than maintaining a constantly high flow rate, the system dynamically optimizes the fluid supply to provide only the necessary amount for achieving optimal fluidization, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining fluidization quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller modifies the fluid flow rate parameter based on sensor inputs and calculated desirable flow rates. By dynamically changing this parameter rather than maintaining a fixed high value, the system achieves optimal fluidization levels while minimizing energy consumption, resolving the contradiction between fluidization quality and energy use.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the fluid flow rate is adjusted for different users, then the adaptability improves, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to detect user characteristics and fluidization levels, providing feedback to the controller. The controller automatically calculates and adjusts the desirable flow rate based on this feedback, enabling adaptability to different users without requiring complex manual configuration or multiple pre-set modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms with an electronic control system that uses sensors and algorithms to automatically determine optimal fluid flow rates. This substitution of mechanical systems with electronic control and calculation simplifies the overall control mechanism while maintaining high adaptability to different users.
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
The system achieves precise control over fluidization, enhancing user comfort and therapeutic effectiveness by maintaining consistent fluidization levels, even with varying user weights and depths of the fluidizable medium.
Implementation Method 1
a fluidizable medium, a fluid supply configured to supply fluid that flows through the fluidizable medium
Data Source
AI summary
A system for fluidizing a fluidizable medium includes a person support structure, fluid supply, sensor, and controller. The person support structure includes a chamber containing a fluidizable medium and a plenum in fluid communication with the chamber. The fluid supply is in fluid communication with the plenum. The sensor is configured to sense a pressure of fluid in the plenum. The controller is configured to control the operation of the fluid supply as a function of the fluid pressure within the plenum to achieve a desirable level of fluidization of the fluidizable medium.