Foldable Bed Base Structure for Compact Transport and Stable Setup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current foldable medical beds face challenges in transportation due to unsuitable dimensions, complex assembly, and the need for external supports, making them difficult to move and assemble efficiently, especially for patients with limited mobility.
Innovation Solution
A foldable bed structure with a base that can be easily pivoted into a compact position for transport, featuring a holding device to stabilize the base during deployment and a locking mechanism to prevent unintended unfolding, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly by a single person without external supports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the bed is made complete or pre-assembled to provide full functionality, then the bed can be used immediately, but the dimensions become unsuitable for transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The bed base is divided into two detachable parts: a front part and a rear part. These parts can be separated for compact transportation and reassembled to form the complete bed structure for use. The segmentation allows the bed to transition between a compact transport state and a full-function operational state.
Solution Approach 2:
The bed base incorporates a pivoting mechanism that allows the rear part to rotate relative to the front part. This dynamic structure enables the bed to be folded into a compact position for transport and unfolded to its extended position for use, with the pivot axis serving as the rotation point.
2Volume of moving object
If the bed is transported in separate parts to reduce size, then the transport volume is reduced, but an additional assembly step is necessary which is tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The holding device merges the functions of connection and stabilization. It includes a holding element on the front part and a corresponding holding feature on the rear part that automatically engage when the parts are brought together, providing both connection and stability in a single integrated mechanism rather than separate assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding device is designed to automatically engage and stabilize the bed base parts when they are positioned correctly during assembly. The mechanism self-stabilizes the structure without requiring additional external supports or complex manual adjustment, making the assembly process simpler and more intuitive.
3Ease of operation
If a specific support is used for transporting the bed, then the bed can be moved, but the support cannot be used for beds of different structures and must be disposed of after use
Solution Approach 1:
The bed base itself serves multiple functions: it provides the structural foundation for the bed, acts as its own transport support when folded, and eliminates the need for external disposable supports. The front and rear parts with their integrated holding devices can stabilize the structure during transport without requiring separate support elements, making the system universally applicable and reusable.
4Volume of moving object
If the bed is folded to minimize size, then the transport volume is reduced, but the folding mechanism limits the size around the bed base and prevents accessories from being attached
Solution Approach 1:
The bed base is segmented into front and rear parts that can be detached from each other. This segmentation provides access to the pivot axis area and allows accessories to be attached to either the front part, rear part, or the pivot mechanism itself, regardless of whether the bed is in folded or extended configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivoting mechanism allows the bed to dynamically transition between folded and extended states. The pivot axis serves as a central point that remains accessible and functional in both configurations, enabling accessory attachment at various positions including the pivot area, which would be inaccessible in a rigid fixed-structure design.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The base (2) has front and rear frames (5, 13), where each frame includes a section and another section (14) formed of rails (4). The rear frame is pivotally mounted with respect to the front frame between a deployed position in which the section (14) of the rail of the rear frame is arranged in the former section of the rail of the front frame and a folded position in which the rear frame forms an angle substantially equal to 90 degrees with the front frame. The rear frame is in contact with ground in the deployed position. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a bed transporting kit comprising a backplate having two parts fixed on a base (2) a bed comprising an armatures in which a supporting element of a mattress is mounted (3) a method for mounting a bed using a transporting kit.