Footswitch assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing footswitch assemblies for adjustable beds do not adequately prevent inadvertent operation, leading to potential injuries and fatalities, particularly when patients in a confused state inadvertently activate the bed controls.
Innovation Solution
A footswitch assembly with a guard member that prevents inadvertent actuation by obstructing access until intentionally moved to a non-guarding position, coupled with a validation element that only validates actuations within a predetermined time frame after the guard is raised, ensuring safe operation and preventing continued actuation in case of jamming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the footswitch is made easily accessible for operation, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of inadvertent actuation increases
Solution Approach 1:
A guard member is introduced as an intermediary between the user's foot and the footswitch operative element. The guard member must be moved out of the way before the footswitch can be actuated, providing intentional activation while preventing accidental operation from falls or confused movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The guard member must be moved to a non-guarding position as a preliminary action before the footswitch can be operated. This preliminary action ensures that only intentional operations are performed, as the user must consciously move the guard before the footswitch becomes accessible.
2Reliability
If validation is required for footswitch actuation, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The validation mechanism uses a temporal window approach where validation is only active for a predetermined period after the guard member is moved. This dynamic validation period balances safety requirements with operational simplicity, allowing intentional operations while preventing inadvertent actuation outside the validation window.
Solution Approach 2:
The validation element provides periodic validation opportunities at predetermined intervals after guard movement. This creates a time-limited window for valid operation, ensuring that only intentional acts within the validation period are recognized, while simplifying the overall system by using time-based control rather than continuous complex monitoring.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
A footswitch assembly (10) for controlling an adjustable bed includes a footswitch (14a, 14b) for controlling an adjustable bed. The footswitch (14a, 14b) has an operative surface (15a, 15b) and is configured to be actuated in response to pressure of a foot or part of a foot upon the operative surface (15a, 15b). A guard member (16) is provided which is movable between a guarding position and a non- guarding position. In the guarding position, the guard member (16) is configured to overlie the operative surface (15a, 15b) of the footswitch to inhibit actuation of the footswitch (14a, 14b). In the non-guarding position, the guard member (16) is configured to be separated from the operative surface (15a, 15b) to allow actuation of the footswitch (14a, 14b). A validation element (24) is configured in response to movement of the guard member into the non-guarding position to validate actuation of the footswitch.