Frame Guard Angled Ramps Caster Wheel Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bariatric patient support apparatuses face damage to caster wheels and support frames when encountering obstructions due to high inertia from heavy patient weight and apparatus weight, particularly when ascending steps.

Innovation Solution

The patient support apparatus incorporates a frame guard assembly with angled ramp surfaces that engage obstacles before the caster wheels, distributing impact and preventing damage by diverting the force, thus protecting the caster wheels and support frames.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If caster wheels and support frames are used in bariatric patient support apparatuses, then the apparatus can support heavy weight loads, but the caster wheels and support frames become damaged when contacted by obstructions on the floor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight capacityVSAvoiddamage resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The frame guard assembly is positioned in advance before the caster wheels to intercept and divert obstructions, preventing direct contact between the caster wheels and floor obstructions before damage can occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The frame guard assembly acts as an intermediary component between the caster wheels and floor obstructions, absorbing and redirecting impact forces away from the vulnerable caster wheels and support frames

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Weight of moving object

If high inertia is present due to heavy patient weight and apparatus weight, then the apparatus can support bariatric patients, but the risk of severe or catastrophic damage to casters when encountering ascending step obstructions is significantly increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight capacityVSAvoidimpact damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The frame guard assembly provides beforehand protection by being positioned to intercept obstructions before they can impact the caster wheels with full force, cushioning the blow and distributing the impact energy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The frame guard assembly converts the harmful impact force from floor obstructions into a beneficial protective mechanism, where the guard absorbs and redirects the force away from the vulnerable caster wheels, turning the potential damage into an opportunity for protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS11723826B2Patient support apparatus with frame guard

Publication Date: 2023.08.15 STRYKER CORP

AI summary

A patient support apparatus for traversing objects supported on ground surfaces. The patient support apparatus comprises a patient support deck, and a base to support the patient support deck from the ground surface. At pair of caster wheel assemblies spaced from each other are coupled to the base for pivoting movement about respective pivot axes cooperating to define a reference plane. A frame guard coupled to the base defines first and second ramp surfaces each disposed at an angle relative to the reference plane. The first ramp surface is arranged to engage objects before they contact one or more of the caster wheels when the patient support apparatus moves in a first direction. The second ramp surface is arranged to engage objects before they contact one or more of the caster wheels when the patient support apparatus moves in an opposite, second direction.