Hexagonal Cell Unit Actuator for Patient Bed Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing therapeutic air beds face limitations in supporting patients due to the number of segments controlled and the compressibility of air, leading to inadequate support and increased complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A patient bed design featuring hexagonal cell units with inner and outer cups, each supported by six adjacent units, and an actuator for reciprocal movement, allowing for enhanced stability and support while maintaining simplicity and affordability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the number of segments in therapeutic air beds is increased to improve patient support, then patient support capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mattress is divided into multiple independent cell units, each capable of individual movement. This segmentation allows targeted support adjustment without requiring complex multi-segment systems, resolving the contradiction by providing localized support capability while maintaining overall system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cell units are designed with actuators that enable dynamic reciprocal movement between inner and outer cups. This dynamic capability allows the mattress to adapt and respond to patient needs in real-time, improving support effectiveness without requiring a fixed complex multi-segment structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If air is used as the support medium in therapeutic beds, then the bed can provide adjustable support, but the compressibility of air limits the necessary support capability
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses pneumatic actuators within each cell unit to control the reciprocal movement between inner and outer cups. This pneumatic mechanism provides adjustable support through controlled air pressure while maintaining reliable support capability through the mechanical structure of the cup system that compensates for air compressibility.
3Stability of the object's composition
If hexagonal cell units are used with six adjacent supporting units, then patient support stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each cell unit consists of nested inner and outer cups, where the inner cup is positioned within the outer cup. This nested structure simplifies manufacturing by allowing standardized production of individual cell units that can be easily assembled in hexagonal patterns, reducing the complexity of creating the stable six-unit supporting structure.
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 design provides stable patient support across a broader range, enhancing comfort and reducing complexity and cost compared to traditional therapeutic air beds.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator may be pneumatic or electric.
Implementation Method 2
The lower base of the inner cup comprises an air outlet so that an air enclosed by the inner cup and the outer cup can escape when the outer cup is moved down or towards the inner cup.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a patient bed comprising a bed frame (1), a mattress arrangement (2) arranged on the bed frame (1), characterized in that the mattress arrangement (2) comprises a plurality of cell units (3). Each cell unit (3) comprises an inner cup (4) in a shape of a hexagon and an outer cup (5) also in a shape of a hexagon, wherein the outer cup (5) encloses the inner cup (4) and reciprocal movement of the outer cup (5) in relation to the inner cup (4) is provided. An actuator (6) is located in the outer cup (5) and interconnected between the lower base (41) of the inner cup (4) and the upper base (51) of the outer cup (5) so that the reciprocal movement of the outer cup (5) in relation to the inner cup (4) is provided.