High-Low Bed Leg Assembly With Four-Bar Force Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional high/low beds face challenges in achieving desired minimum and maximum elevations due to increased forces required to raise the bed from its lowered position, making it difficult to implement a cost-effective mechanical means for displacement.
Innovation Solution
A four-bar system comprising a main frame, leg members, links, and stabilizers, along with actuator rods and pivot points, is used to create a mechanical advantage that reduces the force required to raise and lower the bed, allowing for efficient elevation adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the legs are positioned at a greater angular disposition to achieve lower minimum elevation, then the minimum elevation is improved, but the force required to raise the bed increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the leg assembly movable and adjustable rather than fixed. The legs can be dynamically repositioned between a first angular disposition (for lowered position) and a second angular disposition (for raised position), allowing the system to adapt its mechanical characteristics based on operational requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the angular parameter of the leg assembly to optimize performance. By adjusting the angular disposition of the legs relative to the main frame, the system can achieve different mechanical advantages - a greater angle for minimum elevation and a smaller angle for easier raising, thus changing key geometric parameters to resolve the contradiction
2Force
If the legs are positioned at a smaller angular disposition to reduce raising force, then the force required to raise the bed is improved, but the minimum elevation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The leg assembly transitions from a static configuration to a dynamic one, capable of assuming different angular dispositions. This allows the system to optimize for force reduction during raising operations while maintaining the capability to achieve low minimum elevations when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The leg assembly is segmented into movable components that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows different parts of the raising/lowering cycle to use different angular dispositions, optimizing performance at each stage of the operation
3Device complexity
If a cost-effective mechanical means is used for displacing the legs, then device complexity is improved, but the ability to overcome high forces at greater angular dispositions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the angular parameter of the leg assembly to optimize performance. By adjusting the angular disposition of the legs relative to the main frame, the system can achieve different mechanical advantages - a greater angle for minimum elevation and a smaller angle for easier raising, thus changing key geometric parameters to resolve the contradiction
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 solution enables the bed to be raised with reduced force requirements, maintaining stability and allowing for smooth transitions between lowered and raised positions, addressing the inefficiencies of conventional high/low beds.
Implementation Method 1
A four-bar system comprising a main frame, leg members, links, and stabilizers, along with actuator rods and pivot points, is used to create a mechanical advantage that reduces the force required to raise and lower the bed
Data Source
AI summary
A bed comprises a main frame, a leg comprising at least one leg member and at least one link, and a stabilizer connecting the leg member to the main frame. At least portions of the main frame, the leg, the link, and the stabilizer form a four bar system for raising and lowering the bed.