Hospital Bed Width Adjustment With Single-Motor Cable Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hospital beds with adjustable width often require multiple manual manipulations or are excessively expensive due to multiple motors for automated adjustment, limiting their practicality and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A hospital bed design featuring a frame with extendable patient support panels connected by flexible transmission members, such as control cables, and a width adjustment actuator for automated lateral movement of side sections, allowing seamless adjustment without the need for multiple motors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If multiple motors are used for automated width adjustment, then automation level is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple motor functions into a single motor by using a transmission assembly with flexible transmission members (cables, belts, or chains) that connect multiple side sections. This allows one motor to drive the lateral movement of several side sections simultaneously, reducing the number of motors from multiple to one, thereby simplifying the device while maintaining automated width adjustment capability
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the single motor and the multiple side sections. The flexible transmission members transmit mechanical force from the motor to various side sections, enabling coordinated movement without requiring direct motor connection to each section, thus reducing complexity while preserving automation
2Extent of automation
If multiple motors are used for automated width adjustment, then automation level is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple motor functions into a single motor system using a transmission assembly with flexible transmission members. This consolidation reduces the bill of materials by eliminating redundant motors, thereby lowering manufacturing cost while maintaining automated width adjustment functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission assembly serves as a cost-effective intermediary that allows a single motor to control multiple side sections. This approach is more economical than installing individual motors on each section, as it reduces component count and assembly complexity while achieving the same automated function
3Device complexity
If manual manipulation is used for width adjustment, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides automated self-service width adjustment where a single motor automatically positions the side sections without requiring manual manipulation. The transmission assembly coordinates the movement of multiple sections simultaneously, making the operation as easy as activating a single control while maintaining simple overall device structure
Data Source
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AI summary
A hospital bed comprising: a frame; a plurality of extendable patient support panels mounted to the frame, each patient support panel including a central section and at least one side section selectively movable laterally towards and away from the central section; a movement transmission assembly including at least one transmission member connecting at least two of the movable side sections for laterally moving at least one of the movable side sections when another one of the movable side sections is moved.