Lift Chain Assembly in Telescoping Bed Columns for Compact Height Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing height adjustment systems for patient beds in healthcare and home care settings face challenges in being quiet, dependable, safe, damage-resistant, and cost-effective, while also needing to be compact enough to accommodate various bed models and under-bed components, with a requirement for both low and high elevation adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A lift chain assembly with a telescopable column system, comprising a magazine, lift chain with specific link configurations, and a gear train driven by a motor, which allows for compactness and flexibility in height adjustment, resisting bending and flexure in specific directions, and enabling the use of an off-the-shelf motor for cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the lift system is made compact to allow low elevations and provide space for other components, then the bed can be positioned at very low elevations and space is available for other under-bed components, but the lift system must still have enough reach to position the bed at high elevations
Solution Approach 1:
The lift chain assembly is nested within a housing that is positioned within the telescoping column structure. The magazine containing the lift chain is housed within the column, allowing the lift system to maintain a compact footprint while achieving extended reach through the telescoping mechanism. The chain wraps around a drum that is nested within the column structure, enabling compact storage when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescoping column structure allows the lift system to dynamically adjust its effective length. When the bed needs to be elevated to high positions, the column extends to provide the necessary reach. When low elevations are required, the column retracts to maintain compactness. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between compactness and reach capability.
2Reliability
If the lift system uses a complex mechanism to achieve quiet and dependable operation, then the system is quiet and dependable, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lift chain design includes self-aligning features where the chain links and rollers automatically position themselves during operation. The chain has built-in tensioning mechanisms that maintain proper tension without additional components. The telescoping column structure provides self-latching features that secure the mechanism in position without requiring complex locking systems, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple, easily manufactured components such as standard chain links, basic rollers, and conventional telescoping mechanisms. These components are designed to be inexpensive to produce and replace if needed, rather than using complex, expensive mechanisms. The simplicity of the chain and drum design allows for cost-effective manufacturing while achieving dependable operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the lift system is designed to be adaptable to different bed models, then it can be adapted to different bed models with simple modifications, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lift chain assembly and telescoping column structure are designed as universal components that can be applied to multiple bed models. The magazine and drum mechanism can accommodate different chain lengths and configurations to suit various bed sizes and elevation requirements. The telescoping column structure provides a standardized interface that can be integrated into different bed frame designs, allowing a single lift system design to serve multiple applications with minimal customization.
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 system provides a reliable, quiet, and cost-effective height adjustment mechanism that is adaptable to different bed models, allowing for both low and high elevation adjustments while minimizing space requirements and maintaining structural integrity, thus enhancing the clinical and economic attractiveness of the bed.
Implementation Method 1
a gear train extending from a gear train drive shaft to a gear train output shaft
Implementation Method 2
The lift chain is made of left, right and medial link arrays comprised of left, right and medial links
Implementation Method 3
a motor having an output shaft connected to the gear train drive shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A bed 14 has a base frame 32, an elevateable frame 34 and a telescopable column 36 having a base segment 36a connected to the base frame 32 and a terminal segment 36e connected to the elevateable frame 34. Each column circumscribes a lift chain assembly 100 which includes a magazine 102 and a lift chain 160 with a terminal link 240. The magazine 102 is connected to either the base frame 32 or the elevateable frame 34 and the terminal link 240 is connected to the other of the base frame 32 and the elevateable frame 34. The magazine 102 comprises left and right magazine covers 104, 106 each having an outer face and an inner face 112, 114 with grooves 120. The lift chain 160 has left and right rollers 238 that project into the grooves. The lift chain assembly 100 also includes a gear train 320 extending from a gear train drive shaft 334 to a gear train output shaft 338 and a motor 278 having an output shaft 314 connected to the gear train drive shaft 334.