Person Lifting Device Accessory Selection via Imaging Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional person lifting devices lack a reliable method to ensure the correct lift accessories are used based on the height or weight of the person being lifted, which can lead to inefficiencies and potential safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A person lifting device equipped with a lift actuator, an imaging sensor, and an electronic control unit that collects images of the person to determine their height or weight characteristics, automatically identifies the appropriate lift accessory, and communicates this information to the user, ensuring the correct accessory is attached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual selection of lift accessories is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of correct accessory selection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines the appropriate lift accessory by capturing images of the person, analyzing their characteristics, and selecting the suitable accessory without requiring manual input from caregivers. This self-service approach ensures reliable accessory selection while reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical selection with an automated electronic system that uses imaging sensors and image processing algorithms to identify and select the appropriate lift accessory based on the person's physical characteristics.
2Productivity
If automated image-based determination is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automated image capture and analysis to determine lift accessory requirements without requiring manual measurement or input, significantly improving workflow efficiency and productivity while the automated nature handles the complexity internally.
Solution Approach 2:
The system captures and analyzes images of the person before the lifting operation to pre-determine the appropriate accessory, allowing caregivers to proceed directly with the selected accessory without delays during the lifting process.
3Reliability
If no automated verification system is used, then ease of operation is maintained, but safety deteriorates due to potential misuse
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides automated feedback by determining and communicating the appropriate lift accessory selection to the caregiver, creating a verification mechanism that ensures safety while maintaining operational simplicity through clear guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system acts as an intermediary between the person's characteristics and the accessory selection, providing a safety verification layer that mediates the choice of equipment without requiring complex manual assessment procedures.
Data Source
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AI summary
A person lifting device may comprise a lift actuator operatively connected to an accessory coupling. The person lifting device may also comprise at least one imaging sensor. An electronic control unit may be communicatively coupled to the lift actuator and the at least on imaging sensor, the electronic control unit comprising a processor and a non-transitory memory storing a computer readable and executable instruction set. When executed by the processor, the instruction set collects, with the at least one imaging sensor, at least one image of a person to be lifted with the person lifting device; determines a characteristic of the person to be lifted with the person lifting device based on the at least one image; determines an identification of a lift accessory for attachment to the accessory coupling based on the determined characteristic; and, in some embodiments, communicates the identification of the lift accessory.