Patient Lifting Apparatus with Current-Based Imbalance Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing person lifting systems often employ only a single lift strap, which may not be sufficient for instances requiring multiple straps, and lack a mechanism to detect and address imbalances in load distribution during patient lifting and tilting.
Innovation Solution
A person lifting apparatus with two lifting strap feeding devices and a controller that compares the current draws of each device to detect imbalances, preventing operation if an imbalance condition is detected and controlling the operation to maintain balanced load distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple lifting strap feeding devices are used to accommodate various patient morphologies, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller monitors current draw from each lifting strap feeding device and uses this feedback to detect imbalance conditions. When an imbalance is detected, the controller prevents operation to ensure safety. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to different patient morphologies while maintaining safety despite the increased complexity of having multiple feeding devices.
2Reliability
If current draw comparison logic is added to detect imbalance conditions, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing motor current draw as a self-indicating parameter to detect imbalance conditions. Rather than adding separate sensors or measurement devices, the controller utilizes the electrical current already being consumed by each lifting strap feeding device to determine load balance. This self-service approach improves reliability through imbalance detection without significantly increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A person lifting apparatus includes a first lifting strap feeding device including a first drum and a first lifting strap wound on the first drum. A second lifting strap feeding device includes a second drum and a second lifting strap wound on the second drum. A controller is communicatively coupled to the first lifting strap feeding device and to the second lifting strap feeding device. The controller includes logic that controls operation of the first lifting strap feeding device and the second lifting strap feeding device based on a comparison of current draws of the first lifting strap feeding device and the second lifting strap feeding device.