Low-profile electric bed

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electric beds have a large packing volume due to the extended support arms of their actuators, leading to higher transportation and storage costs.

Innovation Solution

A low-profile electric bed design featuring a swivel rack and moving arms with pivot connections, allowing the upper frame to swing upward without increasing actuator size, reducing overall thickness to minimize packing volume.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If conventional electric beds use extended support arms to achieve sufficient torque for driving frames, then the driving capability is improved, but the packing volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovetorqueVSAvoidpacking volume

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The support arms are nested within the base frame structure during storage, with the first support arm rotatably connected to the base frame and the second support arm rotatably connected to the first support arm. This nesting arrangement allows the support arms to be stored compactly within the base frame's thickness, significantly reducing packing volume while maintaining sufficient torque capability when deployed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The support arms are designed to be rotatable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically adjust their position. The first support arm rotates relative to the base frame, and the second support arm rotates relative to the first support arm, enabling compact storage configuration and functional deployment configuration to resolve the contradiction between torque requirement and packing volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If the base frame thickness is increased to accommodate support arms, then the structural support is improved, but the overall bed thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidbed thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The support arms are nested within the base frame structure during storage, with the first support arm rotatably connected to the base frame and the second support arm rotatably connected to the first support arm. This nesting arrangement allows the support arms to be stored compactly within the base frame's thickness, significantly reducing packing volume while maintaining sufficient torque capability when deployed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The support arms are designed to be rotatable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically adjust their position. The first support arm rotates relative to the base frame, and the second support arm rotates relative to the first support arm, enabling compact storage configuration and functional deployment configuration to resolve the contradiction between torque requirement and packing volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Length of moving object

If conventional electric beds use downwardly extending support arms, then the force arm length is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce arm lengthVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support arms are integrated into the base frame structure through rotatable connections, merging the support function with the frame structure. The first support arm is rotatably connected to the base frame, and the second support arm is rotatably connected to the first support arm, creating a compact, multi-functional structure that provides sufficient force arm length without adding excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design achieves a thickness of 7-8 cm, significantly reducing packing volume without compromising functionality.

Implementation Method 1

The actuator has two ends pivotally and respectively connected with the stationary frame and the swivel rack in a way that when the actuator gradually extends at a first stage, the two push wheels are in contact with the two slide connecting portions respectively, causing the swivel rack to swing about the first pivot and to drive the upper frame to upward swing relative to the stationary frame

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 2

The upper frame has a side pivotally connected with the stationary frame and two slide connecting portions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHinge: Hinge

Implementation Method 3

Each of the two support arms is pivotally connected with the stationary frame via a first pivot, pivotally connected with one of the two moving arms via a second pivot, and pivotally connected with a push wheel via a third pivot

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPulley: Pulley

Data Source

PatentUS20250280964A1Low-profile electric bed

Publication Date: 2025.09.11 SHIH CHUAN HANG

AI summary

A low-profile electric bed includes a stationary frame, an upper frame pivotally connected with the stationary frame and provided with two slide connecting portions, a push frame having a swivel rack pivotally connected with the stationary frame and two moving arms pivotally connected with swivel rack, and an actuator having two ends pivotally connected with the stationary frame and the upper frame, respectively. The actuator is arranged in a way that when the actuator extends, the upper frame is driven to upward swing relative to the stationary frame. As a result, the low-profile electric bed may have a reduced thickness to minimize packing volume thereof while maintaining a normal function.