Adjustable Mattress Support Legs With Differential Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mattress foundations lack adjustable support legs that can dynamically change the elevation of the mattress relative to the ground, limiting user comfort and accessibility, especially in healthcare settings where adjustable positions are necessary.
Innovation Solution
The integration of adjustable support legs with differential driven linear actuators and rotary actuator assemblies into the mattress foundation frame, allowing for manual or automatic adjustment of the foundation's height by extending or retracting the legs, enabling various positions from horizontal to inclined configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed height support legs are used for a mattress foundation, then the structure is simple and stable, but user comfort and accessibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The support legs are transformed from fixed to dynamically adjustable through the integration of linear actuators. Each support leg incorporates a linear actuator that can extend or retract to change the height of the mattress foundation, enabling dynamic adaptation to different user needs and positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The support leg assembly serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, enables height adjustment, and facilitates position changes (e.g., Trendelenburg position). The integrated actuator mechanism allows the same component to perform both support and adjustment functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independent actuators are used for each support leg, then height adjustment is flexible, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple linear actuators are driven by a single rotary actuator assembly through a differential mechanism. This merging approach allows one rotary actuator to control multiple support legs simultaneously, reducing the total number of independent actuators while maintaining flexible adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The differential mechanism serves as an intermediary between the rotary actuator and the linear actuators. It converts the rotational motion of a single actuator into coordinated linear motion of multiple actuators, enabling selective adjustment of adjacent support legs through one control input.
3Ease of operation
If manual adjustment mechanisms are used, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation and precision are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Manual mechanical adjustment mechanisms are replaced with motorized linear actuators controlled by a rotary actuator assembly. This substitution provides easier operation through motorized control while maintaining the mechanical advantage of the differential-driven mechanism for precise height adjustment.
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
This solution provides enhanced user comfort and accessibility by allowing adjustable height settings, facilitating easier ingress and egress, and accommodating different user positions, such as the Trendelenburg position, through simultaneous or selective leg adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
a differential driven linear actuator including an extendible portion configured to retract or extend relative to the outer tubular member so as to change an elevation of the foundation frame relative to ground upon actuation thereof
Data Source
AI summary
Height adjustable mattress assemblies generally include a foundation frame including side frame members and transverse frame members attached at respective ends by a corner bracket to define a generally rectangular shape. A deck is supported by the foundation frame and adjustable support legs are coupled to each one of the corner brackets. Each of the adjustable support legs includes an outer tubular member fastened to an interior facing portion of the corner bracket and a differential driven linear actuator including an extendible portion. The assemblies further include a single or dual actuator assembly mechanically engaged with the differential driven linear actuators in each one of the adjustable support legs to extend or retract the extendible portion so as to change an elevation of the foundation frame relative to ground upon actuation thereof. Also disclosed are processes for adjusting a height of a mattress assembly.