Medical Bed Component Coupling With Orientation-Locking Posts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connection systems for medical bed components, such as headboards and side rails, lack efficient and orientation-specific methods for secure attachment to medical beds, leading to potential misalignment and instability.
Innovation Solution
A connection system utilizing a pair of posts and receivers, where each component features support posts with recesses or sleeves and receivers with centrally positioned pins or brackets, allowing for secure and orientation-specific coupling to ensure proper alignment and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing connection systems are used for medical bed components, then installation can be performed, but misalignment and instability occur due to lack of orientation-specific attachment methods
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system employs asymmetric receiver designs where each receiver has a specific orientation with pins positioned at defined locations (e.g., central pins, offset pins). The corresponding posts have recesses that only match when oriented correctly, preventing misalignment and ensuring stable attachment only in the proper orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary alignment features including pins, recesses, and guide surfaces that mediate between the receiver and post. These intermediaries ensure precise orientation during installation by providing mechanical guidance that prevents incorrect positioning before final attachment occurs.
2Manufacturing precision
If existing connection systems are used for medical bed components, then components can be attached, but misalignment occurs due to lack of orientation-specific methods
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric receiver and post designs provide built-in alignment guidance through their geometric configurations. The pins and recesses are positioned to create a unique fit for each orientation, ensuring manufacturing precision is maintained during assembly without requiring additional alignment tools or complex adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is segmented into discrete functional elements: receivers with specific pin configurations, posts with corresponding recesses, and intermediate alignment features. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently with precise tolerances, ensuring overall alignment accuracy while maintaining modular simplicity.
3Reliability
If generic connection methods are used, then installation is simple, but component stability and proper orientation cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric design provides inherent stability through orientation-specific geometry. The pins and recesses create a mechanically locked configuration that prevents movement or rotation after attachment, ensuring component stability. The design remains simple to manufacture because it uses basic geometric shapes (cylinders, pins, recesses) that can be produced with standard machining processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A connection system may include a first receiver and second receiver extending through a first surface, wherein the first receiver comprises a first pin aligned with a first central axis of the first receiver. A second component having a second surface may be configured to abut the first surface, the second component comprising: a first support post extending outwardly from the second surface, wherein the first support post comprises a first distal end and a recess extending through the first distal end; and a second support post extending outwardly from the second surface, wherein the first support post is approximately parallel to the second support post, wherein the first receiver is configured to couple with the first support post when the first pin is at least partially inserted into the recess, and wherein the second receiver is configured to couple with the second support post.