Method and system for tilting an infant-care medical device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Infant-care medical devices in intensive care environments face challenges in maintaining sterile conditions and preventing infections, as infants often require tilted positions to prevent conditions like gastroesophageal reflux and cardiac issues, but existing systems lack smooth and controlled tilting mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a tilt platform mounted on a support structure with an actuator and damper that allows controlled pivoting about a tilt axis, enabling selective adjustment and locking of the platform's rotational position, while the damper dampens movements for smooth tilting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the tilt platform is made freely pivotable about the tilt axis, then the ease of operation is improved, but the stability of the object's composition deteriorates due to uncontrolled movement
Solution Approach 1:
A damper is introduced as an intermediary element between the tilt platform and the support structure. The damper mediates the pivoting motion by providing controlled resistance, allowing the platform to tilt smoothly while preventing uncontrolled movement. This resolves the contradiction by enabling ease of operation through controlled pivoting while maintaining stability through the dampening effect.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the tilt platform is locked in position, then the stability of the object's composition is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to inability to adjust
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions between dynamic and static states through the actuator-damper mechanism. The platform can be locked in stable positions when needed, and unlocked for adjustment when required. The damper provides controlled movement during unlocking, enabling easy adjustment while maintaining stability during locked positions. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction between stability and ease of operation.
3Productivity
If the tilting mechanism allows rapid movement, then the productivity is improved, but the object-generated harmful factors worsen due to lack of control and potential instability
Solution Approach 1:
The damper serves as a mediator that controls the speed and smoothness of tilting movement. It allows rapid enough movement for productivity while preventing uncontrolled motion through its dampening effect. The damper absorbs excess kinetic energy and provides controlled resistance, eliminating harmful uncontrolled movement while maintaining acceptable productivity.
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 system effectively tilts infant-care medical devices to desired angles, enhancing infection prevention and comfort by maintaining sterile conditions and alleviating conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux and cardiac issues in neonates.
Implementation Method 1
a damper disposed between the tilt platform and the support structure, wherein the damper is coupled to the tilt platform and is configured to dampen pivoting of the tilt platform as the tilt platform pivots about the tilt axis
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system tilts an infant-care medical device. In one example, the method and system pivots the infant-care device about the tilt axis by releasing a tilt platform of the infant-care medical device using an actuator to allow the tilt platform to pivot about the tilt axis. The method and system also selectively adjusts a rotational position of the tilt platform relative to a tilt axis. As the tilt platform pivots about the tilt axis, the system and method dampens pivoting of tilt platform using a damper. As so dampened, the pivoting of the tilt platform is counter-balanced such that vibration and/or movements that may be felt by an infant within the infant-care medical device may be reduced.