Modular Bed With Integrated Waste Container

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bedridden patients face discomfort and require assistance from caregivers to manage their natural needs, leading to back pain for caregivers due to the need for manual handling and positioning of bedpans.

Innovation Solution

A bed design with independently adjustable base and mattress sections, featuring a container for waste collection and motorized positioning to facilitate comfortable elimination and washing without manual manipulation, allowing for ergonomic support and reduced effort during use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a bedpan is manually placed under a bedridden patient by a caregiver, then the patient can eliminate waste, but the caregiver experiences back pain and requires assistance from multiple people

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of patient careVSAvoidback pain for caregivers
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bed enables the patient to perform elimination functions independently through motorized positioning of the seat and backrest, eliminating the need for caregiver manual handling and positioning of bedpans, thus preventing back pain while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical system of caregiver lifting and positioning is replaced with an automated motorized system that controls seat elevation, backrest angle, and bedpan positioning, substituting human physical effort with mechanical automation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the bed structure is modified to allow independent positioning of base and mattress sections, then patient comfort and independence are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient positioning flexibilityVSAvoidbed structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bed is divided into modular sections including an adjustable base, separable mattress parts, and an independently positionable seat section with motorized controls, allowing flexible positioning while maintaining manageable structural complexity through standardized modules

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bed incorporates motorized mechanisms that dynamically adjust the position of the seat, backrest, and base sections, enabling adaptable positioning for patient comfort while automating the complexity of coordination through electronic control systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If a container is integrated into the bed structure for waste collection, then patient independence is enhanced, but the bed occupies more space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient independenceVSAvoidbed space occupation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The waste collection container is nested within the bed frame structure, specifically integrated into the base section, allowing the container to be housed within the existing bed footprint without significantly increasing the overall space occupation while enabling patient-independent waste management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP2191803B1Modular bed for immobilised or incontinent person
Publication Date: 2013.04.10 FRAISSE
  • EP2191803B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2191803B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2191803B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The device has a backplate divided into two backplate parts (1, 2), and a mattress divided into two mattress parts (3, 4) independent from each other. A bed base (5) is equipped with lateral crosshead guides (6, 7) permitting to create a space (8) between the independent parts of the backplate and the mattress. The bed base is equipped with transversal crosshead guides (9, 10) on which a container (11) for receiving waste is placed, where the container is made of synthetic material.