Modular Care Device With Motorized Repositioning And Muscle Stretching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Patients suffering from paralysis or trauma and requiring long-term bed rest face challenges such as bedsores, muscle atrophy, and difficulty in repositioning due to the lack of adjustable and muscle-stretching functions in traditional nursing beds, which increases nursing workload and discomfort.

Innovation Solution

A multifunctional care device comprising three functional parts: a first part with a main body frame, a second part with movable plates and a supporting rod, and a third part with driving devices, allowing for adjustable positioning and muscle stretching through combined use of these parts, including motors, reels, and guide rails for positional adjustment and user transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional nursing bed is used for long-term bedridden patients, then the patient can be kept in bed, but the patient is prone to bed sores and muscle atrophy due to lack of position adjustment and muscle stretching functions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient care qualityVSAvoidposition adjustment function
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The nursing bed is divided into multiple functional modules: a lifting mechanism with suspension pads for position adjustment, a stretching mechanism with elastic components for muscle exercise, and a base frame structure. Each module can independently perform its function, allowing the system to address multiple care needs simultaneously while maintaining structural organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The nursing bed integrates multiple functions into a single device: it provides position adjustment through the lifting mechanism, muscle stretching through the elastic bands and handles, and support for bedridden patients. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate exercise equipment and positioning devices, directly resolving the adaptability limitation of traditional nursing beds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If manual turning is used for heavy patients, then the patient can be repositioned, but the medical staff consume much energy and the work becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient repositioningVSAvoidstaff energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The manual mechanical turning operation is replaced with an automated lifting mechanism that uses a motor-driven reel system. The suspension pads are lifted and repositioned automatically through the winding and unwinding of ropes on rotating reels, eliminating the need for staff to manually lift and turn heavy patients, thereby significantly reducing energy consumption.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The lifting mechanism enables the patient to be repositioned with minimal human intervention. The motorized system performs the heavy lifting and positioning work autonomously, allowing medical staff to simply operate the control mechanism rather than physically exerting themselves to move the patient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional nursing bed without stretching function is used, then the structure is simple, but the practicability is restricted and brings troubles to the user

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemuscle stretching functionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stretching function is merged with the existing nursing bed structure by integrating elastic bands into the frame and attaching handles to the suspension pads. This combination allows the bed to provide both support and therapeutic stretching without requiring entirely separate equipment, thus adding functionality while controlling complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The stretching mechanism uses elastic bands that can dynamically adjust to different patient needs and positions. The elastic components provide variable resistance and adaptability, allowing the same structural element to serve multiple stretching purposes for different muscle groups without requiring complex mechanical adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 device provides adjustable positioning, muscle stretching, and reduces nursing pressure by enabling flexible use as a bed or wheelchair, enhancing user comfort and practicality with reduced effort for caregivers.

Implementation Method 1

each of which comprises a motor, a rotating shaft connected to the motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

reels arranged on two ends of the rotating shaft, pulling ropes wound on the reels

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical advantage through reel and rope system: Wheel and Axle

Implementation Method 3

the guide rails that extend horizontally are arranged on the inner side of the connecting frame

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction reduction through guide rail: Lubrication

Implementation Method 4

the middle of the supporting rod can be bent into a first mounting section and a second mounting section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic potential energy storage: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4245279B1Multifunctional care device
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 YE KONG MENG
  • EP4245279B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4245279B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4245279B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The multifunctional care device comprises a first functional part, a second functional part and a third functional part. The first functional part and the second functional part may be combined into a combined part for use according to use requirements. The combined part may be used in cooperation with the third functional part. The second functional part comprises a second main body frame and a supporting rod, wherein the second main body frame comprises three movable plates which are connected in sequence, and every two adjacent movable plates are rotatable. The third functional part comprises a front frame, a rear frame, a connecting frame, an upper frame and driving devices. The upper frame is arranged above the front frame and the rear frame. Guide rails that extend horizontally are arranged on the inner side of the connecting frame. The first functional part of the present invention can be combined with the second functional part to form an assembly with a wheelchair function, and, according to the needs of use, the assembly can be used in conjunction with the third functional part to perform active stretching and positioning for the user. Transfer, flexible overall structure, effectively reduce nursing pressure, strong practicability, and strong promotional significance.