Movable Bed Control Module for Ergonomic Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional patient support apparatuses face challenges in providing ergonomic and accessible control modules, as they often become obscured or difficult to operate due to their positioning, especially when the bed is adjusted, compromising the healthcare provider's ability to control and monitor the bed functions effectively.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus with a housing and coupling device that allows for rotational and translational movement relative to the patient support apparatus, ensuring the user interface remains accessible and visible regardless of the bed's configuration, featuring a rotatable control module connected to the foot panel with a rotational joint connection for 360-degree rotation and automatic movement systems for easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the control module is attached to the foot end of the bed, then it remains accessible and visible to healthcare providers, but it becomes obscured or difficult to operate when the foot section is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The control module is made dynamically adjustable through a coupling device that allows movement between multiple positions. The module can be rotated and repositioned relative to the foot panel, transitioning from a fixed attachment to a dynamically adjustable configuration that adapts to different bed positions and user needs
Solution Approach 2:
The control module is positioned in a third dimension relative to the foot panel using a coupling device with rotational joints. Instead of being flatly attached to the foot panel surface, the module can be angled and positioned in multiple spatial dimensions, allowing it to remain visible and accessible even when the foot section is lowered
2Reliability
If the control module is positioned at the foot end of the bed, then it is closer to the door and allows limited proximal interactions, but it becomes ergonomically difficult to operate when the foot section is lowered near to the floor
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device enables the control module to be dynamically repositioned to ergonomic heights and angles. When the foot section is lowered, the module can be raised and angled upward through the coupling mechanism, maintaining ergonomic usability while preserving the infection control benefit of being attached to the foot end
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the foot panel and the control module. It mediates the conflicting requirements by providing mechanical advantage and movement freedom, allowing the module to be positioned at ergonomic heights while remaining attached to the foot end of the bed
3Stability of the object's composition
If the control module is fixed to the foot panel, then it travels with the bed, but it loses visibility and accessibility when the bed configuration changes
Solution Approach 1:
The control module is attached to the foot panel through a dynamic coupling device rather than a fixed connection. The coupling device includes rotational joints and movement mechanisms that allow the module to maintain its attachment to the bed while independently adjusting its position and orientation to remain accessible and visible regardless of bed configuration changes
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a control apparatus that can be ergonomically and movably connected to a patient support apparatus. The control apparatus comprises a control module which is operatively coupled to the patient support apparatus and can provide a means for controlling the plurality of patient support apparatus functions. The control module is adapted for connection to a housing and the housing is movably connected to the patient support apparatus by a coupling device. The coupling device enables the relative movement of the housing and as such the control module relative to the patient support apparatus. In this manner access to the control module, and therefore to the functionality of the patient support apparatus, can be provided independent of the configuration of the patient support apparatus.