Multi-Zone Gas Supply Control for Therapeutic Support Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas supply systems for person-support surfaces and pneumatic devices lack advanced features for efficient gas flow management and pressure control, which are essential for providing effective therapies and support.
Innovation Solution
A gas supply system that includes a person-support surface with gas bladders, a pneumatic device, and a gas supply assembly capable of varying gas flow rates and pressures to maintain specific pressures in different zones, and communicating gas to both the person-support surface and pneumatic device, with a controller managing the flow and pressure to provide alternating pressure, percussion/vibration, and lateral rotation therapies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a gas supply system supplies gas to both person-support surface and pneumatic devices, then the system provides integrated support and therapy functions, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas supply system is designed to serve multiple functions through a single integrated system. The gas supply assembly can simultaneously provide gas to the person-support surface for positioning and support, and to pneumatic devices for therapy applications. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate gas supply systems, reducing overall system complexity while providing integrated support and therapy functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the gas supply varies gas flow rates and pressures for different zones, then the therapy effectiveness is enhanced, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas supply system implements local quality by providing different gas flow rates and pressures to different zones and chambers. The controller can independently regulate gas delivery to each zone of the person-support surface and each chamber of pneumatic devices, allowing customized support and therapy for specific body regions. This localized control enhances therapy effectiveness while the modular control architecture manages system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic control of gas flow rates and pressures through the controller, which can adjust parameters in real-time based on therapy requirements. The gas supply assembly varies gas delivery dynamically to different zones and chambers, enabling adaptable support and therapy that responds to changing patient needs, thereby enhancing therapy effectiveness without requiring overly complex static systems.
3Manufacturing precision
If the gas supply maintains specific pressures in different chambers, then the therapy precision is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas supply system incorporates feedback mechanisms through pressure sensors that continuously monitor gas pressure in each chamber. The controller receives pressure feedback and adjusts gas delivery to maintain specific target pressures for different chambers. This feedback control ensures precise therapy pressures are maintained while optimizing energy consumption by delivering gas only when and where needed to maintain pressure, rather than continuous high-energy delivery.
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 maintains varying pressures in different zones of the person-support surface and pneumatic device, enabling advanced therapies such as alternating pressure and percussion/vibration, while ensuring efficient gas distribution and support, enhancing therapeutic outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
a gas supply configured to communicate a gas to a first chamber of a garment at a first gas flow rate for a first period of time to maintain the garment at a first pressure
Implementation Method 2
sense a gas pressure in a second chamber of a person-support surface
Data Source
AI summary
A gas supply system comprises a person-support surface, a garment, and a gas supply. The person-support surface includes a chamber configured to contain a gas therein. The garment includes a chamber configured to contain a gas therein. The gas supply is configured to supply a gas to both the garment and the person-support surface.