Noncollapsible Siderail Assembly for Rigid Stowable Bed Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional collapsible siderails in occupant supports like beds and stretchers can appear flimsy and cage-like, compromising rigidity and stowability, as they require clearances for relative motion at joints, which affects the convenience of stowing and the 'zero gap' transfer between beds.
Innovation Solution
A stowable siderail assembly featuring a noncollapsible siderail panel with an arcuate profile, guide rails, and a link mechanism that grips the guide rail extension while allowing translation, enabling the siderail to be moved under an elevatable frame for stowage without compromising rigidity or stowability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional collapsible siderails are used, then stowability is improved, but rigidity deteriorates and the structure appears flimsy and cage-like
Solution Approach 1:
The siderail assembly is divided into distinct segments: a noncollapsible siderail panel for rigidity, a guide rail for movement guidance, and a link mechanism for actuation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the panel maintains structural integrity while the guide rail and link enable stowage movement.
Solution Approach 2:
A guide rail extension with a gripping mechanism serves as an intermediary between the noncollapsible panel and the link mechanism. This intermediary allows the link to grip and translate the guide rail relative to itself, enabling controlled movement of the rigid panel without requiring the panel to be collapsible.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional collapsible siderails with joints are used, then stowability is improved, but device complexity increases due to required clearances for relative motion at joints
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the collapsible function from the siderail panel itself and relocates it to the link mechanism. The noncollapsible panel is separated from the collapsing function, which is now performed by the link translating along the guide rail. This eliminates the need for clearances within the panel structure while maintaining stowability.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rail acts as an intermediary that guides the movement of the link mechanism. By providing a defined translation path, the guide rail eliminates the need for complex joint clearances that would be required if the panel itself were collapsible, simplifying the overall device structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional collapsible siderails are used, then stowability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to inconvenience of stowing
Solution Approach 1:
The link mechanism provides dynamic control over the stowage process. The link can be actuated to translate along the guide rail, automatically positioning the siderail panel in the stowed position under the elevatable frame. This dynamic mechanism makes stowing more convenient compared to manual collapsing operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A bed comprises a frame and a siderail assembly. The siderail assembly includes a noncollapsible siderail panel having an upper edge and a lower edge, a guide rail affixed to the panel and having an extension which extends past the lower edge of the panel, and a link rotatably mounted on the frame. The link is configured to receive the extension so that the link grips the extension but also permits translation of the guide rail relative to the link.