Nursing bed

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing nursing beds lack adjustable foot sections that can be height-adjusted independently, leading to issues such as pressure ulcers, reduced effectiveness of therapeutic leg elevation, and discomfort due to gaps between mattress parts during position changes.

Innovation Solution

A nursing bed design featuring a separately supported, height-adjustable second frame for the foot section, which can be adjusted independently of the first frame, allowing for proportional support of the patient's feet and maintaining consistent distance and angle with the first frame, even during leg elevation and position changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the lower leg section is elevated for therapeutic or preventive leg elevation, then the effectiveness of leg elevation is improved, but the feet may rest on the foot-side edge of the second frame causing pressure ulcers and discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness of leg elevationVSAvoidpressure ulcers on lower leg
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The second frame is made height-adjustable relative to the base, allowing its vertical position to be dynamically changed to match the elevated position of the lower leg section. This dynamic adjustment ensures that the foot section continuously provides proportional support to the patient's feet regardless of the lower leg section's position, preventing pressure ulcers while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The height parameter of the second frame is changed to correspond to the position of the lower leg section. By adjusting the vertical position parameter of the second frame, the system maintains proper support geometry during leg elevation, ensuring the feet remain properly supported on the mattress part rather than resting on the frame edge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the second frame is rigidly attached to the base, then the structure is simplified, but the feet cannot be proportionally supported during leg elevation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe structureVSAvoidproportional support of feet
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bed frame is segmented into independently adjustable sections: the first frame with the lower leg section and the second frame with the foot section. This segmentation allows the second frame to be adjusted independently relative to the base, enabling proportional support of the feet during leg elevation without requiring complex integrated mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the second frame is height-adjustable separately from the first frame, then proportional support of feet is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproportional support of feetVSAvoidframe adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The height-adjustable mechanism of the second frame serves multiple functions: it provides proportional support to the feet during leg elevation, prevents pressure ulcers, and maintains consistent distance and angle relationships with the first frame. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple therapeutic benefits through a single adjustment capability.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3648723B1Nursing bed
Publication Date: 2021.08.18 KLEEBERG HANS JOACHIM
  • EP3648723B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3648723B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3648723B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a nursing bed (10) comprising a first frame (34) which supports a first mattress part (18a). The first frame (34) has a central section (40), a back section (44) and an upper leg section (46) and a lower leg section (47). The nursing bed (10) also comprises a second frame (35) having a foot section (57), wherein the second frame (35) supports a second mattress part (18b). The first frame (34) and the second frame (35) of the nursing bed (10) according to the invention are supported by a base (20) of the nursing bed (10). In a nursing bed according to the invention, the second frame (35) is supported separately from the first frame (34) on the base (20). The nursing bed (10) according to the invention is characterised, in particular, in that the second frame (35) being supported separately from the first frame (34) by the base (20) is height-adjustable relative to the base (20). When the vertical position of the second frame (35) relative to the base (20) and/or relative to the central section (40) can be adapted to the position of the lower leg section (47), the nursing bed (10) can be adjusted such that the heels of the patient are supported by the second mattress part (18b) on the foot section (57), and thereby supported by the second frame (35), when the lower leg section (47) is arranged in a position for elevating the legs of the patient. This leads to relief for the patient and to an improvement in leg elevation for therapeutic and preventative purposes.