Patient Lift Drum Segmentation for Compact Profile
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient lift systems lack user-friendly integration of control units and suffer from increased profile and reduced maximum lift height as working loads increase, posing challenges in ease of use and patient care experience.
Innovation Solution
A patient lift system featuring a motor-driven drum with a load-bearing member and user interface that allows vertical and horizontal actuation, incorporating an electrically conductive member and force sensors for intuitive operation, and a carriage for rail guidance, ensuring ease of use and improved patient experience across various loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the working load capacity is increased, then the load-bearing capability is improved, but the profile size increases and maximum lift height is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The load-bearing member is divided into multiple segments or sections that can be independently managed. The drum is segmented to wind different portions of the load-bearing member at different radii, allowing the system to maintain high load capacity while keeping the overall profile compact through modular arrangement of drum sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The drum structure employs nested or concentric winding paths where the load-bearing member is wound at different radii. Inner layers are wound at smaller radii while outer layers accommodate larger loads, creating a nested configuration that maximizes load capacity within a compact radial envelope, thus maintaining a narrow profile while supporting high loads.
2Ease of operation
If the control unit is integrated into the system, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is merged with the housing structure, integrating control elements directly into the existing housing rather than adding separate control panels or boxes. This consolidation provides user-friendly control while minimizing additional complexity by reusing existing structural components and mounting arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, contains the drum mechanism, and integrates the control unit interface. By making the housing multi-functional, the system achieves ease of operation through centralized control while avoiding the complexity increase that would result from adding dedicated separate control structures.
3Measurement precision
If force sensors and electrically conductive members are added, then the measurement precision and control are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Force sensors and electrically conductive members are strategically positioned at specific critical locations within the load-bearing member and drum assembly rather than being distributed throughout the entire system. This localized placement provides precise force measurement where most needed while minimizing overall component count and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrically conductive members serve as intermediaries that both sense force through their mechanical properties and transmit control signals. This dual function allows the system to achieve precise measurement and control while reducing the need for separate sensing and control wiring, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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 provides a compact, user-friendly, and efficient means of patient movement with reduced operator effort, maintaining a narrow profile while supporting high loads and ensuring a comfortable patient experience.
Implementation Method 1
a motor and a drum. The drum is operably coupled to the motor. The drum can be selectively driven to rotate by the motor
Implementation Method 2
A force sensor can be provided that is configured to sense a magnitude of force applied in at least one of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction
Data Source
AI summary
A patient lift system includes a motor and a drum. The drum is operably coupled to the motor. The drum can be selectively driven to rotate by the motor. A housing surrounds at least the motor and the drum. A load-bearing member is provided that includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the load-bearing member can be operably coupled to at least one of the housing and the drum. The second end of the load-bearing member can be operably coupled to a patient support assembly. An electrically conductive member can be positioned within the load-bearing member. A user interface is configured to actuate the patient support assembly in vertical and horizontal directions.