Patient Support Apparatus Drive Profiles for Maneuverability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional patient support systems lack improved usability and adaptability to effectively navigate different environments and use case scenarios, particularly in healthcare settings, due to limitations in maneuverability and control over movement.
Innovation Solution
A patient support apparatus equipped with a drive system that includes a motorized auxiliary wheel assembly, a motor control circuit, and a control system with a graphical user interface, allowing for selection of drive profiles based on user input and location to optimize movement across various floor surfaces and environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If powered auxiliary wheels are added to help caregivers propel and position the patient support apparatus, then maneuverability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary wheel assembly includes a motorized drive system that automatically propels the patient support apparatus without requiring manual pushing. The caregiver simply needs to operate the graphical user interface to select drive profiles, and the system autonomously handles the propulsion and positioning functions, reducing the physical effort required while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system stores multiple drive profiles with different speed and acceleration parameters. The controller automatically adjusts motor parameters such as rotational speed, acceleration rate, and deceleration based on the selected drive profile and detected location, enabling optimized movement across various floor surfaces without manual intervention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple drive profiles are implemented to optimize movement across different environments, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system pre-configures multiple drive profiles with optimized speed, acceleration, and deceleration parameters for different environments (e.g., ramps, corners, smooth surfaces). These profiles are stored in memory and automatically selected based on location detection, eliminating the need for real-time manual parameter adjustment while adapting to various scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller detects the current location of the patient support apparatus and automatically selects the appropriate drive profile based on this feedback. The system continuously monitors location and adjusts motor operation accordingly, enabling adaptive response to different environments without requiring complex manual controls.
3Measurement precision
If automated drive system with motor control circuit is implemented, then precision control is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized auxiliary wheel assembly operates intermittently based on the selected drive profile and detected location, rather than continuously. The controller activates the motor only when propulsion is needed and deactivates it when the apparatus is stationary or moving manually, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining precise control during active operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A patient support apparatus for transporting a patient over a floor surface is described herein. The patient support apparatus includes a drive system with a drive member, a graphical user interface for receiving user commands from a user to operate the drive system, and a control system for operating the drive system. The control system includes a memory device configured to store a plurality of drive profiles, and a controller configured to receive a first user command to select a first drive profile, select the first drive profile from the plurality of stored drive profiles, generate an output signal based on the selected drive profile, and transmit the generated output signal to the motor control circuit to operate the motor to operate the drive member in a first drive mode based on the selected drive profile.