Patient Table Scissor Mechanism with Integrated Actuators
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Prior patient table designs lack modularity and freedom in component layout, and fail to implement dual functions like tilting in a simple manner, limiting design variations and manufacturing flexibility.
Innovation Solution
Integrating electric motors within the scissor mechanism to enable both height adjustment and tilting of the table top, allowing for reduced component counts and increased modularity by positioning actuators within the scissor structure rather than the lower body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electric motors are placed between the lower body and the scissor structure, then height adjustment function is achieved, but component layout freedom and modularity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor is merged with the scissor structure by positioning it within the scissor mechanism itself rather than as a separate component between the lower body and scissor structure. This integration reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall layout while maintaining the height adjustment function.
Solution Approach 2:
The scissor structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides both the mechanical framework for height adjustment and the mounting structure for the electric motor. This multi-functionality increases adaptability and reduces component layout complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If electric motors are attached to the lower body, then stable mounting is achieved, but design variations and manufacturing flexibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The scissor arm is divided into two portions formed by articulation, allowing the electric motor to be positioned within one of the portions. This segmentation enables different configuration options and design variations while maintaining stable mounting within the scissor mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulation between the two scissor arm portions provides dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the motor position to be optimized for different design variations and manufacturing requirements while maintaining functional performance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the scissor structure uses a simple X-shaped design, then structural simplicity is achieved, but dual function (raising/lowering and tilting) cannot be implemented simply
Solution Approach 1:
The raising/lowering and tilting functions are merged into a single integrated scissor structure design. The articulation between scissor arm portions allows both functions to be achieved through the same mechanical structure, enabling dual functionality without significantly increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The scissor structure is designed to provide multiple functions: height adjustment through scissor arm movement and tilting through articulated portion movement. This multi-functionality is achieved within the basic X-shaped design framework.
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 1c
AI summary
The invention relates to a patient table, such as a hospital bed, an operating room table or another patient table comprising a lower body (10) and a scissor structure (X, A1, A2) joined to the lower body and supporting a table top (B), the scissor structure comprising a first and a second scissor arm (A1, A2) that are crossed and joined by a joint structure (XC) in a centre area of the scissor structure. The patient table comprises an electric actuator arrangement (3) arranged to produce height adjustment of the table top (B) by changing the angle between the joined scissor arms (A1, A2) of the scissor structure (X), one of the scissor arms (A2) of the patient table consisting of two parts formed by articulation. The electric actuator arrangement of the invention comprises two electric actuators (30, 300) attached between the scissor arms (A1, A2) and thus arranged to move with the scissor arms, the first electric actuator (30) between the scissor arms being configured to perform height adjustment and the second electric actuator (300) between the scissor arms being configured to perform, in addition to height adjustment, tilting of the second arm portion (A2a) comprised by the scissor portion (A2) divided into two parts by a joint to allow the table top to be tilted.