Pivotable Bed Surface With Rollers to Prevent Mattress Binding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional healthcare beds with pivoting surfaces often experience mattress binding or pinching when articulating from a reclined to an inclined position, causing undesirable movement of mattress panels.
Innovation Solution
The healthcare bed features a bed surface with rollers mounted for rotation between side bars, allowing the back mattress panel to roll and slide upward during articulation, preventing binding and ensuring smooth movement between mattress panels and bed sections, while linear actuators and pivot assemblies facilitate controlled articulation and locking of bed sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional beds use fixed friction connections between mattress panels and bed sections, then mattress panels remain securely in place during normal use, but mattress binding or pinching occurs during articulation from reclined to inclined position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static friction connections to dynamic roller-based movement. The rollers mounted on the bed sections rotate during articulation, enabling the mattress panels to move smoothly from reclined to inclined positions without binding or pinching, thus resolving the contradiction between smooth movement and position stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the friction parameter by introducing rollers that reduce the coefficient of friction between the mattress and bed section. This parameter change allows the mattress panels to slide upward during articulation without binding, while still maintaining secure positioning when stationary, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
2Ease of operation
If rollers are mounted on bed sections to allow mattress panels to roll and slide upward during articulation, then mattress binding is prevented and smooth movement is achieved, but the structural complexity of the bed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by mounting rollers only on specific bed sections (back section and leg sections) where articulation occurs, rather than throughout the entire bed structure. This localized application reduces the overall structural complexity while still enabling smooth movement during articulation, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the bed structure into modular sections (back section, seat section, leg sections) with rollers mounted on articulating portions. This segmentation allows the rollers to be integrated into existing structural components, minimizing additional complexity while achieving smooth movement during articulation.
3Ease of operation
If different friction levels are used in different bed sections, then mattress panels are secured in place in some sections while allowing movement in others, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing different friction characteristics in different bed sections: rollers are mounted on articulating sections (back and leg sections) to allow movement, while non-articulating sections maintain traditional secure connections. This localized differentiation achieves proper mattress positioning without significantly increasing manufacturing complexity, as rollers are added only where functionally required.
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
This design prevents mattress binding and allows for smooth articulation of bed sections, ensuring the mattress panels move optimally and securely during position changes, enhancing user comfort and safety.
Implementation Method 1
rollers mounted for rotation between side bars of the bed frame, allowing the back mattress panel to roll and slide upward during articulation
Data Source
AI summary
A central bed having a single longitudinal bed frame and a bed section mounted to the frame for rotation about a substantially vertical axis between a home position aligned with the bed frame and an away position and with a lower leg bed section that is movable away from the central bed section to enable rotation of the central bed section.