Powered Roll-In Cot Loading Geometry for Bariatric Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency cots for bariatric patients require manual support during loading into ambulances, lacking efficient weight management and balance, especially when transitioning between different vehicle types and uneven terrain.
Innovation Solution
A multipurpose roll-in emergency cot with a support frame, actuated front and back legs, and a cot actuation system that allows for adjustable height and balanced loading, featuring sliding and pivotable legs with sensors and actuators for automatic load management and balanced movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual actuation is used for emergency cots, then device complexity is reduced, but weight management and balance during loading become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cot system performs self-service through automatic balance adjustment and powered actuation. Sensors detect the center of gravity position and automatically adjust the leg positions to balance the load, eliminating the need for manual operator intervention during loading operations. The powered actuation system automatically moves the cot between positions without requiring manual effort.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical actuation is replaced with an automated powered actuation system. Electric motors or hydraulic actuators replace manual cranks and levers, providing powered movement of the cot and automatic adjustment of leg positions based on sensor feedback, thereby improving ease of operation while managing complexity through automation.
2Ease of operation
If powered actuators are added for automatic lifting, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation system is segmented into multiple independent powered actuators, each responsible for specific functions such as lifting the patient support surface, adjusting leg positions, and moving the cot. This segmentation allows each actuator to be optimized for its specific task and enables independent control of different functions, improving ease of operation while managing overall system complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The powered actuators provide dynamic adjustment capabilities, allowing the cot to adapt its configuration in real-time based on loading conditions and terrain. The system can dynamically adjust leg positions, lifting height, and movement speed to optimize performance for each specific situation, improving ease of operation while using sensors and control systems to manage complexity through adaptive automation.
3Strength
If the cot is designed for bariatric patients with high load capacity, then strength increases, but weight management during transport becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cot system uses counterbalancing mechanisms where adjustable legs and powered actuators create counterbalancing forces to offset the weight of heavy bariatric patients. The system can dynamically adjust leg positions and apply counterbalancing forces to maintain equilibrium during loading and transport, enabling high load capacity while managing the effective weight burden during movement through active balance control.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the cot structure is made rigid for stability, then stability improves, but adaptability to uneven terrain and different vehicles decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cot employs a dynamic structure where rigid patient support surfaces are combined with adjustable, movable legs and articulating joints. The powered actuators enable the structure to dynamically adjust its configuration, raising or lowering legs to compensate for uneven terrain, and adjusting the overall height and angle to adapt to different vehicle loading zones. This maintains structural stability during patient transport while providing adaptability during loading operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cot system changes its geometric parameters dynamically through powered actuation of adjustable legs and articulating joints. The system can alter leg lengths, joint angles, and overall height to adapt to different terrain conditions and vehicle requirements, while maintaining rigid patient support surfaces to ensure stability during transport. This parameter adjustment capability resolves the contradiction between structural stability and terrain adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a roll-in cot may include a support frame, a pair of back legs, a pair of front legs, and a cot actuation system. The pair of back legs and the pair of front legs can be slidingly coupled to the support frame. Each of the pair of front legs can include a front wheel and an intermediate load wheel. The intermediate load wheel is offset from the front wheel by a load wheel distance. A front actuator can raise the pair of front legs such that the front wheel and the intermediate load wheel of each of the pair of front legs are aligned along a loading level. The intermediate load wheel of each of the pair of front legs can be offset from the pair of back legs by a loading span. The load wheel distance can be greater than the loading span.