Proximity-Based Speed Control for Patient Handling Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patient handling devices equipped with motors often lack immediate stopping capabilities, leading to gradual deceleration and potential disruptive acceleration forces for patients, as the deactivation of the device does not result in an immediate halt.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating proximity sensors and a controller that communicate with the motor and power assist control to adjust speed based on detected obstacles, ensuring precise positioning and reducing collision severity by automatically adjusting the motor's speed even if the user continues to activate the power assist control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the motor is deactivated gradually to prevent disruptive acceleration forces, then patient comfort is improved, but the stopping distance increases beyond the device length
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic speed control by transitioning from static on/off control to continuous speed adjustment. The motor controller dynamically modifies the motor's output speed based on real-time sensor feedback, enabling the system to adapt its deceleration profile to match the physical constraints of the device length while maintaining patient comfort through smooth, controlled deceleration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback control by using sensors to detect the device's position and motion state, then feeding this information back to the motor controller. This closed-loop system allows the controller to continuously adjust the motor's deceleration rate, ensuring the device stops within the available length while preventing disruptive acceleration forces through controlled, gradual deceleration.
2Reliability
If proximity sensors and automatic speed control are added, then collision avoidance and precise positioning are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by designing the motor controller to perform multiple tasks: it not only controls motor speed for basic movement but also processes sensor data for collision avoidance, implements precise positioning, and manages deceleration profiles. This consolidates what could be separate complex subsystems into a single multi-functional control unit, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service through automatic speed adjustment based on sensor input. When obstacles are detected or positioning requirements are identified, the motor controller automatically modifies the speed profile without requiring manual intervention. This autonomous response mechanism enhances collision avoidance and positioning accuracy while simplifying the user interface and reducing operational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A patient handling device, such as a bed, stretcher, cot, or the like, includes a motor for driving one or more wheels to assist in the movement of the device. At least one proximity sensor is positioned on the device in order to detect the presence of one or more objects that may lie in the path of the device when it moves. A controller on the device determines the distance between itself and the object and automatically controls the speed of the device in a manner designed to reduce the likelihood of a collision and/or to mitigate the impact of a collision. The automatic speed control of the device may follow one or more predetermined profiles that correlate certain parameters, such as a distance to the object or relative velocity, with a maximum acceptable speed of the device.