Remote Bed Lifting Mechanism With Pantograph Wall Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bed lifting systems are often bulky, heavy, and cumbersome, making them difficult to use, especially in commercial settings where multiple beds need to be made quickly, and they require users to bend over, straining their posture.
Innovation Solution
A bed lifting system with a remotely located switch, such as a keypad or hand-held remote controller, that allows users to activate the bed lifting mechanism from a distance, combined with a pantographic linkage or straight lifting mechanism driven by an electric or hydraulic actuator, which lifts the bed to a waist height and laterally moves it away from walls, minimizing user bending and strain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a bed lifting mechanism is provided, then the bed can be lifted to waist height reducing user bending, but the mechanism becomes bulky and heavy making it cumbersome to use
Solution Approach 1:
The switch is extracted from the bed lifting mechanism and placed at a remote location (on the wall or as a hand-held remote controller). This separation allows the lifting mechanism to remain compact while providing easy remote operation, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device bulkiness
Solution Approach 2:
A remote switch acts as an intermediary between the user and the bed lifting mechanism. The user operates the switch from a distance, and the switch transmits the signal to activate the mechanism, enabling easy operation without requiring the user to physically interact with the bulky mechanism itself
2Productivity
If the switch is located remotely from the bed lifting mechanism, then the user can activate the mechanism from a distance for efficient bed making, but the control system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical control system is replaced with an electrical or electronic switching system. The remote switch uses electrical signals (via wires or electromagnetic radiation such as infra-red) to activate the bed lifting mechanism, enabling fast remote operation while keeping the control system relatively simple through modern electrical engineering solutions
3Ease of operation
If the bed is lifted laterally away from walls, then the user can access the bed more easily for making, but the actuator mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator mechanism is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The pantographic linkage allows the bed support to move laterally relative to the base as the bed is being lifted, automatically providing lateral clearance from walls. This dynamic movement is achieved through the geometric properties of the linkage itself, adding accessibility functionality without requiring a separate complex lateral movement mechanism
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
Enables efficient and ergonomic bed making by allowing users to operate the bed lifting system from a safe distance, reducing physical strain and improving posture preservation, particularly beneficial in commercial contexts like hotels where many beds need to be made quickly.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator can comprise a pantographic linkage extending between and pivotally coupled to each of the base and support for moving the support towards or away from the base, but also so as to enable lateral shifting of the support with respect to the base
Implementation Method 2
The pantographic linkage is actuated by a ram unit. The ram unit comprises an electric stepper motor and a ram rod
Implementation Method 3
The ram unit comprises an electric stepper motor and a ram rod
Data Source
AI summary
A bed lifting system for lifting a bed comprises a bed lifting mechanism and a switch remotely located from the bed lifting mechanism. The switch is adapted to enable selective and remote actuation of the bed lifting mechanism. The mechanism can be provided in kit form through the use of frame connectors which can also improve the interconnection and interoperability of frame members of the mechanism. The mechanism may also comprise adjustable lands to accommodate varying bed types.