Self-Actuating Cot With Hydraulic Leg Actuation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emergency cots for bariatric patients require manual assistance for loading, which can be cumbersome and inefficient, especially when navigating uneven terrain or compact spaces like ambulances, vans, aircraft, and helicopters.
Innovation Solution
A self-actuating cot with a hydraulic actuator system that includes a sliding guide member, allowing the legs to extend and retract, providing improved weight management, balance, and ease of loading at various heights, and featuring a centralized hydraulic circuit for synchronized actuation of front and back legs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hydraulic actuator is added to enable self-actuating operation, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies hydraulic actuators to automatically extend and retract the legs of the cot, replacing manual lifting operations. The hydraulic system includes a pump, reservoir, and control valves that work together to provide powered leg movement, thereby improving ease of operation while managing the added complexity through integrated system design.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic actuator system enables the cot to perform its own lifting and positioning operations without requiring external manual assistance. The system uses its own hydraulic power source to extend and retract the legs, making the device self-sufficient and eliminating the need for operators to manually support heavy loads during loading operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the cot is designed to be separable for roll-in capability, then adaptability is improved, but strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cot is divided into separable components including the patient support platform and the wheeled undercarriage with legs. This segmentation allows the support platform to be removed and rolled independently into tight spaces or onto ambulances, while the undercarriage remains stationary. The modular design provides adaptability for different loading scenarios while maintaining structural integrity through robust connection interfaces.
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 easier and safer loading of bariatric patients into rescue vehicles by reducing manual labor, improving balance and weight distribution, and facilitating smooth operation in various environments.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic actuator that can be in movable engagement with the pair of legs and the support frame. The hydraulic actuator can extend and retract the pair of legs with respect to the support frame
Implementation Method 2
hydraulic actuator can include a cylinder housing, a rod, and a sliding guide member. The cylinder housing can define a hydraulic cylinder aligned with a motive direction of the rod
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
According to the embodiments described herein, a leg actuation system for a patient transport cot comprises a telescoping hydraulic cylinder, a hydraulic pressure source and a carriage. The telescoping hydraulic cylinder comprises a piston and a cylinder housing. The hydraulic pressure source is in fluid communication with the cylinder housing and provides pressurized hydraulic fluid to the telescoping hydraulic cylinder. The carriage is coupled to the telescoping hydraulic cylinder, an amplification rail and a transmission assembly coupled to the amplification rail. The transmission assembly applies forces to the amplification rail to translate the amplification rail away from the carriage a distance that is generally proportional to an extension distance of the piston relative to the cylinder housing.