Separable bed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional separable beds face the issue where the wheelchair portion can become grounded on the floor when the bed is lowered to its lowest position, potentially separating from the bed portion, posing safety concerns during transfer operations.
Innovation Solution
A separable bed design that includes a bed portion and a separation portion, where the bed portion has a lifter controlled by a controller to adjust its height, allowing the wheelchair portion to be safely separated by lowering the bed bottom to a second lower limit position only when instructed, preventing contact with the floor in non-separation scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the bed is lowered to the lowest limit position to reduce impact in case of fall, then the safety of the care receiver is improved, but the wheelchair portion may become grounded and separate from the bed portion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the first lower limit position adjustable based on operational context. The control unit dynamically selects between a first lower limit position (when separation is not intended) and a second lower limit position (when separation is intended), allowing the bed height to adapt to different operational requirements. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the bed to be lowered safely without unintended separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback through the control unit that monitors operational instructions and adjusts the lower limit position accordingly. When a separation instruction is received, the system feedbacks by selecting the second lower limit position; when no separation instruction is received, it feedbacks by selecting the first lower limit position. This feedback mechanism prevents unintended separation while maintaining safety.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the bed is lowered to the lowest limit position for safety, then the impact reduction is improved, but the wheelchair portion may contact the floor causing unintended separation
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the first lower limit position based on whether separation is intended. By making the lower limit position variable rather than fixed, the system can optimize for impact reduction when needed while maintaining structural stability when the bed should remain combined with the wheelchair portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit receives feedback about operational intent (separation instruction or no separation instruction) and adjusts the lower limit position accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that the bed height is optimized for both safety and stability based on the current operational context.
Data Source
AI summary
A separable bed includes a bed portion and a wheelchair portion that is combined with the bed portion to compose the separable bed. The wheelchair portion includes a second seat portion, and a second guide portion that supports the second seat portion, the bed portion includes a first bed bottom portion, a first guide portion that supports the second seat portion and the first bed bottom portion, a lifter that performs lifting operation of the first bed bottom portion, and a controller, and the controller lowers the first guide portion to a second lower limit position in a case where separation operation is performed.