Single-Shell Hand Control Housing for Watertight Bed Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric hand controls for hospital and care beds face challenges in achieving a watertight seal due to the complexity of joining two plastic shells, which can lead to assembly issues and difficulties in cleaning and disinfection.
Innovation Solution
A single-shell design with a cover foil that is mounted on a thread at the edge of the shell, avoiding the need for screwing and ensuring a secure, watertight seal, along with the use of two-component plastic for the keys and printed circuit support, and an oval cable hole for improved sealing and cable management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If two plastic shells are joined together to form the housing, then the structural strength and component support are improved, but the sealing reliability deteriorates due to the complexity of achieving a watertight join
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the two separate plastic shells into a single integrated housing structure. This eliminates the joining interface between shells that caused sealing problems, while the single shell maintains sufficient structural strength to support all components including the printed circuit board, switches, and cover foil assembly.
2Strength
If two plastic shells are joined together during assembly, then component support and structural integrity are improved, but the device complexity increases due to the joining process
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed as a single molded plastic shell rather than two separate shells requiring joining operations. This simplifies the assembly process by eliminating screwing, gluing, or ultrasonic welding steps, while the single shell provides adequate structural support for all internal components.
3Reliability
If a single-shell design is used, then the sealing is improved by eliminating joining interfaces, but the structural strength may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The single-shell design eliminates all joining interfaces between shell components, providing inherent waterproofing. The shell is designed with appropriate wall thickness and structural features to maintain sufficient mechanical strength for supporting the printed circuit board, switches, and withstanding cleaning processes.
4Stability of the object's composition
If screws are used to fasten components in the housing, then the component fixation is improved, but the cover foil attachment deteriorates due to fret holes and surface interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical screw fastening system with adhesive bonding for attaching the cover foil to the housing. This eliminates fret holes and surface interruptions that would compromise the waterproof seal, while the adhesive provides sufficient bonding strength for the cover foil attachment.
Data Source
AI summary
An electric hand control, especially for electrically adjustable hospital and care beds and comprising a housing (1) constructed as a single trough shaped shell with a bottom and side walls, and wherein a printed circuit (2) with switches is mounted and above the switches there is a plate with tongue like shaped keys, and finally there is a cover foil (6) with indication of the keys and secured to the upper edge of the sides of the shell. As the housing is a single shell for one thing manufacturing of two difficult parts is avoided, for another assembling of these are avoided in the assembling process, and finally an assembling with a risk of leak is avoided. By further equipping the printed circuit and the cable with a plug (12a) the assembly is made easier. In this connection it is expedient that the spout (10) is equipped with an oval through going hole, so that the plug at the end of the cable can be led through the spout.