Stretcher Loading System with Adjustable Struts
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Solution Overview
Problem
In military and emergency ambulances, the tight space conditions and significant height differences between the vehicle and the ground pose challenges for the rapid and flexible loading and unloading of patients, especially when the loading height exceeds civil standards, requiring an adjustable system for accommodating patients in spatially restricted environments.
Innovation Solution
A stretcher loading system featuring a telescoping central unit with independently movable struts, actuated by linear actuators, allows for individual adjustment of the loading angle and height, enabling quick and flexible positioning of patients within the vehicle, and includes a guide track for longitudinal movement of the stretcher, facilitating safe and efficient patient transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the loading height is increased to accommodate patients in military vehicles, then the loading angle must be increased, but this makes the loading process more difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The loading system employs dynamically adjustable struts that can independently change their length and angle during the loading process. This allows the system to adapt to varying loading heights and angles, making the loading process easier despite increased height requirements by providing real-time adjustment capability rather than fixed geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes geometric parameters (strut length, strut angle, loading angle) dynamically during operation. The independently movable struts allow continuous adjustment of these parameters to optimize the loading process for different height requirements, transforming a static structure into an adaptable one that can accommodate varying conditions
2Device complexity
If fixed geometric linkage is used for positioning, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to varying loading heights and angles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fixed geometric linkages with dynamically adjustable struts that can independently change their configuration. This transformation from static to dynamic structure enables the system to adapt to varying loading heights and angles while maintaining operational simplicity through automated or manual adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning system is divided into independent movable struts rather than a single fixed linkage. This segmentation allows each strut to be adjusted independently, providing greater versatility in adapting to different loading conditions while keeping the overall structure modular and manageable
3Adaptability or versatility
If telescoping mechanism is added to adjust loading height, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping mechanism is integrated into the strut design, allowing each strut to dynamically adjust its length. This dynamic capability provides adaptability for varying loading heights while the modular nature of the telescoping design keeps the added complexity manageable and distributed across multiple independent components
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
The system enables rapid, flexible, and safe positioning of patients under spatially restricted conditions, accommodating varying heights and angles, thus improving the efficiency and safety of patient transport while adhering to loading height and angle standards.
Implementation Method 1
actuated by linear actuators
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a stretcher loading system (T) for the rapid loading of at least one patient stretcher in a confined transport environment, comprising the following features: - a telescopic central unit (Z) for receiving the patient stretcher (PT), - a positioning device (P) acting on the central unit (Z), which can effect a change in height as well as a change in the inclination (α) of the central unit (Z), - a positioning device (P) with at least two movable, freely crossing and unconnected struts (S1, S2) which are articulated to the central unit (Z), wherein the struts (S1, S2) are movable independently of each other.