Ambulance Stretcher Support with Pivoting Arms
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stretcher support devices for medical vehicles are cumbersome and difficult to adapt to vehicle interiors with seats equipped with backrests and bases, often cluttering the cabin and hindering conversion between stretcher transport and passenger transport modes.
Innovation Solution
A compact stretcher support device featuring two rails connected by articulated crosspieces that pivot towards the wall, allowing the rails to be folded against the wall and adjusted in height, with locking mechanisms to secure the arms to the wall and seat bases, enabling seamless conversion between folded and deployed positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If permanently installed stretcher holders are used, then stretcher support reliability is improved, but device complexity and space occupation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stretcher support device is divided into modular components: two arms (23) that can independently pivot, multiple crosspieces (9) that can be added or removed, and detachable connections to the wall (2) and seats (3). This segmentation allows the device to be configured in different states (folded/deployed, with/without crosspieces) to balance reliability needs with space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a static permanently installed structure to a dynamic system with movable arms (23) that can pivot between folded and deployed positions, and crosspieces (9) that can be adjusted. This dynamics allows the same device to provide reliable stretcher support when needed while occupying minimal space during passenger transport.
2Area of stationary object
If foldable stretcher support device is used, then space occupation is reduced, but adaptability to vehicle interiors with seats decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed with universal adaptability to work with different vehicle interior configurations. The arms (23) can pivot to accommodate various seat positions, and crosspieces (9) of different lengths can be selected based on the specific vehicle and seat arrangement. The device serves dual functions: stretcher support and compatibility with seated passenger configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The device adapts to local conditions in the vehicle interior by allowing selective deployment. Crosspieces (9) can be positioned at different heights and angles to match specific seat bases and backrest positions. The arms (23) pivot to align with available space between seats, enabling the same device to adapt to different vehicle layouts and seat configurations.
3Ease of operation
If articulated crosspieces are used to connect rails, then ease of folding is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The crosspieces (9) are designed to nest together when folded, with multiple crosspieces stacking in a compact arrangement behind the seats (3). The articulated design allows them to collapse into a space-efficient configuration that fits within the vehicle interior without requiring additional storage space, making the increased complexity worthwhile for the ease of folding and compact storage.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The device (7) has two rails (8a, 8b) for receiving the feet of a stretcher, and two integral arms (23) fixed to a wall (2a) of a passenger compartment and articulated relative to the wall to allow pivoting of the arms towards the wall of the passenger compartment. The rails are connected to each other by two cross-pieces (9) formed of a short rod (10) and a long rod (11) articulated between themselves and on the rails, so as to form articulated compasses to allow the rails to be moved toward or away from each other. An independent claim is also included for a medical vehicle.