Therapeutic Table Ribbon Switches for Accessible Height Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing therapeutic tables lack an unobtrusive, accessible, and comfortable means for adjusting their position, as current systems often require manual operation with hand-held units or foot pedals, which may not be easily usable from any position around the table.
Innovation Solution
The integration of ribbon switches on the top and bottom surfaces of a therapeutic table's base, allowing pressure activation to control the position adjustment mechanism, enabling easy and comfortable up and down movement of the table.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If foot pedals or hand-activated panels are used for position adjustment, then the table can be adjusted to desired configurations, but the activation means becomes obtrusive and difficult to access from all positions
Solution Approach 1:
The activation means is segmented into multiple ribbon switches distributed around the base perimeter, allowing activation from any position. Each switch is independently positioned to be accessible from different sides of the table, eliminating the need for a centralized complex mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The activation switches are positioned in the vertical plane around the base perimeter rather than requiring horizontal access. This allows therapists to activate the table from any side without reaching across or positioning themselves in specific locations, adding spatial flexibility to the operation.
2Ease of operation
If traditional foot pedals are used for position adjustment, then height can be changed, but the mechanism requires significant force and is not comfortable to use
Solution Approach 1:
The activation mechanism changes the force parameter by using ribbon switches that require minimal pressure rather than the significant force needed for traditional foot pedals. This allows comfortable activation with light foot pressure or even hand pressure if needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical foot pedal system requiring significant force is replaced with an electrical ribbon switch system that responds to minimal pressure. This substitution eliminates the need for strong mechanical actuation while maintaining the height adjustment function.
3Reliability
If safety systems with switch mats are positioned on the floor, then patient safety is improved, but the activation means becomes less accessible and more obtrusive
Solution Approach 1:
The ribbon switches serve dual functions: they act as both safety detection elements and position adjustment activation means. By integrating these functions into a single component distributed around the base, the system maintains safety while improving accessibility compared to separate floor-mounted switch mats.
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
This solution provides a user-friendly and accessible method for adjusting the table's position, enhancing usability and safety by allowing pressure-activated movement without the need for traditional control mechanisms like foot pedals or hand-held devices.
Implementation Method 1
ribbon switches, whereby the activation of said particular position adjustment mechanism is achieved by applying pressure on said corresponding ribbon switches
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a therapeutic table with an improved position adjustment mechanism and to a method for adapting a therapeutic table to include an improved mechanism for position adjustment of a table. In an embodiment, the improved position adjustment mechanism is a ribbon switch on the top surface of a frame forming the base of the table and a ribbon switch on the bottom surface of a frame forming the base of the table, which ribbon switch when pressure is applied activates the movement of the table up and down, respectively.