Telescopic Lifter Cable Routing Guide and Holder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing height-adjustable hospital beds with telescopic lifters face issues with cable damage and uncontrolled cable loops due to the routing of electric cables between the bed's undercarriage and patient surface during height adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A telescopic lifter design with a guide at the upper end of the first extensible part and a holder at the lower end of the second extensible part allows an electric cable to be routed internally, preventing damage and loop accumulation by securely guiding the cable through the lifter's extension and retraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If cables are routed loosely between undercarriage and patient surface, then installation is simple, but cables get damaged during bed adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is nested within the telescopic lifter structure, passing through the concentric extensible parts. The guide at the upper end of the first extensible part and holder at the lower end of the second extensible part create a protected pathway that moves with the lifter, preventing cable damage while maintaining routing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The guide and holder act as intermediary elements that mediate between the moving cable and the telescopic structure. The guide directs the cable through the first extensible part while the holder secures it in the second extensible part, preventing direct contact with moving components that could cause damage
2Reliability
If cable is routed through telescopic lifters, then cable protection is improved, but uncontrolled loop accumulation occurs during retraction
Solution Approach 1:
The guide is positioned at the upper end of the first extensible part to preliminarily direct the cable before it enters the telescopic structure. This preliminary guidance ensures the cable is properly positioned and tensioned, preventing loop formation during subsequent retraction movements
Solution Approach 2:
The holder at the lower end of the second extensible part changes the cable's physical state from free-moving to firmly fixed. This parameter change in the cable's restraint level prevents uncontrolled loop accumulation while maintaining protection throughout the telescopic movement
3Reliability
If guide and holder are installed in extensible parts, then cable routing control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide and holder are integrated into the existing telescopic lifter structure, serving multiple functions: they guide the cable, protect it from damage, prevent loop accumulation, and move with the telescopic parts. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, minimizing the increase in device complexity
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
Enables the safe routing of multi-conductor cables within the lifter, preventing cable damage during extension and retraction, and avoiding uncontrolled loop formation, thus ensuring reliable operation of electric elements on the bed.
Implementation Method 1
the guide may consist in a pulley or sliding guide
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
A telescopic lifter, mainly for height adjustment of a hospital bed, equipped with a drive (4) and comprising a fixed part (3) in which a first extensible part (1) is concentrically arranged. In the first extensible part (1) at least one second extensible part (2) is concentrically arranged. Inside the first extensible part (1) in the area of its upper end (6) a guide (7) is installed. Inside the second extensible part (2) in the area of its lower end (8) a holder (9) is installed. An electric cable (5) is introduced into the fixed part (3) and the electric cable (5) is attached to the fixed part (3) and freely passes into the inner space of the first extensible part (1). The electric cable (5) is directed through the first extensible part (1) upwards to the guide (7) and over the guide (7) the electric cable (5) is directed downwards to the holder (9) to which the electric cable (5) is firmly fixed and along the inner wall of the second extensible part (2) the electric cable (5) is directed out of the second extensible part (2).