Tiltable Ceiling Lift Motor Unit Pivot Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ceiling lift systems face challenges in accommodating a wide range of patient sizes, with solutions for larger patients often compromising compactness and strength, and failing to effectively manage shear stress and side loading, which can lead to patient discomfort and premature wear of components.
Innovation Solution
A patient ceiling lift system with first and second motor units attached to independent pivotable support members, allowing them to pivot and adjust to the loading direction, reducing shear stress and side loading, and enabling a more compact and versatile design that can handle both large and small patients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two motor units with two spreader bars are used to handle very large patients, then the tilting function and lifting capacity are improved, but the device complexity and loss of compactness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The motor unit is made dynamically adjustable through a tilt mechanism that allows the spreader bar to pivot relative to the motor unit housing. This enables the system to adapt its configuration between vertical and tilted positions, providing tilting functionality for patient comfort without requiring two separate motor units. The dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by integrating multiple functions into a single adaptable component.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two motor units are allowed to move apart on support rails, then the accommodation of large patients is improved, but the loss of compactness and strength occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the spreading function from the lifting function. The single motor unit provides vertical lifting, while the tilt mechanism segments the spreading action into a rotational movement of the spreader bar. This segmentation allows the motor unit to remain compact and strong while still accommodating large patients through the coordinated action of lifting and tilting.
3Strength
If motor units are fixed in position, then the compactness and strength are maintained, but the ability to accommodate larger patients awkwardly
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed motor unit incorporates a dynamic tilt mechanism that allows the spreader bar to rotate within the housing. This dynamic element enables the system to accommodate large patients by tilting the spreader bar to create horizontal separation, while the motor unit itself remains fixed and maintains its structural strength and compactness.
4Device complexity
If the spreader bar is held fixed relative to the motor unit, then the structure is simpler, but shear stress and side loading increase causing patient discomfort and component wear
Solution Approach 1:
The spreader bar is decoupled from the motor unit housing through a tilt mechanism that allows rotational movement. This dynamic connection enables the spreader bar to pivot and follow the loading direction, eliminating side loading and shear stress on the patient. The mechanism absorbs lateral forces through controlled rotation rather than transmitting them to the patient or motor unit structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
A patient ceiling lift system including motor units that are attached to independent pivotable support members of a support frame assembly. The motor units are able to pivot on the support frame and relative to one another, which enables the motor units to follow the loading direction on tension support members connectable to a patient sling and eliminate motor unit side loading.