Tiltable Harness for Ceiling-Mounted Patient Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing person transfer devices are bulky, intimidating, and cause musculoskeletal problems for caregivers due to their weight and lack of flexibility, and they cannot adjust positions during transfer operations, making it difficult to correctly position individuals on various seats.
Innovation Solution
A person transfer device with a tiltable harness system using a prehension device with motorized rollers that allows for tilting between predefined positions, supported by large sling loops, providing stability and ease of operation, and a compact, lightweight design suitable for mobile use on ceiling rails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electrical mobile suspension devices are used to allow position alteration during transfer operations, then the harness position can be switched between lying and seated positions, but the device becomes large, bulky, and intimidating for the transported person
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into a compact prehension bar segment and a separate harness segment. The prehension bar contains only the essential motorized rollers and drive systems, while the harness with its loops is a separate component that can be attached or detached. This segmentation allows the main device structure to remain compact and non-intimidating while still providing full position adjustment functionality through the attachable harness system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the vertical dimension by suspending the prehension bar from a ceiling rail, eliminating the need for a large horizontal chassis structure. The motorized rollers are positioned vertically along the suspension path, allowing the harness to be tilted between lying and seated positions through vertical movement and rotation of the rollers, thus achieving position adjustment without increasing horizontal device volume.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electrical mobile suspension devices with rigid chassis are used, then position switching is enabled, but the device becomes heavy and causes musculoskeletal problems for caregivers during repeated operations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the heavy rigid mechanical chassis with a flexible textile harness system comprising loops made of strong fabric. The harness loops are attached to the compact prehension bar and can be easily manipulated by caregivers. The motorized rollers provide the necessary mechanical force for position switching, eliminating the need for a heavy rigid frame structure while maintaining full position adjustment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The harness is constructed from flexible textile loops instead of rigid metal or plastic components. These fabric loops are lightweight yet strong enough to support the transported person's weight. The flexibility of the textile material allows the harness to conform to the person's body and move smoothly during position transitions, significantly reducing the weight burden on caregivers compared to rigid chassis systems.
3Ease of operation
If traditional harnesses with multiple small loops are used, then seated and lying positions can be achieved, but the harness position cannot be altered during transfer operations and manual pushing is required for proper positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The harness loops are designed to be dynamic rather than fixed in length. The loops can be easily adjusted in length by sliding the fabric through the attachment points on the prehension bar, allowing the harness to adapt to different positions (seated, lying, intermediate) during transfer operations. This dynamic adjustment capability eliminates the need for manual pushing or lifting to achieve proper positioning, as the harness can be quickly reconfigured to match the desired position.
Solution Approach 2:
The motorized rollers in the prehension bar automatically adjust the harness position by rotating and tilting the attached loops. The system performs the positioning function itself without requiring external manual intervention for pushing or lifting the transported person. The automated roller mechanism provides precise control over harness orientation, enabling seamless transitions between positions while reducing caregiver physical effort.
4Adaptability or versatility
If electrical mobile suspension devices are used, then position adjustment is possible, but operating the device is difficult due to swaying during movement
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a large rigid chassis that moves the entire device structure during position adjustment, the invention inverts the approach by using a compact prehension bar that remains relatively stationary while the harness loops themselves are tilted and repositioned by the motorized rollers. This inversion of the movement mechanism eliminates the swaying problem, as only the lightweight harness and small bar segment move, not the entire device structure.
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 device allows for secure, comfortable, and efficient transfer of individuals between seated and lying positions without the need for manual adjustment, reducing caregiver strain and improving patient comfort and positioning accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
the friction of the drive systems against the surface of the sling loops results in the rotation of at least one portion of the harness
Data Source
AI summary
The person transfer device comprises:a means for suspension (105) from a ceiling rail, arm or lifting module;a prehension device (101) comprising a first lateral drive system comprising at least two rollers (102) of which at least one is motorised, and a second lateral drive system comprising at least two rollers (102) of which at least one is motorised; anda person transport harness (117) comprising a first large sling loop (120) supported by the first drive system, and a second large sling loop (120) supported by the second drive system;and wherein the friction of the drive systems against the surface of the sling loops results in the rotation of at least one portion of the harness,such that the person transfer device allows a person (121) installed in the harness to be tilted according to at least two predefined positions.