Transferable Patient Care Equipment Support with Telescopic Actuator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient care equipment supports, such as IV poles and racks, lack efficient mechanisms for transfer between different support structures like hospital beds and equipment columns, requiring manual effort and potentially needing motorized assistance due to load constraints.
Innovation Solution
A telescopic IV pole or rack system with a movable actuator that allows the lower portion to disengage from a socket on a hospital bed and telescope relative to the upper portion, enabling easy transfer between support structures by releasing locks and adjusting positions to facilitate movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the equipment support uses a fixed connection mechanism to the hospital bed socket, then the connection stability is improved, but the transferability between different support structures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The equipment support employs a dynamic connection mechanism with movable locks that can transition between locked and unlocked states. The first lock engages with the hospital bed socket to provide stable connection during use, while the second lock enables engagement with equipment support columns for transfer. This dynamic switching capability resolves the contradiction by allowing the connection to be stable when needed but transferable when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The equipment support is designed with universal adaptability to interface with multiple different support structures including hospital bed sockets and equipment support columns. By incorporating multiple locking mechanisms that can engage with different types of supports, the device achieves multi-functionality, allowing it to be reliably connected to various platforms rather than being dedicated to a single support type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the equipment support uses a telescopic mechanism with multiple lock positions, then the adaptability to different heights and positions is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The equipment support is divided into segmented sections with intermediate portions that can telescope relative to each other. Each segment is equipped with its own lock mechanism that can engage at predetermined positions. This segmentation allows for height and position adjustment without requiring a single complex continuous adjustment mechanism, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic mechanism incorporates dynamic lock elements that can be engaged or disengaged easily to transition between fixed positions. The locks move between engaged and disengaged states, allowing the intermediate portions to be adjusted to different heights and then securely fixed. This dynamic locking system provides multiple adjustable positions without requiring complex continuous control mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If the equipment support requires manual effort for transfer without motorized assistance, then the ease of operation is improved, but the weight and load constraints worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The equipment support uses dynamic lock mechanisms that can be easily engaged and disengaged with minimal effort. The locks are designed to release smoothly when transitioning between different support structures, reducing the force required for manual transfer. This makes the heavier equipment support easier to operate manually despite its weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock mechanisms are designed to automatically engage and disengage through the natural movement of the equipment support during transfer. The system leverages its own weight and movement to assist in the locking and unlocking processes, reducing the manual effort required despite the equipment's weight.
Data Source
AI summary
An equipment support, such as an IV pole, comprises an upper portion, a lower portion having a lower end configured to engage a socket, and an actuator movable relative to the lower end. When the upper portion is gripped by a releasable gripper, the lower end can be disengaged from the socket by moving the actuator from a first position to a second position. The lower portion can be telescoped relative to the upper portion by moving the actuator from the second position to a third position.