Wall Bed Balancing Mechanism With Gas Spring Counterbalance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wall beds pose a risk of injury due to rapid gravitational forces when lowering from a vertical to a horizontal position, and there is a need to hide legs when in the vertical position to conserve space.
Innovation Solution
A bed moving apparatus with a fixed plate mounted on a vertical wall, a rotating plate, lever arms, a gas spring, and an electrically activated linear actuator that opposes gravitational forces and allows for controlled movement between vertical and horizontal positions, while also hiding the legs when vertical.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the wall bed is lowered quickly to reduce transition time, then productivity is improved, but safety deteriorates due to significant gravitational forces causing injury risk
Solution Approach 1:
The gas spring acts as a counterweight mechanism that provides upward force to balance the gravitational force on the bed frame. As the bed frame moves from horizontal to vertical position, the gas spring expands and pushes against the bed frame, creating a force that opposes gravity and enables controlled, safe movement while maintaining reasonable transition speed
2Strength
If bed legs are extended to provide support when horizontal, then strength is improved, but device complexity increases and space is wasted when vertical
Solution Approach 1:
The bed frame structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support when horizontal through integrated leg mechanisms, and maintains vertical positioning when stored. The same structural elements that provide strength when horizontal also serve as the rotating assembly when vertical, eliminating the need for separate support structures in both positions
Solution Approach 2:
The bed legs are designed to be retractable and nest within or alongside the bed frame structure when the bed is in vertical position. This allows the support structures to be hidden during storage, maintaining a clean vertical profile while being available to provide support when the bed is lowered to horizontal position
3Strength
If the bed frame is made heavy to support mattress and users, then strength is improved, but weight increases making manual operation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The gas spring provides a counterbalancing force that offsets the weight of the heavy bed frame, mattress, and bedding. By positioning the gas spring to act at an appropriate distance from the pivot point, it creates sufficient torque to balance the gravitational torque, reducing the effort needed by users to move the bed between positions
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 apparatus safely and efficiently transitions the bed between positions, reducing the risk of injury and conserving space by hiding the legs when not in use.
Implementation Method 1
The gas spring opposes a gravitational force acting on the bed frame as the bed frame moves from the horizontal position to the vertical position
Implementation Method 2
an electrically activated linear actuator that opposes gravitational forces and allows for controlled movement between vertical and horizontal positions
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a fixed plate 902 mounted in a bed cabinet 108 and a rotating plate 904, mounted to a bed frame 106, coupled to the fixed plate 902 at a pivot point 906. A first end of a first lever arm 918 is coupled to the fixed plate 902. A first end of a second lever arm 920 is coupled to the first lever arm at a point between the first end and the second end of the first lever arm 918. The second end of the second lever arm 920 is coupled to the rotating plate 904 at a position that is offset a horizontal distance from the pivot point 906. A first end of a gas spring 908 is coupled to the fixed plate 902 and the second end of the gas spring 908 is coupled to the second end of the first lever arm 918.