Wall Bed Leg Rotation Mechanism for Safe Folding and Hidden Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wall beds pose a risk of injury due to rapid gravitational forces when transitioning from a vertical to a horizontal position, and there is a need to hide bed legs when the bed is in the vertical position to conserve space.
Innovation Solution
A rotation apparatus for wall beds featuring a rack plate with a T-shaped slot and protrusions, a pinion plate with extensions and a lock pin, allowing controlled rotation of the bed leg from a retracted to a lowered position, with the bed leg rotating 90 degrees to support the frame in the horizontal position and hiding within the wall cabinet in the vertical position.
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:
A counterweight mechanism is introduced as an intermediary element between the wall bed and the user. The counterweight offsets gravitational forces during the lowering process, acting as a mediator that reduces the net force the user must control, thereby enabling faster transitions while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
A counterweight assembly is provided that includes a counterweight member and a counterweight spring. The counterweight spring is configured to exert an upward force on the counterweight member, creating a counterbalancing force against gravity. This anti-weight mechanism reduces the effective weight of the wall bed during transition, allowing for controlled faster lowering while minimizing injury risk from gravitational forces
2Strength
If bed legs are extended to support the horizontal position, then load-bearing capacity is improved, but space utilization deteriorates because the legs occupy space when the bed is vertical
Solution Approach 1:
The bed legs are designed as dynamic components that can change their configuration between extended and retracted positions. When the bed is horizontal, the legs extend to provide load-bearing support. When the bed is vertical, the legs retract into a compact configuration, minimizing the space they occupy and allowing for efficient space utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The bed legs are designed to nest within the wall cabinet structure when retracted. The legs can be positioned inside the cabinet boundaries when the bed is in the vertical position, effectively hiding them and maximizing the usable floor space. This nesting arrangement allows the legs to be present but invisible, maintaining load-bearing capability while occupying minimal space
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 manages gravitational forces during transition, reducing the risk of injury and allows for efficient space utilization by hiding the bed legs when not in use.
Implementation Method 1
A rotation apparatus for a wall bed is disclosed. The rotation apparatus includes a rack plate with a T-shaped slot and a plurality of protrusions extending upright relative to the rack plate. The rack plate is movable relative to a frame between a first position, a second position, and a third position. The rotation apparatus includes a pinion plate rotatably coupled to the frame. The pinion plate includes a plurality of extensions that extend upright relative to the pinion plate.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a rack plate 202 with a T-shaped slot 206 and upright protrusions 204 and is movable relative to a frame 106 between first, second, and third positions. A pinion plate 302 rotatably coupled to the frame 106 includes upright extensions 304 and a lock pin 306 movable within the slot 206. In the first position, the lock pin 206 is positioned in a first location within the slot 206, and as the rack plate 202 moves from the first to the second position, a first extension 304A engages a first protrusion 204A, which rotates the pinion plate 302. In the second position, the lock pin 306 is positioned in a second location within the slot 206, and as the rack plate 202 moves from the second position to the third position, a second extension 304B engages a second protrusion 204B and rotates the pinion plate 302.