Wireless Power Transfer for Hospital Bed Hygiene

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current patient support systems, such as hospital beds and stretchers, face challenges in efficiently powering and charging their components, particularly in healthcare settings where mechanical connections can compromise hygiene and caregiver efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A wireless power and charging system is integrated into patient support apparatuses, utilizing a transmitting assembly coupled to the bed frame and a receiving assembly embedded within the mattress or other components, enabling inductive or capacitive coupling for power transfer while minimizing mechanical connections and enhancing hygiene.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical connections are used to power patient support components, then reliable power transfer is achieved, but hygiene is compromised and caregiver efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower transfer reliabilityVSAvoidhygiene contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical electrical connections with wireless power transfer technology. A transmitting assembly is integrated into the patient support apparatus (bed frame), and a receiving assembly is embedded in the mattress or patient support components. This eliminates physical plugs and receptacles that can harbor bacteria and require cleaning, while maintaining reliable power transfer through electromagnetic fields.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces electromagnetic fields as an intermediary medium to transfer power between the bed frame and mattress components. The transmitting assembly generates electromagnetic fields that couple with the receiving assembly, enabling power transfer without direct mechanical contact. This intermediary approach maintains reliability while eliminating hygiene concerns associated with mechanical connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If wireless power transfer is implemented, then hygiene is improved and caregiver efficiency increases, but alignment precision between power source and receiver must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehygiene contaminationVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates locating features during the manufacturing stage that pre-align the transmitting and receiving assemblies. These features ensure that when the mattress is placed on the bed frame, the power transfer components are automatically positioned correctly, eliminating the need for precise manual alignment while maintaining effective wireless power transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The locating features are designed to automatically guide and align the receiving assembly with the transmitting assembly when the mattress is positioned on the bed frame. This self-aligning mechanism eliminates the need for caregiver intervention to achieve proper alignment, reducing complexity while ensuring reliable power transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Use of energy by moving object

If mechanical connections are used for charging components, then power transfer efficiency is maintained, but caregiver convenience and cleanliness are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower transfer efficiencyVSAvoidcaregiver convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical charging connections with wireless power transfer. The receiving assembly embedded in the mattress or removable components can be charged by placing it near the transmitting assembly on the bed frame, eliminating the need for plugging and unplugging electrical connections. This maintains power transfer efficiency while significantly improving caregiver convenience and maintaining a cleaner environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This solution allows for efficient and hygienic power transfer to various components of the patient support system, reducing the need for mechanical connections and improving caregiver convenience by maintaining a clean environment and simplifying the charging process.

Implementation Method 1

enabling inductive or capacitive coupling for power transfer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInductive coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

enabling inductive or capacitive coupling for power transfer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive coupling: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS20230165743A1Wireless power and charging of patient support from bed

Publication Date: 2023.06.01 HILL ROM SERVICES INC

AI summary

A power supply system for a facility includes a patient support apparatus with a controller and a patient support. A power source is operably coupled to the patient support apparatus. The controller is in communication with the power source. A transmitting assembly is coupled to the patient support apparatus and the power source. A receiving assembly is operably coupled to the patient support. The transmitting assembly wirelessly communicates with the receiving assembly to power the patient support. A locating feature is in communication with the controller of the patient support apparatus. The locating feature is configured to aid in aligning the power source on the patient support apparatus to indicate when the receiving assembly is in communication with the transmitting assembly.