Hospital bed obstacle detection device and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A patient support apparatus comprising:
- a first component;
a second component configured to move relative to said first component along a path of travel;
a detection unit comprising;
a single emitter supported by one of said first and second components anda plurality of detectors supported by the other of said first and second components, said detectors configured to provide a control signal in response to an obstacle within said path of travel between the emitter and any one of the plurality of detectors; and
a control unit in communication with said detector; and
a lifting device configured to move said second component vertically relative to said first component and wherein said control unit deactivates said lifting device if any one of said plurality of detectors fails to detect a signal emitted by said single emitter.
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Abstract
A hospital bed obstacle detection device (412) and related method for detecting an obstacle between first and second components (24, 26) of a hospital bed (410).
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A patient support apparatus comprising:
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a first component; a second component configured to move relative to said first component along a path of travel; a detection unit comprising; a single emitter supported by one of said first and second components and a plurality of detectors supported by the other of said first and second components, said detectors configured to provide a control signal in response to an obstacle within said path of travel between the emitter and any one of the plurality of detectors; and a control unit in communication with said detector; and a lifting device configured to move said second component vertically relative to said first component and wherein said control unit deactivates said lifting device if any one of said plurality of detectors fails to detect a signal emitted by said single emitter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of preventing movement of a movable component of a bed upon detection of an obstacle within a path of travel of the component, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing the bed having the movable component; providing a detection unit comprising a single emitter and a plurality of detectors; causing the emitter to emit an obstruction detection signal for detecting an obstacle within the path of travel between the emitter and any one of the detectors; moving said component; generating a stop signal if at least one of said detectors fails to detect said obstacle detection signal; and preventing movement of said movable component in response to said stop signal wherein said movable component includes an elevating frame movable vertically relative to a base frame, and the moving step includes moving said elevating frame vertically relative to said base frame. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A patient support apparatus comprising:
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a base frame; an elevating frame configured to move relative to said base frame along a path of travel above said base frame; a detection unit comprising; a single emitter supported by one of said frames and a plurality of detectors supported by the other of said frames, said detectors configured to provide a control signal in response to an obstacle within said path of travel between the emitter and any one of the plurality of detectors; and a control unit in communication with said detector and configured to prevent relative movement of the frames in response to said control signal. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A patient support apparatus, comprising:
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first and second sides extending substantially parallel to each other; third and fourth sides extending substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the first and second sides, the first and second sides cooperating with the third and fourth sides to define corners, first and second detection units associated respectively with the first and second sides, the first detection unit oriented to emit an obstacle detection signal away from the third side and toward the fourth side, the second detection unit oriented to emit a signal away from the fourth side and toward the third side. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification