WO2002091981A1

WO2002091981A1 - Device for generating a rocking motion

Info

Publication number: WO2002091981A1
Application number: PCT/CH2001/000297
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stéphane MOUTHON; Werner Hafner
Original assignee: Stiftung Sonnweid
Priority date: 2001-05-14
Filing date: 2001-05-14
Publication date: 2002-11-21
Also published as: EP1387655A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for generating a rocking motion of beds and/or seating. Said device has a guide unit (8) for the rocking motion, which is preferably motor-driven and runs along a path. The guide device (8) is mounted on a support device (5-7) that is separate from the bed or seating. In addition, the device is provided with a coupling unit (7a, 10, 11), which is used to selectively couple the support unit (5-7) to the bed or seating, in order to transmit the rocking motion that is directed by the guide unit (8) to the bed or seating.

Description

DEVICE FOR GENERATING A WEIGHING MOVEMENT

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a device with the features of the preamble of claim 1.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the case of various diseases, such as dementia, Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, etc., various, particularly older, (but also younger) people may experience unpleasant side effects which are called "restlessness", "agitated". unit "etc. can be qualified. The care staff for such patients is of course exposed to considerable stress, which on the one hand makes regular care difficult, but on the other hand can also lead to self-harm among the patients themselves or is experienced by the patient as "unpleasant". In many clinics and homes, sedatives are then used, which may calm the patient, but are often uncomfortable for the patient. A kind of "mechanical sedation", as has been described variously, is achieved by a V-motion movement, which apparently gives a calming effect similar to that of an infant. Based on this knowledge, chemical sedatives can be avoided or largely restricted, but the implementation of this knowledge always assumed a kind of "cradle" as it has been used for infants for thousands of years. An example of such a hanging, "cradle" can be found in DE 34 16 742, another example (with a bed guided in the weighing movement from below) of DE 38 06 056. Such constructions are indeed able to do that To bring about weighing movement and also have demonstrable advantages, but they are unsuitable for practice. The reason for this is the enormous cost burdens, which add to the costs of a conventional (anyway not cheap) hospital bed or home bed. Because one has to imagine that the "restlessness" of the patients mentioned above only lasts for a longer period in rare cases. It is often the twilight hours in which such patients are obviously affected by restlessness. For a relatively short period of time in the known constructions, however, not only the, usually very space-consuming, motor drive, but also the rather expensive and voluminous guidance of the bed - in addition to all the other comfort devices, such as a motor-driven head section, can be lowered , motorized lifting and lowering bed surface, etc. - are provided.

Summary of the invention

The invention is therefore based on the object, a weighing movement of a couch and / or seating (it could just be a comfortable chair) to allow conventionally equipped such furniture without the high space and cost in purchase to have to take.

This problem is solved in a simple manner by the characterizing features of claim 1. Because in that the guide device is now separate from the furniture, on the one hand a conventional piece of furniture can be used, which avoids high investment costs. In addition, docking, e.g. a single device according to the invention on different pieces of furniture is possible in succession, because the use is limited to a relatively short time per patient. However, in order to achieve a reliable transmission of the weighing movement from the device according to the invention to the respective piece of furniture, the coupling device is necessary according to the invention.

[0008] It would be entirely possible within the scope of the invention to design the device according to the invention as a type of "Hollywood swing" that can be coupled to a bed from above, but this will result in an inappropriate increase in the overall center of gravity, which is why a solution is sought Claim 2 is preferred.

For a coupling, the height adjustment of conventional hospitals or home beds can be used, for example by placing the device according to the invention under a bed, moving it down to the coupling and then moving back and forth by motor (the rocking movement is not even an absolute must, because possibly even a reciprocating linear movement may suffice). In the context of the invention, however, it is preferred if the device is provided with the features of claim 3. It has been shown that, not least because of the weight to be moved - the above requirements are best done with training according to claim 4.

Brief description of the drawings

Further details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments schematically illustrated in the drawing. Show it:

1 shows a device according to the invention in an oblique view from the rear;

Fig. 2 shows the device of Figure 1 from the side.

3 shows a plan view of the device of FIG. 1 with a section through the control housing; and

Fig. 4 is a side view illustrating the swing drive;

5 shows an alternative embodiment with a coupled bed in the diagonal tear; and

Fig. 6 is a hydraulic diagram as it could be used in an embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 4 or 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 shows a chassis 1 on wheels 1a, 1b designed in the manner of a pallet truck, which has a stroke actuating rod 2, which is known per se and is capable of actuating a lift pump 3 by means of a vertical pumping movement such that a Rack frame 4 is moved up and blocked in the respective vertical position. A control housing 5 is located on the frame 4, which can have control buttons 6 for the control on its upper side.

In front of the control housing 5 there is a carriage 7 which can be moved back and forth on curved rails 8, so that a rocking movement occurs. A conventional hospital bed, for example in the manner of hospital bed 9 in FIG. 5, can be coupled to this carriage 7 around this bed - without the otherwise expensive and expensive one single bed attachable equipment - to transform into a rocking bed for drug-free reassurance of restless patients.

In principle, this coupling can be done simply by either lowering the, generally height-adjustable, bed to the level of the upper surface 7a of the slide 7, where it rests frictionally, or that - as previously described - the chassis 1 is equipped with a lifting device 2, 3 in order to press the upper surface 7a of the carriage 7 against the underside of the bed 9. The surface 7a thus serves as a coupling surface.

Preferably, however, the coupling is non-positively by at least one clamping piston 10 is extendable from a clamping cylinder 11 and presses the bed placed on the surface 7a from above against the surface 7a. In the embodiment shown, a single clamping unit 10, 11 is attached approximately centrally to a bracket 12, as has proven to be sufficient, but several, for example two, of such clamping units 10, 11 could also be distributed over the length of the bracket.

The clamping cylinder 11 is from the control housing 5 with a fluid, e.g. counter to the force of a spring which pushes the piston 10 upwards and is accommodated in the cylinder 11. The details of a possible hydraulic circuit for this purpose are given in Fig. 6. Normally, such a circuit will be constructed so that its pressure reaches the desired size. However, it may be desirable to provide a control system in which the pressure in the cylinder 11 is measured by means of a pressure sensor attached to it and communicated to a control device accommodated in the control housing 5. Such an arrangement can serve to determine whether the pressure - e.g. in relation to the weight of the patient lying in bed - is sufficient, the clamping pressure being able to be adjusted at most by means of one of the buttons 6. However, such a sensor may be particularly advantageous if a plurality of clamping units are arranged, the control device in the control housing 5 then being able to be used to even out the pressure and / or to monitor a desired magnitude of the pressure.

A similar arrangement may be provided on the back of the chassis 1 in order to place fixing feet 14 firmly on the floor and thus to prevent the chassis 1 from rolling unintentionally. This means that either a corresponding cylinder unit may be provided for these fixing feet, for example is extended by actuating one of the buttons 6 and places the legs 14 on the floor, or a mechanical fixing device is simply provided which fixes the legs 14 in the lowered position. Here too, if desired, the contact pressures may be monitored by sensors 13 corresponding sensors.

As is particularly apparent from Fig. 3, a motor 15 is mounted fixed within the control housing 5 and drives with its output shaft 16 an eccentric wheel 17 to which a connecting rod 18 is eccentrically attached. The other, right, end of the connecting rod 18 is attached to the carriage 7 and drives it to a reciprocating movement. The sled travels on the curved rails 8 by means of wheels 19 attached to it, which results in the rocking or rocking motion. It goes without saying that it does not necessarily have to be an eccentric drive in order to generate this reciprocating movement, but that, for example, an eccentric pivot pin on the output shaft 16 can also engage in a link which, via a tappet connected to it, can achieve the desired setting Causes movement. It would also be conceivable to make the direction of rotation of the motor switchable and to generate the rocking movement via a pinion engaging in a rack. A traction drive, e.g. with a chain, would be conceivable in that a driver for the carriage is attached to such a chain.

It was just spoken of the "output shaft" 16. It goes without saying that the rocking or bending movement has to be relatively gentle. Therefore, the output shaft 16 may be the output shaft of a reduction gear connected to the motor 15. However, this may produce disturbing noises, which is why it is preferred to provide a hydraulic motor 15 for the desired slow movement, as can be seen later with reference to FIG. 6. This hydraulic motor 15 can then advantageously be operated in a range or set such that it delivers approximately 10 to 25 reciprocating movements per minute, in particular approximately 14 to 18 weighing movements per minute.

Fig. 4 shows the arrangement shown in Fig. 3 from the side. The slide 7 can be seen on the rails 8 in three positions 7 (middle position), 7 'and 7 ". This results in a weighing angle (based on the central pivot axis A through the slide 7 of the weighing movement) of a maximum of 20 °, expediently < 15 °, eg 14 °, measured on both sides by the center of the weighing movement and thus by the axis A. trending vertical plane. It has been shown that the easiest way to fall asleep is with such a light weighing movement.

[0021] FIG. 4 also shows the drive in detail. For stability reasons, it is namely advantageous if two connecting rods 18 are provided. Furthermore, there is a compact construction if the hydraulic pump 20 is also assigned to the hydraulic motor 15. According to FIG. 6, this hydraulic pump 20 expediently has a motor which can be switched over so that it has two branches of the associated hydraulic circuit, e.g. can supply via pressure control valves 22.

5 that the guideway for the carriage 7 must not necessarily be designed as a rail 8, although this will be the preferred embodiment. Because it allows, if necessary, not only to provide the two rails 8 shown in FIG. 3, but also, if necessary, also more, for example three or four, the third or fourth rail then being attached between the two rails shown in FIG. 3 ,

5, on the other hand, the guideways are formed by slots 24 formed in walls 23 of a modified chassis 5 ', engage in the guide rods 25 of a frame-like carriage (cf. the tubular frame 26). The bed 9 is mounted on this tubular frame 26, the coupling practically again by lowering the bed 9 onto the tubular frame 26 or by a lifting device (not shown) on the chassis 5 '. It is clear that the non-positive coupling with the unit 10, 11 according to the previously described figures is safer and therefore preferred.

In the case of Fig. 5, the output shaft 16 of the motor 15 drives a traction means 27, which runs around a deflection roller 28, and on which one with the guide rods 25 in engagement and on the chain (or another type of traction means) attached driver 29 rotates with. The arrangement is such that the driver 29 has grooves 25 receiving grooves on its upper and lower sides, for example, and moves the bars along the upper run of the chain in one direction and along the lower run in the other direction.

Much has already been said about FIG. 6 above. Incidentally, it remains to be explained that at least one switching valve 30 is provided on the way to the cylinders 3 and 11 if necessary, however, each of these two cylinders can also be put into operation via a separate valve. Another switching valve 31 is provided in the right branch of the hydraulic circuit for switching on the cradle motor 15. It has already been mentioned that the pump 20 can be switched over in the direction of rotation, with non-return valves 32 and 33 preventing the cradle motor 15 from being activated when it is pumped to the left, whereas the hydraulic fluid flowing off from the cradle motor 15 on the left is pumped to the right via the valve that then opens Check valve 32 and a bypass line with an Νotabasshahn 35 also takes over the supply of the two cylinders 3 and 11.

It is understood that with respect to the hydraulic circuit of FIG. 6 numerous modifications, such as the installation of pressure regulating or pressure reducing valves, the already mentioned separate feeding of the two cylinders 3 and 11 or the arrangement of separate pumps instead of the single pump 20 , could be made. It is also understood that a pneumatic arrangement could be used in place of a hydraulic, although this will generally not be preferred. It has also already been mentioned that it may be sufficient, if necessary, to provide a straight-line guide instead of a curved guide track 8 or 8a, although this will generally not be preferred. Also, the device does not need - as in FIG. 1 - to have parts 2, 3 or 14 protruding to the rear; rather, if desired, it is also possible to accommodate these in the control housing 5.

Here is also a word about the possible attachment of sensors, similar to the sensor 13, lost. It can be advantageous to provide a lock in the control system in such a way that the device cannot be operated without a bed. This prevents unauthorized handling. For this purpose, a sensor for the presence of a bed can be provided on the surface 7a, which actuates a series-connected (if necessary a valve) hydraulic switch and switches it off when the bed is missing. As such, it would be possible to install a pressure sensor in the carriage 7 as such a sensor. However, this would also respond if someone stood on surface 7a. Therefore, it is preferable to use a light barrier or the like. in the area of the piston 10, ie at its height in the extended position shown in FIG. 2, to be attached approximately parallel to the bracket 12 or on the latter. However, this does not mean that the bracket 12 must be designed in the manner shown; rather, it can possibly also be made much shorter or smaller, since it practically only has to carry the cylinder 11 and at most the components of the light barrier mentioned. Another sensor can be provided in the form of a speed monitor for the hydraulic motor 15 if you want to train this as a speed-controlled motor. Furthermore, in the legs 14 provided with a rubber bellows in the manner shown in FIG. 1, a pressure load cell or a strain gauge can be provided, which - for example when the legs 14 are lowered mechanically or hydraulically - then emits a signal when, for example, the Operator should have mistakenly put the foot under the leg 14 to then interrupt the drive.

Claims

claims

1. Device for generating a weighing movement of a couch and / or seating furniture, with a guide device (8) for the preferably motor-driven weighing movement, characterized in that a) the guide device (8) on one of the lying or seating furniture separate support device (5-7) is mounted, and that b) a coupling device (7a, 10, 11) is provided with which the support device (5-7) can be optionally coupled to the lying or seating furniture in order to to transfer the V-moving movement guided by the guide device (8) to the reclining or seating furniture.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide device (8) is arranged at least during the weighing movement below the lying or seating furniture and preferably has at least one, in particular curved, guideway (8, 8a), which is preferably for a weighing angle (based on the swivel axis A of the V-bending movement) of a maximum of 20 °, expediently <15 °, e.g. 14 °, measured on both sides of a vertical plane running through the center of the weighing movement.

3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling device has a height adjustment device (2, 3) for at least one coupling surface (7a) provided on it, which by means of the height adjustment device (2, 3) comprises at least one of the Lying or seating furniture can be brought into a decoupling position removed from the lounging or seating furniture.

4. Device according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the guide device (8) and the coupling surface (7a) are provided on a movable carriage (5; 5 '), and that preferably the carriage (5) in the manner of a forklift a height adjustment device (2, 3) is formed.

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the weighing movement is carried out with the aid of a hydraulic motor (15).

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the weighing movement takes place at a frequency of approximately 10 to 25, in particular approximately 14 to 18, weighing movements per minute.

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a curved guide track (8; 8a) is provided as a guide device on a frame (1), on which a carriage (7) which can optionally be coupled to the lying or seating furniture can be moved ,

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that the guide track (8) comprises curved guide rails.