Automated lateral turning and inclining bed (BRRAM bed)

• Main Authors: Bungag, Ricardo Fernando G., Hizon, Benedict Joseph C., Khu, Marc Steven D., Merritt, Alvin F., Rigor, Raimen Gerard M.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2006
• Subjects: Hospital beds; Bedmaking; Care of the sick; Patients > Positioning
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/14546
• Institution: De La Salle University

For years hospital beds had given great contribution to medical technology. One great contribution was the Automated Lateral Turning Bed (ALTB) created by five Manufacturing Engineering and Management (MEM) students from De La Salle University. From their contribution to medical technology, another group of MEM students thought of innovation. To design and develop an Automated Lateral Turning Bed with an Incline/Recline function. There are many automated hospital beds that were created as of today. Prices of these beds are between $1000 to $4500. From research and surveys conducted around Metro Manila, the group found out that most hospitals in the Philippines are not willing to spend more than P100,000 for automating their hospital beds. The group has undergone experiments that would enhance the design and development of the hospital bed. Experiments include the use of AC and DC actuators, mechanical designs, electronic components, and mattress designs serve to be the backbones of the group's bed development. The use of a 40 watt, 200 volt AC motor will power the lateral movement of the bed. This will help reach the maximum turning angle of 20 degrees. A Linak DC actuator operated by a 24 volt, 4 ampere rating with a maximum of 2000N of pushing force will lift the upper backbone part and lower backbone part of the bed. The bed is covered with a designed mattress that consists of Uratex Permahard and Bio-Aire foam for comfort and bed sore minimization and an Electronic Console that would allow the user to control the mechanisms of the bed.