Support panel pivoting system for a patient support device

A support panel pivoting system for a patient support device, said patient support device having a frame having a frame foot end and frame head end, a backrest pivotably connected to the frame, a lower body support panel pivotably connected to the frame, and at least one core support panel connected to the lower body support panel, the support panel pivoting system comprising:

• an actuator having a first actuator portion located towards the frame foot end and being operatively connected to an actuator pivot pin movably mounted to the frame and a second actuator portion located towards the frame head end and being operatively connected to a backrest foot end of the backrest for pivoting the backrest relative to the frame, the actuator further having a transmission adapted for operatively coupling the second actuator portion to the first actuator portion;
• a release operatively connected to the transmission, the release being movable between a locked position in which the first actuator portion is coupled to the second actuator portion and an unlocked position in which the second actuator portion is decoupled from the first actuator portion to allow free pivoting of the backrest towards the frame;
• an orientation sensor for determining an orientation of the backrest relative to the frame;
• a control unit operatively connected to the orientation sensor for determining a pivoting speed of the backrest based on the orientation of the backrest, the control unit being configured for determining that the release is in the unlocked position when the pivoting speed of the backrest is above a threshold speed value;
• and
• a lower body actuator for pivoting the lower body support panel and the at least one core support panel relative to the frame, the lower body actuator having a rear end pivotably connected to the frame towards the frame foot end and a front end operatively connecting the lower body support panel and the at least one core support panel, the lower body actuator being further operatively connected to the control unit for pivoting the lower body support panel towards the frame when the release is in the unlocked position and that the backrest is pivoted downwardly.