Automated bed and method of operation thereof
OwnerMatthew W. Krenikinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed herein are embodiments of beds and components thereof. In one embodiment, a bed comprises a frame; a plurality of adjustable members, each coupled to the frame, and each of the plurality of adjustable members adjustable to individual positions; one or more sensors coupled to one or more of the adjustable members; and a controller, the controller configured for receiving input from the one or more sensors and determining at least one adjusted sleep setting for the occupant. The controller is further configured to control the plurality of adjustable members and adjust each of the plurality of adjustable members according to the at least one adjusted sleep setting. The adjustable members may comprise struts, slats, or a combination thereof.
Claims20
A bed, comprising:
- a frame;
- a plurality of adjustable struts, each coupled to the frame, and each of the plurality of adjustable struts adjustable to individual positions, each of the plurality of adjustable struts, comprising:
- a threaded jack screw having a longitudinal axis about its length,
- a threaded fixture, the threaded fixture coupled to the threaded jack screw so that rotational motion of the threaded jack screw about the longitudinal axis generates a translational motion between the threaded fixture and the threaded jack screw, and
- a first coupling element formed on or coupled to the threaded jack screw, the first coupling element configured to slidingly engage with a second coupling element over a pre-determined range in the direction of said longitudinal axis, the second coupling element formed on or coupled to a shaft of an electric motor, wherein rotational motion of the motor is transferred through the second coupling element and is transferred through the first coupling element to rotate the threaded jack screw, and wherein said translational motion is utilized to adjust the each of the plurality of adjustable struts to said individual positions by rotating the threaded jack screw;
- one or more sensors coupled to one or more of the plurality of adjustable struts, the one or more sensors configured to sense force applied to the plurality of adjustable struts;
- and
- a controller, the controller configured for receiving input from the one or more sensors and determining at least one adjusted surface shape for a bed occupant;
- and
- wherein the controller is further configured to control the plurality of adjustable struts and adjust each of the plurality of adjustable struts according to the at least one adjusted surface shape.
A method for assembling a bed comprising:
- providing, placing, and connecting frame members to form a bed base, said base comprising a bed frame and a plurality of struts, each strut comprising:
- a threaded jack screw having a longitudinal axis about its length,
- a threaded fixture, the threaded fixture coupled to the threaded jack screw so that rotational motion of the threaded jack screw about the longitudinal axis generates a translational motion between the threaded fixture and the threaded jack screw, and
- a first coupling element formed on or coupled to the threaded jack screw, the first coupling element configured to slidingly engage a second coupling element over a pre-determined range in the direction of said longitudinal axis, the second coupling element formed on or coupled to a shaft of an electric motor, wherein rotational motion of the motor is transferred through the second coupling element and the first coupling element to rotate the threaded jack screw;
- installing and connecting at least one gantry;
- configuring the at least one gantry to engage and adjust the plurality of struts;
- installing a plurality of slats atop the plurality of struts, wherein the slats extend laterally across the bed frame;
- installing a control system for the bed, the control system comprising a plurality of sensors and a controller, the controller configured to receive input from the plurality of sensors and determine adjusted surface shapes;
- and
- connecting the control system with the gantry for sending signals to the gantry for controlling movement and adjustment of the plurality of struts.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.