CN106137197B

CN106137197B - Vertical lifting structure, lifting bed and imaging equipment

Info

Publication number: CN106137197B
Application number: CN201510165768.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 郭灿; 陈炜; 朱即来
Original assignee: Siemens AG
Current assignee: Siemens AG
Priority date: 2015-01-30
Filing date: 2015-04-09
Publication date: 2020-05-22
Anticipated expiration: 2035-04-09
Also published as: CN106137197A

Abstract

The invention provides a vertical lifting structure, a lifting bed and an imaging device, wherein the vertical lifting structure comprises: a base (21); a telescopic frame (22) which is arranged on the base and is telescopic along the vertical lifting direction of the vertical lifting structure; and a top plate (23) which is arranged opposite to the base through the expansion bracket, supported by the expansion bracket and moves along the vertical lifting direction of the vertical lifting structure, wherein the expansion bracket comprises a base sliding end which is in sliding connection with the base and a top plate sliding end which is in sliding connection with the top plate, a baffle component (26) is fixedly arranged at the base sliding end and/or the top plate sliding end, a photoelectric switch component (27) is fixedly arranged at the corresponding base and/or the top plate, the baffle component can move along with the expansion and contraction of the expansion bracket and change the switch state of the photoelectric switch component, and the position of the top plate in the vertical lifting direction is judged according to the switch state of the photoelectric switch component.

Description

Vertical lifting structure, lifting bed and imaging equipment

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a vertical lift structure, a lift bed, and an imaging apparatus, and more particularly, to a vertical lift structure for a lift bed of a medical apparatus.

Background

Currently, medical devices typically include an elevator bed, such as an MR elevator bed, a CT elevator bed, and the like. The lift bed generally includes vertical movement to facilitate patient movement up and down the bed, and horizontal movement to transport the patient to an examination location and to assist in performing a scan or diagnosis. Generally, the lifting bed mostly adopts an X-shaped supporting device to realize vertical movement.

However, as the standard of living increases, the proportion of obesity in the population increases greatly. In order to meet the requirements of as many patients as possible for diagnosis, the design load of the lifting bed is greatly increased. The elastic deformation of the lifting bed becomes a problem due to the increase of the design load. In particular, the elastic deformation in the vertical direction may cause the collision between the lift table and the system scanning device, thereby causing the damage of the lift table or the system scanning device. In the current design, a microswitch is generally adopted as the upper limit and the lower limit of vertical motion, the positioning precision is lower, and in addition, when a patient lifts the bed up and down, the elastic deformation of a lifting bed structure body can be caused, so that the displacement of the bed plate in the vertical direction can be caused, and the problem that the lifting bed and a system scanning device can not collide can be avoided.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above, the embodiments of the present invention provide a vertical lifting structure and a lifting bed, which can solve the collision problem between the lifting bed and the system scanning device.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there can be provided a vertical lift structure including: a base; the telescopic frame is arranged on the base and is telescopic along the vertical lifting direction of the vertical lifting structure; and the top plate is arranged opposite to the base through the expansion bracket and supported by the expansion bracket and moves along the vertical lifting direction of the vertical lifting structure, the expansion bracket comprises a base sliding end in sliding connection with the base and a top plate sliding end in sliding connection with the top plate, a blocking piece component is arranged at the base sliding end and/or the top plate sliding end, a photoelectric switch component is fixedly arranged on the corresponding base and/or the top plate, the blocking piece component can move along with the expansion of the expansion bracket and change the switch state of the photoelectric switch component, and the position of the top plate in the vertical lifting direction is judged according to the switch state of the photoelectric switch component.

Further, in the above-described vertical lift structure, it is preferable that the photoelectric switch assembly includes a plurality of photoelectric switches, and a position of at least one of the photoelectric switches is set so that, when the flap assembly changes a switching state of the photoelectric switch, it is determined that the top board approaches the limit position in the vertical lift direction, and the moving speed of the top board is reduced.

Further, in the above-described vertical lift structure, it is preferable that the photoelectric switch assembly includes a plurality of photoelectric switches, and a position of at least one of the photoelectric switches is set such that, when the flap assembly changes a switching state of the photoelectric switch, it is determined that the top board moves to the limit position in the vertical lift direction, and driving of the top board is stopped.

In the above-described vertical lift structure, it is preferable that the photoelectric switch unit includes a plurality of photoelectric switches, and the positions of the plurality of photoelectric switches are set such that when the top plate is elastically deformed at the limit position in the vertical lift direction and the position in the vertical lift direction is changed, the switching states of the plurality of photoelectric switches are changed, and the direction of the elastic deformation is determined based on a combination of different switching states of the plurality of photoelectric switches.

In addition, in the above-mentioned vertical lifting structure, it is preferable that the vertical lifting structure further includes a limit component including a limit switch and a stopper, and the limit switch and the stopper are arranged so that, when the top board exceeds a limit position in the vertical lifting direction, the limit switch is brought into contact with the stopper, the limit switch is turned on, and the movement of the top board is stopped.

Further, in the above-described vertical lift configuration, it is preferable that the flap assembly includes a connecting rod disposed in parallel with the base and at least one flap disposed on the connecting rod, and one end of the connecting rod is connected to the base sliding end or the top board sliding end.

In addition, in the above vertical lift structure, preferably, the telescopic frame further includes a base fixing end fixedly connected to the base and a top plate fixing end fixedly connected to the top plate.

Further, another embodiment of the present invention provides a lifting bed, comprising: the above-described vertical lifting structure; and a top plate supported by the top plate of the vertical lift structure and used for bearing the object.

Further, another embodiment of the present invention provides an image forming apparatus, including: the lifting bed.

According to the invention, before the lifting bed moves to the limit position (lowest/highest position), the photoelectric switch is conducted, and the control unit reduces the rotating speed of the motor for driving the lifting bed according to the conducting signal, so that the moving speed of the lifting bed can be reduced before the lifting bed stops, and the patient can obtain good comfort.

In addition, in the invention, the photoelectric switch is used as a feedback device, and compared with the existing limit microswitch, the limit microswitch has long service life and higher repeated positioning precision.

Furthermore, in the invention, the upper limit switch and the lower limit switch are arranged, so that the power supply of the motor can be cut off in time under the condition that the photoelectric switch or the control unit of the equipment fails, and the motion of the lifting bed can be stopped in time.

In addition, according to the present invention, when the vertical lifting structure is at the limit position (highest position or lowest position), if elastic deformation occurs, it is determined that the lifting bed is at the excessively high position or excessively low position according to a combination of different switching states of the photoelectric switch, and the control unit adjusts the vertical lifting structure to return to the correct position in the vertical direction, thereby reducing the possibility of system collision.

Here, the limit position is an effective highest/lowest position set in the vertical lifting structure to satisfy a specific requirement. In the present specification, the highest/lowest position allowed in the event of collision of the elevating bed with the image forming apparatus can be avoided.

Drawings

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates upon consideration of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a schematic explanatory view showing the structure of an elevating bed to which a vertical elevating structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

Fig. 2 schematically shows an enlarged schematic view of the electro-optical switch assembly and the flap assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 schematically shows the operating principle of the optoelectronic switch.

Fig. 4 is a control block diagram illustrating an elevator bed to which the present invention is applied.

Fig. 5 is an explanatory view schematically showing logical judgment of the photoelectric switch module to which the vertical lifting structure of the present invention is applied, in which fig. 5(a) shows a state at a correct position, fig. 5(B) shows a state at an excessively high position, and fig. 5(C) shows a state at an excessively low position.

Wherein the reference numbers are as follows:

10 lifting the bed;

20 a vertical lift configuration;

20 a base;

22 an expansion bracket;

23 boards;

24 guide rails;

25, a slide block;

26 a flap assembly;

261 a connecting rod;

262A, 262B;

27 an opto-electronic switching assembly;

271 a support;

272a photoelectric switch;

28 pillars;

281 upper limit switch;

282 a lower limit switch;

30 bed boards;

40 a control unit;

41 driver/driver circuit;

42 switch

Detailed Description

In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more apparent, the present invention is further described in detail by referring to the following examples.

"exemplary" means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration" herein, and any illustration, embodiment, or steps described as "exemplary" herein should not be construed as a preferred or advantageous alternative.

For the sake of simplicity, the drawings only schematically show the parts relevant to the present invention, and they do not represent the actual structure as a product. In addition, for simplicity and clarity of understanding, only one of the components having the same structure or function is schematically illustrated or labeled in some of the drawings.

Example 1

Fig. 1 is a schematic explanatory view showing the structure of an elevating bed to which a vertical elevating structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. Fig. 2 schematically shows an enlarged schematic view of the electro-optical switch assembly and the flap assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 schematically shows the operating principle of the optoelectronic switch. Fig. 4 is a control block diagram illustrating an elevator bed to which the present invention is applied. Fig. 5 schematically shows an explanatory diagram of the position of the vertical lifting structure determined by the combination of different switching states of the photoelectric switching assembly.

As shown in fig. 1, the lifting bed 10 mainly includes a vertical lifting structure 20 and a bed plate 30 supported by the vertical lifting structure 20. In the examination of a patient, the height of the elevating table 10 is adjusted using a vertical elevating structure according to specific needs, and after being adjusted to a proper height, the horizontal driving table 30 transfers the patient to an examination position of the imaging apparatus and completes scanning.

The vertical lift arrangement 20 shown in fig. 1 further includes: base 21, expansion bracket 22 and top plate 23 provided to base 21. The telescopic frame 22 is capable of extending and contracting in a vertical lifting direction (vertical direction of the paper) of the vertical lifting structure. The top plate 23 is supported by the telescopic frame 22 and is provided to face the base 21 via the telescopic frame 22. The top board 30 is supported by the top board 23.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the telescopic frame 22 is an X-shaped structural member for supporting the bed plate 30, the telescopic frame 22 has 5 hinge points, the lower portion of the telescopic frame 22 is connected to the base 21 through the hinge point C, D, and the upper portion is connected to the top plate 23 through the hinge point A, B. In which hinge point A, C is not displaced relative to base 21 and top plate 23 and is referred to as a fixed hinge point, hinge point B, D is connected to guide rails 24 provided on base 21 and top plate 23, respectively, by slider 25, and when lift bed 10 is raised or lowered vertically, hinge points B, D move relative to base 21 and top plate 23 and are referred to as sliding hinge points. Furthermore, hinge point E is the central hinge point.

In the present embodiment, a baffle member 26 is disposed on the sliding block 25 disposed on the hinge point D. Further, an opto-electric switch unit 27 is provided near the guide rail 24 which is engaged with the slider 25. Next, referring to fig. 2, specific structures of the flap assembly 26 and the photoelectric switch assembly 27 of the present embodiment will be specifically described. As shown in fig. 2, the flap assembly 26 includes a connecting rod 261 and two

flaps

262A, 262B disposed thereon, and the two

flaps

262A, 262B are disposed at intervals on the connecting rod 261. The connecting rod 261 is disposed in a direction parallel to the base 21, and is fixed to the slider 25, and the two

stoppers

262A and 262B are disposed to protrude below the connecting rod 261 as the slider 25 moves together. The opto-electronic switch assembly 27 includes a U-shaped bracket 271 fixed on the base 21 and a plurality of opto-electronic switches 272 (in the embodiment, four opto-

electronic switches

272A, 272B, 272C, 272D are illustrated as being included) disposed on the bracket 271, wherein the four opto-electronic switches 272 are disposed in groups of two at both ends of the U-shaped structure of the bracket 271.

Fig. 3 shows a specific structure of a general photoelectric switch 272, which includes a transmitting terminal G, a receiving terminal R, a fixing hole F, a connection terminal T, and the like. The transmitting end G is used for transmitting infrared light waves, the receiving end R is capable of receiving the infrared light waves, the fixing hole F is used for fixing the photoelectric switch 272 to the bracket 271, and the connecting terminal T is used for being connected with an external signal processing circuit. When the space between the emitting end G and the receiving end R of the photoelectric switch 272 is blocked by the

opaque stoppers

262A, 262B (see fig. 3A), the photoelectric switch 272 is not activated (in the OFF state OFF). When the space between the transmitting end and the receiving end of the photoelectric switch is not blocked by the

opaque stoppers

262A, 262B (see fig. 3B), the photoelectric switch 272 is activated (in the ON state ON).

In the present embodiment, the four

photoelectric switches

272A, 272B, 272C, 272D are arranged as follows. Among them, the photoelectric switch 272A is a downward operation speed reduction switch, the photoelectric switch 272B is a downward operation stop switch, the photoelectric switch 272C is an upward operation stop switch, and the photoelectric switch 272D is an upward operation speed reduction switch.

Next, the functions and actions of the

photoelectric switches

272A, 272B, 272C, and 272D in the control of the movement of the elevator bed in the present embodiment will be described in detail.

Returning to fig. 1, when the vertical lift structure 20 moves downward, the slider 25 moves rightward in the drawing, and drives the connecting rod 261 to move rightward at the same time, and at this time, the stopper 262A also moves rightward along with the connecting rod 261. When the vertically movable structure 20 approaches the lowermost position of the descent, the edge of the stopper 262A moves to the center of the photoelectric switch 272A, and the state of the photoelectric switch 272A is changed from ON to OFF by the stopper 262A. Fig. 4 shows a control circuit diagram of the lifting bed. As shown in fig. 4, when the state of the photoelectric switch 272A is changed from ON to OFF, the control unit 40 of the elevator bed 10 obtains a downward movement deceleration command, and the control unit 40 notifies the driver/drive circuit 41 of the deceleration operation, the motor M is decelerated, and the moving speed of the vertical elevating structure 20 is decreased.

When the vertically ascending/descending structure 20 further moves downward to the lowest position of the vertically ascending/descending structure 20, the edge of the stopper 262A moves to the center of the photoelectric switch 272B, and the state of the photoelectric switch 272B changes from ON to OFF. As shown in fig. 4, the control unit 40 of the elevating bed obtains the downward operation stop command, and the control unit 40 notifies the driver/driving circuit 41 to stop the operation, the motor M stops the movement, and the vertical elevating structure 20 stops the descent.

Conversely, when the vertical lift structure 20 is moved upward, the slider 25 is moved leftward in the drawing, and the link 261 is moved leftward at the same time. The flap 262B also travels leftward along with the connecting rod 261 at this time. When the vertical lift structure 20 approaches the highest position of the lift, the edge of the stopper 262B moves to the center of the photoelectric switch 272D, and the state of the photoelectric switch 272D is changed from ON to OFF by the shielding of the stopper 262B. As shown in fig. 4, when the state of the photoelectric switch 272D is changed from ON to OFF, the control unit 40 of the elevating bed 10 obtains an upward operation deceleration command, and the control unit 40 notifies the driver/driving circuit 41 of the deceleration operation, the motor M is decelerated, and the moving speed of the vertical elevating structure 20 is decreased.

When the vertical lifting structure 20 further moves upward to the highest position of the vertical lifting structure 20, the edge of the shutter 262B moves to the center of the photoelectric switch 272C, and the state of the photoelectric switch 272C changes from ON to OFF. As shown in fig. 4, the control unit 40 of the elevating bed 10 obtains the upward movement stop instruction, and the control unit 40 notifies the driver/driving circuit 41 to stop the operation, the motor M stops the movement, and the vertical elevating structure 20 moves to the uppermost position and stops the elevation.

Referring back to fig. 1, in the present embodiment, a support 28 is provided upright near a fixed hinge point C at which the base 21 and the telescopic frame 22 are connected, and an upper limit switch 281 and a lower limit switch 282 are provided on the support 28. A stop column 221 is correspondingly arranged on the telescopic frame 22 close to the fixed hinge point C. When the elevation height of the vertical elevation structure 20 exceeds the highest/lowest position defined by the photoelectric switch 272, the stopper 221 contacts the upper limit switch 281 or the lower limit switch 282, thereby triggering the upper limit switch 281 or the lower limit switch 282. For example, when the vertical lifting structure 20 moves downward, even if the state of the photoelectric switch 272B is changed from ON to OFF, due to some reason, such as a failure of the photoelectric switch or a failure of the control unit, the control unit 40 fails to turn OFF the driver/driving circuit 41 and stops the operation of the motor M, and the lifting bed 10 continues to descend, in which case the lower limit switch 282 comes into contact with the fence 221. As shown in fig. 4, when the lower limit switch 282 (or the upper limit switch 281) is triggered, the control unit 40 forcibly turns off the switch 42 connecting the power source P and the driver/driving circuit 41, thereby stopping the movement of the motor M driving the elevating bed 10.

According to the present embodiment, the photoelectric switch (272A or 272D in the present embodiment) is turned on before the lifting bed moves to the lowest/highest position, and the control unit is caused to reduce the rotation speed of the motor that drives the lifting bed according to the on signal, so that the moving speed of the lifting bed can be reduced before the lifting bed stops, and good comfort can be obtained for the patient.

In addition, in this embodiment, adopt photoelectric switch as feedback device, relative to current limit micro-gap switch, its longe-lived, the repeated positioning accuracy is higher.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, by providing the upper limit switch and the lower limit switch, it is ensured that the power supply of the motor is cut off in time when the photoelectric switch or the control unit of the device fails, thereby ensuring that the movement of the lifting bed can be stopped in time.

Example 2

In this embodiment, the determination of the direction in which the lifting bed 10 is elastically deformed at the highest/lowest position by using the combination of the switching states of the respective photoelectric switches 272 in the photoelectric switch unit 27 of the present invention will be specifically described.

For example, when the lifting bed 10 is vertically raised to the highest position, the horizontal driving device of the lifting bed 10 drives the bed board 30 to move horizontally to deliver the patient to the system scanning device. In general, a patient will lie on the lift bed 10, rise to the uppermost position with the lift bed 10, and then be transported by the horizontal drive mechanism to the system scanning device for scanning. However, in some special cases, particularly in emergency situations, problems may arise. For example, when the lifting bed 10 is at the highest position, if the patient directly gets on the lifting bed 10, the lifting bed 10 is pressed downward by a stroke due to the elastic deformation of the lifting bed 10 itself. At this time, if the horizontal driving device of the lifting bed 10 drives the lifting bed 10 to move toward the system scanning device, the lifting bed 10 may collide with the system scanning device. Alternatively, when the lifting bed 10 is at the highest position and the patient directly descends, the lifting bed 10 may be rebounded upward for a certain stroke due to the elastic deformation of the lifting bed 10 itself. At this time, if the horizontal driving device of the lifting bed drives the lifting bed to move horizontally towards the system scanning device, the lifting bed and the system scanning device may collide with each other.

The present embodiment determines the direction of the elastic deformation of the lifting bed 10 according to the combination of different switch states of the plurality of photoelectric switches 272, so as to ensure that the control unit 40 can ensure that the lifting bed 10 is at the correct height position, and avoid the lifting bed colliding with the imaging device during the horizontal movement.

In the present embodiment, a case where the lifting bed 10 moves to the uppermost position will be described as an example.

As shown in fig. 5A, the width of the blocking plate 262B is set to be slightly wider than the distance between the center lines H of the

photoelectric switches

272C and 272D (for example, the width is about 1mm, which can be adjusted according to actual needs), when the lifting bed 10 moves upward, the edge of the blocking plate 262B moves to the photoelectric switch 272D, and the state of the photoelectric switch 272D changes from ON to OFF. The control unit 40 obtains an upward movement deceleration command, and the control unit 40 informs the driver/driving circuit 41 of deceleration operation, the motor M is decelerated, and the moving speed of the elevating bed 10 is decreased.

When the edge of the flap 262B moves to the center of the photo switch 272C, the state of the photo switch 272C changes from ON to OFF. The control unit 40 obtains the upward movement stop instruction, and the control unit 40 notifies the driver/drive circuit 41 to stop the operation, the motor M stops moving, and the elevating bed 10 stops rising at the highest position. In the present embodiment, the deceleration and the deceleration time of the motor M are controlled so that the edge of the flap 262B is about 0.5mm beyond the center line of the photoelectric switch 272C. At this time, the

photoelectric switches

272C and 272D are OFF and OFF, respectively. At this point, the lifting bed 10 is at the correct uppermost position.

With the lift bed 10 in the uppermost position, as shown in fig. 5B, if a situation occurs in which the patient suddenly leaves the lift bed 10, the lift bed 10 will continue to move upward for a short stroke, with the lift bed 10 in the excessively high position. At this time, the flap 262B moves further to the left side of the drawing (as indicated by an arrow), the flap 262B moves away from the center of the photoelectric switch 272D, and the state of the photoelectric switch 272D turns ON. That is, in this case, the

photoelectric switches

272C and 272D are OFF and ON, respectively.

Further, in the case where the elevating bed 10 is at the uppermost position, as shown in fig. 5C, if a situation occurs in which the patient suddenly gets on the elevating bed 10, the elevating bed 10 continues to move downward by a short stroke due to the weight of the patient, and the elevating bed 10 is at the excessively low position. At this time, the flap 262B moves to the right side of the drawing (as indicated by an arrow), the flap 262B moves away from the center of the photoelectric switch 272C, and the state of the photoelectric switch 272C turns ON. That is, in this case, the

photoelectric switches

272C and 272D are turned ON and OFF, respectively.

From the above, when the lifting bed 10 is at the highest position, it can be determined whether the lifting bed 10 has unexpected elastic deformation according to the combination of different switch states of the

photoelectric switches

272C and 272D, so as to avoid the situation that the lifting bed 10 is driven to move horizontally to collide with the system scanning device when the lifting bed 10 has elastic deformation.

Similarly, when the lifting bed 10 is at the lowest position, it is also possible to determine whether the lifting bed 10 is unexpectedly elastically deformed according to different switching states of the photoelectric switches 272A and 272B, so as to avoid a situation where the lifting bed 10 is driven to move horizontally and collide with the system scanner when the lifting bed 10 is elastically deformed.

According to the present embodiment, when the lifting bed 10 is at the limit position (the highest position or the lowest position), if the elastic deformation occurs, it is determined that the lifting bed 10 is at the excessively high position or the excessively low position according to the combination of different switching states of the photoelectric switch, and the control unit 40 performs adjustment to return the lifting bed 10 to the correct position in the vertical direction, thereby reducing the possibility of system collision.

Further, in the above embodiment, the photoelectric switch assembly is provided on the base and the shutter assembly is provided on the base sliding end of the telescopic frame, but the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be similarly achieved by providing the shutter assembly on the base and the photoelectric switch assembly on the base sliding end of the telescopic frame.

The above description is only for the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiments of the present invention and is not to be construed as limiting the invention, and any modifications, equivalents, improvements and the like that fall within the spirit and principle of the present invention are intended to be included therein.

Claims

1. A vertical lift construction comprising:

a base;

the telescopic frame is arranged on the base and is telescopic along the vertical lifting direction of the vertical lifting structure;

a top plate which is provided opposite to the base with the telescopic frame therebetween, is supported by the telescopic frame, and moves in a vertical lifting direction of the vertical lifting structure,

the telescopic frame comprises a base sliding end connected with the base in a sliding way and a top plate sliding end connected with the top plate in a sliding way,

a baffle plate assembly is fixedly arranged at the sliding end of the base and/or the sliding end of the top plate, a photoelectric switch assembly is fixedly arranged on the corresponding base and/or the top plate, the baffle plate assembly can move along with the extension and retraction of the telescopic frame, the switch state of the photoelectric switch assembly is changed, and the position of the top plate in the vertical lifting direction is judged according to the switch state of the photoelectric switch assembly;

wherein the opto-electronic switch assembly comprises a plurality of opto-electronic switches;

wherein the positions of the plurality of photoelectric switches are set such that when the top plate is elastically deformed at the limit position in the vertical lifting direction and the position in the vertical lifting direction is changed, the switching states of the plurality of photoelectric switches are changed, and the direction of the elastic deformation is determined based on a combination of different switching states of the plurality of photoelectric switches.

2. The vertical hoisting structure according to claim 1, wherein,

the baffle plate assembly comprises a connecting rod and at least one baffle plate, the connecting rod is arranged in parallel with the base, the at least one baffle plate is arranged on the connecting rod, and one end of the connecting rod is connected with the sliding end of the base or the sliding end of the top plate.

3. The vertical hoisting structure according to claim 1, wherein,

the expansion bracket further comprises a base fixed end fixedly connected with the base and a top plate fixed end fixedly connected with the top plate.

4. An elevating bed, comprising:

a vertical hoisting structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3;

and a top plate supported by the top plate of the vertical lift structure and supporting an object.

5. An image forming apparatus, comprising:

the lift bed of claim 4.