EP3581159A1

EP3581159A1 - A frame for transporting a stretch

Info

Publication number: EP3581159A1
Application number: EP19178701.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Nicola Campani
Original assignee: Olmedo Special Vehicles SpA
Current assignee: Olmedo Special Vehicles SpA
Priority date: 2018-06-12
Filing date: 2019-06-06
Publication date: 2019-12-18
Also published as: IT201800006230A1

Abstract

A frame (1) for transporting a stretcher comprising at least one movement module (2) equipped with wheels (3) and configured for moving on a surface, a supporting platform (8) configured for receiving in coupling a table of a stretcher (B) and supporting means (5) interposed between the movement module (2) and the supporting platform (8). These supporting means (5) comprise motor-driven articulated means configured for adjusting the height of the stretcher (B) with respect to the surface. The frame (1) comprises a legible storage support (10) and detection means (11) designed to detect a plurality of measurements indicating operating parameters of the frame (1). The legible storage support (10) is operatively associated with the detection means (11) and is programmed for storing the plurality of measurements to allow a subsequent diagnosis.

Description

The present invention relates to a frame for transporting a stretcher.
The term stretcher, or litter, refers to a device for supporting a person, generally infirm, configured to allow the suitable movement of the same. Stretchers are widely used in the medical and paramedical professions in order to allow the transfer of a patient from the location in which she/he is located to a location suitable for the administration of adequate medical support.
In particular, stretchers are part of the basic equipment with which a common ambulance is equipped in order to allow paramedic staff to provide the necessary aid to people in need, for example at the location of a road accident or at the location where a person has fallen ill.
In these situations, the person is placed lying down on the stretcher, in a position suitable for limiting the occurrence of complications, in order to be able to transport the person onto the ambulance, and thanks to them also to transport the patient to a facility designed to provide suitable health care, for example a hospital.
Stretchers are also widely used inside sanitary facilities, allowing the hospital nursing staff to transport patients who cannot walk inside the structure, allowing the patients to have the necessary therapies they must undergo performed.
Stretchers are generally connected to suitable transport frames configured to allow the support thereof and facilitate their movement.
In particular, the aforementioned structures have movement modules equipped with wheels which allow the responsible staff to move the stretcher by exerting force on the frame.
Furthermore, these frames can comprise articulated members which allow an adjustment of the positioning of the stretcher with respect to the ground.
The frames of more modern conception have motor-driven articulated members configured for adjusting the height of the stretcher with respect to the ground. In particular, these motor-driven articulated members can cooperate with assisted loading devices that allow loading the stretcher and frame in an autonomous way on a support for transport, for example an ambulance.
This type of frame requires, during the course of its operating life, an accurate maintenance in order to ensure adequate and efficient operation.
Disadvantageously, the routine maintenance for these frames requires particularly lengthy time-frames involving long periods during which the frames cannot be used.
Disadvantageously, the evaluation of the operating state of the frames is entrusted to the care of the operator using them, who is generally not the same operator responsible for maintenance.
Disadvantageously, moreover, the maintenance requires highly specialised staff which leads to high operating costs also for preventive maintenance operations. The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a frame for transporting a stretcher capable of allowing an adequate and precise evaluation of the need for maintenance interventions which does not require specific operator skills.
The stated technical task and specified objects are substantially achieved by a frame for transporting a stretcher comprising the features disclosed in one or more of the claims.
The dependent claims correspond to possible embodiments of the invention.
Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the indicative and thus non-limiting description of an embodiment of a frame for transporting a stretcher.
This description will be set out below with reference to the appended drawings, which are provided solely for indicative and therefore non-limiting purposes, in which:

figure 1 is a schematic view of a frame for transporting a stretcher in accordance with one embodiment;
figure 2 is a schematic representation according to a side view of the frame for transporting a stretcher of figure 1.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the reference number 1 has been used to generally designate a supporting frame for a stretcher, indicated hereinafter as frame 1.
As can be seen in the embodiment shown in the appended figures, the frame 1 comprises two movement modules 2.
Each of these movement modules 2 comprises two wheels 3 respectively connected to the ends of a supporting crosspiece 4. In particular, the supporting crosspiece 4 is connected to supporting means 5 through a first connection portion C1.
For each movement module 2, these supporting means 5 comprise a first four-bar linkage mechanism 6 mounted on the movement module 2 and a second four-bar linkage mechanism 7 interposed between the first four-bar linkage mechanism 6 and a supporting platform 8 for a stretcher "B". The supporting platform 8 is configured for receiving in coupling a table of a stretcher "B" by reversible connection means (not shown in the appended figures) which allow a reversible connection between the supporting platform and the aforementioned stretcher "B". Preferably, these reversible connection means comprise shape couplings of the male-female type and/or couplings of the screw-bolt type.
At the supporting area between the stretcher "B" and the supporting platform 8 there is at least one, preferably four, load cell(s) 13.
In other words the stretcher "B" rests on the platform 8 coming into contact with at least one, preferably four, load cell(s) 13.
As can be seen in the appended figures, the aforementioned movement modules 2 are respectively connected to a front portion 8a of the supporting platform 8 and to a rear portion 8b of the supporting platform 8.
The first four-bar linkage mechanism 6 is connected to the second four-bar linkage mechanism 7 through a second connection portion C2. Moreover, the aforementioned second four-bar linkage mechanism 7 is connected to a crosspiece 9 by means of a third connection portion C3.
The crosspiece 9 is preferably equipped with receiving seats designed to allow a coupling, preferably a shape coupling, with the supporting platform 8. In accordance with a preferred embodiment the receiving seats are U-shaped to receive respective longitudinal members "L" of the supporting platform 8.
The relative movement of the aforementioned four-bar linkage mechanisms 6, 7 allows an adjustment of the positioning of the stretcher "B", connected thereto by means of the supporting platform 8, along a substantially vertical direction.
In particular, the coordinated adjustment of the supporting means 5 of the movement modules 2 connected respectively to the front portion 8a and rear portion 8b of the platform 8 allows compensating for the unevenness of the surface on which the frame 1 is moved.
In this way the differentiated adjustment of the supporting means 5 allows, during an operational movement of the frame 1, varying the angle of orientation of the supporting platform 8 corresponding to an angle of inclination with respect to a transverse direction of the stretcher "B".
Preferably these supporting means 5 are actuated through the use of at least one electromechanical actuator 12.
These actuators, preferably, are at least partially connected to the movement module 2.
In accordance with a further embodiment not shown in the appended figures, the four-bar linkage mechanisms 6, 7 can be absent and the supporting means 5 can comprise a robotic arm having a first portion connected to the movement module 2 and a second portion connected to the supporting platform 8.
In this case the supporting means 5 are designed to allow the adjustment of the height and at least one angle of orientation of the aforementioned supporting platform 8 during an operational movement of the frame 1, allowing to compensate for irregularities and/or inclinations of the surface on which the frame 1 is moved while maintaining a predetermined spatial orientation of the supporting platform 8, for example a horizontal orientation with respect to an absolute reference system.
According to this embodiment, the supporting crosspiece 4 of the movement module 2 can also be realised in the form of a drive shaft on which the wheels 3 are directly placed.
In accordance with different embodiments not shown in the appended figures, the movement module 2 can comprise a different number of wheels 3 and the aforementioned wheels 3 can have a different arrangement from the previously mentioned arrangement without altering the inventive concept of the present invention.
Preferably the frame 1 comprises a control module (not shown in the appended figures) operatively connected to the supporting means 5 and configured for realising a loading of the transport frame 1 on an external support plane, for example a support plane of an ambulance.
The frame 1 further comprises a legible storage support 10 and detection means 11 designed to detect a plurality of measurements indicating operating parameters of the frame 1.
In particular, the legible storage support 10 is operatively associated with the detection means 11 and is programmed for storing a plurality of measurements to allow a subsequent diagnosis relative to the operating conditions of the frame 1.
In other words, the detection means 11 acquire measurements indicating the operation of the frame 1 and these measurements are stored in the legible storage support 10 to be subsequently evaluated in order to determine the need to carry out maintenance works on the frame 1.
Preferably, the detection means 11 and/or the legible storage support 10 are/is housed at least partly inside a seat specially formed in the movement module 2 and/or in the supporting means 5.
In particular, the detection means 11 and/or the legible storage support 10 are supplied, preferably, by an electric battery.
Preferably, these detection means 11 comprise at least one accelerometer connected to the frame 1.
In particular, the accelerometer allows detecting the states of acceleration to which the frame 1 is subjected during its operating life.
Advantageously, the accelerations recorded by the accelerometer allow detecting the occurrence of events which are harmful for the frame 1, for example an impact to which, accidentally, the frame 1 can be subjected during movement operations.
Advantageously, moreover, the combined analysis of the measurements detected by a plurality of accelerometers allows precisely determining the portion of the frame 1 which was involved, for example in the aforementioned impact, providing indication on the portion of the frame 1 that could require maintenance.
Preferably, the detection means 11 comprise at least one gyroscope designed to detect an angular speed relative to a predetermined position of the frame 1.
The analysis of the speed detected by the gyroscope allows determining the movements to which the frame 1 is subjected during its use. In particular, these movements represent an index of the degree of wear of the frame 1.
Among the cycles and the movements of the frame 1, the detection means 11 can also detect, interacting with the at least one load cell 13, the number of times that the stretcher "B" is coupled to/uncoupled from the supporting platform 8 and the weight that the supporting platform, by means of the movement module 2, transported.
Advantageously, the analysis of the measurements detected by the gyroscopes allows setting preventive maintenance works. In this way maintenance interventions are performed such as revision, replacement and/or repair, with scheduled deadlines and before the component manifests any failure.
Preferably, the detection means 11 comprise at least one electromechanical system of the MEMS type.
In particular, the term "MEMS" (Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems) is intended as the electromechanical systems which consider objects with an average size around the micrometre.
Advantageously, such systems have a very reduced size and limit the inertia of the frame 1.
In accordance with alternative embodiments, the detection means comprise electromechanical systems with dimensions other than those indicated above without altering the inventive concept of the present invention.
Preferably, the frame 1 comprises a diagnosis module operatively associated with the legible storage support 10. This diagnosis module generates a signal describing an operating condition of the frame 1 as a function of the plurality of measurements carried out by the detection means 11.
In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, the diagnosis module is configured for generating a warning signal when the aforementioned descriptive signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value.
Advantageously, the diagnosis module helps to increase the safety of the frame 1, alerting the user in an intuitive way of the need to perform maintenance works.
Preferably, the frame 1 comprises a transmission module configured for transmitting the measurements acquired by the detection means 11 to an external support.
In this way measurements can be analysed by the external support to allow a diagnosis relating to the operating state of the frame 1.
In particular, the transmission module preferably comprises a radio-transmitter configured to transmit the measurements in radio frequency.
According to alternative embodiments not presented in the appended figures, the transmission module can comprise wired connectors and the nature of the signal can be of a different type without altering the inventive concept of the present invention.
In use, the detection means 11 acquire a plurality of measurements relating to the operation of the frame 1. These measurements are stored by the legible storage support 10 to allow a subsequent diagnosis designed to determine the need for maintenance on the frame 1.
It can therefore be seen that the present invention fully achieves the intended objects thanks to a frame for transporting a stretcher able to allow an adequate and precise evaluation of the need for maintenance interventions regardless of the skill of the operator by virtue of the presence of detection means and a legible storage support associated thereto that allow detecting and storing a plurality of measurements to allow a subsequent diagnosis of the operating conditions of the frame.
Advantageously, this diagnosis allows limiting the amount of time required for maintenance interventions, as it precisely determines the maintenance works to be carried out by means of an analysis of the operating parameters of the frame.
Advantageously, the acquisition and storage of the measurements is performed automatically and without the intervention of an operator.
Advantageously, the detection means have very small dimensions and have minimal impact on the efficiency of the supporting means and the movement modules.
Advantageously, moreover, the user can be informed in real time of the issues relating to the operation of the frame so as to see to its effective maintenance.

Claims

A frame (1) for transporting a stretcher comprising:
- at least one movement module (2) equipped with wheels (3) and configured for moving on a surface;

- a supporting platform (8) configured for receiving in coupling a table of a stretcher (B);

- supporting means (5) interposed between the at least one movement module (2) and the supporting platform (8), the supporting means (5) comprising motor-driven articulated means configured for adjusting the height of the stretcher (B) with respect to the surface;
characterised in that it comprises a legible storage support (10) and detection means (11) designed to detect a plurality of measurements indicating operating parameters of the frame (1),
wherein the legible storage support (10) is operatively associated with the detection means (11) and is programmed for storing the plurality of measurements to allow a subsequent diagnosis.
The frame according to claim 1, wherein the detection means (11) comprise at least an accelerometer connected to the frame (1), the accelerometer being designed to detect a state of acceleration of the frame (1).
The frame according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the detection means (11) comprise at least a gyroscope designed to detect an angular speed relative to a predetermined portion of the frame (1).
The frame according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the detection means (11) comprise at least one electromechanical system of the MEMS type.
The frame according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the movement module (2) has a seat designed to house at least partly the detection means (11) and/or the legible storage support (10).
The frame according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a diagnosis module operatively associated with the legible storage support (10) for generating at least one signal describing an operating condition of the frame (1) as a function of the plurality of measurements carried out by the detection means (11).
The frame according to claim 6, wherein the diagnosis module is configured for generating a warning signal when the descriptive signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value.
The frame according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a transmission module configured for transmitting at least the plurality of measurements to an external support, the transmission module comprising, preferably, a radio-transmitter configured for transmitting in radio frequency at least the plurality of measurements.
The frame according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one load cell (13) on which the stretcher (B) rests; the detection means (11) being programmed to measure the number of times the stretcher (B) is loaded on/unloaded from the supporting platform (8) and the weight loaded on the stretcher (B).