Design and simulation of an ergonomically optimized nursing care bed with integrated actuator systems : a case study at Kawempe national referral hospital

Abstract

The scarcity of nursing care beds and appropriate medical equipment are two of the biggest issues facing healthcare facilities Uganda. This dissertation presents the design and simulation of a nursing care bed with integrated electric linear actuator systems capable of adjusting height, legs, head, Trendelenburg, and post-Trendelenburg positions to enhance patient comfort and care. The nursing care bed integrates multiple electric linear actuators and electric control system to provide a comprehensive range of adjustments, allowing for positioning tailored to individual patient and medical personal needs. The design prioritizes ergonomic principles and control systems to ensure smooth, and precise bed adjustments. Detailed simulations were conducted to assess the performance and reliability of the bed’s mechanisms, focusing on actuator coordination, load distribution, and user safety. The results indicate that the nursing care bed system was effective and the results were; factor of safety for top frame was 2.655, factor of safety for bed link was 2.41 and factor of safety for base frame was 2.273 all were above 1.5. Similarly, the stresses on nursing care super structure were below the yield strength of ASTM- A36 which is 2.5×108N/m2. The top frame had stress of , 9.416X107N/m2, bed link stress was 1.07 × 108N/m2, and base frame stress was,7.626 × 107N/m2. Additionally, electric linear Actuator selection was done through force analysis and optimization by analyzing forces at different angle of inclination to obtain the suitable actuator rating. The head and legs electric actuators optimized loading capacity was 539.55N, and height adjustment electric actuator optimized loading capacity was 2403.5N. Utilizing a electric linear actuator actuator system proved to be cost effective than hydraulic actuation system since no routine maintenance such as; change of oil seals, topping up of hydraulic oil activities among other was required for Nursing Care Bed.