Care bed and method of assembling same

Abstract

A care bed includes a bedframe unit and a height-adjustment support unit. The bedframe unit includes a platform having a number of platform sections. At least one bedframe actuator is operable to drive at least one of the platform sections to lift up or lower down. A bedframe control unit controls operation of the at least one bedframe actuator. A bedframe power supply supplies power for operations of the bedframe control unit and the at least one bedframe actuator. The height-adjustable support unit includes at least one height adjustment driving device operable to control a height of the bedframe unit, and a height adjustment control unit to control operation of the height-adjustment driving device, the height adjustment control unit being separate from the bedframe control unit. The power for operations of the height adjustment driving device and the height adjustment control unit is supplied by the bedframe power supply

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A care bed comprising:
 a bedframe unit comprising:
 a platform configured to support a load and comprising a plurality of platform sections; 
 at least one bedframe actuator operable to drive at least one of the plurality of platform sections to lift up or lower down; 
 a bedframe control unit configured to control operation of the at least one bedframe actuator; and 
 a power supply configured to supply power needed for operations of the bedframe control unit and the at least one bedframe actuator; and 
   a height-adjustment support unit mounted to the bedframe unit, the height-adjustable support unit comprising:
 at least one height adjustment driving device operable to adjust a height of the bedframe; and 
 a height adjustment control unit configured to control operation of the at least one height-adjustment driving device, the height adjustment control unit being separate from the bedframe control unit; 
   wherein the power needed for operations of the at least one height adjustment driving device and the height adjustment control unit is supplied by the bedframe power supply.   
     
     
         2 . The care bed of  claim 1 , wherein the bedframe unit comprises a bedframe handset or remote controller for controlling operation of the at least one bedframe actuator, and the height-adjustment support unit comprises a height-adjustment handset or remote controller for controlling operation of the at least one height adjustment driving device, the bedframe handset or remote controller being separate from the handset or remote controller. 
     
     
         3 . The care bed of  claim 1 , wherein the power supply is electrically connected to the bedframe control unit and the height adjustment control unit by a Y-cable. 
     
     
         4 . A method of assembling a care bed, comprising:
 providing a care bed comprising a platform configured to support a load and comprising a plurality of platform sections, a support bracket mounted below the platform, at least one bedframe actuator operable to drive at least one of the plurality of platform sections to lift up or lower down, a bedframe control unit configured to control operation of the at least one bedframe actuator, and a power supply configured to supply power needed for operation of the bedframe control unit and the at least one bedframe actuator;   mounting a height-adjustment support unit to the support bracket to support the platform, the height-adjustable support unit comprising at least one height adjustment driving device operable to adjust a height of the platform, and a height adjustment control unit configured to control operation of the at least one height-adjustment driving device; and   electrically connecting the height adjustment control unit to the bedframe power supply for supplying power from the bedframe power supply to the height adjustment control unit.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising, before mounting the height-adjustment support unit to the support bracket, detaching a height non-adjustable support unit from the support bracket, wherein the height-adjustment support unit is mounted to the support bracket at fixing points where the height non-adjustable support unit was mounted to the support bracket. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the height non-adjustable support unit comprises a plurality of legs mounted to an underside of the support bracket. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the power supply is electrically connected to the bedframe control unit and the height adjustment control unit by a Y-cable. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the care bed comprises a bedframe handset or remote controller for exclusively controlling operation of the bedframe unit, and the height-adjustment support unit comprises a height-adjustment handset or remote controller for exclusively controlling operation of the height adjustment support unit.