Analysis to Improve the Strength of Beds Due to the Excess Weight of Users in Slovakia

Roman Réh,Ľuboš Krišťák,Nadežda Langová,Miloš Hitka,Pavol Joščák,Miloš Čambál

doi:10.3390/su11030624

Abstract

Good quality sleep is a prerequisite for regenerating the human body, hence, beds should be optimized for specific group of users, taking into consideration their size or age. Current research studies show similar trends in adult populations around the world, where increases in height as well as in weight can be observed. Not only the ergonomics but also the safety of beds, which is determined by the quality and dimensions of structural elements, must be taken into account in bed design. Designing the structural elements for users with a high body weight is presented in the paper. The properties of a bed’s structural elements, which ensure comfort as well as the safety of a bed are affected by the excess weight of users. New requirements for cross sections, suitable materials and construction of structural elements were set in accordance with the standard EN 1725:1998 [1]. Also, an analysis of stresses was done using the finite element method (FEM) and the calculation of allowable stresses related to a user weighing 150 kg. The results of our research provide complete standards and regulations associated with the safety requirements of bedroom furniture for users with a weight more than 110 kg to ensure that the manusfacture of quality products in Slovakia.

Highlights

High quality and uninterrupted sleep is essential for the well-being of any individual, an is needed to regenerate parts of the brain
The findings from this study suggest that, when lying in the centre of a 910 mm wide hospital bed, a patient with a BMI greater than 35 kg/m2 would have insufficient space to be turned in either direction without lateral repositioning
The maximum value of compression is on one side and an equal maximum value of tension is located on the other side of the thickness and passes through zero at the mid-plane

Summary

Introduction

High quality and uninterrupted sleep is essential for the well-being of any individual, an is needed to regenerate parts of the brain. Product dimensions are generally created by the sum of the size of an individual plus additional factors (each separately), so, for the width of the bed we get P99 + room for turning left and/or right and for different positions. For these reasons anthropometric information should be used in the design of bedroom furniture (and other furniture), and may improve well-being, health, comfort and safety [mm]. The relationship between anthropometric attributes and the space occupied when turning was used to establish guidelines for selecting an appropriate hospital bed width based on the size of the users. FFigiguurere66. .BBededstsrterennggththtetestsitninggwwitihthsstatatitcicloloaaddEENN11772255:1:1999988;;((aa))tteessttiinnggtthheessttrreennggtthh ooff tthhee llyyiinngg aarreeaa;; (b(b) )vveretritciaclalstsattaitcicloloadadtetsetstoof fththeeededgge.e

Strength of Elements

Element Bending

Methodology for Static Loading Testing of Bed Slats

Methodology for Static Loading Testing of Sideboard

Findings

Discussion and Conclusions