Adjustable Wheelchair Frame for Multi-Size User Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wheelchairs are designed for an average user size, requiring multiple models to accommodate different users, which is inefficient and costly for both consumers and suppliers due to the need for a variety of sizes, and necessitates significant storage space.
Innovation Solution
A wheelchair with adjustable dimensions, featuring extendable and retractable seat and backrest rods, support mechanisms, and wheel configurations, allowing a single model to fit various user sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional wheelchairs are designed for average user size, then manufacturing and inventory management are simplified, but the wheelchair cannot accommodate users of different sizes effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The wheelchair incorporates adjustable seat depth, width, and backrest dimensions through extendable and retractable rod mechanisms. These dynamic components allow the wheelchair structure to change dimensions based on user size requirements, transforming a static design into an adaptable system that accommodates various body types without requiring multiple fixed-size models
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multiple adjustable parameters including seat rod length, backrest rod length, and overall frame dimensions. By enabling continuous adjustment of these geometric parameters, the wheelchair can be customized for different user sizes, resolving the contradiction between maintaining a simple design and achieving versatility across user populations
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple wheelchair models are produced to accommodate different user sizes, then user fit is improved, but storage space requirements and inventory costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The wheelchair is designed as a universal platform that can serve multiple user size categories through its adjustable components. A single wheelchair model with adjustable seat and backrest dimensions can replace multiple fixed-size models, allowing suppliers to maintain one inventory unit that fulfills the function of several different sized wheelchairs, thereby reducing storage space requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic adjustment mechanisms enable one wheelchair to transform into multiple configuration states, effectively replacing the need for multiple static wheelchair models. This dynamic capability allows a single physical unit to occupy storage space equivalent to one model rather than requiring separate storage for multiple size variants
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple wheelchair models are maintained in inventory, then various user preferences are met, but time and resources are wasted in the selection and purchase process
Solution Approach 1:
By providing a single universal wheelchair model with adjustable dimensions, the selection process is simplified from choosing among multiple fixed-size models to simply adjusting the dimensions to match user preferences. This eliminates the need for users to physically try multiple different wheelchair models, significantly reducing the time and effort required to find a suitable fit
Data Source
AI summary
An expandable wheelchair device for adjusting dimensions of the wheelchair to accommodate variously sized users includes a chair having a seat and a back rest. The seat includes a pair of seat rods that are each extendable and retractable. The back rest includes a pair of back rest rods that are each extendable and retractable. A support is positioned beneath the seat to support the chair above a surface. A pair of drive wheels is rotatably coupled to the support proximate to a junction between the seat and the back rest. A pair of front wheels is rotatably coupled to the support and is spaced from the pair of drive wheels.