Aircraft-Docking Wheelchair With Autonomous Securement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wheelchair accommodations in public transportation, particularly in smaller aircraft, are burdensome and demeaning, lacking seamless and dignified solutions for differently-abled individuals, and often restrict travel options due to space limitations.
Innovation Solution
A multimodal wheelchair with adjustable features and autonomous docking capabilities, allowing secure attachment to vehicles, including aircraft, with integrated sensors and processors for alignment and securement mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional wheelchair accommodations are used in public transportation, then regulatory compliance is achieved, but user dignity and travel experience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The wheelchair system performs self-docking and self-securing operations autonomously using sensors, processors, and automated mechanisms. The system independently identifies docking locations, navigates to them, and secures itself to the vehicle without requiring manual assistance from transportation staff, thereby maintaining user dignity while ensuring regulatory compliance through reliable automated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical operations (hand-operated brakes, manual securing) are replaced with automated electronic systems including sensors, processors, electric motors, and automated securing mechanisms. This substitution enables autonomous docking and securing operations that maintain user dignity while ensuring reliable regulatory compliance through consistent automated execution.
2Measurement precision
If autonomous docking capabilities are added to the wheelchair, then docking precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system serves multiple functions: detecting docking locations, measuring distances, identifying obstacles, and providing spatial orientation. The processor performs multiple tasks including analyzing sensor data, navigating to docking locations, controlling movement, and coordinating securing operations. This multi-functionality achieves high docking precision while managing system complexity through consolidated components.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors act as intermediaries between the wheelchair and the environment, converting physical quantities (distance, position, obstacles) into electrical signals that the processor can analyze. This intermediary layer enables precise docking operations without requiring direct complex mechanical sensing mechanisms, thereby managing system complexity while achieving high measurement precision.
3Reliability
If securement mechanisms are integrated into the wheelchair, then attachment reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The securing mechanisms are integrated directly into the wheelchair structure, combining the attachment function with the existing chassis and frame. This merging approach achieves reliable attachment to vehicle docking locations while avoiding the complexity of separate, standalone securing systems. The integrated design allows the processor to coordinate securing operations with docking operations, managing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A multimodal wheelchair configured to be securely mounted to an aircraft is disclosed. The multimodal wheelchair may include: a first section, including: a processing system contained within a housing of the first section; a movement controller component positioned on a portion of the first section that is connected to the processing system; a plurality of wheels that are controllable by the movement controller; and a set of tracks recessed within a first side of the first section; and a second section, including: a seat portion located on a first side of the second section, the seat portion having an integrated harness; and a connection component, coupled to a second side of the second section, that attaches the second section to the first section via coupling with the set of tracks of the first section. Other aspects are described and claimed.