Safety system for a bathroom facility transfer system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transfer systems for assisting persons with disabilities in accessing bathroom facilities lack a safety mechanism to prevent the chair from sliding onto the removable bridge unless both ends of the bridge are securely connected, posing a risk of injury if the connection is not properly secured.
Innovation Solution
A transfer system with a removable bridge that includes latch members and a chair blocking member, where the latch members are resiliently biased to a first position and movable to a second position by latching to catch members on the mobile and stationary bases, preventing the chair from moving onto the bridge unless both ends are securely connected, and allowing movement once the connection is secured.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the removable bridge is designed to connect mobile base and stationary base, then the transfer system enables flexible positioning and access to bathroom facilities, but the system lacks safety mechanism to prevent chair from sliding onto bridge when connection is not secured
Solution Approach 1:
The chair blocking member is positioned to preemptively prevent the chair from sliding onto the removable bridge before the latch members can engage the catch members. This preliminary blocking action occurs at the initial stage when the bridge is being positioned, stopping any unintended chair movement before it can gain momentum and cause injury.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch members are designed to engage with catch members at both ends of the removable bridge before the chair blocking member is repositioned to allow chair movement. This preliminary securing action ensures the bridge is firmly connected to both bases before the chair path is opened, preventing any scenario where the chair could slide onto an unsecured bridge.
2Strength
If latch members are resiliently biased to first position and movable to second position by latching, then the connection can be securely fastened, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch members are resiliently biased to automatically engage with the catch members when the removable bridge is properly positioned. The spring-like bias provides the necessary force for the latch members to snap into the engaged position with the catch members, creating a self-securing mechanism that reduces the need for complex manual locking procedures or additional actuators.
3Reliability
If the chair blocking member prevents chair movement until bridge is secured, then user safety is enhanced, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The chair blocking member is integrated with the latch members and removable bridge structure, forming a unified safety system. When the latch members engage the catch members, they simultaneously trigger the repositioning of the chair blocking member to allow chair movement. This merging of functions means that securing the bridge automatically opens the chair path, eliminating the need for separate manual operations to release the block.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures the chair can be safely moved between the mobile and stationary bases only when the bridge is correctly secured, preventing accidents and enhancing user safety during transfers.
Implementation Method 1
latch members on the removable bridge are resiliently biased to a first position, and movable to a second position by latching to corresponding catch members on the mobile base and the stationary base
Data Source
AI summary
A bathroom facility transfer system, including a mobile base, a stationary base, and a removable bridge is disclosed. A user seated in a chair, is positioned adjacent to a bathroom facility with the mobile base. The removable bridge connects the mobile base to the stationary base, which is removably affixed to the bathroom facility, to allow the chair carrying the user to be moved between the mobile base and the stationary base. A chair blocking member on the removable base is movable between a) a chair blocking position, and b) a chair unblocking position. At least one opposed end of the chair blocking member interferes with movement of the chair onto the removable bridge from the mobile base or the stationary base, when the chair blocking member is in the chair blocking position. A method of assisting a user with accessing a bathroom facility is also disclosed.