Center-Mounted Wheelchair Backrest Adjustment Without Side Canes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheelchair seating systems are often bulky and cumbersome to adjust, and rely on side-mounted backrest canes that add weight and restrict movement, particularly in lightweight or sport wheelchairs.
Innovation Solution
A center-mounted backrest adjustment system with pivoting axes and offset mounts allows for infinite or incremental height, depth, and angular adjustments, eliminating the need for side canes and enabling greater freedom of movement by integrating mounting hardware within the back shell.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional side-mounted backrest canes are used, then the backrest is supported and mounted, but the user's freedom of movement and trunk rotation is restricted and extra weight is added
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional side-mounted backrest canes from the wheelchair structure and replaces them with a center-mounted backrest support system. This extraction eliminates the interference between canes and user arms during propulsion, providing greater freedom of movement while reducing overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a lateral mounting arrangement (side canes) to a central mounting arrangement (center of shell). This dimensional repositioning allows the backrest to be supported without side canes, eliminating movement restrictions while maintaining structural integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable seating systems are provided to accommodate different user sizes, then user comfort is improved, but the system becomes bulky and cumbersome to adjust
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic adjustment mechanism with two pivoting axes that allow the backrest to be positioned at multiple angles and heights. The system transitions from static to dynamic positioning, enabling easy adjustment for different user sizes and preferences without requiring bulky mechanical structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The backrest mounting system is divided into multiple adjustable components including offset mounts with pivoting axes, allowing independent adjustment of backrest angle, height, and depth. This segmentation enables versatile positioning while keeping each individual adjustment mechanism simple and lightweight.
3Weight of moving object
If lightweight materials and smaller backrests are used for sport wheelchairs, then weight is reduced and speed is improved, but the backrest provides insufficient support and is difficult to adjust
Solution Approach 1:
The center-mounted backrest support system serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, enables angular adjustment, accommodates different backrest sizes, and maintains stability. This multi-functional design allows lightweight construction while ensuring reliable support and ease of adjustment for sport wheelchair applications.
Data Source
AI summary
A backrest mounting system provides angular and height adjustment of a backrest shell independent of backrest canes. The backrest mounting system attaches to a centrally located mounting structure on the backrest shell and defines at least two pivot axes that determine the angular position of the backrest shell relative to a wheelchair seat.