Electromechanical Brake Lock for Push Carriage Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing braking systems for push carriages, such as strollers and wheelchairs, lack effective security measures to prevent unintentional rolling on sloping surfaces and do not provide independent operation of safety functions, especially when the brake handle is accidentally released.
Innovation Solution
An electrically controllable actuator and electronic security lock system that engages a blocking element into a wheel's perforated ring, activated by sensors and mechanical switching elements, ensuring the brake remains locked until a release button is actuated, and can be controlled via a key switch, numerical switch, or biometric authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical braking device is used on push carriages, then the device can be operated manually, but it lacks security measures to prevent unintentional rolling on sloping surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical braking system with an electromechanical system that uses sensors to detect handle position and automatically activates braking when the handle is released, providing security against unintentional rolling while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The braking system performs self-service by automatically detecting when the handle is released through sensors and activating the brake without requiring additional user action, ensuring the carriage remains stationary on slopes
2Reliability
If the brake handle is accidentally released, then the carriage can move freely, but security measures are needed to prevent this
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through sensors that continuously monitor the handle position and provide signals to the control system, which automatically activates the brake when the handle is released, ensuring reliable brake locking while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual brake maintenance with an electronic control system that automatically detects handle release and activates braking, providing secure brake locking without complicating the user interface
3Reliability
If additional security features are added to the braking system, then security against theft and unintentional rolling is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by using the same sensor-based control system for both security against theft (locking the brake) and protection against unintentional rolling (automatic brake activation), reducing overall system complexity while enhancing security
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical locking mechanisms with an electronic control system that uses sensors and actuators to provide both theft protection and rolling prevention through automatic brake activation, simplifying the overall system architecture
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
Provides enhanced security against theft and unintentional rolling by maintaining the braking state even when the brake handle is accidentally released, allowing for easy operation and additional security features like remote control activation, ensuring the carriage remains stationary on slopes.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator converts signals, for example electrical, magnetic, thermal signals or magnetic waves into mechanical movement
Implementation Method 2
sensors or mechanical switching elements on the push handle, push handle or on a brake handle
Implementation Method 3
with which a spring element interacts, against the action of which a braking element is moved
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a brake device for at least one wheel which is arranged on a wheel-to-carriage frame. The brake device is defined by at least one additional brake locking element which can be moved by an electrically controllable actuator into a blocking position and a release position and acts on the brake device, wherein an electric control circuit controls the actuator as a function of control signals which are generated by additional sensors or mechanical switching elements on the sliding handle, the sliding bar or the brake handle when at least one hand is placed thereon or lifted thereof or by evaluating the occupation time of the existing sensors or mechanical switching elements, for the purpose of braking the wheel. The control circuit is combined with an electronic safety lock which leaves the actuator in the blocking position until the electronic safety lock outputs a release signal to the control circuit by activating a release sensor or release switch or key switch.