Manual Wheelchair Reverse Pushing Arrangement for Direct Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional manual wheelchairs limit verbal and non-verbal communication between the occupant and the pusher due to their design, which positions them facing opposite directions, complicating interaction, especially for individuals with dementia or intellectual disabilities and those who are hearing impaired.
Innovation Solution
A pushing arrangement for manual wheelchairs that allows the wheelchair to be propelled in reverse, with the pusher and occupant facing each other, featuring two parallel push rods with handles, coupling pieces for attachment to the wheelchair frame, and a locking mechanism to secure the rods at an angle, enabling full-fledged communication and improved maneuverability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the wheelchair is pushed from behind in the conventional orientation, then the pusher can propel the wheelchair forward, but the occupant and pusher have no or very limited visual contact with each other, complicating communication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional pushing arrangement by positioning the push rods at the front of the wheelchair instead of the back. This allows the pusher to push the wheelchair from the front, enabling both the pusher and occupant to face each other and maintain visual contact, thereby improving communication while resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling pieces act as intermediaries between the wheelchair frame and the push rods. They provide a detachable connection that allows the push rods to be mounted at an angle to the ground surface, enabling the inverted pushing configuration while maintaining a manageable structural complexity
2Ease of operation
If the push rods are mounted parallel to the ground surface, then the pushing arrangement is simpler, but the pusher cannot achieve optimal leverage for maneuvering
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling pieces enable the push rods to be mounted at an angle to the ground surface rather than parallel to it. This angular mounting provides optimal leverage for the pusher to maneuver the wheelchair while keeping the structure manageable through the detachable coupling mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mounting angle parameter of the push rods relative to the ground surface. By mounting the rods at an angle rather than parallel to the ground, the system achieves better mechanical advantage for maneuvering while the coupling pieces manage the increased structural complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If the pushing arrangement is permanently fixed, then the structure is more stable, but it cannot be adapted to different wheelchair types or storage conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The pushing arrangement is segmented into detachable components: coupling pieces that attach to the wheelchair frame and push rods that connect to the coupling pieces. This segmentation allows the system to be adapted to different wheelchair types while maintaining connection stability when assembled, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling pieces are designed with a universal attachment mechanism that can be mounted on different wheelchair frame types. The detachable design allows the same coupling pieces to work with various wheelchair configurations, providing adaptability while maintaining stable connections during use
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a pushing arrangement, for installation on a manual wheelchair, wherein the pushing arrangement is configured to push the manual wheelchair in a reverse orientation in a pushing direction over a ground surface, comprising: two substantially parallel push rods, each comprising a handle at a first end thereof; two coupling pieces, each comprising: a fixation part, configured for mounting the coupling piece on a frame tube section of the manual wheelchair; a rotation part, configured for attaching one of the two push rods to and configured for rotation around a first rotation axis, wherein the first rotation axis is substantially parallel to the ground surface and perpendicular to the pushing direction; a locking mechanism, configured for locking the rotation of the rotation part around the first rotation axis in an operating condition, wherein the coupling piece is configured for detachable attachment of one of the two push rods at a second end thereof, and wherein, in the operating condition, each of the two push rods is at an angle with respect to the ground surface.