Mobility Aid Height Adjustment With Anti-Rattle Shaft Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobility aids face challenges in providing a user-friendly, secure, and rattle-free height adjustment mechanism for handlebars and armrests, which is essential for user comfort and stability.
Innovation Solution
A height adjustment mechanism featuring a sleeve with an actuator, locking pin, friction member, and haptic mechanism that allows for precise handlebar positioning and secure locking, minimizing rattling through a single lever operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple sliding mechanism is used for handlebar height adjustment, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability and stability deteriorate due to inability to secure locked position
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into multiple functional components: a locking pin for positive engagement with locking apertures, a friction member for resisting movement, and an actuator for controlled operation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple locking functions into a single integrated mechanism. The locking pin provides positive locking engagement, while the friction member simultaneously provides resistance to movement. This merging of locking and friction resistance functions into one mechanism achieves reliable stability without requiring separate systems.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism with multiple components is used, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator serves multiple functions simultaneously: it moves the locking pin into and out of locking apertures, and it also actuates the friction member to engage with and release from the shaft. This merging of actuation functions into a single lever operation reduces operational complexity while maintaining reliable locking security.
Solution Approach 2:
The single lever actuator performs multiple tasks: it controls both the locking pin's engagement with locking apertures and the friction member's engagement with the shaft. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate controls needed, simplifying the overall device while maintaining reliable locking.
3Stability of the object's composition
If friction member is added to resist shaking, then stability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to additional resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The friction member's engagement is dynamic rather than static. During normal adjustment, the friction member is actuated by the lever to engage with the shaft, providing resistance to shaking. During release, the same lever actuation disengages the friction member, allowing smooth movement. This dynamic engagement allows the system to provide stability when needed while maintaining ease of operation during adjustment.
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
Enables easy, secure, and rattle-free adjustment of handlebar height, enhancing user comfort and stability by ensuring precise locking and tactile/audible feedback during adjustment.
Implementation Method 1
The friction member is configured to press against the first shaft in response to an actuation of the actuator to resist shaking of the first shaft relative to the left-side frame
Implementation Method 2
The adjustment mechanism may further include a biasing member received in the channel of the friction member and operably engaged with the locking pin such that the biasing member biases the locking pin to a position in which the locking pin is external of the plurality of locking apertures
Data Source
AI summary
A height adjustment mechanism of a mobility aid selectively locks a height of a handle or an armrest of the mobility aid and reduces shaking and/or rattling between a vertical shaft and a frame of the mobility aid.