Mobility Frame Light Integration Across Folding Linkages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing personal mobility assistance devices lack effective means to enhance visibility and recognition in low light conditions, particularly for wheeled devices like strollers, wheelchairs, and walkers, which can lead to accidents and difficulty in identifying the devices in crowded areas.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a light set with a flexible conductor and light emitters attached to the device frame using mechanical fasteners, allowing the emitters to outline the device's shape and provide visibility, with adjustable lighting patterns and colors to increase recognition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light emitters are integrated into the mobility device frame, then visibility and recognition in low light conditions is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light set with the mobility device frame by integrating light emitters, conductors, and mounting mechanisms directly into the frame structure. The rigid and flexible components are merged with the frame's existing architecture, allowing the light set to be secured using the frame's own structural elements rather than requiring separate mounting systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame components serve dual functions: structural support for the mobility device and mounting structures for the light emitters. The rigid components provide both structural integrity and electrical connection pathways, while the flexible components accommodate movement and maintain both mechanical and electrical connections, eliminating the need for dedicated light-mounting structures.
2Stability of the object's composition
If light emitters are mounted on the frame using rigid connections, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability to device movement and configuration changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection system is segmented into rigid component portions and flexible component portions. The rigid portions maintain stable electrical connections during normal use, while the flexible portions accommodate device movement, folding, and reconfiguration. This segmentation allows each portion to optimize for its specific functional requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates flexible conductors and flexible mounting components that allow the light set to adapt to changes in the device's configuration. The flexible elements enable the light emitters to remain properly positioned and electrically connected even when the device is folded, extended, or reconfigured, providing dynamic adaptability while maintaining structural stability during operation.
3Reliability
If conductor connections are made through the linkage mechanism, then electrical connectivity is improved, but reliability of connection during device movement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The conductor is divided into rigid component portions and flexible component portions, with the flexible portions specifically designed to pass through or around the linkage mechanism. This segmentation allows the rigid portions to maintain stable electrical connections at fixed points while the flexible portions accommodate the dynamic movement and reconfiguration of the linkage mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible conductor acts as an intermediary element between the rigid conductor portions and the linkage mechanism. It provides a compliant pathway that maintains electrical connectivity while allowing the linkage mechanism to move, fold, and reconfigure without putting stress on the rigid connection points or causing wear on the linkage components.
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
The light set enhances visibility and safety of mobility devices in low light conditions, facilitating easy recognition and reducing the risk of accidents, while also offering decorative and customizable options.
Implementation Method 1
The first light emitter is connected to a first component conductor portion of a conductor within the first rigid component and the second light emitter connected to a second component conductor portion of the conductor within the second rigid component
Data Source
AI summary
A personal mobility assistance device includes a frame that includes a first ridged component moveable relative to a second ridged component by a linkage mechanism. The first rigid frame component has a first light emitter mounted in a first opening in the first rigid frame component and the second rigid frame component has a second light emitter mounted in a second opening in the second rigid frame component. The first light emitter is connected to a first component conductor portion of a conductor within the first rigid component and the second light emitter connected to a second component conductor portion of the conductor within the second rigid component. A conductor connection mechanism within the linkage mechanism includes a plurality of contacts that electrically connect the second component conductor portion to the first conductor portion when the linkage mechanism is in at least one position.