Modular Medical Mobility Ride-On for User Growth Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical mobility devices for children and young adults with disabilities lack adjustability and adaptability to their growing needs and changing conditions, often requiring frequent upgrades and failing to provide necessary support and intuitive control mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A modular medical mobility device with a reconfigurable chassis and interchangeable modules, including a front-end module, drive module, power module, seating module, harness module, and leg support module, that can be adjusted to accommodate varying body dimensions and needs, allowing for continuous adaptation as the user grows or their condition progresses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional mobility devices are designed with fixed size and configuration, then manufacturing and initial cost are reduced, but the device becomes inoperable or difficult to operate as the user grows or their condition changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to user growth and changing needsVSAvoiddevice structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mobility device is divided into multiple interchangeable modules including seat module, canopy module, storage module, and wheel module. Each module can be independently removed and replaced through quick-connect mechanisms, allowing the device to adapt to user growth and changing needs without requiring complete device replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device incorporates adjustable components such as height-adjustable footrests, reclining seats with multiple positions, and interchangeable wheel sizes. These dynamic elements allow the mobility device to be reconfigured as the user grows or their medical conditions change, maintaining operability throughout the user's development.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Duration of action of moving object

If mobility devices are designed to be larger to accommodate future growth, then long-term usability is improved, but the device becomes oversized and difficult to operate in the near term

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelong-term usabilityVSAvoidoperability

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The seat module is designed as a separate interchangeable component that can be replaced as the user grows. This allows the device to start with a appropriately-sized seat for a young child and be upgraded to larger seats later, avoiding the need to begin with an oversized seat that would be difficult for a small child to operate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different modules are optimized for different user sizes and needs. The device can be configured with smaller, more maneuverable components for young users and gradually transitioned to larger components as the user grows, ensuring each stage of development has appropriately-sized components for optimal operability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If traditional control mechanisms are used in mobility devices, then device complexity is reduced, but the controls become inoperable or extremely difficult to operate for children and young adults with disabilities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol accessibilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is designed with universal accessibility in mind, incorporating multiple input methods including joystick controls, button panels, and compatibility with various adaptive equipment. The control module can be configured with different control types depending on the user's specific disability and abilities, making the device operable for users with diverse physical and cognitive conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of manufacture

If ride-on devices are designed as toys rather than medical necessities, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but the device lacks necessary support and adjustability for users with disabilities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoiddevice reliability for medical use

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device is designed to serve dual purposes as both a recreational vehicle and a medical mobility device. It incorporates medical-grade features such as proper posture support, safety harnesses, and adjustable positioning while maintaining the playful aesthetic and functionality of a ride-on toy. This allows the device to be manufactured with reasonable complexity while providing reliable support for users with disabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12178764B1Modular medical mobility device

Publication Date: 2024.12.31 NORTH FLORIDA UNIV OF

AI summary

A modular ride-on is provided that is adjustable based on the needs of the operator. The modular ride-on offers children and young adults with disabilities a higher degree of freedom and comfort over traditional mobility devices—such as wheelchairs. The modular ride-on includes a chassis configured to removably couple a plurality of adjustable modules. The independently adjustable modules include a front-end module, first and second drive modules, a seating module, a harness module, an armrest module, a footrest module, a leg support module, a body module, and a control module.