Modular Rotatable Seat with Manual Locking for Accessible Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Physically disabled individuals and those with limited mobility face difficulties in sitting on and getting up from seats, particularly in tight spaces like bathrooms, due to limited range of motion and risk of falls or injuries, which can lead to avoidance of using toilets or other equipment, exacerbating medical conditions.
Innovation Solution
A modular seat apparatus with a rotatable seat mechanism, featuring a locking assembly actuated by a manual trigger, allowing the seat to swivel relative to its base, and interchangeable accessories such as armrests and benches, enabling various configurations for improved accessibility and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed seat is used in a tight bathroom space, then the structure is simple and stable, but disabled individuals cannot easily access or transfer to the seat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the seat rotatable relative to the base through a bearing mechanism. The seat can rotate 360 degrees to allow disabled individuals to approach from different directions and transfer more easily, while a locking mechanism ensures the seat remains stable during use. This transforms the fixed seat into a dynamic structure that adapts to user needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the seat into detachable modular components including the seat portion, base, armrests, and locking mechanism. This allows the seat to be assembled and configured in different arrangements to suit tight bathroom spaces and individual user requirements, while maintaining structural stability through proper connection interfaces.
2Reliability
If multiple gripping bars are installed on both sides of the toilet for safe transfer, then safety is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the armrests to serve multiple functions: they provide structural support, act as gripping bars for safe transfer, and can be positioned at optimal heights and angles. The rotatable seat itself also serves as a transfer aid, allowing users to approach from various directions without requiring separate gripping bars on all sides.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of the armrests and gripping bars into a single integrated component. The armrests are structurally combined with the seat base and can be positioned to provide both support and gripping surfaces, eliminating the need for separate gripping bar installations and reducing overall device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If a larger disabled toilet is built to accommodate wheelchair transfer, then accessibility is improved, but the space required in the bathroom increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable seat allows wheelchair users to transfer to the seat from different approaches and angles, effectively creating more transfer options within a compact footprint. The seat can rotate to align with the wheelchair position, providing adequate transfer space without requiring a larger overall toilet structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design allows the seat to be configured with adjustable components that can be positioned to optimize transfer space. The detachable armrests and adjustable seat position enable the toilet to adapt to different wheelchair sizes and user needs within a compact area.
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 modular seat apparatus enhances accessibility and safety for disabled individuals by allowing easy rotation and locking of the seat, reducing the risk of falls and injuries, and accommodating different user needs through interchangeable parts, facilitating use in tight spaces.
Implementation Method 1
a bearing positioned between the locking plate and the swivel plate, the bearing rotatably coupling the swivel plate to the locking plate such that seat can rotated relative to the base
Implementation Method 2
the bearing comprises a thrust bearing
Implementation Method 3
the thrust bearing comprises thrust ball bearing configured to operate in an axial load
Implementation Method 4
the locking assembly comprises a locking peg, the trigger is in mechanical communication with locking peg, wherein the locking peg is biased toward a locking position to lock the seat relative to the base
Implementation Method 5
the locking peg is biased toward a locking position
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method for a seat apparatus (100, 400) comprising a base (102); a seat (106), wherein the seat (106) is moveably connected to the base (102) such that the seat (106) is rotatable relative to the base (102); a locking assembly (300, 500) associated with the seat (106), the locking assembly (300, 500) configured to lock the seat (106) in one or more positions relative to the base (102); the locking assembly (300, 500) comprising a trigger (302, 502) that is manually actuable by a user; wherein the seat (106) is unlocked when the trigger (302, 502) is actuated, to allow the seat (106) to rotate relative to the base (102).