Movable Bumper Mobility Securement System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobility securement systems for wheelchairs and other mobility devices in public transportation vehicles are inefficient, requiring significant time and effort to secure and release, often compromising the comfort and safety of disabled passengers, and may not effectively prevent tip-overs or accommodate different types of mobility devices.
Innovation Solution
A mobility securement system utilizing two attachment members and a movable bumper that can extend to apply forces against the mobility device, allowing for quick and secure positioning without the need for precise alignment, and can accommodate various device shapes and sizes, including those with skewed angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If three or four attachment points are used to secure the mobility device, then the securement strength and reliability are improved, but the time and effort required for securing and releasing the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes one attachment point from the traditional three or four-point system, reducing to two attachment points. This extraction simplifies the securement process while maintaining reliability through the combination of two strategic attachment points and a bumper barrier that provides additional support and prevents tip-overs.
Solution Approach 2:
The securement system is segmented into distinct functional components: two attachment members for primary securement and a bumper barrier for secondary support and tip-over prevention. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, reducing the overall complexity and time required for securement.
2Reliability
If multiple attachment points are used, then the securement reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts unnecessary attachment points from the traditional system, reducing from three or four points to just two. This reduction in the number of attachment points directly decreases system complexity while maintaining securement reliability through the strategic placement of the two points and the addition of the bumper barrier.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using multiple attachment points to prevent tip-overs, the patent inverts the approach by using a bumper barrier as the primary tip-over prevention mechanism and only two attachment points for basic securement. This inversion simplifies the overall system design.
3Manufacturing precision
If precise positioning of the mobility device is required for proper securement, then the securement accuracy is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper barrier is positioned in advance to automatically guide and support the mobility device into the correct position. This preliminary positioning action eliminates the need for precise manual alignment by the operator, as the bumper physically guides the device into place during the securement process.
Solution Approach 2:
The bumper barrier acts as an intermediary between the mobility device and the attachment points, facilitating proper positioning and support. This intermediary component mediates the interaction between the operator and the mobility device, making the securement process easier while maintaining positioning accuracy.
4Reliability
If the mobility device must be positioned directly against the bumper assembly, then the tip-over prevention is improved, but the ease of operation worsens due to additional positioning time
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper assembly is pre-positioned and designed to automatically guide the mobility device into the correct position against the bumper. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for manual positioning adjustments, allowing the device to be naturally guided into place during the securement process, thus maintaining tip-over prevention while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The bumper assembly provides self-service positioning by automatically guiding the mobility device into the correct position through its physical structure and placement. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for operator intervention in precise positioning, improving ease of operation while ensuring proper alignment for tip-over prevention.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobility securement system, and method for securing a wheelchair or other mobility device, and its passenger, within a public or private vehicle. In various embodiments, the system includes one or two attachment members, one or two vehicle anchor assemblies and, potentially, at least one fixed or moveable bumper, and may further include a barrier. A tensioning assembly is operably connected to at least one attachment member and vehicle anchor assembly. One or more moveable bumpers are configured to articulate to in turn apply a force against the mobility device, and one attachment member may be hidden behind a stored position of a moveable bumper.