U-Shaped Off-Road Chassis With Hinged Ramp Floor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Off-road vehicles are inaccessible to individuals using wheelchairs or power chairs, as existing systems fail to accommodate and safely transport these mobility aids over rough terrains.
Innovation Solution
A versatile off-road chair, named Ripchair, featuring a U-shaped chassis with a ramp-type floor and hinged components, allowing the chair to be securely locked and carried, while providing rigidity and sturdiness for navigating uneven terrains through a combination of internal plates and attachable parts like a front bumper and suspension system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional off-road vehicle chassis is used, then the vehicle can navigate rough terrains with rigidity and strength, but it cannot accommodate wheelchair or power chair users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where the U-shaped chassis contains an internal frame that accommodates wheelchairs or power chairs within its embrace. The chair positioning area is formed by the U-shaped configuration, allowing the mobility device to be nested inside the vehicle chassis while maintaining structural integrity for off-road navigation
2Ease of operation
If a U-shaped chassis is used to accommodate chairs, then accessibility is improved, but the structural rigidity for rough terrains may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The chassis is segmented into a U-shaped configuration with distinct functional zones: side walls for structural support, a floor forming the chair positioning area, and internal frames for reinforcement. This segmentation allows the chassis to maintain stability while providing accessible entry points and accommodation space for wheelchairs
3Reliability
If the chassis is made more rigid to handle rough terrains, then vehicle stability improves, but the ease of loading chairs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The chassis incorporates dynamic elements including hinged side walls that can pivot to facilitate chair loading, and adjustable floor sections that can move to create loading ramps. These dynamic features allow the rigid chassis to temporarily adapt its configuration for easy chair access while maintaining structural stability during off-road operation
Data Source
AI summary
An off-road chair comprises a U-shaped chassis configured to receive a rider in a wheel chair type (manual or electric); at least one wheel attached to the chassis; and a floor section. The floor section is configured to attach to the bottom of the U-shaped chassis and to provide a floor; be lowered to provide a ramp for the rider to get on the floor section; and be raised to attach to a bottom part of the U-shaped chassis. The U-shaped chassis is configured to receive a wheel chair type (manual or electric) carrying the rider. The off-road chair further comprises a front bumper attached to a front of the U-shaped chassis, wherein the front bumper is configured to swing up with respect to the U-shaped chassis, enabling the rider to get on the floor section; and be lowered to lock to the chassis and protect the rider.