Patient Transport Throttle Monitoring for Stuck-Speed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional patient transport apparatuses face challenges in controlling the rotational speed of auxiliary wheels, as the throttle can become stuck, leading to undesirable rotational speeds, which can result in uncontrollable movement and safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A patient transport apparatus equipped with a throttle assembly, a biasing element, and a controller that monitors the throttle position and limits the operation of the wheel drive system if a stuck throttle condition is detected, ensuring the auxiliary wheel operates within predetermined speed limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the throttle is made movable to various positions to control rotational speed, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to the throttle becoming stuck
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors the throttle position sensor signal to detect whether the throttle is stuck in a non-neutral position. When a stuck condition is detected, the controller provides feedback by limiting the wheel drive system operation, thereby resolving the reliability issue while preserving the ease of operation during normal conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary monitoring of the throttle position before it becomes a safety issue. By detecting stuck conditions in advance and limiting operation proactively, the system prevents undesirable rotational speeds from occurring, thus maintaining reliability without compromising the movable throttle design
2Device complexity
If the throttle can be stuck in intermediate positions, then the device complexity remains simple, but the object-generated harmful factors increase due to uncontrollable wheel rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces a purely mechanical throttle control system with an electromechanical system that includes electronic sensors and a controller. The throttle position sensor and controller detect and respond to stuck conditions by limiting the wheel drive system, thereby eliminating the harmful effect of uncontrollable rotation while maintaining mechanical simplicity in the throttle assembly itself
3Reliability
If the controller limits wheel drive system operation in response to stuck throttle, then the safety is improved, but the productivity decreases due to restricted movement
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its operation based on real-time throttle position monitoring. During normal operation with no stuck conditions, the wheel drive system operates at full productivity. When a stuck condition is detected, the system dynamically limits operation only in the problematic state, thereby maintaining high productivity during safe operation while ensuring safety when needed
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
Prevents undesirable rotational speeds by detecting and addressing stuck throttle conditions, enhancing control and safety during patient transport by limiting the wheel drive system's operation accordingly.
Implementation Method 1
A biasing element is interposed between the throttle and the handle to urge the throttle toward the neutral throttle position
Data Source
AI summary
A patient transport apparatus is provided. The patient transport apparatus includes a support structure, a wheel, a wheel drive system, a throttle rotatable from a neutral throttle position to a plurality of throttle positions between a maximum forward throttle position and a maximum backward throttle position, a throttle sensor configured to generate a signal representing a rotational position of the throttle, and a controller. The controller is configured to operate the wheel drive system to rotate the wheel in response to rotation of the throttle, monitor for a stuck throttle condition defined by the signal generated by the throttle sensor indicating that the throttle has persisted in a throttle position other than the maximum forward throttle position, the maximum backward throttle position, and the neutral throttle position for a predetermined period, and limit operation of the wheel drive system in response to detecting the stuck throttle condition.