Pivotable Mounting Assembly for Wheelchair Accessories

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing passenger conveyance devices, such as wheelchairs, face limitations in adjusting the position of accessories like armrests and side plates due to restricted range of adjustment, leading to instability and discomfort, as current solutions only allow limited two-dimensional adjustment and require multiple seat frames or components.

Innovation Solution

A mounting assembly with pivotable connection elements that allow two-dimensional movement of accessories relative to the frame element, enabling infinite width and depth adjustments without disconnection, using curved or arcuated connection elements that avoid collisions with underlying seat adjustment modules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple seat frames of different sizes are used to achieve wide seat width adjustment, then the adjustment range is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseat width adjustment rangeVSAvoidnumber of seat frames
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single seat frame is designed with multiple openings at different positions, allowing one frame to serve multiple width configurations. The armrest assembly can be positioned at different openings to achieve various seat widths, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated seat frames for different widths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The seat frame is segmented with multiple discrete openings along its length, allowing the armrest to be positioned at different segments. This segmentation enables width adjustment without requiring completely separate frame structures for each width configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the horizontal element of the armrest is extended to allow wide seat width adjustment, then the adjustment range is improved, but the stability deteriorates due to bending under user load

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseat width adjustment rangeVSAvoidarmrest stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The armrest's horizontal element is divided into multiple segments or sections that can be positioned at different openings. This allows the armrest to achieve wide seat width adjustment while maintaining structural integrity, as each segment remains relatively short and stiff rather than requiring one long, flexible element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the horizontal element of the armrest is extended to allow wide seat width adjustment, then the adjustment range is improved, but the device complexity increases due to collision with functional elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseat width adjustment rangeVSAvoidinterference with functional elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The armrest horizontal element is segmented into shorter sections that can be positioned at different openings. This segmentation allows the armrest to extend to wide positions without creating a single long element that would collide with underlying functional elements like lifting and tilting mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of extending the armrest horizontally in a straight line, the segmented design allows the armrest to achieve wide positioning by moving sections to different openings along the seat frame, effectively using the vertical dimension (different opening positions) to achieve horizontal width adjustment without interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Ease of operation

If conventional mounting assemblies are used to adjust accessory position, then the mounting is simplified, but the adjustment range is limited to one dimension

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting simplicityVSAvoidadjustment dimensions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting assembly incorporates multiple openings at different positions along the seat frame, and the armrest can be positioned at different openings to achieve adjustment in both horizontal (width) and longitudinal (depth) dimensions. This segmented approach maintains simple mounting at each position while enabling two-dimensional adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2540274B1Mounting assembly
Publication Date: 2015.06.03 SUNRISE MEDICAL GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2540274B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2540274B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a mounting assembly for mounting an accessory to a frame element of a passenger conveyance device, especially of a wheelchair or of a scooter, adjacent to a seating area of the passenger conveyance device, wherein the assembly comprises at least one connection element connectable to at least one first connection point of the frame element and to at least one second connection point of the accessory, wherein the connection element is pivotable relative to the frame element in the first connection point around a first, mainly vertical axis and relative to the accessory in the second connection point around a second axis being parallel to the first axis.