Pivotable Seating Assembly for Multi-Terrain Wheelchair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional motorized wheelchairs are not suitable for rough or uneven terrain, lacking the ability to adjust orientation and provide stable transport over inclines.
Innovation Solution
A multi-terrain motorized wheelchair with a pivotable seating assembly and track units, featuring a drive assembly connected to the seating assembly via drive shafts, allowing for adjustable orientation and enhanced stability through skid steering and stabilization mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional wheelchair design is used, then simplicity and ease of manufacture are maintained, but the wheelchair cannot handle rough or uneven terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamically adjustable seating assembly that can pivot and tilt relative to the track assembly. This allows the seating to adapt its orientation to match the terrain inclination, enabling the wheelchair to handle rough terrain while maintaining user comfort and control. The dynamic adjustment capability directly addresses the terrain adaptability requirement without requiring complete structural redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheelchair is divided into functionally independent segments: a fixed track assembly for ground contact and a separately pivotable seating assembly for user support. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the track assembly for terrain engagement and the seating assembly for user comfort and orientation adjustment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the seating assembly is made pivotable to adjust orientation, then terrain adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seating assembly is designed with pivot and tilt capabilities that allow it to dynamically adjust its orientation relative to the track assembly. This dynamic adjustment mechanism enables the seating to follow terrain contours and maintain an appropriate angle for user comfort, directly improving orientation adaptability while using a relatively simple pivot joint mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If track assembly is added for rough terrain capability, then terrain handling improves, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The track assembly serves multiple functions: it provides ground contact for mobility, supports the seating assembly, and enables both forward movement and rotational movement (skid steering). This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control mechanisms for different maneuvers, simplifying the overall control system while maintaining rough terrain capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-terrain motorized wheelchair apparatus is disclosed that comprises a seating assembly for supporting a user in a seated position, a track assembly with the seating assembly being pivotable with respect to the track assembly. The track assembly includes a pair of track units positioned on opposite sides of the seating assembly. The apparatus comprises a seating orientation adjustment assembly configured to adjust an orientation of the seating assembly with respect to the track assembly. The apparatus includes at least one drive assembly mounted on the seating assembly and which has at least one drive shaft structure connected to the track units to drive the track units. The seating assembly is supported on the track units of the track assembly by the drive shaft structure.