Pivoting Wheel Cradle for All-Terrain Transport Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing all-terrain wheelchair, known as Joëlette, has a crutch system that offers precarious stability and is not practical for use, requiring manual and laborious manipulation of each crutch during installation and retraction, which is painful for attendants and poses stability risks during ascent or descent.
Innovation Solution
A transport device with a pivoting wheel cradle that tilts between dynamic rolling and static support positions, incorporating a shock absorber and wedging pads for enhanced stability, and a locking mechanism for secure immobilization, allowing easy transition between positions using a simple push or pull motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a crutch system is used to stabilize the transport device during ascent or descent, then stability is improved, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to manual manipulation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple crutches into a single integrated wheel cradle structure that pivots on the frame. This merging eliminates the need to manipulate multiple independent crutches manually, while the pivoting mechanism automatically provides stability during passenger ascent and descent, resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel cradle is designed to pivot dynamically between different positions based on the operational state. During passenger loading/unloading, the cradle can tilt to provide ground support stability, while during normal operation it returns to a retracted position. This dynamic behavior automatically adapts stability to operational needs without manual intervention.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple independent crutches are used for stabilization, then stability is improved, but the manipulation complexity and time required increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple crutch functions into a single pivoting wheel cradle assembly, the system eliminates the need to manually deploy and retract multiple independent crutches. The single pivoting mechanism can be quickly positioned to provide stability or retracted for operation, significantly reducing the time required compared to manipulating multiple separate crutches.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the wheel cradle tilts to static position for ground support, then stability during passenger transfer is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel cradle utilizes a simple pivoting mechanism that allows it to tilt dynamically between a retracted position and a static ground-support position. This single degree of freedom pivoting motion provides the necessary stability during passenger transfer without requiring complex multi-axis mechanisms, maintaining relative simplicity while achieving improved stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivoting wheel cradle can be manually positioned by the operator to tilt into the static position when ground support is needed, and then returned to the retracted position. This self-service approach allows the mechanism to provide stability on-demand without requiring automated control systems or additional complex actuation mechanisms.
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
The solution provides greater stability and ease of use by allowing the device to rest on the ground in a static position, ensuring safe ascent and descent with reduced manual labor and increased safety for both the user and attendants.
Implementation Method 1
a shock absorber fixed between the hub of the wheel(s) and the upper end of the articulation of the wheel cradle(s)
Implementation Method 2
a wheel cradle fixed pivoting on the frame by its upper end by means of a pivot pin, so that the wheel cradle can tilt around said pivot pin
Implementation Method 3
the support element has wedging pads so that, when the transport device tilts into the static position, the wedging pads of the ground support device are in contact with the ground
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The transport device (1) for a person comprises a frame (2) equipped with a hub (29) receiving at least one wheel (3) mounted in a fork (2), and a seat (4) fixed above the wheel (3) and intended to receive the person. The device further comprises a wheel cradle (37) pivotally fixed to the frame (2) at its upper end by means of a pivot axis (26), such that the wheel cradle (37) can tilt about said pivot axis (26) between a dynamic rolling position for the transport device (1) and a static ground-support position for the person's boarding and alighting, during which the transport device (1) is moved forward or backward relative to the wheel(s) (3) which remain in contact with the ground.A shock absorber (30) is fixed between the hub (29) of the wheel(s) (3) and the upper joint end (26) of the wheel cradle(s) (37), so that the wheel cradle(s) (37), the fork (27) receiving the wheel(s) (3) and the shock absorber (30) form a triangular structure.