Portable lifting and transferring techniques
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lifting and transferring devices for disabled persons are often costly, complex, and lack portability, requiring extensive modifications and external power sources, limiting their mobility and usability across different locations.
Innovation Solution
A portable, compact, and lightweight lifting and transferring apparatus with multiple pivot points, compatible with various vehicles, featuring a parallelogram-style personal transfer lift and hinge-mounted or 'B'-pillar-mounted support assemblies, which can be easily installed and uninstalled without special tools or skills, and powered by an integrated battery with safety interlocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If permanently installed lifting devices are used, then lifting capability is provided, but portability and mobility are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting device is divided into separable components including a removable support assembly, transfer lift, and power source. This segmentation allows the system to be disassembled for portability while maintaining full lifting capability when assembled, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a static permanently installed state to a dynamic portable state. The support assembly can be quickly installed and removed from vehicles, and the power source can be disconnected and reconnected, enabling the system to adapt between providing reliable lifting capability and being portable for mobility.
2Ease of operation
If extensively modified vehicles and wheelchairs are used, then transfer capability is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting mechanism is extracted as a separate removable support assembly that attaches to the vehicle exterior. This eliminates the need for extensive vehicle modifications while providing full transfer capability. The support assembly can be installed on standard vehicles without drilling or permanent alterations.
Solution Approach 2:
The support assembly is designed with universal mounting capabilities that work with various vehicle types and door configurations. The device can be installed on different vehicles and adjusted to accommodate different wheelchair and user requirements, providing transfer capability without requiring complex custom modifications for each application.
3Power
If externally powered hydraulic systems are used, then lifting power is provided, but portability and ease of installation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The power source (battery and motor) is merged with the support assembly into an integrated unit. This combination eliminates the need for separate external power connections and hydraulic systems, providing sufficient lifting power while dramatically simplifying the overall system and improving portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is self-powered through an integrated battery system that requires no external power source. The motor-driven lift mechanism provides adequate lifting power entirely from its own onboard power source, eliminating complex external power requirements and simplifying installation and portability.
4Ease of operation
If multiple pivot points are added, then maneuverability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly is segmented into multiple articulated components connected by pivot points. This segmentation allows each segment to move independently, providing superior maneuverability for positioning the transfer lift in various configurations while keeping each individual pivot point simple in design.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple pivot points create a dynamic articulated structure that can adapt its configuration during operation. The system transitions from a rigid simple structure to a dynamic multi-position structure, improving maneuverability while the modular nature of the pivots keeps individual components simple and manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
Portable lifting and transferring techniques for assisting in the mobility of disabled persons are disclosed. In one particular embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a portable lifting and transferring apparatus for assisting disabled persons that is compact, lightweight, and portable for use in different locations. Preferably, such an apparatus would provide multiple pivot points for providing multiple degrees of maneuvering freedom when lifting and transferring disabled persons and/or their mobility devices and for providing compatibility with a wide range of vehicles. The techniques may also be realized in other embodiments as disclosed herein.