Portable Transfer Lift With Multi-Pivot Vehicle Mounting
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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 ease of relocation are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting device is divided into separate modular components including a support assembly, transfer lift, and power source that can be independently assembled and disassembled. This segmentation enables the system to be transported and reinstalled at different locations while maintaining full lifting functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a static permanently installed state to a dynamic portable state through designed attachment and detachment mechanisms. The support assembly can be mounted to vehicle door frames or other structures temporarily, allowing the system to adapt its installation state based on mobility requirements.
2Ease of operation
If extensively modified wheelchairs and vehicles are used, then transfer capability is improved, but cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly is designed with universal mounting capabilities that can attach to various vehicle types and wheelchair configurations without requiring custom modifications. Standardized attachment mechanisms allow the same device to be used across different platforms, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable support assembly acts as an intermediary device between the wheelchair and destination, providing the transfer capability without requiring modifications to either the wheelchair or vehicle. This intermediate structure bridges the gap between different surfaces and heights.
3Power
If externally powered hydraulic systems are used, then lifting power is sufficient, but portability and independence are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The power source is integrated directly into the portable support assembly rather than being located remotely. This merging of the power system with the lifting mechanism eliminates the need for separate external hydraulic pumps and complex fluid delivery systems, reducing overall complexity while maintaining adequate lifting power.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates its own power source and control systems, making it self-sufficient and independent of external power infrastructure. This self-service capability enables the device to operate autonomously at any location without requiring connection to building power supplies or external hydraulic systems.
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.