Removable Motor Power Device for Wheelchairs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motor-powered wheelchairs are excessively heavy and rigid, making them impossible to fold or store compactly, limiting their portability and storage options, such as in a car trunk, due to their large volume and inflexible design.
Innovation Solution
A removable motor power device comprising a motor unit with a head tube and an intermediate frame shaped like a fork, allowing for adjustable inclination and easy disassembly into two lightweight components, which can be fixed to a wheelchair, enabling compact storage and adaptable positioning based on road conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a motor unit is directly connected to the wheelchair frame, then the wheelchair gains motorized mobility, but the structure becomes heavy and rigid, losing the ability to fold or compact
Solution Approach 1:
The motor power device is divided into separable components: a motor unit and an intermediate frame that can be detached from the wheelchair. This segmentation allows the wheelchair to maintain its compact, foldable structure when the motor unit is removed, while still providing motorized mobility when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate frame incorporates adjustable inclination mechanisms that allow the motor unit's position and angle to be dynamically changed relative to the wheelchair frame. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the wheelchair's performance on different road surfaces while maintaining adaptability.
2Ease of operation
If a motor unit with steering wheel and control structure is added, then motorized control is achieved, but the vertical volume increases making it difficult to handle and store
Solution Approach 1:
The control structure is integrated into the motor unit as a separate assembly that can be detached from the wheelchair frame. The intermediate frame acts as a connector that can be removed, allowing the entire motor unit with its vertical control structure to be stored separately, thus reducing the vertical volume of the wheelchair when motorization is not needed.
3Ease of operation
If a frame protruding from the motor unit is used for connection, then the motor unit can be fixed to the wheelchair, but the horizontal volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate frame is designed with adjustable inclination means that allow it to be positioned at different angles relative to both the motor unit and the wheelchair frame. This dynamic positioning enables the connection frame to be optimized for both secure attachment and minimal horizontal protrusion, reducing the overall horizontal volume when the motor unit is attached.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the wheelchair structure is made rigid to support the motor, then stability is improved, but the ability to fold or compact is completely lost
Solution Approach 1:
The wheelchair system is segmented into a base wheelchair structure and a separate motor power device. The base wheelchair retains its original foldable, compact design, while the motor power device with its own intermediate frame provides rigid structural support when attached. This segmentation allows the wheelchair to fold and compact when the motor unit is removed, maintaining adaptability while providing stability when motorized.
Data Source
AI summary
A motor power device (D) for wheelchairs of disabled users is removably mounted on the front of the wheelchair (C) in order to be controlled by the user while sitting on the wheelchair, said device (D) comprising: a motor unit (10) provided with an electrical motor; an intermediate frame (20) disposed between the motor unit (C) and the wheelchair (C), first inclination adjusting means (90) between the motor unit and the intermediate frame and second inclination adjusting means (100) between the intermediate frame and a bearing frame of the wheelchair. The intermediate frame and the motor unit are mounted and dismounted easily and rapidly.