Removable Stretcher Chute for Ambulance Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical vehicles face difficulties in efficiently boarding stretchers due to limited space and the need for complex, expensive, and bulky devices that require permanent fixation and energy supply, which are not suitable for multi-functional vehicles like those in the military field.
Innovation Solution
A compact, removable, and lightweight chute device with a lateral arm and attachment points that can be securely fixed to the vehicle's external wall, allowing the chute to penetrate and position on internal stretcher holders without the need for internal fastening or ground stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a motorized loading platform is permanently fixed to the vehicle floor, then stretcher boarding is facilitated, but the device becomes complex, expensive, and requires energy supply
Solution Approach 1:
The loading platform is divided into two independent parts: a fixed support structure attached to the vehicle and a removable chute assembly. This segmentation allows the chute to be easily detached and stored when not in use, eliminating the need for complex permanent installations while maintaining ease of operation during stretcher boarding.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a static permanent platform to a dynamic removable system. The chute can be quickly deployed, positioned, and removed as needed, providing flexibility without requiring energy supply or complex mechanical systems. The lateral arm with attachment points enables rapid deployment and repositioning.
2Ease of operation
If a telescopic ramp is permanently fixed to the vehicle floor, then stretcher boarding is improved, but the device becomes bulky and cannot be used on multi-functional vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the support (fixed to vehicle) from the chute (removable), the system becomes adaptable to different vehicle configurations. The chute can be stored in the passenger compartment when not needed, allowing the vehicle to switch between medical and other functions without permanent modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable chute can be discarded (removed from vehicle) when medical function is not required and recovered (reinstalled) when needed. This allows multi-functional vehicles like military transport vehicles to maintain stretcher boarding capability without permanent fixtures that would limit other uses.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a chute requires a folding external foot for ground stabilization, then the device becomes bulky and requires ground contact, but stretcher boarding stability is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The ground stabilization function is extracted from the chute itself and transferred to the fixed support structure attached to the vehicle. The lateral arm with attachment points provides stable vehicle-side anchoring, eliminating the need for external ground-contacting feet and reducing device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixed support structure acts as an intermediary between the vehicle and the chute, providing stable anchoring to the vehicle body. This mediator eliminates the need for the chute to directly contact and stabilize against the ground, reducing the chute's required size and complexity.
4Device complexity
If the attachment point is positioned at the end of the chute, then the device becomes simpler, but the chute cannot effectively position on the internal stretcher holder
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment point is strategically positioned at a specific location between the chute ends rather than at the extremity, creating a local quality that enables proper positioning. This specific placement allows the chute to correctly align with and position on the internal stretcher holder while maintaining relatively simple attachment structure.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~5
AI summary
The device has a chute (12) comprising a side arm (13) that includes an attachment point (14) placed between ends (12a) of the chute. The attachment point is removably secured to an external wall of a medical vehicle (1) at a support (9). The support is fixed to the vehicle in the vicinity of an opening (4) of the vehicle. One of the ends is penetrated inside the vehicle for being positioned on an internal stretcher carrier (6) when the attachment point is fixed to the support. The attachment point is located at equal distance from the ends of the chute. An independent claim is also included for a medical vehicle.