Rollator Wheel Clutch Device for Manual Pushing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rollators with electric motors require manual pushing when power is low, as the rear wheels are mechanically braked, making it difficult for users with reduced mobility or senior users to move the device.
Innovation Solution
A wheel clutch device with hubs, a shaft module, an engagement base, a clutch base, a clutch unit, and an abutment unit allows the rear wheels to be rotated independently of the motor and gear module, enabling smooth manual pushing by disengaging the clutch unit from the hubs and re-engaging when power is restored.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the rear wheels are mechanically braked by the gear modules to prevent sliding, then the rollator can maintain stability and prevent wheel sliding, but the rear wheels cannot be rotated manually when the cell is short of electrical power, making it laborious for the user to push the rollator
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch unit is designed to dynamically switch between engaged and disengaged states. When disengaged, the clutch unit allows the hub to rotate independently from the shaft module, enabling manual wheel rotation without mechanical braking. When engaged, it connects the hub to the shaft module for motor-driven operation with braking control. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction by providing both manual maneuverability and motor-controlled stability at different operational phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch unit acts as an intermediary mechanism between the motor-driven shaft module and the wheel hub. It mediates the power transmission relationship, allowing the system to selectively connect or disconnect the mechanical linkage. This intermediary component enables the hub to be isolated from the braking mechanism during manual pushing while maintaining connection during motor-driven operation, thus resolving the contradiction between manual ease and motor-driven stability.
2Ease of operation
If the clutch unit is disengaged to allow free rotation of rear wheels for manual pushing, then user effort is reduced and movement is facilitated, but the mechanical connection between motor and wheel is lost, requiring re-engagement when power is restored
Solution Approach 1:
The abutment unit with spring provides automatic self-service functionality. When the clutch unit is released, the spring automatically pushes the clutch unit back to the engaged position without requiring manual intervention. This self-return mechanism eliminates the time loss associated with manual re-engagement, as the system automatically restores the mechanical connection once the manual pushing force is removed or when motor power is restored.
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch mechanism operates in periodic cycles of engagement and disengagement. During manual pushing, the clutch is disengaged; when motor power is restored or during normal operation, it re-engages. The spring-loaded abutment unit ensures this periodic transition occurs automatically and rapidly, minimizing the time the system spends in the disengaged state and reducing overall time loss.
3Ease of operation
If a clutch mechanism is added to enable manual wheel rotation, then manual pushing becomes easier, but the device complexity increases with additional components like clutch unit, abutment unit, and engagement grooves
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the clutch unit with engagement lumps, the engagement base with grooves, and the abutment unit with spring. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The modular design reduces complexity by avoiding a completely new mechanism and instead using discrete, easily manufactured parts that can be integrated into the existing wheel assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch mechanism uses simple, inexpensive components such as plastic or metal engagement lumps, spring elements, and molded engagement grooves. These components are designed to be straightforward to manufacture and replace if needed. The engagement lumps and grooves use simple geometric shapes rather than complex mechanisms, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while achieving the desired functional outcome of enabling manual wheel rotation.
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
Enables easy manual pushing of the rollator by allowing the rear wheels to rotate freely when power is low, reducing user effort and facilitating movement, and automatically re-engaging when power is available for efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
The abutment unit is mounted on the shaft body and has a cover and a spring. The cover is combined with the shaft body. The spring is mounted around the clutch base and abuts between the cover and the clutch unit.
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel clutch device has two hubs, a shaft module, an engagement base, a clutch base, a clutch unit, and an abutment unit. The shaft module is inserted through the hubs and has a shaft body. The engagement base is mounted on one of the hubs and has at least one engagement base groove. The clutch base is mounted in the engagement base engaged with the shaft body and has at least one alignment slit aligned with the at least one engagement base groove. The clutch unit is mounted around the clutch base and has at least one engagement lump selectively engaged with the at least one engagement base groove and the at least one alignment slit. The abutment unit is combined with the shaft body and abuts the clutch wilt.