Rotating Platform Personal Mobility Device for Independent Transfers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with limited mobility often rely heavily on caregivers for basic mobility assistance, leading to perceived loss of dignity and increased risk of injury for both the patient and caregiver, as existing mobility solutions fail to provide adequate independence and safety.
Innovation Solution
A personal mobility device featuring a rotatable platform and support bar that allows patients to pull themselves into a standing position using the support bar, with the platform rotating via a motor or manually, enabling transfer between positions while reducing the need for multiple caregivers and minimizing physical strain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a person uses existing mobility solutions, then mobility assistance is provided, but the person loses independence and dignity while increasing risk of injury
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables the user to perform mobility transfers independently through self-powered rotation of the platform. The user generates rotational force by shifting weight and using handrails for balance, eliminating dependency on caregivers while maintaining safety through controlled mechanical assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating platform acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user's limited mobility capabilities and the desired independent movement. It provides a mechanical interface that amplifies the user's ability to transfer positions safely without direct human assistance.
2Reliability
If multiple caregivers assist with mobility, then safety is improved, but physical strain increases and dignity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The device replaces multiple caregivers with a self-operating mechanical system. The user independently controls the rotation and positioning, eliminating the need for human physical assistance while maintaining safe operation through inherent mechanical stability and handrail support.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the assistance function from human caregivers and transfers it to a mechanical device. The rotating platform and handrail system provide the necessary support and control that previously required multiple people, reducing complexity to a single automated mechanism.
3Device complexity
If manual rotation is used, then device complexity is reduced, but speed and ease of operation decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides dynamic rotation capability where the platform can be rotated manually when needed, but also incorporates motorized assistance for faster operation. The motor activates automatically or on demand to provide controlled rotation, adapting to the user's immediate needs without adding permanent mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating platform serves multiple functions: it can be rotated manually for simple repositioning, motorized for faster transfers, and locked in position for stability. This multi-functionality allows the same mechanism to adapt to different operational requirements without requiring separate systems.
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
Enhances patient independence and caregiver safety by allowing single-person assistance, reducing physical strain, and providing various degrees of mobility assistance, thus maintaining personal dignity and safety during transfers and movements.
Implementation Method 1
a motor coupled to the base plate and the rotating platform and configured to rotate the rotating platform with respect to the base plate
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of rollers are coupled to the bottom surface of the rotating platform and configured to support the rotating platform upon the top surface of the base plate
Data Source
AI summary
A personal mobility device comprising a base plate having a top surface, a rotating platform having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein a plurality of rollers are coupled to the bottom surface of the rotating platform and configured to support the rotating platform upon the top surface of the base plate, a motor coupled to the base plate and the rotating platform and configured to rotate the rotating platform with respect to the base plate, and a support structure coupled to the rotating platform and extending upward from the top surface of the rotating platform.