Self-Levelling Mobility Seat Mechanism for Uneven Ground
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheeled mobility devices lack a simple and convenient self-leveling function, which is essential for maintaining user comfort and safety, especially when navigating uneven surfaces or changing positions from seated to standing.
Innovation Solution
A wheeled mobility device equipped with a tiltable leveling structure connected to a chassis via actuators and a swivel connection, utilizing sensors and a controller to maintain a constant orientation relative to a target plane, ensuring the user remains level and comfortable by adjusting pitch and roll angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a wheeled mobility device is designed to traverse uneven ground or change user position, then mobility and versatility are improved, but maintaining user level orientation becomes difficult without complex self-leveling mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to automatically detect tilt conditions and triggers the controller to operate actuators without user intervention, making the leveling process self-service and eliminating the need for manual adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical self-leveling mechanisms with an electronic control system that uses sensors, a controller, and actuators to achieve leveling, substituting mechanical complexity with electronic control
2Reliability
If conventional level sensing devices and actuators are used to maintain user orientation, then self-leveling function is achieved, but the system becomes dependent on dynamic system parameters and susceptible to mechanical inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors tilt conditions using sensors and feeds this information back to the controller, which adjusts actuator operation to maintain level orientation, creating a closed-loop feedback system that compensates for mechanical inaccuracies
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from direct mechanical positioning to electrical signal control of actuators, allowing the system to adapt to varying dynamic parameters and reduce dependence on precise mechanical specifications
3Adaptability or versatility
If the mobility device is designed to support user in multiple positions (seated, standing), then adaptability is improved, but maintaining constant orientation relative to external reference becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the user support orientation based on real-time sensor feedback, allowing the mobility device to maintain constant orientation relative to the horizontal plane while supporting the user in different positions such as seated or standing
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
The solution provides enhanced user comfort and safety by maintaining a stable orientation, reducing the risk of accidents and discomfort when traversing uneven terrain or changing positions, while being independent of dynamic system parameters and minimizing mechanical inaccuracies.
Implementation Method 1
maintain a predetermined orientation of the tiltable stabilizing structure with respect to a target plane
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 2A~2C
AI summary
A self-leveling mechanism for a mobility device, the mobility device including a chassis configured to propel the mobility device on a surface, includes a leveling structure on which is mounted a user support for supporting a user of the mobility device. The leveling structure is connected to the chassis by a swivel connection that enables the leveling structure to swivel about the connection, and by two linearly displaceable connections that are laterally displaced from one another. Two linear actuators are each configured to displace one of the displaceable connections to adjust a distance between each displaceable connection and the chassis. A sensor for senses a tilt of the leveling structure and a controller is configured to operate the linear actuators in accordance with the sensed tilt.