Shiftable Wheelchair Lift Assembly for Vehicle Doorways
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheelchair lifts occupy too much space in vehicles, obstruct door openings, and require complex maintenance, making them unsuitable for public transportation due to their large size, complexity, and need for extensive structural modifications.
Innovation Solution
A shiftable assembly for a platform wheelchair lift that includes a housing secured to the vehicle floor with slidable members and a gear rack system, allowing the lift to be easily extended and retracted without obstructing the door opening, thus occupying minimal space and being simple to manufacture and operate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a dual-arm lift or solid platform lift is used to increase lifting capacity, then the lifting capacity is improved, but the device occupies more interior space and blocks the side entrance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the lift assembly movable rather than fixed. The housing is designed to slide along the vehicle floor between a stored position (clearing the door opening) and an operational position (aligned with the door for wheelchair access). This dynamic repositioning allows the lift to provide full dual-arm platform lifting capacity when needed while occupying minimal space and blocking the entrance only during brief operational periods.
2Area of stationary object
If a foldable platform lift is used to reduce space occupation, then the space occupation is reduced, but the device becomes more complex and less reliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the lift assembly into distinct functional modules: a housing containing the lifting mechanism, slidable members for movement, and a gear rack system for actuation. This modular segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall simplicity. The housing can be manufactured as a single piece or in fewer segments than foldable platforms, reducing structural complexity while achieving compact storage through the sliding mechanism.
3Manufacturing precision
If a lift with extensive structural modifications is installed to achieve proper positioning, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the ease of manufacture and installation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service through the self-aligning sliding mechanism. The housing with its predetermined shape and the slidable members working within guides or channels automatically ensure proper positioning and alignment during installation. The gear rack system engages with the housing in a predetermined manner, allowing the assembly to self-correct minor positioning variations without requiring extensive structural modifications to the vehicle floor. This reduces installation complexity while maintaining adequate positioning accuracy for safe operation.
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 shiftable assembly allows for efficient use of vehicle space, easy operation, and reduced maintenance needs, ensuring that wheelchair lifts can be stored compactly without obstructing door openings, enhancing mobility and reliability in public transportation vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a gear rack system, allowing the lift to be easily extended and retracted
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for shifting a wheelchair lift within a vehicle, including a housing arranged to be secured to a floor of the vehicle and extend substantially parallel relative to an opening of a side doorway in the vehicle. The housing includes a bottom plate connected to a top plate and forming a first channel therebetween, a slidable member arranged within the first channel, and a means for displacing the slidable member along the first channel from a first position when stored to a second position in operation.