Staircase Mobility System With Dockable Seat Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current staircase mobility systems are inadequate for wheelchair-bound individuals, requiring physical transfer and costly upgrades, and fail to meet the diverse mobility needs of multiple users within a household.
Innovation Solution
A staircase mobility system featuring a docking assembly that engages and disengages with a dockable seat assembly, utilizing support rods and connectors for stability and communication, along with a drive assembly powered by a motor to facilitate easy docking and undocking along a guide rail, allowing users to transition seamlessly between mobility modes without physical transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional stairlift is used, then persons who can walk on flat ground can use it, but wheelchair-bound persons cannot use it without physical transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The system integrates both stairlift and wheelchair lift functionalities into a single device. The lift can operate in two modes: carrying a person who can walk on flat ground (stairlift mode) and carrying a wheelchair-bound person (wheelchair lift mode). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate installations and allows any user to board directly without physical transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its configuration based on the user type. The seat assembly can transform between a standard seat configuration for walking users and a wheelchair-receiving configuration for wheelchair-bound users. This dynamic adaptability allows the same device to serve different mobility needs without requiring manual reconfiguration or physical transfer.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a wheelchair lift is installed to accommodate wheelchair-bound persons, then they can use it, but the cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines stairlift and wheelchair lift functionalities into a single installation, eliminating the need for separate devices. By integrating both modes of operation in one lift mechanism, the system reduces the total cost of installation while maintaining full adaptability to serve both walking users and wheelchair-bound users.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic transformation capability of the seat assembly allows a single static installation to provide both stairlift and wheelchair lift services. The ability to reconfigure the seat between modes reduces the need for multiple installations, thereby reducing overall expenditure while maintaining full functionality for different user types.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate stairlift and wheelchair lift installations are made for different users, then each user's specific mobility need is met, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of installing separate devices for different user needs, the system provides both stairlift and wheelchair lift functionalities within a single unified installation. This approach maintains the ability to meet individual mobility requirements while significantly reducing system complexity and the number of separate configurations needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic reconfiguration capability of the seat assembly allows the system to adapt to different user types without requiring separate installations. The seat can transform between configurations to accommodate either walking users or wheelchair-bound users, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining individualized service capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A staircase mobility system is disclosed. The system includes a docking assembly that is configured to dock or undock with a dockable seat assembly. The docking assembly includes support rods configured to engage or disengage with the dockable seat assembly when docked or undocked, respectively. Further, the system includes a drive assembly coupled to the docking assembly. The drive assembly includes a motor that is configured to drive the docking assembly along a guide rail in a forward or reverse direction, and to operate the docking assembly to dock or undock with the dockable seat assembly.