Parallelogram Stand-Up Unit With Independent Hip Tilt
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stand-up units for wheelchairs and similar devices maintain a single plane of support when transitioning from sitting to standing, preventing users from adopting a natural hip tilt, leading to unnatural and potentially uncomfortable standing positions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a parallelogram mechanism with hinged levers and a coupling structure that allows the seat to tilt independently of the backrest, enabling a natural hip tilt by moving the seat along a track as the unit transitions to the standing position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the seat and backrest move into a single plane of support in the standing position, then the structure is simple and stable, but the user cannot achieve a natural hip tilt
Solution Approach 1:
The seat assembly is segmented into the seat itself and the backrest, allowing them to move independently relative to each other. The seat can tilt forward while the backrest remains upright through the parallelogram mechanism, enabling natural hip tilt without compromising structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static single-plane configuration to a dynamic multi-degree-of-freedom system. The parallelogram mechanism with hinged levers and coupling structure allows the seat to dynamically adjust its angle relative to the backrest, providing natural hip tilt in the standing position while maintaining structural integrity.
2Ease of operation
If the seat is kept parallel to the first elongate lever in the sitting position, then the sitting posture is stable, but the seat cannot tilt in the standing position
Solution Approach 1:
A coupling structure with a coupling track serves as an intermediary between the parallelogram mechanism and the seat. This coupling structure allows the seat to remain parallel to the first elongate lever in the sitting position while enabling tilt capability in the standing position through controlled movement along the coupling track.
3Ease of operation
If the backrest remains upright in both sitting and standing configurations, then the back support is consistent, but the user experiences unnatural standing posture
Solution Approach 1:
The backrest and seat are segmented as independent components with different degrees of freedom. The backrest remains upright in both sitting and standing configurations through the parallelogram mechanism, while the seat independently tilts forward in the standing position to provide natural hip tilt and posture.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a stand-up unit having a parallelogram and a hinged lever that is coupled to the parallelogram and to the seat such that the seat is disposed at an angle in relation to the seat as the parallelogram moves toward the standing position. Disclosed also are wheelchairs, therapy chairs, and other devices or apparatuses that can incorporate the stand-in unit for purposes of assisting a user in moving from a sitting to a standing position.