Track Drive Module for Emergency Stretcher

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing emergency stretchers are inadequate for transporting patients on uneven or loosely packed surfaces, as their caster wheels become obstructed, leading to difficulties in patient transport, increased risk of injuries to EMS providers, and require additional resources or specialized vehicles, which can be time-consuming and risky.

Innovation Solution

A self-propelled track drive module is integrated with the emergency stretcher, featuring left and right track drive units and a frame with a mounting structure that elevates the caster wheels above the ground, allowing the stretcher to be self-propelled over challenging terrain and then switched to manual operation on smoother surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If caster wheels are used for stretcher movement, then the stretcher can move easily on smooth surfaces, but the wheels become obstructed on uneven or loosely packed surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of movement on smooth surfacesVSAvoidreliability on uneven surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The stretcher system dynamically switches between two wheel types based on terrain conditions. Caster wheels are used for smooth surfaces while track wheels are engaged for uneven surfaces. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize performance for each terrain type, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation on smooth surfaces and reliability on uneven surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The stretcher is equipped with both caster wheels and track wheels, making it universally capable of operating on multiple surface types. The mounting structure allows either wheel type to be attached depending on the terrain, providing multi-functionality that resolves the contradiction between ease of movement on smooth surfaces and reliability on uneven surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If specialized patient transport vehicle is used, then the stretcher can navigate uneven surfaces, but valuable time is wasted waiting for vehicle arrival

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to navigate uneven surfacesVSAvoidtime to deploy specialized vehicle

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The specialized all-terrain capability is extracted from a separate vehicle and integrated directly onto the stretcher itself. By mounting track wheels that can be attached to the stretcher frame, the system eliminates the need to wait for specialized vehicles while maintaining the capability to navigate uneven surfaces, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If EMS providers lift the stretcher over uneven surfaces, then the stretcher can be transported, but the risk of injury to providers increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to transport over uneven surfacesVSAvoidrisk of injury to EMS providers

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The stretcher becomes self-sufficient in navigating uneven terrain through the track wheel system. Instead of requiring EMS providers to manually lift and carry the stretcher over obstacles, the track wheels enable the stretcher to autonomously traverse uneven surfaces, reducing physical strain and injury risk to providers while maintaining transport reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Device complexity

If standard stretcher design is used, then the stretcher is simple and cost-effective, but it cannot operate on uneven or loosely packed surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of stretcher designVSAvoidadaptability to different surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The stretcher system is segmented into modular components: the standard stretcher frame and either caster wheels or track wheels. This segmentation allows the wheel assembly to be independently selected and attached based on terrain requirements, maintaining the simplicity of the core stretcher design while adding adaptability to different surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11318054B2Track drive module for an emergency stretcher

Publication Date: 2022.05.03 THOMPSON BRADLEY MICHAEL

AI summary

A self-propelled track drive module for an emergency stretcher, includes a left-side track drive unit and a right-side track drive unit. A frame, having a front end and a rear end, is disposed between the left-side track drive unit and the right-side track drive unit. The frame has a mounting structure for receiving an emergency stretcher and for releasably securing the emergency stretcher to the frame. The mounting structure is configured to support the emergency stretcher such that rolling wheels of the emergency stretcher do not contact a ground surface therebelow when the emergency stretcher is in a mounted condition.