Transfer Device with Leg Guide and Rear Wheel Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transfer devices impose significant physical and mental burdens on both caregivers and care receivers when moving individuals with difficulty walking, as they often require unstable seated postures and frequent wheelchair use, leading to discomfort and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A transfer device with a front wheel and rear wheel, a support body for the upper body, a leg guide portion that inclines forward to stabilize the care receiver's lower legs, and a foot placing portion, along with a rear wheel advancing and retracting mechanism that enhances stability and allows for a comfortable posture during movement, including a grip and handle system for safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the care receiver is transferred while maintaining a frontwardly inclined seated posture for stability, then the transfer device becomes stable, but the care receiver's head is always directed downward during movement imposing a large burden
Solution Approach 1:
The leg guide portion is designed to be movable between a stored position and a leg-guiding position, allowing the device to adapt its configuration dynamically. When the leg guide portion is in the leg-guiding position, it guides the lower legs to achieve a comfortable posture during transfer, and when in the stored position, it allows the device to maintain stability. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between stability and comfort.
2Ease of operation
If the care receiver is moved by carrying the care receiver or placing on wheelchair, then the care receiver can be moved to desired place, but large physical and mental burdens are imposed on both care receiver and care giver
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer device acts as an intermediary between the care receiver and the destination (bed or wheelchair). The device includes a support body that supports the upper body, a leg guide portion that guides the lower legs, and a foot placing portion, creating a structured intermediate platform that facilitates transfer without requiring direct carrying or unstable wheelchair placement, thereby reducing burden on both parties.
3Ease of operation
If conventional transfer devices are used with seat portion plate inserted below buttocks, then the care receiver can be transferred relatively easily, but the care receiver maintains a frontwardly inclined posture with head directed downward
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer device is segmented into distinct functional components: a support body for upper body support, a leg guide portion for lower leg guidance, and a foot placing portion. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, enabling the leg guide portion to maintain the lower legs in a comfortable position while the support body provides upper body support, thereby eliminating the need for frontward inclination.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a transfer device capable of moving a care receiver who has difficulty in walking by himself/herself to a desired place in a comfortable posture. The transfer device is capable of moving a care receiver by a care giver. The transfer device includes: a front wheel and a rear wheel; a support body which supports an upper body of the care receiver; a leg guide portion which is brought into contact with lower leg front surfaces of the care receiver and is inclinable frontward from an approximately vertical state; and a foot placing portion on which soles of the care receiver are placed; a rear wheel advancing and retracting mechanism configured to move the rear wheel rearward in an interlocking manner with frontward inclining of the leg guide portion.