Wheeled Walker Platform Positioning for Tipping Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheeled walkers with electro motoric drives often have poorly arranged trailing platforms that compromise ergonomics and stability, leading to increased effort and risk of tipping, especially when navigating slopes or tight turns.
Innovation Solution
A wheeled walker design featuring a coupling device that attaches a platform with a backward tapering standing surface and a rear drive wheel, positioned between the rear wheels, allowing for ergonomic user posture and enhanced tipping stability, with integrated electric drive components and a foldable mechanism for easy storage and conversion between motorized and non-motorized operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the platform is attached to the wheeled walker with a trailing device, then the user can be propelled electrically, but the ergonomics and stability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The platform is positioned between the rear wheels and can be folded or removed, allowing the system to dynamically adapt between motorized and non-motorized modes. This dynamic configuration optimizes both ergonomics and stability while maintaining electrical propulsion capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform attachment point is located at a height that positions the user's center of gravity optimally between the rear wheels, creating a more stable configuration. This spatial repositioning in the vertical dimension improves ergonomics and tipping stability while preserving the electrical drive function.
2Extent of automation
If the platform is attached to the wheeled walker with a trailing device, then the user can be propelled electrically, but the stability increases risk of tipping
Solution Approach 1:
The platform position between the rear wheels creates a counterbalancing effect where the user's weight acts as a stabilizing force. This positioning prevents tipping by distributing the load symmetrically and lowering the center of gravity, thereby counteracting the destabilizing effect of the trailing device configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The foldable or removable platform design allows the system to dynamically adjust its stability characteristics. When folded or removed, the walker returns to its original stable configuration, eliminating the tipping risk while preserving electrical propulsion capability when the platform is deployed.
3Extent of automation
If the platform is attached to the wheeled walker, then motorized operation is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The platform serves multiple functions: it provides a standing surface for the user, acts as a mounting structure for the electric drive components, and can be folded or removed to convert between motorized and non-motorized modes. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity by consolidating components rather than adding separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The foldable or removable platform design allows the system to dynamically adapt between motorized and non-motorized configurations. This dynamic capability reduces complexity by eliminating the need for permanent, complex mounting structures while preserving motorized operation when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A wheeled walker including a front wheel pair viewed in a driving direction and a rear wheel pair viewed in the driving direction; a frame including rearward oriented struts, wherein each of the rearward oriented struts supports a rear wheel of the rear wheel pair; a platform attached at the wheeled walker, wherein the platform includes at least one platform wheel and a standing platform for a person using the walker; and an electric drive that is configured to move the wheeled walker forward in the driving direction, wherein the wheeled walker includes a coupling device that attaches the platform at the wheeled walker and transfers pull forces and push forces between the wheeled walker and the platform, wherein the coupling device is arranged in an intersection portion of a scissor linkage that is associated with the wheeled walker.