Wheeled Walker Wheel Direction Lock and Movable Seat Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing assistive mobility devices, such as wheeled walkers, often require significant hand and arm strength for operation, leading to unhealthy postures and increased risk of tipping, and lack a seat for rest, which can cause discomfort and instability during use.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible wheeled walker with adjustable upper body supports, a movable seat, and wheel direction locks that allow for straight-line movement of all wheels, enabling a healthy upright gait and ample walking space, while also converting to a transport chair for ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a seat is added to the walker for rest, then user comfort is improved, but the space inside the walker footprint is blocked and user safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seat is designed to be movable between a stowed vertical position and a deployed horizontal position. When not in use, the seat stands vertically along the walker frame, clearing the footprint area. When needed, the user can swing the seat forward to a horizontal position for resting, thus dynamically adapting the structure to provide both safety and comfort functions
2Reliability
If the walker frame is made sturdy to improve stability, then user safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The walker frame is divided into modular components including side frames, cross braces, and adjustable support elements. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for strength while maintaining overall structural integrity, and enables easier assembly, adjustment, and maintenance without compromising user safety
3Stability of the object's composition
If wheel direction locks are added to enable straight-line movement, then walking stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel direction lock mechanism is designed to be automatically engaged when the walker is in normal walking position, and can be easily disengaged when the walker is folded or converted to transport chair mode. This self-service design provides walking stability without requiring constant user intervention or complex control systems
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsible wheeled walker with two side frames and two height adjustable upper body supports. The apparatus includes a plurality of wheel direction locks each coupled to a wheel and adapted to lock the wheel in fixed moving direction or to release the wheel to turn freely. The apparatus may include a seat that is slidably attached to the two side frames and is movable between a front position for walking inside the frames and a rear position sitting. The apparatus may be converted to a transport chair by locking front wheel and releasing the rear wheels, and sliding the movable seat to the rear position. It may include an X-folder that facilitates collapsing the walker to a small footprint. It may also include two forearm gutters as part of the upper body supports that give the user an upright walking posture for health benefits.