Electric Wheelchair Armrest Control with Segmented Sliding and Dial Inputs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of existing electric wheelchair control systems experience increased operation burden due to the need for coordinated pronate and supinate wrist motions and finger movements, leading to fatigue and difficulty in performing delicate operations.
Innovation Solution
An electric wheelchair operation apparatus featuring an armrest with a sliding part and a dial part, equipped with sensors to detect movement and rotation, allowing users to control the wheelchair's forward/backward motion and turning by moving their forearm and wrist in a divided manner, reducing the need for coordinated wrist and finger motions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a control lever is used for operating the electric wheelchair, then the wheelchair can perform forward/backward movement and turning motion, but the user experiences increased operation burden due to the need for coordinated pronate and supinate wrist motions and finger movements
Solution Approach 1:
The control lever is segmented into two independent functional parts: a sliding part for forward/backward movement control and a dial part for turning control. This segmentation allows the user to operate each part independently with simpler motions, eliminating the need for coordinated complex wrist and finger movements required by traditional control levers.
Solution Approach 2:
The control mechanism transitions from a single-lever rotational system to a two-dimensional control system where the sliding part moves along the vehicle forward/backward direction (one dimension) and the dial part rotates (another dimension). This dimensional change enables independent control of movement and turning without requiring complex coordinated motions.
2Duration of action of moving object
If a control lever requiring coordinated wrist and finger motions is used, then the wheelchair can be operated, but the user experiences fatigue and difficulty in performing delicate operations after prolonged use
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the control functions into separate sliding and dial parts, each requiring simple independent motions, the system reduces cumulative fatigue during prolonged operation. The user can perform delicate operations longer without exhaustion since each control action requires less muscular coordination and effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding part automatically returns to its neutral position through a spring mechanism, reducing the effort required by the user to maintain control and minimizing fatigue during extended use. This self-returning feature allows the user to simply release the control rather than actively returning it to center.
3Measurement precision
If a traditional control lever is used, then the system structure remains simple, but the precision of delicate operations is reduced due to the complexity of coordinated motions required
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented control design with separate sliding and dial parts enables more precise control for delicate operations. Each part can be operated independently with fine motor movements, allowing the user to make small, precise adjustments to movement speed and turning angle without the coordination difficulties inherent in traditional lever systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system detects and responds to subtle changes in user input through sensors that measure the position and rotation of the sliding and dial parts. This parameter-based detection allows for precise control responses even with minimal user movements, enhancing the precision of delicate operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An electric wheelchair operation apparatus includes a sliding part disposed in an armrest part, a dial part disposed on a tip side of the armrest part, the dial part configured to be moved together with the sliding part in the vehicle forward/backward direction, and an electric wheelchair drive control unit configured to control a traveling motion of an electric wheelchair by associating the amount of movement of the sliding part and/or the moved position thereof with respect to the reference point in the vehicle forward/backward direction detected by a first sensor with a traveling motion of the electric wheelchair in a forward/backward direction and associating the amount of rotation, the rotational position, and/or the rotational torque of the dial part detected by a second sensor with a turning motion of the electric wheelchair in a left/right direction.