Self-Operable Wheelchair Autonomous Navigation and Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery-operated wheelchairs require manual operation, which can be difficult for severely disabled individuals, leading to potential accidents and unsafe environments due to muscle atrophy, arthritis, or spinal cord damage.
Innovation Solution
A self-operable wheelchair system with a power module, processing module, memory module, detection module, and operation module that allows autonomous navigation and adaptation for daily activities like using a toilet or taking a bath, utilizing a position correcting module with magnetic stones and color standard sensors for precise positioning and remote control compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional battery-operated wheelchair is used, then the wheelchair can be operated with motor power, but severely disabled persons cannot operate the operation knob manually due to muscle atrophy, arthritis, or spinal cord damage, leading to accidents and unsafe environments
Solution Approach 1:
The wheelchair is equipped with automatic navigation and obstacle detection systems that enable it to move and navigate independently without requiring manual operation by the user. The detection module automatically identifies obstacles and adjusts the movement path, while the automatic toilet access system opens and closes the toilet board automatically, eliminating the need for manual knob operation and ensuring safety for severely disabled persons.
2Device complexity
If manual operation is required, then the wheelchair structure can be simple, but severely disabled persons cannot operate it conveniently, creating dangerous environments
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical operation system is replaced with an automatic control system that uses detection modules, processing modules, and motor control to navigate the wheelchair. The automatic toilet access system replaces manual mechanical operation with automated sensors and actuators that detect when toilet access is needed and automatically open or close the toilet board, eliminating the need for manual knob operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the wheelchair is designed for basic mobility only, then the structure remains simple, but it cannot adapt to different daily activities like using a toilet or taking a bath
Solution Approach 1:
The wheelchair is designed with multiple functions beyond basic mobility, including automatic navigation, obstacle detection, and automatic toilet access. The detection module can identify different environments and objects, and the system can automatically adjust its behavior for different activities such as navigating to a toilet, avoiding obstacles, or positioning for bathing, making the wheelchair adaptable to various daily activities while maintaining a relatively integrated system structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables safe and independent navigation for severely disabled individuals, reducing the risk of accidents by allowing the wheelchair to autonomously move and adapt to different environments and activities, such as using a toilet or taking a shower, while ensuring the user's safety and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
a position correcting module (7) defining an initial position of said chair body (1). The detection module (6) detects the position correcting module (7) to memorize the initial position of said chair body (1)
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a position correcting module with magnetic stones and color standard sensors for precise positioning
Data Source
AI summary
A self operable wheelchair includes a chair body having several wheels for moving about; a power module electrically connected to one wheel of the chair body for supplying power; a processing module electrically connected to the power module for processing one route data and converting into a control signal transmitted to the power module for controlling activation of the chair body; a memory module for storing and transmitting the route data to the processing module; a detection module capable of detecting the route data of the chair body and transmitting the route data via the processing module to store within the memory module; and an operation module for transmitting an operation signal to the processing module, which, in turn, activates the chair body based on the operation signal.