Universal Wheelchair Back Support Mounting Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The lack of a standardized mounting structure for back supports on powered wheelchairs from different manufacturers complicates the attachment and adjustment of back supports, requiring multiple customizations and making it difficult to achieve a proper fit without removing the user from the wheelchair.
Innovation Solution
A universal attachment and adjustment assembly that includes a mounting plate with adjustable apertures and a track assembly with sliding components, allowing for the secure attachment and adjustable positioning of a back support relative to the seat back, accommodating various mounting structures and enabling adjustments without removing the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a standardized mounting structure is implemented, then adaptability to multiple wheelchair manufacturers is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for adjustable components
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate is designed with multiple apertures arranged in different patterns that can accommodate various mounting structures from different wheelchair manufacturers. This universal design allows a single back support device to be adapted to multiple wheelchair types without requiring manufacturer-specific customizations, directly resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity by providing a multi-functional mounting interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The track assembly enables dynamic adjustment of the back support position along the seat back. The sliding mechanism with engagement features allows the back support to be positioned at multiple locations, providing adaptability to different user needs and wheelchair configurations. This dynamic capability achieves versatility without requiring multiple fixed mounting structures, thereby managing device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If adjustable positioning is enabled, then proper fitting is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The track assembly is pre-configured with multiple engagement positions along its length, allowing the back support to be quickly positioned at predetermined locations. This preliminary arrangement of positioning options enables proper fitting without requiring complex real-time adjustments, as the most common positions are already prepared in advance on the track.
Solution Approach 2:
The track assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the back support and the seat back. It provides a simplified interface that mediates the adjustment process, allowing easy positioning through the sliding and engagement mechanism while hiding the complexity of the adjustment system within the track structure itself.
3Productivity
If removal of user is avoided, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to limited adjustment range
Solution Approach 1:
The track assembly extends the adjustment range by utilizing the longitudinal dimension of the seat back. Instead of limited positional adjustments, the track provides extended travel along the seat back length, enabling precise positioning of the back support while the user remains seated. This dimensional expansion allows both high productivity and adequate measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
An attachment and adjustment assembly for a chair includes a mounting plate, a track assembly coupled to the mounting plate, and a back support coupled to the track assembly, wherein the track assembly facilitates sliding movement of the back support relative to the mounting plate.