Wheelchair Back Support with Central Spherical Joint
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wheelchair back support assemblies lack the ability to adjust in multiple dimensions, particularly in accommodating users of varying heights and widths, which can lead to improper posture and discomfort for users with physical disabilities or those with acquired injuries.
Innovation Solution
A wheelchair back support adjustment assembly utilizing a swivel assembly with a spherically-shaped outer perimeter that interfaces with a corresponding swivel housing, allowing for adjustments in multiple dimensions, including vertical and lateral adjustments, and a linkage system that includes central, intermediate, and end legs for further positioning flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional back support assembly is used, then the structure is simple, but the ability to adjust in multiple dimensions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The back support assembly is divided into multiple adjustable components including a back shell, back cushion, and support legs with independent adjustment mechanisms. Each component can be positioned separately to accommodate users of varying heights and widths, enabling multi-dimensional adjustment while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces adjustment capabilities in multiple spatial dimensions: vertical height adjustment along the longitudinal axis, lateral width adjustment along the transverse axis, and angular positioning. This multi-dimensional adjustment system allows the back support to adapt to diverse user body shapes and sizes, significantly improving adaptability compared to conventional single-axis adjustment mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the back support is made adjustable in multiple dimensions, then user accommodation improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The back support assembly incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms that allow users to modify the position of the back shell and back cushion independently along multiple axes. The support legs can be adjusted in length and angle, enabling real-time adaptation to different user needs. These dynamic features enhance user accommodation while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive adjustment controls.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed back support position is used, then the structure is stable, but it cannot accommodate users of varying heights and widths
Solution Approach 1:
The back support assembly is designed with pre-configured adjustment mechanisms and mounting structures that allow users to quickly position the back shell and back cushion at optimal locations before use. The support legs include pre-marked adjustment positions and locking mechanisms, enabling users to establish stable positions tailored to their specific height and width requirements without complex assembly procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A wheelchair back support adjustment assembly that utilizes a swivel assembly is disclosed. This swivel assembly provides an entirety of an interconnection between the wheelchair back support adjustment assembly and a back support of a wheelchair. The wheelchair back support adjustment assembly may also include a linkage that interfaces with the swivel assembly. Opposite end portions of the linkage are connectable with a corresponding cane of a wheelchair. The configuration of the wheelchair back support adjustment assembly accommodates a variety of adjustments, to correspondingly adjust a back support of a wheelchair when in an installed configuration (e.g., to customize the back support to a user of the wheelchair). These adjustments may be through one or more adjustments of the swivel assembly, one or more adjustments adjustment of the linkage, or both.