Wheelchair Lateral Transfer Mechanism for Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheelchairs with integrated transfer devices face issues such as instability, limited lateral excursion, and the need for external assistance during transfers to surfaces like beds, toilets, and car seats, often resulting in overturning risks and cumbersome loading processes.
Innovation Solution
A wheelchair with a supporting frame, lateral and vertical translation mechanisms, and an extended seating surface that can adjust height and laterally translate to securely reach various surfaces, equipped with omnidirectional wheels and lateral supporting elements to ensure stability and autonomy during transfers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a secondary seating surface is laterally extracted to enable transfer, then the transfer capability is improved, but the stability of the transfer plane deteriorates due to varying distances and heights
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment mechanisms that allow the secondary seating surface to adapt its position and orientation in real-time. The lateral extraction mechanism is coupled with height adjustment and angular positioning capabilities, enabling the transfer plane to dynamically compensate for variations in distance and height differences between the wheelchair and target surfaces, thereby maintaining stability throughout the transfer process
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes multiple geometric parameters simultaneously - lateral position, height, and orientation angle of the secondary seating surface. By adjusting these parameters in coordination, the transfer plane maintains optimal stability across varying transfer scenarios, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and stability
2Adaptability or versatility
If the seat is laterally translated beyond the driving wheels, then the transfer range is improved, but the risk of overturning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a counterbalancing mechanism where the lateral translation of the seat assembly is compensated by adjustable supporting elements that extend laterally beyond the wheelbase. These elements act as counterweights or stabilizing arms that shift the effective center of gravity distribution, preventing overturning even when the seat is translated significantly beyond the driving wheels
3Ease of operation
If a sliding seat system is used for car transfer, then the ease of transfer is improved, but the need for external assistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates self-service capabilities through automated control mechanisms that allow the user to independently operate the lateral translation and height adjustment functions. The integrated control system responds to user input and automatically manages the complex coordination of multiple actuators, eliminating the need for external assistance while maintaining ease of operation
4Stability of the object's composition
If the seating surface is extended laterally, then the stability during transfer is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extended seating surface is divided into modular segments that can be independently supported and adjusted. This segmentation allows the lateral extension to be achieved through multiple simple support points rather than a single complex structure, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining stability
Data Source
AI summary
A wheelchair including a supporting frame and moving means configured to allow the movement of the wheelchair, the supporting frame having a seating area for a user of the wheelchair, the wheelchair including first actuation means configured to translate the seating area laterally and externally with respect to the supporting frame and, at least partially, with respect to the moving means, in a transfer configuration of the user, supporting means being operationally associated with the seating area, being able to be activated in the transfer configuration of the seating area to support the seating area with respect to the ground, the seating area being defined, in the transfer configuration, by a main seat and a secondary seat able to be activated in the transfer configuration of the seating area to increase the extension of the main seat.