Wheelchair Leg Rest Locking Mechanism for Adjustable Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wheelchairs lack an adjustable leg rest, which limits support for individuals with impaired mobility whose legs are bent at different angles, as the leg rest is not movable relative to the seat.

Innovation Solution

A chair with a pivotally mounted leg rest and a rest adjusting mechanism that can be converted between unlocked and locked states, allowing the leg rest to pivot relative to the seat frame at various angles, and a canopy frame with an adjustable mechanism for height adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the leg rest is fixed to the seat frame, then the structure is simple and stable, but the leg rest cannot be adjusted to different angles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability of leg rest angleVSAvoidcomplexity of leg rest mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The leg rest is transformed from a fixed structure to a dynamically adjustable one through a pivot connection between the leg rest and seat frame, allowing the leg rest to rotate and adapt to different angles while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The leg rest system is divided into separate components (leg rest, seat frame, pivot connection) that can move independently, enabling angle adjustment while keeping each component relatively simple in design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the leg rest is made movable to adjust angles, then support for various leg positions is achieved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport for various leg anglesVSAvoidcomplexity of adjustment mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A rest adjusting mechanism with unlocked and locked states is introduced to enable dynamic adjustment of the leg rest angle, providing support for various leg positions while controlling the complexity through a straightforward locking system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the canopy frame is made adjustable, then optimal positioning and protection is achieved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptimal positioning capabilityVSAvoidcomplexity of canopy adjustment mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The canopy frame is transformed from a fixed structure to an adjustable one through a connecting mechanism that allows height and angle adjustment, enabling optimal positioning while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11666496B2Chair

Publication Date: 2023.06.06 WONDERLAND SWITZERLAND AG

AI summary

A chair includes a frame unit including a seat frame, a leg rest that is pivotally mounted to the seat frame, and a rest adjusting mechanism that is connected between the leg rest and the seat frame. The rest adjusting mechanism is convertible between an unlocked state, where the leg rest is permitted to pivot relative to the seat frame, and a locked state, where the leg rest is not permitted to pivot relative to the seat frame.