Wheelchair Linkage System with Pivot Angle Limiter
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Solution Overview
Problem
The side-by-side transportation of multiple wheelchairs in airport corridors leads to bottlenecks and slows down passenger movement due to the need for travel assistants to manually push or pull multiple chairs simultaneously, causing traffic jams.
Innovation Solution
A linkage system that connects multiple wheelchairs using adapters with pivot angle limiters and connectors, allowing a single travel assistant to push or pull a 'train' of wheelchairs, optionally assisted by a motorized puller, to efficiently transport multiple passengers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple wheelchairs are transported side-by-side, then the capacity to move multiple passengers is improved, but the corridor width consumption increases causing traffic jams
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple wheelchairs are merged into a single connected unit through the linkage system comprising adapters and connectors. The adapter attaches to each wheelchair and the connector joins the adapters, allowing multiple wheelchairs to be transported as one integrated formation rather than separate units, thereby reducing corridor width consumption while maintaining passenger capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage system transitions the wheelchair arrangement from a side-by-side horizontal configuration to a longitudinal train configuration. By connecting wheelchairs in series along the direction of motion rather than parallel to each other, the system changes the spatial dimension of arrangement, reducing the width occupation while preserving the ability to transport multiple passengers
2Quantity of substance
If a travel assistant manually pushes or pulls multiple wheelchairs, then the ability to transport multiple passengers is improved, but the manual effort and time required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The linkage system merges multiple wheelchairs into a single operational unit, allowing one travel assistant to control and move all connected wheelchairs simultaneously through a single pushing or pulling action, thereby reducing the time and effort required compared to manually handling each wheelchair separately
3Ease of operation
If wheelchairs are connected without pivot angle limitation, then the ease of navigation is improved, but the safety is worsened due to pinching hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot angle limiter acts as an intermediary component between the connector and the wheelchairs. It mediates the turning motion by mechanically limiting the pivot angle to a predetermined safe range, preventing excessive rotation that could cause pinching hazards while still allowing sufficient turning capability for navigation
4Adaptability or versatility
If the connector allows free rotation, then the adaptability to different terrains is improved, but the stability is worsened due to uncontrolled movement
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot angle limiter introduces controlled dynamics to the connector system. Rather than allowing completely free rotation or fixing the connector rigidly, the limiter enables dynamic adjustment within a predetermined angular range, allowing the wheelchair train to adapt to terrain variations while maintaining stability through controlled movement boundaries
Data Source
AI summary
A linkage system includes at least one adapter and a connector. Each adapter includes a clamp configured to attach to a frame of a wheelchair. Each adapter includes a pivot angle limiter configured to attach to the clamp. The pivot angle limiter includes a top plate and a bottom plate, each having a central hole through which a pivot shaft is insertable to define a pivot axis for a connector to rotate about. The pivot angle limiter includes first and second barriers, each extending between the top plate and the bottom plate. The first and second barriers define a maximum pivot angle that has a vertex at the pivot axis. The at least one adapter may include a first adapter connected to one end of the connector and to a first wheelchair, and a second adapter connected to an opposite end of the connector and to a second wheelchair.