Reclining Wheelchair Pivot Bracket Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheelchair devices lack a fully reclined position, limiting user comfort and care options, as they either remain in a fixed upright position or require complex adjustment mechanisms or actuators.
Innovation Solution
A wheelchair design featuring a chair base frame with pivot brackets and locking pins that allow the chair back to move between an upright and reclined position, enabling a fully flat rest position with a simple locking mechanism for secure adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing wheelchair devices use fixed upright position or complex adjustment mechanisms, then structural stability is maintained, but user comfort and care options are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The wheelchair backrest is divided into separate segments that can pivot independently relative to the seat base. This segmentation allows the backrest to achieve a fully reclined flat position without requiring complex overall mechanism adjustments, as each segment moves independently along defined pivot paths.
Solution Approach 2:
A linkage mechanism acts as an intermediary between the user's simple input force and the backrest's reclining motion. This linkage translates minimal user effort into controlled backrest rotation, enabling full recline capability without requiring complex direct manipulation mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If actuators or transform mechanisms are used to achieve full recline, then fully flat position is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wheelchair's backrest reclining mechanism is designed to be self-servicing through passive gravity-assisted rotation and simple mechanical linkages. The system uses the user's body weight and gravity to facilitate the reclining motion, eliminating the need for active actuators or powered transform mechanisms while achieving full flat position capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive, complex actuator systems with simple, inexpensive mechanical components such as pivot brackets, linkage arms, and friction-based locks. These simpler components achieve the same functional outcome (full recline) at lower cost and complexity, accepting that they may require occasional manual adjustment rather than powered actuation.
3Ease of operation
If simple locking pin mechanism is used, then ease of operation is improved, but securing reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism transitions from static to dynamic operation: during adjustment, the locking pins disengage to allow free movement; once the desired position is reached, the pins automatically engage with retention features to secure the position. This dynamic behavior provides both ease of operation during adjustment and reliability during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking pin mechanism incorporates mechanical feedback through engagement detents and audible clicks that confirm when the pins have securely locked into position. This feedback ensures the user knows the wheelchair has been properly secured in the desired position, maintaining reliability without complicating the operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A reclining wheelchair apparatus for providing a convenient way for wheelchair users to rest or be cared for includes a chair base frame and a plurality of wheels coupled to the chair base frame. A seat bottom is coupled to a base top side and a pair of pivot brackets is pivotably coupled to a base top side adjacent the base back side. A chair back is coupled to the pair of pivot brackets and moves between an upright position and a reclined position. The pair of pivot brackets rests on a pair of bracket supports when the chair back is in the reclined position. A pair of locking pins is coupled to the pair of pivot brackets and selectively engages with the base top side to secure the chair back in the upright position.