Wheelchair Rotating Platform With Control Transfer for Tight Spaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wheelchairs, especially rear wheel drive models, are difficult to maneuver in tight spaces and lack sufficient safety features, particularly when in motion, and existing solutions do not adequately address the needs of motorized and heavy wheelchairs or provide secure positioning in vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, portable wheelchair turntable with a central conical bearing assembly and electric motor/gearbox system, powered by the wheelchair's battery, which allows secure latching and control transfer from the chair to the turntable, ensuring stability and preventing accidental movement, especially in vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional rear wheel drive wheelchair is used, then it is suitable for travel over rough terrain, but it cannot rotate or turn on a short axis and is difficult to maneuver in tight quarters
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent parts: the wheelchair itself and a separate turntable device. The turntable is a standalone unit with its own bearing assembly and motor, allowing the wheelchair to be positioned on it without modifying the wheelchair structure. This segmentation enables the wheelchair to maintain its original rough terrain capability while adding short-axis rotation capability through the separate turntable device.
Solution Approach 2:
The turntable acts as an intermediary device between the user's control and the wheelchair movement. Instead of modifying the wheelchair's drive mechanism to enable rotation, the turntable serves as a mediating platform that receives control signals and translates them into rotational movement, while the wheelchair remains responsible for forward motion and terrain navigation.
2Reliability
If existing turntable solutions are used, then rotation capability is provided, but safety concerns are not sufficiently addressed when the wheelchair is in motion
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically switches between two operational modes: wheelchair control mode and turntable control mode. When the wheelchair is positioned on the turntable, the system automatically or manually transitions control from the wheelchair's drive mechanism to the turntable's rotation mechanism. This dynamic control switching ensures that the wheelchair cannot accidentally move while on the turntable, as the power and control are redirected to the turntable motor.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms to monitor the position and status of the wheelchair relative to the turntable. Sensors detect when the wheelchair is properly positioned on the turntable platform, and this feedback triggers the control system to switch modes appropriately. The feedback ensures that rotation only occurs when the wheelchair is securely positioned, preventing unsafe operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a separate turntable is added for short axis rotation, then rotation capability is achieved, but the system becomes more complex and requires additional power and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The turntable is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate different types of wheelchairs (manual and powered, lightweight and heavy-duty). The bearing assembly and platform dimensions are standardized to work with various wheelchair configurations. The control system accepts standard wheelchair control inputs and translates them into rotation commands, making the turntable compatible with multiple wheelchair types without requiring custom modifications for each model.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables safe and convenient operation of wheelchairs in tight spaces and during vehicle motion, with automatic power and control transfer, ensuring the wheelchair-bound person has full control over the turntable's operation, enhancing safety and usability.
Implementation Method 1
The rotatable platform is supported for rotation on a stationary base plate by a central conical bearing assembly
Implementation Method 2
A lightweight, portable wheelchair turntable powered by the wheelchair's battery, featuring a central conical bearing assembly and electric motor/gearbox for rotation
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for rotating a wheelchair on a motorized rotatable platform comprising providing a motorized rotatable platform comprising a stationary bottom plate and a rotatable top plate supported by a central conical bearing assembly and a circular ring thrust bearing, wherein rotation of the top plate is accomplished by an electric motor/gearbox assembly fastened onto the top plate, driving the wheelchair onto the motorized rotatable platform, anchoring the wheelchair to the top plate and switching electrical power from the wheelchair's electric motor to the electric motor/gearbox assembly, rotating the wheelchair to a desired position using the wheelchair's controls, and disengaging anchoring of the wheelchair and switching electrical power back to the wheelchair's electric motor, and driving the wheelchair off the platform.