Wheelchair Platform Presence Detection for Safe Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheelchair elevators often malfunction when the wheelchair is not properly positioned, leading to untimely activation and potential safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A platform with stops and a presence detector that only activates when the wheelchair's rear wheels are fully engaged, using brakes and rotation detectors to ensure the wheelchair is securely positioned before allowing movement, and end-of-travel devices to deactivate the system when the platform reaches its destination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the lift is switched on before the wheelchair is in its final place, then the platform can start moving earlier, but the operation becomes unsafe and may malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary positioning verification before allowing platform movement. The presence detector checks whether the wheelchair is correctly positioned on the platform before the motor is activated, ensuring that all necessary conditions are met prior to operation initiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors the presence detector signal and adjusts the motor operation accordingly. The motor is activated only when the presence detector confirms correct wheelchair positioning, creating a feedback loop that ensures safe operation conditions are met before movement begins.
2Reliability
If the presence detector is added to verify wheelchair positioning, then operation safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning verification mechanisms with a simpler detection system. Instead of using mechanical interlocks or complex sensing arrangements, the invention uses a presence detector that simply identifies whether the wheelchair is on the platform, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining safety.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns a platform 100 designed for receiving a wheelchair 200 provided with two rear wheels 210, said platform 100 comprising two stops 110, 120 at least designed to immobilise said wheels, also comprising a motor 150 for moving same in translation along a path, further comprising control means 151 for controlling said motor 150. The platform is remarkable in that it comprises a presence detector 130 that produces a presence signal when the two wheels 210 are engaged between the stops 110, 120 and in that it comprises means for deactivating the control means 151 in the absence of the presence signal.