Modular Wheelchair Power Base Autonomous Storage via Guide Robot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wheelchairs are cumbersome and require assistance for storage, as users need help placing them in vehicles or storage areas, limiting independent use.
Innovation Solution
A modular wheelchair system paired with a guide robot that provides navigation data to the power base, allowing it to detach and autonomously navigate to a storage area without human intervention, using sensors and communication protocols for coordinated movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional wheelchairs are used, then users can be transported, but users need assistance from another person to place the wheelchair in storage areas
Solution Approach 1:
The wheelchair system is divided into separate modules: an upper component (seat assembly) and a power base (mobility base). This segmentation allows the power base to be independently controlled by the guide robot for storage operations, while the upper component remains with the user, enabling independent storage management without requiring another person's assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
A guide robot is introduced as an intermediary device that communicates with the power base via a communication module. The guide robot receives navigation data and transmits control signals to the power base, enabling autonomous navigation and storage operations. This intermediary system resolves the contradiction by providing automated assistance without requiring direct human intervention.
2Extent of automation
If conventional wheelchairs are used, then users can be transported, but users need another person's help to place the wheelchair in vehicles or storage areas
Solution Approach 1:
The power base is equipped with a communication module that enables it to autonomously receive and execute navigation commands from the guide robot. The system performs self-service operations for navigation and storage without requiring another person's physical assistance, thereby increasing the extent of automation while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.
3Ease of operation
If a modular wheelchair system with guide robot is used, then users can independently manage storage, but the system structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The guide robot serves multiple functions: it provides navigation data to the power base, transmits control signals, and enables autonomous storage operations. The communication module in the power base universally interfaces with the guide robot, allowing a single modular addition to provide multiple capabilities that enable independent storage management without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a modular wheelchair system and a guide robot. The modular wheelchair system includes an upper component, and a power base configured to detachably couple to the upper component. The guide robot is communicatively coupled to the power base and configured to provide navigation data to the power base. The guide robot identifies the power base, determines whether the upper component is detached from the power base, pairs with the power base in response to determination that the upper component is detached from the power base, and implements coordinated movement with the power base to transfer the power base to a predetermined area.