Integrated Wheelchair Securement Housing for Compact Vehicles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheelchair securement systems in smaller, compact vehicles face challenges such as limited space, difficulty in reaching securement points, and inefficient use of retractors, leading to suboptimal restraint angles and increased complexity in securing larger wheelchairs.
Innovation Solution
A wheelchair securement system with restraints anchored at one end, extending to frame members on both the front and rear of the wheelchair, utilizing retractors housed in a securement housing for efficient securement and release, allowing for universal application across various wheelchair types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional 4-Point Retractor Systems are used in smaller vehicles, then the wheelchair can be secured with multiple anchor points, but the space requirement exceeds the available space in rear-entry vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple retractor assemblies into a single integrated securement housing unit. All four restraints are anchored at the same end of the securement area through this consolidated housing, merging what would traditionally be separate mounting locations into one compact structure. This reduces the securement footprint while maintaining the four-point securement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated securement housing serves multiple functions: it houses all four retractor assemblies, provides mounting points for all restraints, and consolidates the anchor points into a single location. This multi-functional design allows the system to maintain traditional securement reliability while adapting to confined spaces in smaller vehicles.
2Reliability
If retractors are permanently attached to the vehicle, then the securement system is more reliable, but the retractors cannot be removed for storage and may be lost or forgotten
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating all four retractor assemblies into a single securement housing that is permanently mounted to the vehicle, the system ensures that retractors are always available and cannot be lost. The housing consolidates all retractor mounting points into one location, making the system permanently attached while maintaining ease of access.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated housing design allows the restraints to be self-contained within the housing structure. The retractor assemblies are built-in and automatically available when needed, eliminating the need for separate storage and manual installation/removal procedures.
3Ease of operation
If the securement system is designed for rear-entry vehicles, then it can be used from behind the wheelchair passenger, but the front of the wheelchair cannot be secured after placement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional securement approach by anchoring all restraints at the front end of the securement area rather than distributing them at both front and rear. This allows the securement system to be operated from the rear while still securing the front of the wheelchair through restraints that extend forward from the anchored position.
Solution Approach 2:
The restraints extend in multiple directions from the single anchored point at the front end. Some restraints extend to the front of the wheelchair while others extend to the rear, utilizing the vertical and lateral dimensions to achieve complete securement from a single anchor location.
4Adaptability or versatility
If larger wheelchairs are secured in confined spaces, then more wheelchair types can be accommodated, but the restraint angles become suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor assemblies incorporate dynamic webbing that can extend and retract to accommodate different wheelchair sizes and positions. The webbing length and retraction mechanism allow the restraints to maintain proper tension and optimal angles regardless of the wheelchair dimensions or securement area constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows for adjustment of restraint parameters including webbing length, anchor point positioning, and retraction force. These parameter changes enable the same integrated housing to accommodate various wheelchair types while maintaining effective restraint angles through adjustable retractor settings.
Data Source
AI summary
The embodiments described and claimed herein relate to a wheelchair securement system that includes a wheelchair securement area, wherein the securement area comprises a front end and a rear end. The securement system includes a first restraint, a second restraint, a third restraint, and a fourth restraint, each of which is anchored near the front end of the securement area and is adapted to extend from the front end of the securement area, wherein the first restraint and the second restraint are adapted to connect to a front portion of the wheelchair, and the third restraint and the fourth restraint are adapted to connect to rear portion of the wheelchair.