Wheelchair Securing Structure with Visual Feedback Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wheelchair securing structures in vehicles are not designed to accommodate wheelchairs and do not allow occupants to easily determine the secured state of the wheelchair, which can lead to safety concerns.

Innovation Solution

A wheelchair securing structure that includes a securing device, a detection portion, and a display portion within the vehicle cabin, allowing the occupant to visually recognize the secured state of the wheelchair, with optional features like restraint detection and pictogram displays to indicate secured or unsecured states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a wheelchair securing structure is provided in a vehicle designed for physically unimpaired occupants, then the vehicle structure remains simple and conventional, but the wheelchair occupant cannot easily grasp the secured state of the wheelchair

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of grasping secured stateVSAvoidcomplexity of securing structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by providing a display portion that visually indicates the secured state of the wheelchair to the occupant. The securing detection portion detects whether the wheelchair is properly secured, and this information is fed back to the occupant through the display portion, enabling them to easily grasp the secured state without adding complex mechanical structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a display portion as a mediator between the securing detection portion and the wheelchair occupant. Instead of directly modifying the wheelchair or securing mechanism, the display portion translates the secured state into visual information that the occupant can easily understand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a display portion is provided at a position visually recognizable by the wheelchair occupant, then the occupant can easily determine the secured state, but the vehicle interior space is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of secured stateVSAvoidvehicle interior space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by positioning the display portion specifically in the wheelchair securing space where it is visually recognizable by the wheelchair occupant. This localized placement ensures the display is visible to the target user without unnecessarily occupying other vehicle interior spaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by positioning the display portion above the wheelchair securing space. This dimensional placement allows the display to be visible to the occupant without consuming horizontal interior space, effectively using the up-down direction to resolve the space conflict.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If securing detection and display functions are added to the wheelchair securing structure, then the wheelchair secured state can be monitored, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of wheelchair securingVSAvoidcomplexity of detection and display system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by creating a closed-loop system where the securing detection portion monitors the wheelchair securing state and the display portion provides visual feedback to the occupant. This feedback mechanism enhances reliability by ensuring the occupant is aware of the secured state, while the electronic detection and display components are integrated in a manner that minimizes overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11628801B2Wheelchair securing structure
Publication Date: 2023.04.18 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • US11628801B2 patent drawing
  • US11628801B2 patent drawing
  • US11628801B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A wheelchair securing structure includes: a securing device provided in a wheelchair securing space inside a vehicle cabin, the securing device being configured to secure a wheelchair; a securing detection portion configured to detect that the wheelchair is secured by the securing device; and a display portion provided at a position where the display portion is visually recognizable by an occupant of the wheelchair from the wheelchair securing space inside the vehicle cabin, the display portion being configured to display a secured state of the wheelchair, the secured state being detected by the securing detection portion.