Folding Wheelchair Sliding Guide Rail Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wheelchairs occupy large spaces when not in use due to their inability to fold efficiently, making transportation and storage inconvenient, and the assembly-disassembly process is time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A folding wheelchair design featuring sliding guide rails, sliding blocks, and a latch frame with lock cylinders and pull handles allows for smooth and quick folding by disengaging bolts from sliding guide rails, enabling the back and lower frames to close up synchronously with the seat frame, and includes an electrically driven transmission system for easy movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the wheelchair is designed with a fixed structure, then the structural stability is improved, but the space occupation increases and transportation convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wheelchair frame is divided into multiple segments (back frame, seat frame, lower frame) that can be relative moved against each other. The sliding guide rail system allows these segments to slide along predetermined paths, enabling the wheelchair to transition between expanded and compact states while maintaining structural integrity during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheelchair employs dynamic structural elements including sliding guide rails, sliding blocks, and latch mechanisms that allow the frame segments to move relative to each other. This dynamic design enables the wheelchair to adapt its configuration between stable operational state and compact storage state, resolving the contradiction between stability and compactness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the wheelchair is designed with an assembly-disassembly structure, then the folding capability is improved, but the operation time increases and convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding guide rails and latch mechanisms are pre-configured in the wheelchair structure, with latch holes positioned along the guide rails at predetermined locations. When folding is initiated, the sliding blocks automatically engage with these pre-positioned latch holes, eliminating the need for manual alignment and significantly reducing the time required to collapse the wheelchair.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism is designed to automatically engage and lock the frame segments in place during the folding process. The spring-loaded latches automatically snap into the latch holes as the sliding blocks move along the guide rails, making the folding operation self-regulating and eliminating the need for manual intervention at critical locking points.
3Reliability
If the latch mechanism uses manual bolting, then the locking reliability is improved, but the operation complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional manual bolting system is replaced with a spring-loaded latch mechanism that uses elastic force instead of threaded fasteners. The latches automatically engage with the latch holes through sliding motion and are retained by spring force, eliminating the need for wrenches, threading, and torque adjustment while maintaining secure locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism transitions from a static bolted connection to a dynamic spring-loaded system where the locking force is generated and maintained by spring elasticity. This parameter change allows the latch to automatically adjust to variations in frame positioning while maintaining reliable engagement, and enables quick release by simply overcoming the spring force.
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
The wheelchair can be folded compactly for convenient storage and transportation, occupying less space, while unfolding is made safe and reliable with spring-activated locking mechanisms, allowing for efficient use when needed.
Implementation Method 1
a spring, one end of which is connected to the bolt and the other end of which is connected to the lock cylinder
Implementation Method 2
a sliding guide rail is arranged between one end of the seat frame and each rear wheel assembly, and a sliding block is arranged on each sliding guide rail in a sliding fit manner
Implementation Method 3
the armrests and the seat frame are hinged to the back frame from top to bottom in sequence
Data Source
AI summary
A folding wheelchair, including a back frame a seat frame a lower frame, two rear wheel assemblies, two front wheel assemblies and an armrest; the armrest and the seat frame are hingedly connected to the back frame from top to bottom in a sequence; the two front wheel assemblies is connected to the lower frame; a sliding guide rail is provided between one end of the seat frame and each rear wheel assembly, and is provided with a sliding block thereon in a sliding fit manner; the sliding block is hingedly connected to a lower end of the back frame and the lower frame or the lower end of the back frame is hingedly connected to the sliding block and the lower frame; or the lower frame is hingedly connected to the lower end of the back frame and the sliding block The folding wheelchair is safe and reliable touse, and can be folded smoothly and quickly; in addition, the folded wheelchair has a small size, and is convenient to lean, against a wall, occupies a small space in a vehicle trunk or under a bed, and is convenient to use when going out.