Wheelchair Soccer Accessory Using Segmented Manual Levers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for playing football on a wheelchair do not provide a practical and independent method for users with reduced mobility to retain and propel a ball in different directions with the desired force without external power, while maintaining a lightweight and affordable design.
Innovation Solution
A manually-operated accessory for wheelchairs featuring a pair of shafts with handles forming a 90-degree angle, housing half-bodies that can open to eject the ball, and a propulsion mechanism allowing directional control of the ball's movement based on handle lever speed and opening force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a ball holding device is attached to a wheelchair, then the ball can be retained and carried, but the device becomes complex and requires external power supply
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two independent manual levers (one for each hand) that control separate propulsion elements. Each lever independently controls a housing half-body, allowing the ball to be propelled in different directions through coordinated manual operation, eliminating the need for complex centralized control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a motorized system to propel the ball, the invention inverts the approach by using manual lever operation to directly control mechanical housing opening and closing. The user's manual input directly opens the housing to eject the ball, reversing the conventional automated approach
2Ease of operation
If a ball holding device is attached to a wheelchair, then the ball can be retained and carried, but the device requires external power supply
Solution Approach 1:
The device is entirely manually operated through two hand levers that the user controls directly. The mechanical advantage system converts the user's manual lever motion into housing opening and closing actions, allowing the ball to be retained and propelled without any external power source, making the system self-sufficient
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces potential motorized or powered mechanisms with a purely mechanical lever-and-linkage system. The manual levers connect through mechanical linkages to the housing opening mechanism, substituting any need for electrical or external power with direct mechanical user input
3Ease of operation
If a ball propulsion device is added to the wheelchair, then the ball can be propelled in different directions, but the device becomes heavy and affects mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The propulsion function is segmented into two separate manual levers, each controlling one side of the housing. This segmentation allows the structure to be distributed and lightweight rather than requiring a single heavy propulsion mechanism, maintaining ease of directional control while minimizing weight impact on the wheelchair
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
Enables users with reduced mobility to play football by allowing independent ball propulsion in different directions with controlled force, maintaining a lightweight and affordable design that is integrated into the wheelchair without external power, ensuring stability and ease of movement.
Implementation Method 1
two housing half-bodies, with a rear portion and a front portion, each of which can take a closed position, in which the ball is trapped inside the housing formed by the half-bodies
Implementation Method 2
The ball can be driven in different directions depending on the extent to which the half-housings are open, the intensity of the opening force of each of these and/or the time lag in the opening time
Implementation Method 3
The ball can likewise be hit with the outer part of the propulsion elements
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a wheelchair accessory for playing soccer, which includes a pair of mutually independent mechanisms that are symmetrical relative to a longitudinal central plane, each of which includes an actuating bar (3) and a mechanism consisting of an hinged quadrangle, made of: a hinge base which makes up a stationary portion secured to the body of the chair, and which houses a pin (5) for rotating the actuation bar (3); a body for pushing (9) and holding a ball, hinged on the stationary part by a pin (91); an actuating lever (17) secured to the lower portion of the actuating bar (3) and capable of rotating with said bar; and an auxiliary part (18), hinged to the actuating lever (17) by a hinging pin (93), and to the mechanism for pushing and holding the ball via a pin (92).