Power Wheelchair Stranding Detection via Acceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low-speed mobility vehicles, such as power wheelchairs, often become stranded due to wheel malfunctions or collisions, requiring users to wait for assistance, which is inconvenient and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring system equipped with an acceleration sensor, a vehicle-stranding determiner, and a remote monitoring device that detects vehicle stranding through acceleration data and automatically contacts predesignated assistance sources via a long-range wireless communication network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a remote monitoring device with communication capability is provided, then assistance can be contacted rapidly when the vehicle becomes stranded, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The acceleration sensor automatically detects stranding events and triggers the communication device without requiring user intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously identifying when assistance is needed and initiating the help request process, thereby reducing the time loss while avoiding the need for complex user interfaces or manual activation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical systems (user physically contacting for help) with an automated electronic monitoring and communication system. The acceleration sensor and communication device work together to automatically detect stranding and contact assistance, substituting the mechanical process of user action with an electronic automated system that reduces time loss without requiring proportional increases in complexity.
2Measurement precision
If acceleration sensor and automatic detection system are installed, then stranding detection precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential function needed for stranding detection by using a simple acceleration sensor that measures specific acceleration thresholds. Rather than implementing a complex multi-sensor system, the invention isolates and utilizes only the critical acceleration measurement capability, achieving high detection precision while minimizing the added complexity to the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves precise stranding detection by monitoring changes in acceleration parameters. When the acceleration sensor detects specific parameter thresholds (indicating the vehicle has stopped unexpectedly), the system triggers the stranding alert. This parameter-based detection method provides high measurement precision using a relatively simple sensor and processing mechanism, avoiding the need for complex detection systems.
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 rapid and appropriate response to vehicle stranding situations by accurately detecting and reporting the event to designated help sources, reducing user inconvenience and improving assistance delivery.
Implementation Method 1
an acceleration sensor that is installed at the vehicle to produce an output indicative of acceleration acting on the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
In a monitoring system for a power wheelchair (low-speed mobility vehicle) and having a remote monitoring device connected to the wheelchair through a communicator, it is determined whether the wheelchair strands based on detected acceleration, and when it does, a vehicle-stranded signal that the vehicle strands is transmitted to the remote monitoring device through the communicator and predesignated information addressees including a dealer, a data terminal owned by the operator's family and emergency assistance providers such as the police or hospital are informed in response to the signal that the vehicle is stranded, thereby enabling to respond rapidly and appropriately when the wheelchair becomes stranded.