Wheelchair with tilt capability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheelchair tilt arrangements, especially during posterior tilt, maintain the center of gravity of the occupant, leading to instability and a risk of tipping over during transportation.
Innovation Solution
An electric wheelchair with a tilt arrangement featuring a lift device, a tilt frame, and pivotally coupled arms that adjust the orientation of the tilt frame, reducing the change in the center of gravity and enhancing stability, while allowing for more compact design and flexibility in battery placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional tilt arrangement is used to adjust seat orientation, then the wheelchair can achieve tilt functionality, but the center of gravity of the occupant is maintained which renders transportation unstable and subjects the wheelchair to the risk of tipping over
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the pivot connection between the first and second arms movable rather than fixed. This allows the tilt mechanism to dynamically adjust the center of gravity position during tilting operations, shifting it forward to improve stability. The movable pivot connection enables the system to adapt its mechanical configuration based on the tilt angle, transforming a static unstable system into a dynamic stable one.
2Device complexity
If a conventional tilt arrangement with fixed pivot connections is used, then the structure is simple, but the design is bulky and limits flexibility for battery placement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the tilt mechanism into separate modular components: a base member, a lifting member, a tilt frame, and articulated arms with a movable pivot connection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and arranged in a compact configuration, reducing the overall volume of the tilt arrangement while maintaining structural integrity and enabling flexible battery placement.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a wheelchair (1) with tilt capabilities. The electric wheelchair comprises a chassis (3), a lift device having a base member which is fixedly arranged to the chassis, and a lifting member arranged to move rectilinearly relative to the base member along an axis defined by a longitudinal extension of the lifting member, a tilt frame, a first arm pivotally coupled to the lifting member and the tilt frame, and a second arm coupled to the base member, and which second arm is pivotally coupled to the first arm forming a pivot connection, wherein movement of the lifting member towards the extended position moves the pivot connection towards the base member and movement of the lifting member towards the retracted position moves the pivot connection away from the base member.