Arcuately-Shaped Wheelchair Traction Device with Radial Clips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional wheelchair traction devices are cumbersome, heavy, and difficult to deploy quickly, especially on narrow wheelchair wheels, making them unsuitable for immediate traction needs on irregular terrain or changing weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
A portable and easily attachable wheelchair traction system with an arcuately-shaped frame, radially inwardly extending clips, and a traction portion that securely couples to the wheelchair wheel, allowing for quick installation and removal by the user, featuring a channel for wheel fitment and optional adhesive or dovetail joint for traction insert attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If traditional wheel traction devices are used, then traction capability is provided, but the devices are heavy and cumbersome making them difficult to deploy quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The traction device is divided into separate modular components including a frame, wheel-clips, and a traction portion that can be independently attached and detached. This segmentation allows the user to quickly attach only the necessary components to the wheelchair wheel without handling a complete heavy assembly, thereby reducing deployment time while maintaining traction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device applies traction enhancement locally at the contact point between the wheelchair wheel and the ground surface, rather than requiring a complete wheel replacement or heavy attachment system. The traction portion is positioned specifically where needed to provide grip on irregular terrain, allowing for a lightweight design that deploys quickly without sacrificing effectiveness.
2Ease of operation
If traditional wheel traction devices are used, then traction is provided, but the attachment mechanisms are complex making them difficult to install quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is extracted and simplified to essential elements only. The wheel-clips feature simple pin-and-hole or snap-fit connections that attach directly to the wheelchair wheel without requiring complex fastening systems, tools, or multiple adjustment steps. This extraction of unnecessary complexity enables quick installation by the user alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to be self-attachable by the wheelchair user without requiring assistance from others or complex adjustment procedures. The wheel-clips and frame incorporate intuitive attachment features that allow the user to secure the traction device to their own wheelchair wheel independently and quickly, improving ease of operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional wheel traction devices are used, then traction capability is achieved, but the devices are not designed for narrow wheelchair wheels making them impractical for quick deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The frame and wheel-clips are designed with universal dimensions and attachment points that accommodate various wheelchair wheel sizes, including narrow wheels commonly used in manual wheelchairs. The channel on the frame and positioning of wheel-clips can adapt to different wheel diameters and widths, making the device versatile across multiple wheelchair types while maintaining quick deployment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities where the wheel-clips can be positioned at different locations on the frame to accommodate varying wheel dimensions. This dynamic adaptability allows the same device to fit different wheelchair wheels without requiring multiple specialized attachments, enabling quick deployment across diverse user needs.
Data Source
AI summary
Various implementations include a wheelchair traction attachment device. The device includes a frame having an arcuately-shaped longitudinal axis, an inner surface, an outer surface opposite and spaced apart from the inner surface. The frame has a first edge extending between the inner and outer surfaces, and a second edge spaced apart from the first edge. At least a portion of the inner surface defines a channel. The device includes at least one first wheel-clip extending radially inwardly from the first edge of the frame relative to the arcuately-shaped longitudinal axis. The device includes at least one second wheel-clip extending radially inwardly from the second edge of the frame relative to the arcuately-shaped longitudinal axis. The device includes a traction portion disposed along at least a portion of the outer surface, the traction portion extending radially outwardly from the outer surface relative to the arcuately-shaped longitudinal axis.