Wheelchair Transfer Support Bracket for Balance Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wheelchair users, especially elderly individuals, face a high risk of falls when entering or exiting their wheelchairs due to loss of center mass gravity and balance, often requiring assistance that is not always available, leading to increased fall injuries and reduced independence.
Innovation Solution
A support device with a horizontal top rail and adjustable legs that attach to the wheelchair, providing additional stability and balance through a bracket system, allowing users to safely exit or enter the chair without external assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a wheelchair user attempts unassisted exit or entry, then independence is improved, but fall risk increases due to loss of center mass gravity and balance
Solution Approach 1:
The support device acts as an intermediary between the wheelchair user and the ground, providing a stable structure with a top rail and legs that transfer the user's weight safely. The device mediates the balance loss during transfer by offering external support through the bracket attachment system and leg structure, enabling independent use while preventing falls.
2Reliability
If assistance is provided for wheelchair transfer, then fall risk is reduced, but availability of assistance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The support device enables self-service transfer by providing the necessary structural support for users to exit and re-enter their wheelchairs independently. The attached support structure with its top rail and legs allows users to maintain balance and control during transfer without requiring external human assistance, making the fall prevention capability continuously available.
3Reliability
If a support device is added to the wheelchair, then fall risk during transfer is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support device is segmented into distinct functional components: a top rail for hand support, legs for ground contact and stability, and a bracket attachment system for securing to the wheelchair. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while enabling modular assembly and adjustment, reducing overall complexity despite the added safety features.
4Reliability
If the support device structure is made more robust, then fall prevention capability is improved, but weight of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device achieves robust stability through optimized geometric parameters rather than increased mass. The leg length, top rail height, and bracket attachment points are specifically configured to create a stable support triangle and optimal leverage for transfer. This parameter-based design provides fall prevention capability while minimizing device weight compared to a mass-based approach.
Data Source
AI summary
A device that can be quickly and easily mounted on a wheelchair for assisting a wheelchair user to safely exit or enter a wheelchair that includes a support having a horizontal top rail, the top rail having a first end and a second end, a first leg depending downwardly from the first end, and a second leg arranged opposite and parallel to the first leg, the second leg depending downwardly from the second end. The device further includes a bracket attached to the wheelchair, the bracket is constructed to engage with a bottom of the first leg such that when the bracket and bottom of the first leg are engaged, the device may be used to enter or exit the wheelchair.