SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING A WHEELCHAIR SEAT

摘要

A wheelchair including a base assembly that has a first side and a second side. At least one caster and a drive wheel are mounted to each of the first and second sides. The wheelchair includes a seat assembly having a seat and a backrest and an actuator assembly having a plurality of actuators. Each actuator can expand and retract and includes a first end pivotably connected to the base assembly and a second end pivotably connected to the seat assembly. The actuator assembly allows for at least four degrees of movement of the seat assembly with respect to the base assembly. The wheelchair includes a computer that is connected to the actuators and that controls the movement of the actuators. The computer moves the actuators to vary the position of the seat assembly with respect to the base assembly.

主权项

1. A method for adjusting the position of a wheelchair seat assembly, comprising:
providing a wheelchair including:
a base assembly including a first side and a second side, wherein on each of said first and second sides is mounted a caster and a drive wheel;a seat assembly;a plurality of actuators connected to said base assembly and said seat assembly, wherein said actuators provide said seat assembly with at least four degrees of movement with respect to said base assembly;a computer that is connected to said actuators; anda detector that measures the orientation of said base assembly; moving said actuators at the command of said computer such that said seat assembly moves linearly forward with respect to said base assembly; measuring a first change in the orientation of said base assembly due to the forward movement with said detector; moving said actuators at the command of said computer such that said seat assembly moves linearly backward with respect to said base assembly; measuring a second change in the orientation of said base assembly due to the backward movement with said detector; sending the measurements of the first and second changes in orientation of said base assembly to said computer; using said measurements with said computer to move said actuators such that said seat assembly is moved to a position where the center of gravity of the seat assembly and a person in the seat assembly is located at a particular point with respect to said drive wheels.