Autonomous universal wheelchair securement device for wheelchair accessible autonomous vehicles

Abstract

A method for securing a wheelchair in a vehicle is provided, the method comprising: receiving, at a controller of a wheelchair securement system, wheelchair settings of a wheelchair to be secured in the vehicle; and based on the wheelchair settings, selecting from among one of three selections: a first mode of securing the wheelchair with a first wheelchair restraint alone; a second mode of securing the wheelchair with a second wheelchair restraint alone; and a third mode of securing the wheelchair with both the first wheelchair restraint and the second wheelchair restraint.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for securing a wheelchair in a vehicle, the method comprising:
 receiving, at a controller of a wheelchair securement system, wheelchair settings of a wheelchair to be secured in the vehicle; and   based on the wheelchair settings, selecting from among one of three selections:
 a first mode of securing the wheelchair with a first wheelchair restraint alone; 
 a second mode of securing the wheelchair with a second wheelchair restraint alone; and 
 a third mode of securing the wheelchair with both the first wheelchair restraint and the second wheelchair restraint. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the selecting comprises determining whether the wheelchair is occupied. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the wheelchair settings comprise dimensions of the wheelchair, and   the selecting further comprises determining, when the wheelchair is occupied, whether the dimensions permit the third mode.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the selecting further comprises, when the wheelchair is occupied, using the second mode when the dimensions do not permit the third mode. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the method further comprises, when the wheelchair is not occupied:
 accessing transfer seat settings;   moving a transfer seat according to the transfer seat settings;   moving the first wheelchair restraint according to the wheelchair settings; and   securing the wheelchair with the first wheelchair restraint alone.   
     
     
         6 . A method for securing a wheelchair in a vehicle, the method comprising:
 receiving wheelchair settings of a wheelchair to be secured in a vehicle;   generating control signals according to the wheelchair settings;   communicating the control signals to an actuator of a wheelchair restraint, wherein the actuator moves the wheelchair restraint to secure the wheelchair according to the control signals.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising prompting a user for the wheelchair settings. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the prompting is through an application software installed in an electronic device. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the prompting is through a remote control coupled to a controller in the vehicle. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising storing the wheelchair settings in a memory. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the memory is associated with a controller that generates the control signals based on the wheelchair settings stored in the memory. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the memory is associated with an onboard computer in the vehicle, and the method further comprises communicating the wheelchair settings stored in the memory of the onboard computer to a controller that generates the control signals. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising modifying the control signals according to updated instructions received from a remote control in the vehicle coupled to the controller. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the wheelchair restraint comprises:
 a bottom chassis securely fastened to a floor of the vehicle;   a top chassis configured to slide up and down relative to the bottom chassis;   an arm configured to rotate around a pivot axis at a first end proximate to the top chassis;   a latch configured to securely grasp an axle of a wheelchair, the latch being attached to a second end of the arm distant from the top chassis and configured to slide relative to the arm toward and away from the top chassis.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the actuator comprises:
 a first actuator configured to slide the top chassis relative to the bottom chassis;   a second actuator configured to rotate the arm around the pivot axis; and   a third actuator configured to slide the latch relative to the arm.   
     
     
         16 . A method for securing a wheelchair in a vehicle, the method comprising:
 receiving a request for a ride with a wheelchair in the vehicle;   accessing wheelchair settings of the wheelchair from memory;   placing a wheelchair restraint in the vehicle in a position according to the settings, wherein the position is configured to secure the wheelchair when the vehicle is in motion.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the wheelchair restrained in placed in the position before a rider with the wheelchair enters the vehicle. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising providing instructions to a controller according to the wheelchair settings, wherein the controller generates control signals that move actuators to place the wheelchair restraint in the position. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the controller generates control signals based on a selection from one of three modes:
 a first mode of securing the wheelchair with a first wheelchair restraint alone;   a second mode of securing the wheelchair with a second wheelchair restraint alone; and   a third mode of securing the wheelchair with both the first wheelchair restraint and the second wheelchair restraint.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising correlating the request with the wheelchair settings based on a previous request for a ride with the wheelchair.