Smart walking aid with dual-mode wheel switching mechanism

Abstract

This invention provides a smart walking aid with a dual-mode wheel switching mechanism, comprising two side supports, an actuator, and a detection and control unit. The side supports have switching wheel sets with a linkage rod, and are respectively equipped with a smaller first wheel and a larger second wheel. The actuator drives the linkage rod to pivot, causing the first and second wheels to alternately touch the ground according to terrain conditions. During the switching process, a support rod in the side supports provides temporary stability. The detection and control unit senses the ground slope or surface condition, thereby determining whether to use a ground stability mode or a ground shock absorption mode, and automatically controls the actuator to switch the corresponding wheel set, thereby improving the walking aid's stability and ease of operation in different terrain environments.

Claims

1. A smart walking aid with a dual-mode wheel switching mechanism, comprising: two side supports for a user's hand grip, the two side supports being fixed to each other by at least one transverse support; wherein, The two side supports each include: a grip section; a front support section, one end of which is connected to the grip section; a rear support section, one end of which is connected to the other end of the grip section, and the front support section is shorter than the rear support section; an anti-slip member, provided at the end of the rear support section for abutting against the ground; and a switching wheel assembly, including: a linkage rod, which is pivotally mounted on one side of the front support section; A first wheel, with a diameter of r, is located at one end of the linkage rod for operation in a ground stability mode; and a second wheel, with a diameter of R, is located at the other end of the linkage rod for operation in a ground shock absorption mode; wherein R is greater than r, and the distance from the center of the first wheel to the center of the second wheel is D, and the pivot point of the linkage rod is located at a distance of (D-R+r) / 2 from the center of the second wheel; and an intermediate support rod is pivotally mounted on the other side of the front support section, the pivot point of the intermediate support rod is located at a distance of (D+R-3r) / 4 from the center of the first wheel, and the longer segment on either side of the pivot point of the intermediate support rod has a length of (D+R+r) / 4; An actuation device electrically connected to the linkage rod and the intermediate support rod is provided to drive the linkage rod to pivot, thereby changing the height of the first wheel and the second wheel relative to the ground. The intermediate support rod is also provided to temporarily pivot to rest against the ground before the switching process between the first wheel and the second wheel, and then retract to release the ground contact state after the switching is complete. A detection and control unit electrically connected to the actuation device is also provided. The detection and control unit determines whether the ground is in a stable mode or an anti-vibration mode based on the terrain conditions, and causes the actuation device to drive the switching wheel assembly and the intermediate support rod to switch to the first wheel or the second wheel adapted to the terrain conditions.

2. The smart walking aid as described in claim 1, wherein, The detection and control unit includes an inertial measurement unit to detect slope or ground unevenness changes as a basis for determining the terrain pattern.

3. The smart walking aid as described in claim 2, wherein, The detection and control unit includes a pressure sensor located on the grip section to sense the force applied by the user, which serves as a basis for determining the terrain pattern.

4. The smart walking aid as described in claim 3, wherein, The detection and control unit includes a distance sensor mounted on the horizontal support to detect obstacles or uneven ground conditions in front of it, in order to determine the terrain pattern.

5. The smart walking aid as described in claim 4, wherein, The distance sensor is either an ultrasonic sensor or an infrared sensor.

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