Adjustable Leg Mobility Device for Stair Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobility aids like crutches and walkers are limited in their ability to traverse uneven or slippery surfaces and stairs, posing safety risks due to instability, and carrying both devices defeats their purpose of providing mobility assistance.
Innovation Solution
A multiple terrain mobility device that can transform between a walker and crutches, featuring adjustable and extendable legs with a central cross support, allowing for enhanced stability on various terrains and the ability to safely navigate stairs by adjusting leg positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If crutches are used for faster movement and aesthetics, then speed and user appearance are improved, but stability on uneven or slippery surfaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mobility device incorporates adjustable and extendable legs that can dynamically change configuration. The legs can be extended forward to provide additional stability points when traversing uneven or slippery surfaces, and retracted when speed and aesthetics are priorities. This dynamic adaptability allows the device to transition between stability-oriented and speed-oriented configurations.
2Reliability
If walkers are used for better stability on difficult terrain, then stability is improved, but speed and portability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The device allows users to extend the legs forward to create a walker-like configuration with increased stability for difficult terrain, then retract the legs to return to a faster crutch-like configuration. This dynamic transformation enables the device to provide walker-level stability when needed without permanently sacrificing speed or portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobility device is divided into separable components including extendable legs that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows the front legs to be extended forward to provide additional stability points similar to a walker, while the rest of the device maintains its crutch configuration, enabling partial transformation for stability without complete structural change.
3Adaptability or versatility
If both crutches and walkers are carried for different terrains, then terrain adaptability is improved, but device complexity and portability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The mobility device is designed to perform multiple functions within a single unified structure. It can operate as a standard crutch for speed and aesthetics, transform into a walker-like configuration for stability on difficult terrain, and adjust leg positions for navigating stairs. This multi-functionality eliminates the need to carry separate crutches and walkers, providing terrain adaptability through a single versatile device.
Data Source
AI summary
A multiple terrain mobility device capable of use as a walker or crutches. The mobility device has a central cross support and a pair of crutch assemblies. Each respective crutch assembly has a rear support leg that can be extended downward or retracted upward and a front leg assembly that is capable of extending forward or retracting rearward. These adjustable extension features allow the mobility device, to traverse terrain of varying height such as stairs or hills with greater stability. The central cross support can be separated into a left and right cross support member so that the walker can be converted into a pair of crutches when conditions warrant.