Angular Velocity-Based Stimulation Timing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical stimulation apparatuses face difficulties in accurately stimulating lower limbs during pedaling exercises due to variations in the relationship between pedal location/rotation angle and knee joint angle, leading to inappropriate timing of electrical stimulation.
Innovation Solution
A control device that adjusts the output timing of electrodes based on detected angular velocity, using an angular velocity detector to ensure appropriate stimulation timing, even when the pedal location/rotation angle differs from the desirable relationship, and accounts for variations in user size and exercise speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical stimulation is provided based on pedal location or rotation angle, then the stimulation can be synchronized with pedaling exercise, but the stimulation timing becomes inaccurate due to variations in the relationship between pedal position and knee joint angle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical linkage-based timing system (pedal position to knee joint angle relationship) with an angular velocity detection system. The angular velocity detector directly measures the actual motion state of the lower limb, and the control unit uses this information to trigger stimulation at the appropriate timing, eliminating the need for mechanical geometric relationships and accommodating individual anatomical variations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed pedal position-based stimulation timing is used, then the control system is simple, but it cannot adapt to different exercise speeds and user sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the angular velocity detector continuously monitors the actual angular velocity of the lower limb during exercise. This feedback information is fed to the control unit, which adjusts the stimulation timing dynamically based on the detected exercise speed and intensity, enabling adaptation to different exercise conditions while maintaining a relatively simple device architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A control device for an electrical stimulation apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a control section that adjusts an output of an electrode and communicates with an angular velocity detector, the electrode giving electrical stimulation to a predetermined part of a body doing a pedaling exercise by rotating a crank, the predetermined part being at least one of a leg and an arm, the angular velocity detector detecting an angular velocity of the predetermined part, the angular velocity being accompanied by an operation of the predetermined part during the pedaling exercise. The control section adjusts, according to a result of the detection in the angular velocity detector, an output timing of the electrical stimulation of the electrode such that the electrode gives electrical stimulation to the predetermined part when a state of the operation of the predetermined part during the pedaling exercise is a predetermined operation state.