Ankle-Belt Wire Tension Control for Transverse Fall Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing assist devices primarily focus on preventing falls in the forward-backward direction during walking, neglecting the need for prevention in the transverse direction, which is crucial for safe walking.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising left and right ankle belts with wires and tension controllers to adjust stiffness based on user and walking information, preventing falls by controlling wire tensions to provide stability in both left and right directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If assist devices focus only on forward-backward direction assistance, then the device complexity is reduced, but the fall prevention capability in transverse direction is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The assist device segments the fall prevention function by providing independent stiffness control for different directions. The wire structure is divided into multiple segments (first wire for left-side support, second wire for right-side support) that can be controlled independently, allowing targeted assistance in transverse direction without requiring a complete redesign of the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The device applies local quality by providing direction-specific stiffness characteristics. The first and second wires are positioned to provide stiffness primarily in the transverse direction, while the third and fourth wires handle forward-backward direction support. Each wire can be independently adjusted to provide optimal stiffness for its specific function, improving overall fall prevention capability without uniformly increasing device complexity.
2Reliability
If stiffness is increased to prevent transverse falls, then fall prevention capability is improved, but the ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device implements dynamics by enabling real-time, bidirectional adjustment of wire stiffness through the tension controllers. Users can dynamically modify the stiffness of first and second wires in the transverse direction based on their immediate needs, such as when feeling unstable or encountering uneven terrain. This dynamic adjustability ensures that high stiffness is applied only when necessary for fall prevention, while maintaining ease of operation during normal walking when lower stiffness is sufficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes parameter changes by allowing independent adjustment of tension parameters for each wire. The tension controllers enable modification of wire tension parameters to achieve desired stiffness levels in transverse direction without affecting forward-backward direction support. This parameter-based control allows users to optimize the balance between fall prevention capability and ease of operation according to their specific needs and walking conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a first wire and a second wire which are coupled to a right upper ankle belt and a right lower ankle belt, a third wire and a fourth wire which are coupled to a left upper ankle belt and a left lower ankle belt, an obtainer obtaining user information about a user and information about walking action of the user, and a controller controlling tensions of the first wire and the second wire at the same time and controlling tensions of the third wire and the fourth wire at the same time using a first stiffness target value corresponding to the first wire, a second stiffness target value corresponding to the second wire, a third stiffness target value corresponding to the third wire, and a fourth stiffness target value corresponding to the fourth wire that are determined based on the user information and the walk information.