Balancing Mobility Control With Redundant Stabilization for Obstacles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobility devices compromise between stability and ease of locomotion, often lack reliable safety features, and fail to provide automatic responses to common user challenges such as obstacles and component failures.

Innovation Solution

A powered balancing mobility device with redundant processors, sensors, and motors that actively stabilize and respond to environmental conditions, including automatic mode transitions, ergonomic design, and enhanced payload capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If stability features are enhanced in mobility devices, then safety and reliability are improved, but device complexity and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidcomplexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is divided into multiple independent processors (primary and redundant) that operate separately but coordinate through standardized interfaces. Each processor handles specific control functions independently, allowing the system to maintain stability while distributing complexity across modular components rather than concentrating it in a single complex unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates redundant processors and fault detection mechanisms that are activated before actual failures occur. The redundant processor stands by in readiness to take over control functions if the primary processor fails, providing a safety buffer that prevents system collapse without requiring complex real-time decision-making during critical failure scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If redundant safety features are added to mobility devices, then reliability is improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical mechanical redundancy (such as duplicate brake systems or structural supports) with electronic/software-based redundancy through redundant processors. The computational redundancy provides equivalent safety functionality without the physical weight of duplicate mechanical components, as software can be copied and executed across multiple processors with minimal additional mass.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If automatic response capabilities are implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidcomplexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mobility device incorporates self-diagnostic and self-correcting capabilities through the redundant control system. The processors continuously monitor system status and automatically detect faults, then autonomously switch to redundant components or activate backup control algorithms without requiring user intervention. This allows the device to maintain ease of operation while the complexity of automatic monitoring and fault management is handled by the control system itself rather than requiring user expertise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250339320A1Mobility device

Publication Date: 2025.11.06 DEKA PRODUCTS LP

AI summary

A powered balancing mobility device that can provide the user the ability to safely navigate expected environments of daily living including the ability to maneuver in confined spaces and to climb curbs, stairs, and other obstacles, and to travel safely and comfortably in vehicles. The mobility device can provide elevated, balanced travel.