Cable Traction Drive for Surface-Adaptable Movement Assistance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing leisure and sports devices require significant practice and are surface-dependent, making them strenuous and less accessible for less-trained users, particularly during repetitive movements over longer distances.
Innovation Solution
A drive device for two movement elements, comprising a traction mechanism, drive unit, sensor unit, and control device, which supports the user's natural movement sequence by varying the length of traction mechanism sections to assist with less force exertion, adaptable to different surfaces and user abilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a track drive is mounted beneath the ski to facilitate climbing, then propulsion is provided, but the device requires considerable practice and is highly dependent on the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical track drives with a cable-based traction mechanism that connects movement elements (skis, snowboard, or shoes) to a drive unit. This substitution eliminates the need for surface-contacting tracks, enabling operation on various surfaces including snow, ice, and potentially other terrains, thereby reducing surface dependence while maintaining ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive device is designed with universal applicability through its cable-based system that can be attached to different movement elements (skis, snowboard, or shoes) and operates effectively on multiple surface types. The sensor unit and control device adapt the assistance level based on detected movement, making the system versatile across different activities and conditions without requiring practice-specific configuration.
2Duration of action of moving object
If repetitive movements are performed over longer distances, then movement is achieved, but the activity becomes very strenuous for the user
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor unit detects the user's movement and acceleration in real-time, providing feedback to the control device. The control device uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the drive unit's assistance level, ensuring that power is provided only when and where needed. This feedback mechanism reduces unnecessary user effort while maintaining the ability to cover longer distances, as the system adapts to the user's actual movement requirements rather than requiring constant manual input.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive device is designed to automatically detect and respond to user movement intentions through the sensor unit and control device, eliminating the need for manual operation or practice. The system self-regulates the assistance level based on detected acceleration and movement patterns, allowing users to cover longer distances without strenuous manual effort while maintaining natural movement sequences.
3Adaptability or versatility
If less-trained users participate in sporting activities, then accessibility is improved, but the repetitive movements become discouraging
Solution Approach 1:
The control device dynamically changes the assistance parameter based on real-time sensor data detecting user acceleration and movement. For less-trained users, the system provides higher assistance levels when detected, automatically adjusting the drive unit's output to match the user's movement capabilities. This parameter adaptation makes the activity more accessible and less discouraging by reducing the effort required, while still allowing progressive skill development as the user becomes more proficient.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a drive device (10) for two movement elements (12, 14) attachable to the extremities of a user, comprising: a traction drive (16) with a traction element (18) and a drive unit (20), a traction element deflection device (22); an energy storage device (24); a sensor unit (26) for detecting spatial self-movement; and a control device (28) for controlling the drive unit (20); wherein the drive unit (20) and the traction element deflection device (22) can be attached to a first of the two motion elements (12), and wherein the traction element drive (16) is designed such that the traction element (18) comprises a first and a second length section (30, 32), the respective first and second lengths of which are periodically varied when the drive device (10) is used by means of the drive unit (20), wherein an increase in the length of the first length section (30) is accompanied by a decrease in the length of the second length section (32) and vice versa.The present invention further relates to a motion device (58) with such a drive device (10) and a method (100) for moving two motion elements (12, 14) of a motion device (58) in an axial forward direction (72).