Supporting Module With Elastic Sliding Assist for Easier Walking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Rapidly aging societies face challenges in mobility due to joint problems, with existing motion assistance apparatuses often being cumbersome or inefficient for providing support and reducing effort while walking.
Innovation Solution
A motion assistance apparatus featuring a supporting frame, sliding plate, and elastic band system that provides a restoring force to assist movement, allowing for relative motion between components to minimize effort and enhance comfort, with adjustable and shock-absorbing features for improved usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If active joint structures including hydraulic systems and driving motors are used to improve muscular strength, then the supporting force is improved, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates complex hydraulic systems and driving motors from the motion assistance apparatus. Instead, it uses a passive elastic band system that leverages the user's own body weight and movement to provide supporting force, thereby removing unnecessary complex components while maintaining the force assistance function.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than using active motors to push the user forward, the invention inverts the approach by using elastic bands that store and release energy from the user's natural walking motion. The elastic bands are stretched during the stance phase and release energy during the swing phase, providing assistance through the user's own movement cycle.
2Force
If active joint structures with hydraulic systems and driving motors are used, then the supporting force is improved, but the weight of the apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes heavy hydraulic systems and driving motors from the apparatus. The supporting force is generated passively through elastic bands made from lightweight materials, dramatically reducing the overall weight while maintaining the ability to provide muscular strength assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the supporting mechanism by using elastic bands with specific elastic moduli and configurations. This allows the system to provide adequate supporting force through material properties rather than heavy mechanical components, achieving force assistance with minimal weight addition.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a fixed supporting structure is used, then the stability is improved, but the ease of operation and comfort decrease due to lack of adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a fixed supporting structure to a dynamic system using elastic bands that can stretch and recoil. This allows the supporting structure to adapt continuously to the user's walking rhythm, leg length, and force requirements, providing both stability and ease of operation through dynamic adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic band system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, adapts to different user sizes and walking patterns, stores and releases energy, and requires no active control or power source. This multi-functionality achieves both stability and ease of operation through a single adaptable mechanism.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus effectively reduces the effort required for walking by providing a supportive and adjustable system that minimizes discomfort and resistance, enhancing mobility for users with joint issues.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic strip configured to generate the elastic force to connect the sliding plate and the rear face of the connecting plate
Implementation Method 2
at least one shock absorbing pad attached to an inner side face of one of the sliding plate and the supporting band
Data Source
AI summary
A supporting module including a supporting frame including a proximal end and a distal end, a connecting plate connected with the distal end of the supporting frame, a sliding plate in contact with one face of the connecting plate, a supporting band connected to both ends of the connecting plate, and an elastic strip configured to connect the sliding plate and the connecting plate is disclosed.