Electric Walking Aid Dynamic Positioning for Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current electric walking aids fail to provide appropriate support by not adjusting the distance between the aid and the user according to individual needs, leading to unsafe conditions due to excessive or inadequate spacing, which affects the patient's walking ability and stability.
Innovation Solution
An electric walking aid with a moving device, gait sensing, abdomen, and shoulder position sensing devices, along with an analysis module, dynamically adjusts its position using a control system to provide two support modes and three moving modes, ensuring appropriate spacing and support based on the user's walking status and posture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electric walking aid moves at a fixed speed without adjusting distance, then the device structure remains simple, but the user safety deteriorates due to excessive or inadequate spacing
Solution Approach 1:
The electric walking aid employs a moving device that dynamically adjusts the distance between the aid and the user during walking training. The control system receives real-time feedback from sensing devices and automatically controls the moving device to maintain appropriate spacing, transforming the fixed-distance system into a dynamic adaptive system that responds to user needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates gait sensing devices, abdomen position sensing devices, and shoulder position sensing devices that continuously monitor user parameters. The control system processes this feedback information and adjusts the aid's position accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that ensures user safety through real-time distance regulation.
2Reliability
If the electric walking aid provides continuous support, then user stability improves, but user autonomy deteriorates as users cannot control their own walking process
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is designed to provide support selectively rather than continuously. It monitors user gait parameters and provides assistance only when improper changes in walking pattern or position are detected, allowing users to maintain autonomy during normal walking while receiving automatic support when needed, thus balancing stability with user control.
3Measurement precision
If the electric walking aid uses multiple sensing devices to monitor user position, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing system is divided into multiple specialized sensing devices, each responsible for detecting specific user parameters: gait sensing devices for foot movement, abdomen position sensing devices for trunk position, and shoulder position sensing devices for upper body orientation. This segmentation allows each sensor to focus on its specific function, improving overall measurement precision while organizing complexity into manageable modular components.
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 solution enhances user safety and control during walking training by dynamically adjusting the aid's position to match the user's needs, improving walking stability and preventing falls by providing appropriate support and spacing.
Implementation Method 1
The gait sensing device is configured to sense the user's feet in a non-contact manner
Implementation Method 2
The abdomen position sensing device is configured to sense an abdomen position of the user
Implementation Method 3
The shoulder position sensing device is configured to sense a shoulder position of the user
Data Source
AI summary
An electric walking aid and control method thereof are disclosed. A location of the electric walking aid, and a distance between the electric walking aid and the user, are dynamically controlled and adjusted to provide the user with static and dynamic support function, so as to support the user under static and dynamic situation of interaction between walk and stand, during the walking training process.