Foldable Walker Arc Frame and Self-Adjusting Brake
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable walkers face issues with robustness, manufacturing costs, bulky designs, entanglement risks, and complex braking mechanisms, which compromise safety and usability.
Innovation Solution
A foldable walker design featuring arc-shaped support members with elongate pivot rods, a laterally-foldable seat, a self-adjusting brake rod assembly with a gripping member, and a collapsible basket that remains attached during folding, using fewer parts and a streamlined brake housing to enhance safety and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If walkers have many parts to accommodate variety of body shapes and provide strong frame, then frame strength and adaptability are improved, but manufacturing costs increase and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The walker frame is designed with universal features that can accommodate various body shapes and user needs through a standardized yet adaptable structure. The frame members are configured to work together in multiple configurations, providing strength and support across different user requirements without requiring numerous specialized parts.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple frame members are merged into integrated assemblies where components serve multiple functions. The cross members, support members, and connecting mechanisms are combined to create a unified structure that provides both strength and adaptability while reducing the total number of separate parts.
2Adaptability or versatility
If walkers have many parts to accommodate variety of body shapes, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The walker employs universal frame members and connecting mechanisms that can be used across different configurations and user types. This standardized approach maintains adaptability to various body shapes while enabling efficient manufacturing through repeated use of the same components.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame is segmented into modular sections that can be independently manufactured and then assembled. This segmentation allows for cost-effective production of standardized modules while maintaining the ability to configure the walker for different user needs through simple assembly variations.
3Strength
If walkers use thick heavy duty metals to make square or rounded-square frames, then frame strength is improved, but walker weight increases and manageability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame members are designed with varying cross-sectional properties and material distributions tailored to specific structural requirements. Critical load-bearing areas have enhanced strength, while non-critical areas use lighter construction, optimizing the strength-to-weight ratio throughout the frame structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The walker frame utilizes composite construction combining different materials or material properties in strategic locations. This allows achieving required frame strength through material composition and structural design rather than uniformly using heavy duty metals throughout the entire frame.
4Ease of operation
If walkers require brake pad adjustment mechanisms to be exposed for user adjustment, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability decreases due to entanglement and wear
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediary protective housing or cover is introduced between the user and the brake pad adjustment mechanism. This intermediary structure allows the adjustment mechanism to remain accessible for operation while protecting it from entanglement with clothing and reducing exposure to wear and tear from the external environment.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a walker apparatus. The walker apparatus has a pair of spaced-apart, arc-shaped support members. The walker apparatus includes a pair of elongate pivot rods operatively connected to respective ones the support members. The walker apparatus includes a laterally-foldable seat. The seat pivotally connects to the support members via the pivot rods. According to one aspect, each support member has an apex. The elongate pivot rods operatively connect to respective ones of the apexes of the support members.