Foldable Walker Arc Frame and Enclosed Brake Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable walkers are often bulky, prone to entanglement, and have safety concerns due to exposed brake mechanisms, require many parts leading to high manufacturing costs, and compromise on robustness and rigidity, especially in lateral direction.
Innovation Solution
A foldable walker design with a compact folding mechanism, a self-adjusting brake rod, and a fully enclosed brake housing that minimizes parts while enhancing strength, stability, and safety, featuring arc-shaped support members, a collapsible basket that integrates with the frame, and a self-adjusting brake system.
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 frame members are designed with universal features including telescoping sections that allow height adjustment for different body shapes, and integrated brake rod assemblies that serve both structural and braking functions. The arc-shaped support members with apexes provide both structural strength and seat mounting capability, reducing the need for separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake rod is integrated directly into the frame structure, eliminating separate brake mounting brackets. The support members combine structural load-bearing functions with seat support functions through their apex configurations. These merges reduce part count while maintaining frame strength and adaptability.
2Ease of operation
If walkers have exposed brake pad mechanisms for user adjustment, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability decreases due to entanglement and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The brake pad is designed as a replaceable component that can be easily accessed and replaced through the brake housing, while the housing itself remains permanent and protective. This allows the critical brake mechanism to be protected while maintaining ease of pad replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake housing acts as an intermediary structure that encloses the brake mechanism, protecting it from entanglement while providing controlled access points for adjustments. The housing mediates between the need for protection and the need for user accessibility.
3Ease of operation
If baskets are made removable or require front-to-back folding, then ease of operation is improved, but frame strength and rigidity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The basket assembly is segmented into the basket itself and the frame attachment points, allowing the basket to be easily removed or attached without affecting the structural integrity of the frame. The arc-shaped support members provide rigid attachment points that maintain frame strength while enabling basket removal.
4Volume of moving object
If walkers are designed to fold compactly, then volume is reduced, but manufacturing costs increase due to additional folding mechanism parts
Solution Approach 1:
The folding mechanism utilizes the existing arc-shaped support members and link members as both structural components and folding elements. The brake rod assemblies are integrated into the folding structure, serving dual purposes as both braking components and folding linkage, thereby reducing the need for separate folding mechanism parts.
Data Source
AI summary
There is a provided a collapsible walker. The walker includes a pair of spaced-apart, arc-shaped support members. Each support member has a proximal end, a distal end and an apex spaced therebetween. Respective rods extend from the distal ends towards the proximal ends of the support members. A seat extends between and connects to the apexes of the support members. A basket with a pair of spaced-apart ends members operatively connects to and extends between the support members. The end members are positioned adjacent to the distal ends of the support members. Each end member operatively connects to both a respective one of the rods and a respective one of the support members. The walker includes a pair of connection brackets for connecting the end members to the walker. Each connection bracket extends from a respective one of the support members to a respective one of the rods.