Foldable Walker Flipping Member Folding Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current foldable walkers are inconvenient to fold and use, making it difficult for individuals with disabilities or older people to easily store and carry them.
Innovation Solution
A foldable walker design featuring a connecting rod with C-shaped plates, flipping members with elastic mechanisms, and side frames that allow for easy folding and unfolding by using a combination of C-shaped plates, elastic members, and a slidable limiting shaft, enabling secure connection and disconnection of the side frames from the connecting rod.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a foldable walker is designed to save storage space and improve carryability, then the ease of storage and transport is improved, but the ease of operation and folding becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The walker is divided into separable components including side frames, connecting rods, and flipping members that can be independently assembled and disassembled. The flipping members can be detached from the connecting rods, allowing the walker to be folded into a compact configuration for storage while maintaining ease of assembly through standardized connection interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The walker incorporates dynamic folding mechanisms where side frames can be rotated and flipped members can be detached and reattached. This dynamic design allows the walker to transition between an extended usable configuration and a compact stored configuration, improving both storage efficiency and operational flexibility.
2Ease of operation
If a foldable walker is designed to improve carryability, then the ease of transport is improved, but the structural integrity and stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The walker uses segmented construction with standardized connection interfaces between side frames, connecting rods, and flipping members. This segmentation allows for compact folding improved carryability while maintaining structural integrity through precise mechanical connections that ensure stability when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The walker employs a nested folding mechanism where side frames can be positioned within or adjacent to each other when folded, and flipping members can be stored within the overall structure. This nesting approach enables compact storage and easy carry while ensuring that when deployed, the structural components are properly positioned to maintain full structural integrity.
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 design simplifies the folding and unfolding process, improving the usability and practicality of the walker, allowing for easy storage and transport while maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a containing hole for containing an elastic member
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable walker has a connecting rod, two flipping members and two side frames. When the walker is folded, the knob is of the flipping member is rotated to achieve the positioning and disengagement state of the limiting shaft, and the folding/unfolding operation is simple and convenient which greatly improves the practicability of the structure.