Gait-Cycle Spring Engagement and Disengagement for Lower Metabolic Load
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies do not effectively reduce the metabolic energy expenditure during walking, particularly in challenging conditions such as inclines or high temperatures, leading to increased fatigue.
Innovation Solution
A wearable energy system with a spring and coupling mechanism that engages during the stance phase of the gait cycle to store and release energy, disengaging during the swing phase to minimize metabolic load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a spring mechanism is continuously engaged to assist walking, then energy expenditure is reduced, but metabolic load increases during swing phase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism transitions from a static continuously-engaged system to a dynamic system that adjusts its engagement state based on gait phase. The coupling mechanism actively couples the spring to the limb during stance phase for energy assistance, then decouples during swing phase to eliminate harmful metabolic load, optimizing energy efficiency across the complete gait cycle
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic engagement and disengagement of the spring mechanism synchronized with the gait cycle. The spring is engaged during stance phase when it provides beneficial energy assistance, and disengaged during swing phase when it would create harmful metabolic load, creating a rhythmic pattern of operation that maximizes benefits while minimizing harms
2Productivity
If the spring is engaged during stance phase to store and release energy, then walking efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism utilizes the natural mechanics of the gait cycle itself to drive engagement and disengagement of the spring. The system leverages the user's own movement patterns - specifically the transition between stance and swing phases - to automatically control the coupling state, eliminating the need for external power sources or complex control systems while maintaining high walking efficiency
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 system reduces metabolic energy expenditure by converting negative work into positive work, thereby decreasing fatigue and improving walking efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The spring can be engaged during a stance phase of a gait cycle of the wearer. The spring can be disengaged during a swing phase of the gait cycle of the wearer
Implementation Method 2
winding a spring associated with a joint of a wearer during a dorsiflection/flexion portion of a stance phase of a gait cycle. The method can also comprise unwinding the spring associated with the joint of the wearer during a plantarflection/extension portion of the plant phase of the gait cycle
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments that pertain to a joint-based spring configuration. The joint-based spring configuration can be employed during a gait cycle. A gait cycle can comprise a driven phase and a resetting phase. The driven phase can be when a foot is on the ground and the resetting phase can be when the foot is off the ground and moving to the next time the foot is on the ground. While the foot is on the ground a spring can be engaged such that it winds and unwinds. Conversely, when the foot is off the ground, the spring can be disengaged to allow a more natural movement for a wearer. The effects and timing of the winding/unwinding and disengagement of the spring combine to reduce a wear's energy expenditure over a gait cycle, reducing metabolic rate and fatigue.