Gait Trainer with Adjustable Support and Kinematic Assembly

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gait trainers lack the ability to provide customizable and adjustable settings to accommodate varying user sizes and gait patterns, limiting their effectiveness in rehabilitation and training.

Innovation Solution

The gait trainer incorporates a user support assembly with adjustable vertical and horizontal supports, a kinematic assembly with adjustable stride length, and a resistive mechanism that can be dynamically adjusted to simulate different gait conditions, allowing for customizable training experiences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If gait trainers use fixed settings, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different user sizes and gait patterns deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different user sizes and gait patternsVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gait trainer incorporates adjustable components including vertical support adjustment mechanisms, horizontal support adjustment mechanisms, and stride length adjustment mechanisms that allow the device to dynamically adapt to different user sizes and gait patterns. These adjustable elements transform a static device into a dynamic one capable of customization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device enables parameter changes through multiple adjustment mechanisms: vertical support height can be adjusted via first adjustment mechanism, horizontal support position can be modified via second adjustment mechanism, and stride length can be changed via third adjustment mechanism. These parameter changes allow the gait trainer to accommodate varying user requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If gait trainers include multiple adjustment mechanisms, then adaptability improves, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomizable training settingsVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment mechanisms are designed to be pre-configured and easily accessible, allowing users to make adjustments before training sessions without requiring complex procedures. The mechanisms are positioned and designed for intuitive operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The gait trainer enables users to perform their own adjustments through user-friendly mechanisms that do not require specialized knowledge or assistance. The adjustment interfaces are designed for independent operation by the end user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250058168A1Gait trainer

Publication Date: 2025.02.20 LIFE ENABLED INC

AI summary

A gait trainer is provided that includes a user support assembly disposed on a base. The user support assembly includes a horizontal support configured to seat a user of the gait trainer, and an actuator attached to the horizontal support. The actuator is configured to articulate at least a portion of the horizontal support from a horizontal configuration into a vertical configuration. The gait trainer further includes a kinematic assembly configured to transmit a physical input from the user of the gait trainer to a flywheel of the kinematic assembly and a restraint configured to constrain a user within the user support assembly during use of the gait trainer.