Gait Training Machine Center-of-Gravity Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current gait training technologies do not effectively provide users with real-time feedback on ankle joint movement and center-of-gravity adjustments necessary for maintaining a healthy gait posture, limiting the effectiveness of gait training.

Innovation Solution

A gait training machine equipped with a base, driving module, sensor module, controller, and signal processing module, which includes pressure sensors and a position sensor to detect weight distribution and ankle joint movements, calculates and determines the correct positioning of the center-of-gravity and ankle joints, providing feedback through a guiding unit to adjust gait posture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If pressure sensors and position sensors are integrated into the gait training machine to detect weight distribution and ankle joint movements, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracy of weight distribution and ankle joint movementVSAvoidsystem structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple sensing functions (pressure detection and position detection) into a unified sensor module that integrates both pressure sensors and position sensors. This merging approach allows simultaneous measurement of weight distribution and ankle joint movement without requiring separate independent systems, thereby improving measurement precision while controlling device complexity through functional integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor module is designed with multi-functionality, where the same module handles both pressure sensing and position sensing tasks. This universal design enables the system to perform multiple measurement functions through a single integrated component, resolving the contradiction between enhanced measurement capabilities and system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If real-time feedback on center-of-gravity position and ankle joint movement is provided to users, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser ability to adjust gait postureVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the controller receives data from pressure sensors and position sensors, calculates center-of-gravity position and ankle joint movement status, and provides real-time feedback to the user through a display interface. This feedback loop enables users to make immediate adjustments to their gait posture, significantly improving ease of operation while the automated calculation and display functions manage the complexity of the control system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs automated calculations of center-of-gravity position and gait posture evaluation based on sensor data, without requiring manual intervention. The controller automatically processes the sensor signals, applies the evaluation algorithm, and presents the results to the user, allowing the system to serve itself in the data processing aspect while enhancing user experience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If the controller calculates center-of-gravity position and evaluates gait posture using stored algorithms, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time in processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of center-of-gravity and gait evaluationVSAvoiddata processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The controller is pre-loaded with evaluation algorithms and calculation logic before operation begins. These algorithms for calculating center-of-gravity position and evaluating gait posture are stored in advance in the controller's memory, allowing the system to perform rapid real-time calculations during actual use without requiring complex processing setup, thus improving measurement precision while minimizing processing time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables users to accurately adjust their ankle joint and center-of-gravity movements, improving gait posture through real-time feedback and evaluation of correct rates, enhancing the effectiveness of gait training.

Implementation Method 1

The sensor module comprises a left pedal, a right pedal, a plurality of pressure sensors and a position sensor. The pressure sensors are respectively mounted on the left pedal and the right pedal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure sensing:

Implementation Method 2

The position sensor is disposed in the base. When the left pedal and the right pedal pass the position sensor with the moving platforms, the position sensor generates a passing signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPosition sensing:

Implementation Method 3

The driving module comprises a driving circuit, a motor and two moving platforms. The driving circuit controls the motor to move the moving platforms

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 4

Two screw nuts 157 are respectively threaded onto the two screw rods 155. Two moving platforms 159 are respectively pivotally connected to the two screw nuts 157 and moved with the screw nuts 157 along the respective screw rods 155

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP3785687B1Gait training machine and method of using same
Publication Date: 2023.06.21 HIWIN TECH CORP
  • EP3785687B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3785687B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3785687B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A gait training machine (10) includes a base (11), a driving module (15) including a driving circuit (151), a motor (153) and two moving platforms (159), a sensor module (16) including a left pedal (161a), a right pedal (161b), a plurality of pressure sensors (162) and a position sensor (163), a controller (17) electrically connected to the driving circuit (151), each pressure sensor (162) and the position sensor (163) and a signal processing module (171) disposed in the controller (17) and including a gait detecting unit (171a) and a gait determining unit with a center-of-gravity calculation logic and a gait determining logic stored therein. Using the above gai training machine to determine whether the bearing weight of the left pedal (161a) and the right pedal (161b) is correct, and whether the center-of-gravity position is correct, so that the user can know the ankle joint movement and the center-of-gravity during gait training to adjust the health gait posture.