Gyroscopic Tremor Stabilizer With Fixed-Axis Precession Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tremor stabilization devices are bulky, have many moving parts, and fail to efficiently transfer gyroscopic forces to the user's body, limiting their effectiveness in addressing neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease.
Innovation Solution
A compact tremor stabilization apparatus with a fixed precession axis, fewer moving parts, and an adjustable biasing member that uses a magnetic assembly and elastomeric dampers to efficiently transfer gyroscopic forces, allowing for customizable response to different tremor profiles through a controller and sensor system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional gyroscopic device with multiple moving parts is used, then tremor stabilization function is provided, but the device becomes bulky and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary moving parts from the traditional gyroscopic device. Specifically, it removes the turntable and reduces the gimbal structure to essential components only, keeping the flywheel, gimbal ring, and precession ring as the core moving elements. This extraction of non-essential parts directly reduces device weight while preserving the tremor stabilization function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical linkages with direct force transfer mechanisms. The gyroscopic force generated by the flywheel is transferred directly through the gimbal ring and precession ring to the user's body via a hinge connection, eliminating the need for additional mechanical transmission components. This substitution reduces both weight and mechanical complexity.
2Reliability
If a traditional gyroscopic device with multiple moving parts is used, then tremor stabilization function is provided, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the turntable from the device structure, reducing the number of moving parts. The gimbal structure is simplified to only include the gimbal ring and precession ring, eliminating redundant mechanical components. This extraction directly reduces device complexity while maintaining the essential tremor stabilization function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the force transfer function directly into the structural components. The gimbal ring and precession ring serve both as structural elements and as force transfer pathways, eliminating the need for separate mechanical transmission mechanisms. This merging reduces the overall number of components and simplifies the device architecture.
3Volume of moving object
If a fixed precession axis is used, then device compactness is improved, but the ability to match tremor direction is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a biasing member that enables dynamic adjustment of the precession ring's orientation. Although the precession axis itself is fixed structurally, the biasing member allows the precession ring to rotate and align with different tremor directions during operation. This dynamic capability is achieved through the elastic deformation of the biasing member, which permits controlled movement while maintaining overall structural compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the orientation parameter of the precession ring through the biasing member. The biasing member can be adjusted to modify the angle and direction of the precession ring relative to the flywheel rotational axis, allowing the device to adapt to different tremor profiles. This parameter adjustment capability is achieved without increasing the device's physical volume.
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 apparatus provides effective tremor stabilization with reduced bulk and weight, allowing for comfortable wear and customizable settings to address various tremor amplitudes and frequencies, enhancing user experience and dexterity.
Implementation Method 1
The magnetic assembly may comprise a first magnet attached to the gimbal, and a second magnet attached to the housing such that the first and second magnets repel each other
Implementation Method 2
the tremor stabilisation apparatus may further comprise an elastomeric damper disposed between the biasing member and the housing
Implementation Method 3
a rotatable flywheel mounted to a gimbal that is in turn mounted to a turntable within a housing of the gyroscopic device. The gimbal permits precession of the flywheel
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4
AI summary
There is provided a tremor stabilisation apparatus, for example for helping to stabilise tremors of user with Parkinson's Disease or Essential Tremor. The tremor stabilisation apparatus (11) has a housing (17) that is attachable to a part of a user's body, for example a hand, and a rotatable flywheel assembly (23) mounted to the housing (17). The rotatable flywheel assembly (23) comprises a rotatable flywheel (24), a prime mover (25) arranged to rotate the flywheel (24) about a flywheel rotation axis (38), and a gimbal (26) to which the flywheel (24) is attached. The gimbal (26) is pivotally mounted to the housing (17) at a hinge (32, 33) formed between the gimbal (26) and the housing (17) and defining a precession axis (34) such that the flywheel (24) can precess with respect to the housing (17) about the precession axis (34). The precession axis (34) is fixed relative to the housing (17). The tremor stabilisation apparatus (11) further includes a biasing member (35) arranged to oppose precession of the rotatable flywheel assembly (23) and urge the rotatable flywheel assembly (23) to an equilibrium position.