Hidden Braking Device for Adjustable Walking Aid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional braking devices on adjustable walking aids have a protruding braking wire that can entangle with other objects and get damaged when the aid is not extended, making the device inconvenient to use.
Innovation Solution
A hidden braking device with a connecting unit inside the walking aid, featuring a magnetic fastening system and adjustable shafts, allows for telescopic adjustment without protruding components, ensuring the braking wire is always secured and adjusted according to the walking aid's height, enhancing operational convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the braking wire is designed with a certain length for extended walking aid, then the braking function is maintained, but the spare braking wire protrudes and may entangle with objects causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting unit is disposed inside the walking aid, with the braking wire housed within the telescopic structure. The upper shaft and lower shaft are nested within each other, allowing the braking wire to be contained within the walking aid's profile rather than protruding outward, thus preventing entanglement while maintaining braking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting unit incorporates a moving member that can slide along the upper shaft, allowing the braking wire length to dynamically adjust as the walking aid extends or retracts. The magnetic fastening unit enables the moving member to be quickly positioned and secured at different locations, adapting the braking wire length to the current walking aid configuration.
2Device complexity
If the braking wire length is fixed, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to different walking aid extensions
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting unit uses a sliding moving member with magnetic fastening that can be quickly repositioned along the upper shaft. This dynamic adjustment mechanism allows the braking wire length to adapt to different walking aid extensions without requiring a completely complex reconfigurable system, balancing simplicity with versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The length of the exposed braking wire is adjusted by changing the position of the moving member along the upper shaft. By varying the insertion depth of the connecting unit, the effective braking wire length is modified to match different walking aid extensions, achieving adaptability through a simple parameter change.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the braking device is made hidden inside the walking aid, then entanglement is prevented, but the adjustment mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting unit is nested within the telescopic structure of the walking aid, with the braking wire housed inside the profile. This nesting arrangement prevents the braking wire from protruding and entangling with objects while keeping the overall structure relatively simple by utilizing the existing telescopic space.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic fastening unit replaces traditional mechanical fastening mechanisms (such as screws or clips). The magnetic attraction between the magnetic member on the moving member and the magnetic fastening unit provides secure attachment without complex mechanical components, simplifying the adjustment mechanism while maintaining reliability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the braking wire is made adjustable, then adaptability is improved, but the risk of entanglement during adjustment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting unit remains nested within the walking aid profile during adjustment operations. The braking wire is contained inside the telescopic structure throughout the adjustment process, preventing entanglement with external objects even while the walking aid height is being changed.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic fastening unit allows the moving member to be easily repositioned and secured by the user without requiring external tools or assistance. The magnetic attraction automatically secures the braking wire in its new position, reducing the risk of entanglement during the adjustment process by minimizing manual manipulation of the braking wire.
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 solution ensures the braking device is always securely positioned and adjusted with the walking aid, preventing entanglement and damage, and allows for easy and convenient height adjustments, improving usability.
Implementation Method 1
The fastening unit is magnetic for attracting the magnetic member, thereby allowing the moving member to displace and for making the propelling member steadily insert and fix on any of the fixing slots
Implementation Method 2
a first spring is disposed between the propelling member and the fixing slots
Data Source
AI summary
A hidden braking device installed on an adjustable walking aid has a connecting unit installed in the walking aid. The connecting unit has an upper shaft connecting to a braking grip, a lower shaft connected to a braking unit, an adjusting seat fixed to the lower shaft for the upper shaft to penetrate, a moving member slidably disposed in the adjusting seat for propelling the upper shaft, and a fastening unit disposed out of the walking aid, corresponding to the moving member. In adjusting the height of the walking aid, the fastening unit utilizes its magnetic attraction to control the moving member. The moving member is influenced to engage with one fixing slot defined on the upper shaft. The height of the walking aid and the length of the connecting unit are concurrently adjusted, which increases the operational convenience.