Joint Support Unit With Inverted Rotation Regulating Paths

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing walking support apparatuses require separate manufacturing and purchase of left and right units, increasing costs and limiting versatility, as the driving directions differ for left and right legs.

Innovation Solution

A joint support unit that includes a first link, a second link rotatably coupled to the first link, a driving unit for rotation, and a rotation regulating unit with guiding paths and a communication path, allowing the unit to be worn on both left and right legs by inverting it, with mechanical and electrical switching to adjust rotation direction and range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate apparatuses are manufactured for left and right legs, then the driving direction matches each leg, but the cost increases and versatility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriving direction matchingVSAvoidusage versatility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement part is designed with two guiding paths that guide the engagement body in different directions. By inverting the apparatus, the engagement body can travel along different guiding paths to accommodate the reversed driving direction requirement for left and right legs, enabling a single apparatus design to serve both sides.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotation regulating unit with dual guiding paths and communication path enables the single apparatus to perform multiple functions - it can be used on both left and right legs by simply inverting it. The engagement body can switch between different guiding paths to adapt to different driving direction requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate apparatuses are manufactured for left and right legs, then the driving direction matches each leg, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriving direction matchingVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a single apparatus is used for both left and right legs, then cost reduces and versatility improves, but the rotation direction control becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusage versatilityVSAvoidrotation direction control complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The engagement body acts as an intermediary mechanical element that automatically switches between different guiding paths based on the apparatus orientation. This mechanical switching mechanism simplifies control by eliminating the need for complex electronic sensors and controllers to detect leg side and adjust rotation direction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the engagement body can move freely between guiding paths, then adaptability improves, but the rotation range regulation becomes less precise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepath switching flexibilityVSAvoidrotation range regulation precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11426299B2Joint support unit and walking support apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.08.30 SUNCALL CORP

AI summary

To provide a joint support unit, etc. capable of being worn on both left and right joints. A joint support unit includes a first link worn on one end side of a joint portion, a second link worn on the other end side of the joint portion, and rotatably coupled to the first link, a driving unit configured to perform rotation driving of the second link, and a rotation regulating unit configured to regulate a rotation direction and a rotation range of the second link. The rotation regulating unit includes an engagement body provided in one of the links, and an engagement part provided in the other one of the links, and engaging with the engagement body, the engagement part includes two guiding paths and that guide the engagement body moving according to the rotation direction of the second link in different directions, and a communication path.