NAHO deluxe walker
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical walkers currently lack a reliable safety mechanism to prevent users from falling, especially in unstable conditions, which can lead to serious injuries.
Innovation Solution
The NAHO Deployable Seat Medical walker incorporates four safety legs and two drop-down seat pads with a pull cable recoil-spring assembly, activated by sensors on the handle bar, allowing the walker to convert into a stable seating position for added stability and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a walker is designed to be foldable and movable for ease of operation, then ease of operation is improved, but stability and safety are worsened due to lack of fall prevention mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The walker incorporates deployable safety legs and seat pads that can dynamically transition between stowed and deployed positions. The safety legs rotate from a retracted position against the frame to an extended position providing ground contact, while seat pads deploy from folded to extended positions to provide seating support. This dynamic capability allows the walker to adapt its stability characteristics based on operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The walker is equipped with sensors that detect potential fall conditions before they occur. When the sensor detects that the user is losing balance or the walker is becoming unstable, it automatically triggers the deployment of safety legs and seat pads, preparing the support structure in advance to prevent the fall rather than reacting after the fall has occurred.
2Reliability
If safety legs and seat pads are added to provide stability and fall prevention, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The safety legs and seat pads are integrated into the existing walker frame structure rather than being separate add-on components. The safety legs are mounted to the side frames and share structural elements with the walker's existing framework. The seat pads are folded against the rear frames and share mounting points with the walker's structure, reducing the need for additional independent support structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety legs and seat pads are designed to nest within the walker's frame when not in use. The safety legs rotate to position themselves against the side frames, nesting within the existing structural envelope. The seat pads are folded against the rear frames, nesting within the space already defined by the walker's structure, minimizing the increase in overall device volume and complexity.
3Reliability
If sensors and automatic deployment system are implemented, then reliability is improved through automatic fall prevention, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The walker incorporates sensors that automatically detect fall conditions and trigger the deployment of safety legs and seat pads without requiring user input. The system monitors the walker's stability and user position, and when instability is detected, it automatically activates the toggle mechanism to deploy the safety features, making the system self-monitoring and self-actuating.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electronic control systems with a mechanical toggle mechanism that converts small sensor-triggered movements into the deployment of safety legs and seat pads. The toggle system uses mechanical leverage and stored spring energy to deploy the safety features, eliminating the need for motors, actuators, or complex electronic control circuits while achieving reliable automatic deployment.
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
This solution provides users with enhanced control and safety, reducing the risk of falls and allowing for more independent mobility, while also reducing the need for constant assistance and enabling users to engage in activities with greater confidence.
Implementation Method 1
two drop-down seat pads with a pull cable recoil-spring assembly
Implementation Method 2
pull cable recoil-spring assembly
Implementation Method 3
activation of the sensors located on the front handle bar on each side
Implementation Method 4
The sensors' activation toggles the system on each frame, releasing the tension cables
Implementation Method 5
the seat pads drop down to the sitting position
Data Source
AI summary
This invention pertains to advanced medical walker that provides tremendous safety to the users of the medical walker. The novelty introduced here is the addition of the foldable seat pads and safety legs to the medical walker to protect the user from falling down in an uncontrollable situation or fatigue condition, wherein falling down and its resulting traumatic injuries is a serious concern for the users who are in the low-energy state, or are without the accompany of a caring attendance. This invention addresses this concern. There is a wide variety of operation for this invention; this walker can be used in any private or public place such as private homes, hospitals, nursing homes, medical care centers, and alike.