Mobility Assistance Device Weight Transfer Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mobility assistance devices, such as crutches and wheelchairs, cause significant pain and discomfort by requiring users to distribute body weight through their arms, limiting their ability to stand or walk for extended periods, which can lead to health deterioration due to prolonged sitting.

Innovation Solution

A mobility assistance apparatus with first and second frames positioned on either side of the user, a hinge arm mechanism, and a harness or walking seat that transfers body weight from the legs to the frames, allowing users to stand or walk without relying on their arms for support, featuring adjustable height, motorized wheels, and a belt for secure positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional mobility assistance devices (crutches, walkers) are used, then individuals can move from place to place, but significant pain and discomfort occur due to weight distribution through arms and shoulders

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobility assistanceVSAvoidjoint stress and pain

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a wheelchair as an intermediary device that transfers the user's body weight from the legs and arms to the wheelchair structure. The wheelchair frame, wheels, and seat act as mediators to support the user's weight, eliminating the need to distribute weight through vulnerable joints while enabling mobility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical weight-bearing system (arms and shoulders supporting body weight) with a motorized or passive wheelchair system. The wheelchair's wheel assembly and frame structure substitute for the human arm/shoulder mechanism, providing weight support without requiring active user effort to bear the load.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If wheelchairs are used for mobility, then individuals can move without arm support, but health deteriorates due to prolonged sitting position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobility without arm supportVSAvoidhealth deterioration from prolonged sitting

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the wheelchair dynamic by enabling it to transition between a seated configuration (for transport) and a standing configuration (for mobility). The adjustable seat height and leg rest mechanisms allow the wheelchair to adapt its posture, transforming from a static seated device to a dynamic system that can promote standing and walking, thereby preventing health deterioration from prolonged sitting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If individuals stand or walk for extended periods, then health benefits are improved, but conventional devices require arms to hold the frame, limiting freedom of movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehealth benefits of standingVSAvoidarm freedom

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a standing frame or mobility assistance device as an intermediary that transfers the user's body weight from the legs and arms to the frame structure. The frame's vertical supports and base act as mediators to bear the user's weight during standing, eliminating the need to use arms for support while enabling extended standing periods for health benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If mobility assistance devices are designed for extended standing support, then health benefits are promoted, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehealth promotion through standingVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the mobility assistance device into distinct functional modules: a support frame structure, a weight transfer mechanism, a standing platform, and adjustment mechanisms. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while simplifying the overall design and manufacturing process, reducing complexity despite the extended standing support capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9861549B2Mobility assistance device

Publication Date: 2018.01.09 CORE INGENUITY HLDG LLC

AI summary

A mobility assistance apparatus includes first and second frames positioned on left and right sides of a user; a hinge arm mechanism coupled to the first and second frames; and a harness or a walking seat coupled to the frames to transfer at least a portion of the user's body weight from the legs and to transfer weight through the user's hip or pelvis to the first and second frame enabling the user to stand or walk for an extended period without requiring the user's arms to hold the frame.