Modular Pegboard with Sensor and Light Modules for Adaptive Rehabilitation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pegboards and rehabilitation training systems are inadequate for providing comprehensive rehabilitation training for brain-damaged patients, lacking variety and sensitivity in training methods and tools.

Innovation Solution

A pegboard system with modular units, including sensor and light source modules, that identifies different board plates based on magnet patterns, allowing for customizable training modes and feedback through light output, enabling cognitive training and varying levels of difficulty.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a simple pegboard with fixed patterns is used, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability for different rehabilitation training needs is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability for different rehabilitation training needsVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pegboard is divided into multiple replaceable board plates, each with different hole patterns and magnet arrangements. This segmentation allows the system to offer multiple training configurations without increasing the complexity of a single board plate, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The main body unit integrates multiple functions including magnet pattern recognition, light source control, and sensor detection. This universal design allows a single device to support various rehabilitation training modes by simply更换 board plates, achieving high adaptability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple board plates with different magnet patterns are used, then the adaptability of training programs is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevariety of training programsVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple board plates with different training patterns are merged into a single replaceable component system. Each board plate contains integrated magnets and holes, combining multiple training elements into one component that can be easily swapped, thus providing program variety without significantly increasing the number of separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses magnetic field detection instead of complex mechanical recognition mechanisms to identify board plate types. The magnet patterns on board plates are detected by sensors in the main body unit, replacing what would otherwise require complex mechanical identification systems, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If conventional pegboards without feedback mechanisms are used, then the ease of operation is high, but the measurement precision of training results is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precision of training resultsVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates light sources that illuminate specific holes and sensors that detect when pegs are correctly inserted. This feedback mechanism provides real-time measurement of training results, enabling precise assessment of patient performance while maintaining ease of operation through automatic detection and visual guidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The light sources emit different colors to indicate various training states and provide visual feedback. This color-changing mechanism enhances the measurement precision by providing clear, intuitive visual cues about correct insertion positions and training progress, while keeping the operation simple for patients.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed pattern pegboard is used, then the manufacturing precision requirements are low, but the adaptability for cognitive training is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecognitive training adaptabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing precision of board plates
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the training patterns into separate replaceable board plates rather than incorporating all patterns into a single fixed board. This approach reduces the manufacturing precision requirements for each individual board plate while maintaining high cognitive training adaptability through the variety of available patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enhances rehabilitation training by allowing users to engage in interactive and adaptive exercises that improve cognitive functions such as location memory, sequence memory, and placement relations, making the training process more engaging and effective.

Implementation Method 1

a sensing unit configured to sense the board plate and identify a type of the board plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field sensing: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

multiple light source modules configured to output light to the multiple receiving portions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 3

multiple sensor modules configured to sense whether the multiple pegs are inserted into the multiple receiving portions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field detection: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP3675081B1Pegboard, rehabilitation training system, and rehabilitation training method
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 NEOFECT
  • EP3675081B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3675081B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3675081B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A pegboard of the present disclosure includes: a main device including multiple unit modules; a board plate including multiple receiving portions; and multiple pegs to be inserted into the multiple receiving portions, and the multiple unit modules include multiple sensor modules configured to sense whether the multiple pegs are inserted into the multiple receiving portions and multiple light source modules configured to output light to the multiple receiving portions.