Wearable Motion Assist Frame With E-Ink Status Color Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a growing need for assistive technologies that can help individuals with joint problems, such as those in an aging society, to walk and exercise comfortably, while also providing a way to monitor and adjust their exercise and device status intuitively.
Innovation Solution
A motion assist apparatus and exercise apparatus incorporating electronic ink for color change functions, which include wearable modules, actuators, input units, color determiners, and controllers to detect user information and adjust the color of electronic ink layers based on detected data, allowing for intuitive feedback on device status and user conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If electronic ink is used for color indication, then visual feedback on device status is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or electronic display systems with an electronic ink display system. The electronic ink layer, controlled by electrode layers, substitutes complex display mechanisms with a simpler electrophoretic system that provides visual feedback on device status, user performance, and battery levels without requiring complex circuitry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes color-changing electronic ink to provide intuitive visual feedback. Different colors indicate different device modes, battery statuses, and user performance levels. This color-based information system improves readability and user understanding while maintaining relatively simple device architecture compared to traditional multi-component display systems.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and input units are added to detect user information, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple sensing functions into a unified input unit system. The input unit detects various parameters including user posture, exercise intensity, and physiological data through multiple sensors working together. This multi-functional approach allows precise user monitoring while consolidating control logic, thereby managing device complexity through functional integration rather than separate independent systems.
3Ease of operation
If color indicator with electronic ink is integrated into wearable module, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs color-changing electronic ink in the wearable module to provide intuitive visual feedback on device modes, battery status, and user performance. Users can quickly understand device state and adjust operation based on color indicators without needing to interpret complex digital displays or multiple indicators, thereby improving ease of operation through simplified visual communication.
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 apparatus provides effective assistance for joint mobility and exercise, while the color-changing feature enhances user experience by providing visual feedback on device modes, battery status, and user performance, improving comfort and usability.
Implementation Method 1
a color indicator including a first electrode layer disposed on, directly or indirectly, the drive frame, an electronic ink layer disposed on, directly or indirectly, the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer disposed on, directly or indirectly, the electronic ink layer
Data Source
AI summary
A motion assist apparatus having a color change function using electric ink may include a waist frame and a waist belt that are to be worn on a waist of a user, a force transmission frame and a thigh belt that are to be worn on a thigh of the user, an actuator connected to the waist belt and configured to generate power, a drive frame connected to the actuator and configured to transmit the power to the force transmission frame, an input unit configured to detect at least one of exercise information of the user, body information of the user, and clothing information of the user, a color indicator including a first electrode layer disposed on the drive frame, an electronic ink layer disposed on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer disposed on the electronic ink layer, a color determiner configured to determine a target color of the color indicator based on information detected by the input unit, and a color controller configured to receive information about the target color from the color determiner and control a voltage applied to the first electrode layer and a voltage applied to the second electrode layer so as to change a color of the electronic ink layer.