Hands-Free Motor Control via Participant Movement Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motor-assisted devices for activities like surfing and kayaking require participant interaction through throttle mechanisms, leading to fatigue and limiting the duration and enjoyment of these sports due to the need for manual control.
Innovation Solution
A motor control system that uses natural and inherent movements of the participant, combined with gesture communication and environmental noise management, to provide intuitive and hands-free control, leveraging kinematic sensors, optical systems, or a combination of both for enhanced user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If motor assistance is provided through throttle mechanisms requiring manual control, then motor assistance can be delivered to the participant, but participant fatigue increases and duration of activity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects participant movements and activity states through sensors, and autonomously controls motor assistance levels without requiring manual throttle input. The control system serves itself by interpreting sensor data and making control decisions, freeing the participant from manual control tasks and reducing fatigue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical throttle control with an automated electronic control system that uses sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers) to detect participant movements and translates these into motor control commands. This substitution eliminates the need for continuous manual mechanical input while maintaining precise motor assistance control.
2Extent of automation
If external control devices with buttons are used for motor control, then motor assistance can be controlled, but user experience is degraded due to need for physical interaction
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically interprets participant movements and activity states through integrated sensors and autonomously adjusts motor assistance levels. The system serves itself by detecting movements, determining activity states, and controlling the motor without requiring physical interaction with external control devices or buttons.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the control system with the participant's body movements and the activity itself. By integrating sensors that detect natural participant movements and combining movement detection with activity state determination, the system creates a unified control mechanism where the participant's own actions become the control input, eliminating separate control devices.
3Use of energy by moving object
If motor assistance is provided during all phases of activity, then continuous support is available, but energy consumption increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts motor assistance levels based on real-time detection of participant movements and activity states. By continuously monitoring sensor data and adapting motor support to the current phase of activity, the system provides consistent assistance only when needed, optimizing energy efficiency while maintaining reliability of support throughout the activity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system operates in periodic cycles, continuously detecting participant movements, determining activity states, and adjusting motor assistance in response to changing activity phases. This periodic operation ensures motor support is provided consistently during active phases while reducing or eliminating assistance during rest phases, improving overall energy efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
The systems and methods described herein provide hands free motor control mechanisms based on the natural and inherent movements associated with an activity of interest, and can be combined with gestures or verbal communication based upon pre-defined movements by the participant.