Movable Gait Trainer Base with Dynamic Weight Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gait training apparatuses are limited in detecting changes in direction and are not versatile enough to be used as patient lifters or mobile cranes, making them difficult to move between rooms and unable to support weight during normal walking activities.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a movable base with a drive unit, an arm arrangement, a weight support system, and advanced movement detection to follow the user's movements, allowing for improved directional support and telescopic height adjustment, enabling use as both a gait trainer and patient lifter, with the option to integrate a treadmill for varied walking simulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the apparatus uses a fixed base design, then it provides stable support for gait training, but it cannot be easily moved between rooms and lacks versatility
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions: it can serve as a gait training device with a movable base that follows the user, as a patient lifter using the weight support system, and as a treadmill-based training system when the base is fixed. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by allowing one device to replace multiple specialized devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The base transitions from a static fixed design to a dynamic movable design equipped with drive units and control systems that enable it to follow the user's movements. This dynamic capability allows the apparatus to adapt to different training modes and locations, enhancing versatility while managing complexity through controlled mobility.
2Measurement precision
If the apparatus detects only linear movement, then the detection system remains simple, but it cannot accurately detect changes in direction
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously receives feedback from movement detectors about the user's position and orientation, processes this information, and adjusts the base's movement accordingly. This feedback loop enables accurate directional detection and response, allowing the apparatus to follow the user precisely while maintaining a manageable control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical directional detection mechanisms with electronic sensors and computational algorithms. The movement detectors and control unit work together to calculate direction changes through software, reducing mechanical complexity while improving measurement precision for directional movements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the apparatus provides full weight support, then it can function as a patient lifter, but it cannot support normal walking activities where weight support should be minimal
Solution Approach 1:
The weight support system dynamically adjusts the level of support provided to the user based on real-time detection of movement phase and intensity. During normal walking, it provides minimal support to maintain natural gait mechanics, while during lifting operations it provides full support. This dynamic adjustment capability allows one system to serve multiple functional requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the key parameter of weight support force based on the operational mode. By detecting whether the user is walking normally or requiring assistance/lifting, the control system adjusts the counterbalance force accordingly, enabling the apparatus to transition between gait training, partial support walking, and patient lifting functions.
4Ease of operation
If the apparatus maintains a fixed height, then the structure remains simple, but it cannot be easily moved through doorways or adapted to different user heights
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus incorporates height-adjustable components that can be dynamically modified to suit different users and mobility requirements. The telescopic or adjustable-height design allows the device to be compact for moving through doorways and extended for use with taller users or patient lifting operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus (100) for gait training has a movable base (200) comprising at least one drive unit (210) for moving the movable base, an arm arrangement (300) extending from the movable base, a weight support system (400) to enable a person to be at least partially suspended from above via said arm arrangement, a movement detector to detect a movement of the person and a control unit adapted to control said drive unit(s) in response to a movement of the person detected by the movement detector such that the movable base follows the person in a predetermined distance range and in a predetermined angular range with respect to a movement direction of the person.