Integrated Movable Joint Mechanism for Lightweight Mobility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing joint mechanisms in walking aids require a large number of parts, leading to increased complexity and weight, which hinders the development of lightweight and efficient movable structures.
Innovation Solution
A movable sheet design featuring a holding body with a single, elastically deformable opening portion that houses a movable body with integrated shaft portions, allowing for universal joint functionality with reduced parts and enabling 360° rotation and directional movement, potentially incorporating a power source and tension generation members for enhanced mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a great number of parts are combined to prevent detachment in joint mechanisms, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The socket is designed as an integrated single piece that combines the holding body and the retaining structure into one unified component. The retaining portion is formed as an integral part of the socket, eliminating the need for separate retaining mechanisms and reducing the total number of parts while maintaining reliable prevention of spherical body detachment
Solution Approach 2:
The socket serves multiple functions simultaneously: it holds the spherical body, provides the retaining structure to prevent detachment, and enables rotational movement. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components for each function, reducing overall device complexity
2Reliability
If a great number of parts are combined to prevent detachment in joint mechanisms, then reliability is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the holding body and retaining structure into a single integrated socket component, the total weight of the joint mechanism is reduced. The elimination of separate retaining parts and multiple fastening components directly decreases the overall weight while maintaining the reliability of member connection
3Adaptability or versatility
If the opening portion is made elastically deformable to accommodate movement, then mobility is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The socket is designed with specific elastic properties through material selection and structural design, allowing controlled elastic deformation within defined parameters. The opening portion can elastically expand and contract to accommodate the spherical body's movement while returning to its original position, providing mobility without requiring ultra-precise manufacturing tolerances
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 design achieves a movable structure with fewer parts, reducing weight and complexity while maintaining or improving mobility and flexibility, suitable for applications in robotics and human motion assistance.
Implementation Method 1
the holding body has such a size that the holding body is prevented from exiting the opening portion even if the opening portion is elastically deformed
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~4
AI summary
The movable apparatus includes a holding body and a movable body. The holding body includes a first opening portion and an internal space, and is constituted of one part. The movable body includes an internal body and a first movable shaft portion. The internal body is stored in the internal space of the holding body, and has such a size that the internal body is prevented from exiting the first opening portion even if the first opening portion is elastically deformed. The first movable shaft portion is capable of being moved integrally with the internal body, and is exposed to outside of the holding body from inside of the holding body through the first opening portion.