Movable Treadmill Support Elements for Horizontal Gait Training
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gait training systems lack variability and therapeutic effectiveness for conditions such as stroke and Parkinson's disease, particularly in maintaining postural control and balance, with a high risk of falls and limited engagement of stabilizing muscles.
Innovation Solution
A gait training arrangement that imparts a dominant horizontal movement to the treadmill frame or walking platform through user-controlled landing movements, utilizing specially configured support bodies to convert vertical movements into horizontal oscillations, with adjustable vibration and damping characteristics, and optional electric drive for varied training.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional fixed treadmill frame is used, then the structure is stable and simple, but the therapeutic effectiveness for stroke and Parkinson's disease is limited and stabilizing muscles are not adequately activated
Solution Approach 1:
The treadmill frame is transformed from a fixed structure to a movable one through elastic support elements that allow horizontal oscillations. This dynamic capability enables the frame to move in response to user landing forces, providing variable therapeutic stimulation that activates stabilizing muscles while maintaining structural simplicity through the use of elastic mounting rather than complex mechanical systems.
2Reliability
If the treadmill frame is made movable to enhance muscle activation, then therapeutic effectiveness improves, but the risk of instability and accidents increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic support elements are designed with specific stiffness characteristics that allow controlled horizontal movement while restricting excessive or uncontrolled motion. This parameter optimization enables the frame to provide sufficient mobility for muscle activation while maintaining stability to prevent accidents, effectively balancing therapeutic effectiveness with safety.
3Speed
If support bodies are configured to block vertical movement components, then horizontal oscillation is enhanced, but the structural design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Elastic support elements function as flexible structural components that inherently redirect vertical forces into horizontal oscillations through their elastic deformation characteristics. This approach enhances horizontal movement without requiring complex mechanical guide structures, as the elastic elements themselves provide the necessary force redirection through their material properties and geometric configuration.
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 muscle activation, cardiovascular, and sensorimotor abilities, reducing the risk of falls and improving mobility, particularly for older users, with customizable training options.
Implementation Method 1
the support elements are designed as essentially rigid but movable bodies, in particular balls or rolling elements, or as elastically flexible bodies partially or along the entire support element
Implementation Method 2
The magnitude of this horizontal movement is thus dependent on the user's landing behavior and is therefore subject to their own control
Implementation Method 3
The support bodies are thus configured and/or mounted in such a way that they at least substantially block a vertical component of the movement of the treadmill frame or the substructure or redirect its direction
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
The invention relates to a gait training assembly, comprising a treadmill frame (3) and a continuous belt or slatted belt which runs over and is driven by rollers (5) held in the treadmill frame, the surface of which continuous or slatted belt provides a walking or running surface, wherein the treadmill frame (3) is resiliently mounted on a main stand (11) by means of support elements (1) such that, during use, the landing force exerted by the user causes the treadmill frame (3) to vibrate in the main stand (11) with a dominant horizontal component of the movements of the treadmill frame.