Risk-Adaptive Movement Assistance Power Control for Longer Operation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Movement assistance apparatuses for visually impaired individuals uniformly consume electric power to recognize the surrounding environment, leading to high power consumption and short battery life, making them impractical for continuous use.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus switches between normal and power saving modes based on the surrounding risk, using a mode switching control unit to set the power mode to normal when the risk is high and to power saving when the risk is low, thereby reducing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If the battery size is increased to extend operation period, then the duration of action is improved, but the weight and size of the apparatus increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation periodVSAvoidbattery weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by switching the power mode between normal mode and power saving mode based on surrounding risk conditions. The system dynamically adjusts power consumption characteristics according to environmental conditions, transitioning from a static power consumption state to a dynamic one that adapts to changing risk levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the power consumption parameter by switching between normal mode (higher power consumption) and power saving mode (lower power consumption). This parameter change allows the system to extend operation duration without increasing battery capacity, thereby avoiding increased weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the power mode is set to normal mode continuously, then the reliability of movement assistance function is improved, but the use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction availabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts power mode based on surrounding risk conditions. When risk is high, the system operates in normal mode to ensure reliable movement assistance. When risk is low, it switches to power saving mode to reduce energy consumption. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining reliability and reducing energy use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the power consumption parameter by switching between normal mode and power saving mode based on risk assessment. This allows the system to maintain high reliability when needed while minimizing energy consumption during low-risk periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If the power mode is switched manually by user, then the power consumption is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidoperation convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically switching between normal mode and power saving mode based on surrounding risk conditions detected by its sensors. This eliminates the need for manual user intervention, maintaining ease of operation while achieving power consumption reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from risk detection mechanisms to automatically control power mode switching. The detection unit continuously monitors surrounding conditions and provides feedback to the control unit, which then adjusts power mode accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that reduces power consumption without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Ease of operation

If the power mode is switched automatically based on risk detection, then the ease of operation is improved, but the use of energy increases due to continuous monitoring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic switchingVSAvoidmonitoring power

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by performing risk detection and power mode switching only when necessary, rather than continuously operating all systems at full capacity. This allows automatic operation improvement while minimizing the energy required for monitoring and control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4226905B1Movement assistance apparatus and movement assistance system

Publication Date: 2025.06.04 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

A movement assistance apparatus (10) to be provided in a movement assistance device (1) and configured to execute a movement assistance operation for assisting movement of a user (U) includes a mode switching control unit (72) configured to switch, based on a magnitude of a surrounding risk on the movement of the user (U), a power mode between a normal mode in which the movement assistance operation is executable and a power saving mode in which a power consumption is smaller than a power consumption in the normal mode. A condition for setting the power mode to the power saving mode includes a condition that the surrounding risk satisfies a predetermined low-risk condition.