Orthosis Control via Dynamic Movement Pattern Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orthopedic devices, such as prostheses and orthoses, face challenges in adapting to changing movement patterns without manual adjustment or relying on fixed control parameters, which can lead to suboptimal performance and user discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A method that continuously registers actual values of movement parameters using sensors and establishes functional relationships between them to select the best-fitting movement pattern, generating control signals that synchronize with the current movement pattern without requiring time scaling or explicit adaptation to step speed, using trigonometric functions for clear representation and comparison.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If fixed control parameters are used in orthopedic devices, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to changing movement patterns deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adapts to changing movement patterns by continuously monitoring movement parameters and adjusting control signals in real-time. The system transitions from static fixed parameters to dynamic adaptive parameters that respond to actual user movement, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The orthopedic device performs self-adjustment by automatically detecting movement patterns through sensors and modifying its control parameters without manual intervention. This self-service capability enables the device to adapt to changing movement patterns while maintaining relatively simple control architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment is required for movement pattern changes, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects movement patterns and adjusts control parameters without requiring manual user intervention. The orthopedic device serves itself by monitoring its own operational state and making necessary adjustments, eliminating the need for users to manually reconfigure the device when movement patterns change.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously receives feedback from sensors monitoring movement parameters and uses this feedback to automatically adjust control signals. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to movement pattern changes seamlessly without requiring user awareness or action.
3Adaptability or versatility
If time scaling is applied to adapt to step speed changes, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system adapts to step speed changes by modifying control parameter values and timing characteristics rather than relying on high-precision measurements. By changing operational parameters dynamically, the system achieves speed adaptation while maintaining robustness against measurement uncertainties.
Data Source
AI summary
In order to control at least one adjustable actuator of a connection apparatus to an orthopedic device with tower limbs, actual values of at least two movement parameters of the orthopedic device are continuously acquired by at least two sensors. A functional relationship is established between the sequences of actual values of the at least two movement parameters. This functional relationship is continuously repeatedly compared to functional relationships in the case of defined movement patterns in order to select in each case the movement pattern which fits best to the acquired actual values. Then control signals for the actuator are generated using a sequence of intended values defined for the best-fitting movement pattern.