Pelvic Frame Stabilizer Members for Walking Assistance Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pelvic frames for walking assistance devices inadequately support the reaction force produced by power generators, leading to discomfort and difficulty in wearing and removing the device, especially for users with impairments.
Innovation Solution
A pelvic frame design featuring a C-shaped main frame with stabilizer members and an abdominal belt system that enhances stiffness and mechanical strength, allowing for improved fit and ease of use, with stabilizer members providing flexibility in lateral bending and vertical stiffness to manage the reaction force and loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the pelvic frame uses a conventional C-shaped main frame design, then the device structure is simple, but the frame cannot adequately support the reaction force produced by the power generator, causing deformation and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The pelvic frame is divided into a C-shaped main frame and separate stabilizer members that can be independently attached and adjusted. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pelvic frame employs a composite structure combining the C-shaped main frame made of rigid material with stabilizer members that provide additional structural support. This composite design enhances the overall strength and stability to support reaction forces without requiring complete redesign of the entire frame.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the pelvic frame is designed with enhanced stability to support reaction forces, then the frame can adequately support the power generator, but the wearing and removing process becomes more difficult, especially for users with impairments
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizer members are designed with adjustable characteristics, allowing the frame to transition between a more flexible state during donning/doffing and a more stable state during use. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the frame to adapt to different operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The abdominal belt serves as an intermediary element that connects the stabilizer members to the user's body. This mediator allows the stabilizer members to provide structural support without requiring direct complex interactions between the frame and the user, simplifying the wearing and removing process.
3Strength
If the stabilizer members are made rigid to provide vertical stiffness, then the frame can support loads effectively, but the frame loses flexibility in lateral bending, reducing comfort and fit
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizer members are designed with different mechanical properties in different directions: they exhibit high vertical stiffness to support loads while maintaining lateral flexibility for comfort and fit. This anisotropic design allows each part of the stabilizer member to have the specific quality needed for its local function.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizer members utilize material or structural parameters that create directional differences in mechanical properties. By changing the structural parameters (such as cross-sectional geometry or material orientation), the stabilizer members achieve high vertical stiffness while maintaining lateral flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A pelvic frame (20) for a walking assistance device (10) is configured to be worn on a pelvic part of a user, and comprises a main frame (22) extending from a lower back of the user to either side of the user, an abdominal belt (30) attached to the main frame at base ends thereof, extending along an inner periphery of the main frame (22) and configured to be detachably passed along an abdominal part of the user, and a pair of stabilizer member (90, 92) each having a base end attached to a free end part of the main frame (22) and a free end engaging the abdominal belt (30). Because the two free end of the main frame (22) are joined by the stabilizer members (90, 92) in cooperation with the abdominal belt (30), the stiffness and mechanical strength of the main frame (22) is effectively enhanced, and the weight of the main frame and material cost can be minimized. Also, the deformation of the pelvic frame (20) during use can be minimized, and this contributes to the comfort of the user. Also, as the stabilizer members (90, 92) hold up the corresponding parts of the abdominal belt (30) in readily accessible positions in spite of the flexibility of the abdominal belt (30), the wearing and removing of the pelvic frame (20) is simplified.