Pivotable Side Supports for Mobile Walking Aid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile walking and transport aid devices lack versatility and user comfort, often leading to user fatigue and postural damage due to limited ergonomic support in various usage modes.
Innovation Solution
The device features pivotable side supports that can tilt up to 180°, allowing for multiple usage modes such as a walker, shopping cart, stroller, and handcart, with an adjustable handle element and integrated motorized drive system for enhanced user support and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the side supports are fixed in a single position, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but the adaptability to different usage modes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The side supports are designed to be pivotable about a horizontal axis, allowing dynamic repositioning between backward-tilted position (for pushing/walking assistance) and forward-tilted position (for pulling/cart mode). This dynamic adjustability enables the device to adapt to multiple usage modes without requiring multiple separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The walking aid device is designed to perform multiple functions through the pivotable side supports: it can function as a walker when supports are backward-tilted, as a shopping trolley in intermediate positions, and as a handcart when supports are forward-tilted. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by enabling one device to serve multiple purposes.
2Ease of operation
If the side supports are rigidly fixed, then the structural stability is maintained, but the ergonomic comfort in various positions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The side supports can be adjusted to different angular positions (backward-tilted, forward-tilted, or intermediate) to match ergonomic requirements for different usage modes, while locking mechanisms maintain structural stability during each specific mode of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The angular position parameter of the side supports is made variable, allowing optimization of ergonomic comfort for different user positions (pushing from behind, walking between, sitting on, or pulling from front) while maintaining stability through controlled positioning and locking.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate devices are provided for different usage modes, then the functional versatility is achieved, but the device complexity and user burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single walking aid device is designed to replace multiple separate devices (walker, shopping trolley, handcart) by incorporating pivotable side supports that can be repositioned to enable different modes of use, thereby reducing the number of devices users need to manage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of multiple separate devices into one integrated device through the common chassis with reconfigurable side supports, merging the capabilities of walkers, shopping carts, and handcarts into a single versatile platform.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a mobile walking and transport aid device (1) for assisting in particular persons with impaired walking ability, comprising a chassis (2) with wheels (3, 4) and two outer lateral supports (5, 6), which are connected to the chassis (2), as supporting elements for a user of the device (1). It is provided according to the invention that the lateral supports (5, 6) are fixed to the chassis (2) so as to be pivotable from a first, backward-tilted position into an at least second forward-tilted position for pushing the walking and transport aid device (1) from behind and/or for supporting the user when walking between and/or behind the walking and transport aid device (1) and/or for allowing the user to be seated on the walking and transport aid device (1) and/or for pulling the walking and transport aid device (1) from the front.