Power Supply Apparatus for Walking Assistance Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply systems for detachable hardware modules in walking assistance devices face challenges in ensuring safe and efficient power distribution, particularly when modules are incorrectly connected, which can lead to damage and operational issues.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that generate a mounting signal based on voltage thresholds and trigger signals to safely connect a battery to hardware devices, utilizing switches and hall sensors to ensure proper module connection and prevent unintentional power supply when modules are not correctly mounted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power is supplied to detachable hardware modules without verification, then power distribution is simple and fast, but safety and reliability deteriorate due to incorrect connections
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification of module mounting status and user power-on input before enabling power supply. The mounting signal generation circuit detects whether the module is correctly installed before the power supply is activated, preventing incorrect connections from causing damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary circuits including mounting signal generation circuit, trigger signal generation circuit, and power control circuit that act as mediators between the battery and hardware modules. These intermediary components verify mounting status and control power flow, ensuring safe operation without requiring complex user judgment.
2Reliability
If mounting verification is implemented before power supply, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases due to additional circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into distinct functional modules: mounting signal generation circuit, trigger signal generation circuit, and power control circuit. Each segment performs a specific verification or control function, making the overall system more manageable and maintainable despite increased complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting signal generation circuit automatically detects whether hardware modules are correctly installed and generates appropriate signals without user intervention. The system self-verifies connection status and controls power supply accordingly, reducing the need for complex user-side verification procedures.
3Reliability
If multiple verification signals are required before power supply, then safety improves, but operation speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting verification is performed in advance and continuously monitored, so when the user provides power-on input, the system can quickly activate power supply if verification is successful. The preliminary mounting detection eliminates delays during actual power activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting signal generation circuit continuously monitors module installation status, maintaining readiness for immediate power supply. Once modules are correctly installed, the verification process continues in the background, allowing rapid power activation when triggered without requiring re-verification at the moment of power-on.
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
Ensures safe and efficient power distribution to hardware modules by verifying correct mounting and user input, preventing damage from incorrect connections and ensuring reliable operation of walking assistance devices.
Implementation Method 1
one or more hall sensors each corresponding to one of the at least one hardware device, the one or more the hall sensors being configured to short the module circuit, if a corresponding one of the at least one hardware device is mounted in the module circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for supplying a power to a hardware module when the hardware module is mounted are provided. The method and apparatus may supply a power to a hardware module when both a mounting signal indicating that the hardware module is mounted in a module circuit and a trigger signal input by a user are received.