Powered Suit Operation Mode Control for Terrain-Adaptive Load Relief

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing load reduction devices, such as powered suits, struggle to provide appropriate load reduction control that adapts to varying user situations and environments, like weather and terrain, which can affect the effectiveness of load assistance.

Innovation Solution

A load reduction assistance system that includes a powered suit, user situation acquisition sensors, and a load reduction assistance device, which communicate wirelessly to adjust the operation mode of the powered suit based on user biometric and environmental data, such as weather and terrain, to optimize load reduction and fatigue management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If load reduction control is provided based on fixed operation modes, then the control system is simple, but it cannot adapt to varying user situations and environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to user situationsVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic operation mode transitions based on real-time detection of user situation changes. The control device automatically switches between operation modes (e.g., from first to second mode) when detection results indicate changed conditions, allowing the system to adapt to varying environments without requiring complex manual reconfiguration or overly sophisticated control architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs a detection device that continuously monitors user situations and provides feedback to the control device. This feedback mechanism enables the control device to adjust operation modes based on actual conditions, achieving adaptability through a relatively simple closed-loop control structure rather than complex predictive modeling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the powered suit operates in a fixed operation mode, then the device complexity is low, but the load reduction effectiveness decreases when user situation changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload reduction effectivenessVSAvoidoperation mode complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent defines multiple operation modes with different control parameters tailored to specific user situations. The system dynamically selects the appropriate mode based on detection results, ensuring reliable load reduction effectiveness for each situation while maintaining relatively simple mode definitions that do not require complex control logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Different operation modes correspond to different control parameters optimized for specific conditions. The system changes these parameters automatically based on detected user situations, achieving reliable performance across varying conditions through parameter adjustment rather than complex control algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If operation mode is manually changed by the user, then the system remains simple, but it cannot automatically adapt to environmental changes like weather and terrain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic adaptation capabilityVSAvoiduser operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The detection device automatically monitors user situations and the control device autonomously determines and switches operation modes based on detection results. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual user intervention while maintaining simple operation, as the system handles adaptation automatically without requiring complex user interfaces or decision-making algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The automatic detection and control system provides continuous feedback between the detection device and control device, enabling autonomous adaptation to environmental changes. This feedback loop achieves automatic adaptation while keeping the system simple, as it relies on direct detection-to-control signaling rather than complex processing or user interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3881984B1Load reduction assistance device, load reduction assistance system, load reduction assistance method, program, and storage medium for storing program
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 NEC CORP
  • EP3881984B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3881984B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3881984B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A load reduction assistance device is provided with an acquisition unit configured to acquire position information of a user wearing a load reduction device that reduces a load on the user; a status detection unit configured to extract an operation mode of the load reduction device corresponding to a surrounding environment state based on the position information of the user; and an operation control unit configured to cause the load reduction device to operate in the extracted operation mode.