Progressive Mobility Aid with Articulating Legs and Retractable Wheels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional walkers are ineffective and dangerous on irregular, loose, and variable gradient surfaces, such as stairs, due to their inability to dynamically adjust leg height and the use of wheels on incompatible terrains like gravel and sand, leading to increased risk of falls and mobility limitations for users.
Innovation Solution
A progressive mobility aid device with pivotably connected leg assemblies and retractable wheels, allowing users to manually adjust the elevation of front legs relative to rear legs and engage/disengage wheels based on the surface, providing stability and adaptability on diverse terrains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional walkers have fixed leg lengths, then they are simple to manufacture and operate, but they cannot adapt to variable gradient surfaces such as stairs and inclining surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The walker incorporates dynamically adjustable leg assemblies that can change length independently. The front and rear legs can be adjusted to different elevations relative to the top section, enabling the device to adapt to variable gradient surfaces such as stairs and inclining surfaces while maintaining structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The leg assemblies are segmented into multiple adjustable sections with independent length control. Each leg assembly includes a top leg portion, bottom leg portion, and intermediate sections that can be independently adjusted, allowing precise adaptation to different terrain conditions without requiring complete redesign of the entire structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional walkers have wheels, then they facilitate mobility on level surfaces, but they become ineffective and dangerous on loose surfaces such as gravel, sand, and wet ground
Solution Approach 1:
The walker employs retractable wheels that can be dynamically deployed or retracted based on surface conditions. On loose surfaces such as gravel, sand, or wet ground, the wheels are retracted to provide stable foot contact points. On level paved surfaces, the wheels are deployed to facilitate easier mobility, thus adapting the device to different terrain requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional walkers have statically set equal leg lengths, then they provide stability on level surfaces, but they cannot assist users on irregular surfaces such as sidewalks and stone-based surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The leg assemblies are pre-configured with telescoping sections and locking mechanisms that allow for preliminary adjustment to anticipated terrain conditions. Users can adjust the leg lengths before encountering irregular surfaces, and the telescoping design with detents provides predetermined adjustment positions that simplify the operation while maintaining adaptability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional walkers require occasional leg height adjustments, then they remain simple in structure, but they cannot be dynamically adjusted for each use or specific path section
Solution Approach 1:
The walker features dynamically adjustable leg assemblies with quick-adjust mechanisms that allow users to modify leg lengths during use without requiring complete disassembly or complex procedures. The telescoping design with easily accessible detents enables rapid adjustment for different users or terrain conditions, reducing the time loss associated with reconfiguration.
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
Enables safe and confident traversal of various surfaces and terrains by maintaining a level top section of the frame, reducing the risk of falls and injuries, and enhancing user mobility and independence.
Implementation Method 1
a lower left sidebar (195) pivotably connected to the front-left leg assembly (105) and the rear-left leg assembly (115); a lower right sidebar (200) pivotably connected to the front-right leg assembly (110) and the rear-right leg assembly (120)
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are novel embodiments of progressive mobility aid devices. Such progressive mobility aid devices are designed to progress through a variety of configurations to accommodate the use of the progressive mobility aid device in a safe and secure manner as the user of the progressive mobility aid device traverses a variety of surfaces and terrain such as traversing irregular surfaces including sidewalks and stone-based surfaces; loose surfaces and terrain including gravel and sand; soft surfaces including wet ground and carpeted surfaces; and variable gradient surfaces including stairs and inclining or declining surfaces and terrain. The progressive mobility aid devices accommodate such uses with an articulating design that provides for front legs of the progressive mobility aid device to be pivotably adjusted with respect to the rear legs of the progressive mobility aid device, and with wheel assemblies that are selectively deployable and retractable.