Quadruped Mobility Device with Crankshaft Driveshaft
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobility assistance devices for disabled quadruped animals, such as dogs and cats, fail to synchronize the movement of hind legs and provide inadequate comfort and support, leading to muscle atrophy and instability.
Innovation Solution
A device with a chassis, side wheels, a rear harness, and a crankshaft-type driveshaft that synchronizes the movement of hind legs in phase opposition, along with adjustable and comfortable harnessing systems, allowing for controlled movement and adaptation to different animal morphologies and rehabilitation stages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a passive cart device is used to support the hindquarters of the animal, then the animal can be supported without needing to use its hind legs, but the device provides no movement to the hind legs which leads to muscle atrophy and loss of motor functions
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables the animal's own hind legs to perform the rehabilitation movements through passive propulsion. As the animal moves forward, its hind legs naturally push against the ground, which in turn moves the cradles and slippers through the mechanical linkage, causing the legs to execute the necessary flexion and extension motions for muscle rehabilitation without requiring external power or active control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transforms from a static passive support structure to a dynamic rehabilitation system through the mechanical linkage between the cradles, slippers, and animal's hind legs. The linkage allows the system to adapt its movement characteristics based on the animal's natural gait and propulsion forces, providing appropriate resistance and assistance during the rehabilitation process.
2Ease of operation
If the hind legs are completely supported by a passive device, then the animal gains mobility, but the hindquarters may collapse due to lack of muscle tone
Solution Approach 1:
The device provides partial support to the hindquarters through the adjustable harness system, allowing the animal to bear some weight on its hind legs while receiving assistance. This partial loading maintains muscle tone and prevents complete collapse, while the adjustable nature of the support allows adaptation as the animal's strength improves during rehabilitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The harness tension and support level can be adjusted to change the degree of assistance provided, allowing the device to adapt to the animal's changing needs as rehabilitation progresses. The mechanical linkage parameters can also be adjusted to modify the range and intensity of leg movements.
3Device complexity
If a rudimentary harness system is used to attach the device to the animal, then the device structure is simple, but the animal experiences discomfort and the attachment is unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The harness system is divided into multiple segments including the main harness body, adjustable straps, and connection points for the cradles. This segmentation allows each component to be independently adjusted and optimized for both comfort and stability, while distributing the loads across multiple attachment points rather than concentrating them in a single location.
4Ease of operation
If the device is designed for a specific animal morphology, then the fit and comfort are optimized, but the device cannot be adapted to different animal sizes and species
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates multiple adjustable parameters including harness size, cradle position, slipper alignment, and linkage geometry that can be modified to accommodate different animal sizes, species, and morphologies. The modular design with standardized connection points allows the same basic device structure to be adapted across various quadruped animals while maintaining comfort and effectiveness.
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
The device enables synchronized and comfortable movement of disabled quadruped animals, promoting muscle rehabilitation and stability by mimicking natural leg movement, while being adaptable to various animal sizes and rehabilitation progress.
Implementation Method 1
a crankshaft-type driveshaft (30) having two crankpins (31) to which are attached means for moving the hind legs of the animal
Implementation Method 2
the device includes height adjusting means for the vertical position of the rear harness with respect to the chassis, such height adjusting means being in particular of the rack-and-pinion type
Data Source
AI summary
A device allowing a quadruped animal that is disabled in the hindquarters thereof to move about, while automatically moving the hind legs of the animal. The device includes: a chassis, on which two side wheels are mounted; a rear harness for receiving and supporting the hindquarters of the animal, which harness can be supported by the chassis; and a crankshaft-type driveshaft having two crankpins to which are attached cradles for moving the hind legs of the animal where the driveshaft is shaped so as to move each of the two hind legs of the animal synchronously in phase opposition. A transmission device is configured to control the rotation of the driveshaft from at least one wheel.