Rehabilitation Device with Pace Pattern Projection and Adaptive Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional movable assistive devices for patients with mobility issues, such as those with Parkinson's disease, require significant user effort and are passive in operation, failing to provide active assistance during unpredictable situations or when the user is exhausted, and require additional time and effort to learn proper usage.

Innovation Solution

A rehabilitation device with a pace pattern projecting function and adjustable seat structure, equipped with sensors and a control system that projects pace patterns on a walking plane, adjusts distance and pace pattern position based on user walking situations, and includes a movable seat for rest, allowing for adaptive assistance and visual guidance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional movable assistive devices are used, then users can obtain passive support for movement, but users need to spend considerable efforts to operate the devices and cannot receive active assistance when exhausted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptive assistance capabilityVSAvoiduser effort required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rehabilitation device autonomously detects user walking status through sensors and automatically adjusts moving speed and pace pattern projections without requiring user operation or decision-making, enabling the device to serve itself in monitoring and adapting to user needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The device incorporates sensors that continuously detect user walking status and feed this information back to the control system, which then adjusts device behavior accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to user conditions in real-time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If conventional movable assistive devices are used, then users can obtain basic mobility support, but users face risks of unpredictable danger when reaction is not sensitive enough

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety during movementVSAvoidautomatic response capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

Sensors continuously monitor user walking status and provide real-time feedback to the control system, enabling automatic detection of exhaustion or unsafe conditions and triggering appropriate responses without requiring user reaction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The device proactively projects pace patterns ahead of the user and automatically adjusts moving speed before the user encounters potential dangers, preventing unsafe situations rather than reacting after they occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If rehabilitation devices with multiple functions are provided, then users can achieve expected effects during rehabilitation process, but users need to spend extra efforts on learning methods for using the device

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverehabilitation exercise functionalityVSAvoidusage learning complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device automatically detects user intent and selects appropriate rehabilitation exercise modes without requiring users to manually configure settings or learn complex operation procedures, simplifying the user interface to essentially no operation needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If pace patterns are projected on walking plane, then users receive visual guidance to move forward, but device must continuously adjust position and pattern distance based on user walking situation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual guidance effectivenessVSAvoidautomatic adjustment frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

Sensors continuously detect user walking status and provide feedback to the control system, which automatically adjusts pace pattern position and projection distance in real-time based on detected user movement and position

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9510992B2Rehabilitation device with pace pattern projecting function and seat structure and control method thereof

Publication Date: 2016.12.06 NAT TAIWAN UNIV

AI summary

A rehabilitation device with pace pattern projecting function and seat structure and a control method thereof are provided. The rehabilitation device includes a body with a moving module, a projection device, a first sensor and a control system. The projection device projects pace patterns on a walking plane. The first sensor detects a walking situation of a user on the walking plane. Based on the walking situation detected by the first sensor, the control system adjusts a distance between the rehabilitation device and the user by controlling the moving module and adjusts a position of the pace patterns on the walking plane by controlling the projection device. Moreover, a movable seat mechanism is also disposed on the rear of the rehabilitation device. The user can sit down on the movable seat mechanism and towards the front of the rehabilitation device to rest moderately.