Robotic Walker with Winch-Actuated Leg Braces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobility aids, such as exoskeletons, are heavy, bulky, and expensive, making them unsuitable for effective leg mobilization for individuals with mobility issues.
Innovation Solution
A robotic walker with motorized drive wheels, winches, and a control unit that operates in various modes, allowing users to walk by retracting straps connected to leg braces, providing assisted mobility through automatic or manual control modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If exoskeletons are used to provide power to human leg joints, then leg mobilization capability is improved, but device weight and bulk increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the mobility assistance function into two separate components: a lightweight robotic walker that provides propulsion and a separate leg braces system that provides leg movement control. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall system weight while maintaining leg mobilization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic walker acts as an intermediary device that assists the user's own leg muscles rather than directly replacing them. The winch system provides mechanical assistance to the leg braces, enabling users with partial mobility to benefit from the reduced weight design compared to full exoskeletons.
2Ease of operation
If exoskeletons are used to provide power to human leg joints, then leg mobilization capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the propulsion function (robotic walker with motorized wheels) from the leg control function (winch-operated leg braces), the system reduces overall complexity. Each module can be independently controlled and maintained, simplifying the overall system architecture compared to integrated exoskeletons.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages the user's own leg muscles and movement intentions to drive the mobilization process. The winch system provides assistance rather than complete control, allowing users to actively participate in their own movement, which reduces the complexity of control systems required.
3Productivity
If motorized drive wheels and winches are used in the robotic walker, then mobility assistance is provided, but device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The winch system provides partial mechanical assistance to the user's leg movement rather than complete automation. This partial action approach reduces the power and weight requirements compared to fully automated exoskeletons, as the user's own muscles provide the remaining force needed for movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system addresses the weight issue by transitioning from a single heavy exoskeleton structure to a distributed system where the robotic walker provides propulsion in one dimension while the leg braces provide controlled assistance in another dimension, allowing each component to be lighter.
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 robotic walker effectively mobilizes users by providing powered leg movement, improving mobility for individuals with mobility impairments while being more compact and cost-effective compared to traditional exoskeletons.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of motorized drive wheels configured to support the front of the frame
Implementation Method 2
first and second winches mounted on the frame, each first and second winch having a strap that can be retracted by its respective winch
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic walker and associated method are provided. The robotic walker includes a housing containing a control unit operatively connected to a drive unit. The drive unit is operatively connected to a pair of motorized drive wheels. The robotic walker includes first and second winches, each winch having a strap that can be retracted by its respective winch, each winch is operatively connected to the drive unit, each strap having an end adapted to be removably connected to a pair of leg braces worn by a user. The first and second winches may retract a portion of each respective strap to move the legs of the user forward. A first control button is operatively connected to the control unit. The control unit is configured to operate the robotic walker in at least one control mode and the first control button being operable to start the at least one control mode.