Robotic Walking Assistant Dynamic Tilt Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robotic walking assistants face stability issues due to fixed wheels and vertical bodies, leading to potential tipping and interference with users having large strides, which compromises their effectiveness in providing walking assistance and training.
Innovation Solution
The robotic walking assistant features a wheeled base with differentially driven wheel mechanisms and castor wheels, an adjustable elevation mechanism, and a control system that includes sensors for obstacle detection and user interaction, allowing for adaptive height adjustment and improved stability through sensor-guided movement and user control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If fixed wheels and vertical body are used in robotic walking assistant, then simple structure is achieved, but stability is insufficient and users with large stride may kick the back
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a tilt mechanism that allows the body to tilt forward and backward dynamically. The body can tilt forward by 15-30 degrees during walking to maintain stability, and tilt backward by 5-10 degrees when the user sits down. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the structure adaptable rather than fixed, improving stability without requiring complete structural redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the body by introducing tilt angles (15-30 degrees forward, 5-10 degrees backward) and height adjustment capabilities. These parameter changes allow the robotic walking assistant to adapt to different user heights and walking patterns, improving stability while maintaining a relatively simple structure through controlled motion rather than complex mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed vertical body is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but it interferes with users having large strides
Solution Approach 1:
The tilt mechanism enables the body to dynamically adjust its angle during walking, allowing users with larger strides to move comfortably without kicking the back of the device. The body tilts forward during the walking motion, creating space for larger stride lengths while maintaining structural simplicity through a single degree of freedom movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The body is pre-configured with tilt capabilities and height adjustment features before use. The system can be adjusted to accommodate different user heights and stride lengths in advance, providing adaptability without requiring complex real-time adjustments during manufacturing or assembly.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed structure is used, then device complexity is reduced, but it cannot adapt to users of varying heights
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an elevation mechanism with adjustable height and a tilt mechanism that allows the body to tilt forward and backward. These dynamic adjustments enable the robotic walking assistant to adapt to users of varying heights by changing the body's position and angle, providing versatility without requiring completely different structures for each user size.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable height and tilt mechanisms serve multiple functions: they accommodate different user heights, enable proper walking posture, and maintain stability during operation. This multi-functionality provides adaptability to various users while avoiding the need for multiple specialized structures, thereby controlling overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a robotic walking assistant that includes a wheeled base having one or more wheels, two handles and a foldable seat that are coupled to the wheeled base, includes: detecting whether two hands of a user have held the two handles of the robotic walking assistant; receiving a command from the user to select an operation mode in response to detection of the two hands holding the two handles; controlling the wheeled base to move in response to a walking assistive mode being selected; providing resistance to at least one of the one or more wheels according to selection of the user, in response to a walking training mode being selected; and locking the one or more wheels in response to a static training mode being selected.