Intelligent Rollator Power-Assist Control for Load-Adaptive Mobility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current intelligent rollators lack the ability to automatically adapt between wheelchair and shopping stroller modes based on load weight, leading to inefficient user assistance across varying road conditions.
Innovation Solution
A power-assist control method and device that determines the load weight of an intelligent rollator to automatically select between a first power-assist compensation mode (wheelchair mode) and a second power-assist compensation mode (shopping stroller mode), adjusting the power-assist threshold accordingly, incorporating parameters like speed, gradient, acceleration/deceleration, and turn compensation to ensure smooth user navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a fixed power-assist threshold is used for all load conditions, then the control system is simple, but the power assistance is inefficient under varying road conditions and load types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the power-assist compensation threshold based on real-time detection of load weight and road conditions. The controller automatically modifies the threshold parameter according to the detected conditions, transforming a static control system into a dynamic one that adapts to varying operational requirements, thereby improving power assistance efficiency without requiring complex manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs self-service by automatically detecting load weight and road conditions through integrated sensors and autonomously adjusting the power-assist threshold without user intervention. The controller performs self-diagnosis and self-adjustment based on detected parameters, enabling the system to optimize its own performance across different operating scenarios
2Adaptability or versatility
If the rollator is designed for heavy load capacity, then it can function as a wheelchair, but it becomes less suitable for light load shopping stroller use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the rollator by dynamically adjusting the power-assist compensation threshold based on detected load weight and road conditions. When heavy load is detected, the system increases power assistance for wheelchair mode; when light load is detected, it reduces power assistance for shopping stroller mode, thereby adapting to different usage scenarios while maintaining operational smoothness
Solution Approach 2:
The rollator achieves multi-functionality by incorporating a universal control system that can adapt to both wheelchair and shopping stroller modes. The power-assist threshold adjustment mechanism enables the same device to efficiently serve two distinct functional purposes, eliminating the need for separate devices for different user needs
Data Source
AI summary
An intelligent rollator has a vehicle body, a seat provided in the vehicle body for a person to sit or place items on, and front and rear wheels provided at the bottom of the wheels, driven by motors. A power-assist control method includes the following steps: obtaining the load weight of the vehicle body; and entering a first power-assist compensation mode to compensate the torque output of the motor according to a first power-assist compensation threshold, when the load weight is greater than a set threshold. The first power-assist compensation threshold is direct proportional to at least one of the following parameters: the load weight of the intelligent rollator, and the moving speed of the intelligent rollator.