Intelligent Rollator Load-Adaptive Power-Assist Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intelligent rollators lack the ability to automatically adapt between wheelchair mode and shopping stroller mode based on load weight, and do not effectively adjust power-assist compensation thresholds to accommodate different usage scenarios and road conditions.
Innovation Solution
The intelligent rollator can automatically determine whether it is seating a person or carrying objects by measuring load weight, switching between a first power-assist compensation mode (wheelchair mode) or a second mode (shopping stroller mode), and adjust power-assist thresholds accordingly, incorporating gradient, speed, acceleration/deceleration, and turn compensations to ensure smooth operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the intelligent rollator uses a fixed power-assist compensation threshold, then the control logic is simple, but it cannot adapt to different usage scenarios (wheelchair mode vs. shopping stroller mode) and road conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the power-assist compensation threshold based on detected road conditions (slopes, turns, accelerations). The control system continuously monitors acceleration, gravity angle, and steering angle to dynamically calculate and adjust the threshold, allowing the same hardware to adapt to varying operational conditions without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects whether it is in wheelchair mode or shopping stroller mode based on load weight, and self-adjusts the power-assist compensation parameters accordingly. The controller autonomously determines the appropriate compensation threshold without requiring user input, making the system self-adapting to its operational context.
2Ease of operation
If the intelligent rollator automatically switches between wheelchair mode and shopping stroller mode based on load weight, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects the operational mode by monitoring load weight on the seat and autonomously switches between wheelchair mode and shopping stroller mode. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual mode selection by the user, improving ease of operation while the control system handles the complexity of mode detection and parameter adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key operational parameters (power-assist compensation threshold, motor control parameters) based on the detected mode. When transitioning from shopping stroller mode to wheelchair mode, the system adjusts these parameters to provide appropriate power assistance levels, enabling the same hardware to serve multiple functions through parameter reconfiguration.
3Power
If the power-assist compensation threshold is increased to handle heavy loads in wheelchair mode, then the power assistance is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the power-assist compensation threshold based on real-time road conditions rather than using a fixed high threshold. By calculating the actual power needed based on acceleration, gravity angle, and steering angle, the motor provides only the necessary power assistance, avoiding excessive energy consumption while still handling heavy loads when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the power-assist compensation parameter adaptively based on operational mode and road conditions. In shopping stroller mode with lighter loads, the compensation threshold is reduced to lower energy consumption. In wheelchair mode with heavier loads, the threshold increases to provide necessary power assistance, optimizing the balance between power and energy usage.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a power-assist control method and device for an intelligent rollator, an intelligent rollator, and a controller. The 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. The 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, wherein 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. The intelligent rollator can be used safely even under the situations of huge different loads, as with load or not the motor torque output is prevented from being too large to drag the user to fall down, or when the user is seated the motor torque output is prevented from being too small and power is insufficient.