Rotating Footrest Training Apparatus for Lower Limb Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lower limb exercise methods and tools primarily focus on walking assistance and fail to effectively train rotational movements, leading to muscle degeneration and balance issues in aging populations and individuals with neurological or musculoskeletal disorders, resulting in increased fall risks and limited rehabilitation options for rotational control.
Innovation Solution
A training apparatus featuring a footrest that rotates around a central axis with adjustable springs providing resistance, allowing users to train lower limb control and balance by varying the elastic modulus of the springs to target specific muscle groups and directions, eliminating the need for additional components like motors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional exercise tools focus only on walking assistance, then walking function is improved, but rotational movement training capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The exercise tool is designed to perform multiple functions: it can assist walking movements while also providing rotational movement training capability. The footrest unit can rotate around a vertical axis in addition to moving forward and backward, allowing the same device to train both walking and rotational control of lower limbs.
Solution Approach 2:
The exercise tool incorporates dynamic elements including a footrest unit that can move forward and backward along guide rails and simultaneously rotate around a vertical axis. The springs provide dynamic resistance that adapts to the user's movement, enabling versatile training capabilities without requiring multiple separate devices.
2Strength
If repeated exercises of specific motions are performed, then muscle strength in that motion is improved, but muscle degeneration in unused muscles worsens and injury risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The exercise tool introduces asymmetric rotational movements around a vertical axis, training muscle groups that are not activated during conventional symmetric walking exercises. This asymmetric rotation engages different muscle groups and neural pathways, providing comprehensive training coverage while maintaining strength improvements.
3Reliability
If patients with neurological diseases perform rotational movements, then rehabilitation progress is improved, but difficulty in making rotational movements worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The exercise tool serves as an intermediary that facilitates rotational movements for patients with neurological difficulties. The guide rails and footrest unit provide a controlled mechanical environment that guides the patient through rotational movements, making them easier to perform while still achieving rehabilitation goals.
Solution Approach 2:
The springs can be adjusted to change the resistance parameters, allowing the exercise difficulty to be adapted to the patient's current ability level. This parameter adjustment enables patients with neurological conditions to progressively improve rotational movement capability while maintaining ease of operation.
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 apparatus effectively enhances lower limb control and balance by providing targeted resistance training, reducing production and maintenance costs, and accommodating various training programs without spatial limitations, thereby improving muscle and nerve strength in rotational movements.
Implementation Method 1
springs which apply a load to the rotation of the footrest
Data Source
AI summary
The training apparatus according to an embodiment includes: a support unit; a guide unit fixed on the support unit and including rails which extend in a front-rear direction; a sliding unit which is movable in the front-rear direction along the rails of the guide unit; a pillar-shaped rotation axis fixed on the support unit; a footrest unit which supports a user's foot; a lower support formed below the footrest unit; and a connection rotating unit formed below the footrest unit and connected to the rotation axis of the support unit through insertion to allow the footrest unit to rotate around the rotation axis. A plurality of springs installed inward from two sidewalls of the sliding unit is configured to come into contact with the lower support of the footrest unit and apply pressure from two sides when the footrest unit rotates.