Retrofit Shock Absorber Insert for Walking Aids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shock absorbers for walking aids often require tools for attachment, have multiple inconvenient parts, can compromise the integrity of the crutch, and lack adjustability for different surfaces and user weights, leading to user discomfort and potential instability.
Innovation Solution
A shock absorber insert comprising a piston cylinder, piston rod, and damper, configured for removability and friction fitting into the walking aid, with interchangeable dampers and a simple attachment mechanism, allowing for self-adjustment and easy retrofitting without affecting the crutch's integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring-loaded shock absorber is permanently integrated into the crutch body, then shock absorption capability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorber is divided into separate modular components (piston rod, piston cylinder, damper, retaining ring) that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation simplifies the overall device complexity while maintaining shock absorption capability, as each component has a specific function and can be replaced or adjusted independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The shock absorber components are nested within each other, with the piston rod inserted into the piston cylinder, and the retaining ring securing the assembly within the crutch body. This nested arrangement reduces the overall device complexity by compactly integrating multiple functional elements into a single space-efficient structure.
2Reliability
If a shock absorber is permanently integrated into the crutch, then shock absorption is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to inability to switch between shock-absorbing and rigid modes
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorber assembly is designed to be dynamically removable and reinsertable into the crutch body. The retaining ring allows the piston rod to be easily extracted and reinserted, enabling users to switch between shock-absorbing mode (when the damper is compressed) and rigid mode (when the damper is removed or fully extended), thus improving ease of operation while maintaining shock absorption capability when needed.
3Reliability
If a shock absorber is permanently integrated into the crutch, then shock absorption capability is improved, but the weight of the crutch increases affecting manoeuvrability
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the shock absorber into separate components, the design allows for using lightweight materials for each part without compromising overall structural integrity. The modular construction enables optimization of each component's weight individually, reducing the total weight added to the crutch while maintaining shock absorption capability.
4Reliability
If a shock absorber is permanently integrated into the crutch body, then shock absorption is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates due to increased manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
Segmenting the shock absorber into separate components allows each part to be manufactured using standard, simple processes without requiring complex integrated manufacturing. The piston rod, piston cylinder, and damper can be produced independently using conventional machining or molding techniques, then assembled using the retaining ring, significantly improving ease of manufacture while maintaining shock absorption capability.
5Adaptability or versatility
If multiple individual parts are used for the shock absorber, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases making fitment inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional components (piston rod, piston cylinder, damper, retaining ring) are merged into a single pre-assembled shock absorber unit that fits into the crutch body as one integrated assembly. This merging reduces the complexity of fitment operations while maintaining the adaptability of individual components, as the entire unit can be easily inserted and secured without handling multiple separate parts during installation.
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 solution provides a user-friendly, adjustable, and lightweight shock absorption system that minimizes discomfort and instability, allowing users to easily switch between shock-absorbing and rigid modes without compromising the crutch's integrity, while being cost-effective and easy to manufacture.
Implementation Method 1
a damper configured to be located on the piston rod and abut the abutment surface to reduce the speed of movement of the piston rod within the piston cylinder
Implementation Method 2
a damper configured to be located on the piston rod and abut the abutment surface to reduce the speed of movement of the piston rod within the piston cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to shock absorber insert for retro fitment into the body of an existing walking aid, such as a crutch, to dampen the impact force between the walking aid and a ground surface. Known shock absorbing walking aids can be relatively expensive to manufacture, heavy to use and do not provide for adjustment of the shock absorber. The shock absorber insert (1) of the present invention comprises a piston cylinder (11) with an end wall (11A); a piston (5) which moves axially within the piston cylinder (11) and a damper (10) located on a piston rod (9) and abut the end wall (11A) to reduce the speed of movement of the piston rod (9) within the piston cylinder (11). The shock absorber insert is either mid mounted between an upper (2) and lower (3) shaft or bottom mounted into a lower end of the lower (3) shaft.