Single Force Sensor Physiotherapy Apparatus Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional physiotherapy apparatuses require multiple force sensors to measure forces applied to patients, which are expensive and inefficient, limiting their ability to perform comprehensive physiotherapy operations like twisting, moving up and down, and adjusting ankle motions safely and effectively.
Innovation Solution
A power assistance controlling apparatus using a single force sensor to detect and apply forces, with a control system that adjusts to minimize the difference between applied and detected forces, enabling the apparatus to assist in physiotherapy operations by amplifying external forces and facilitating safer, more efficient treatments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple force sensors are used to measure forces applied to patients, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple force measurement functions into a single force sensor by strategically positioning it to detect forces in multiple directions (vertical, horizontal, diagonal) during various physiotherapy operations. This merging approach maintains comprehensive force measurement capability while reducing the number of sensors from multiple to one, thereby lowering device complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The single force sensor is designed to perform multiple measurement functions simultaneously - detecting vertical forces during lifting operations, horizontal forces during lateral movements, and diagonal forces during twisting operations. This multi-functionality allows one sensor to replace what would traditionally require multiple specialized sensors, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If a single force sensor is used to reduce device complexity, then ease of manufacture is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a force transmission mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the patient's leg and the single force sensor. This mechanism transmits and concentrates forces from multiple directions (vertical, horizontal, diagonal) onto the single sensor, enabling it to detect comprehensive force information that would otherwise require multiple sensors, thus maintaining measurement precision while simplifying the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the single force sensor by positioning it to detect forces at specific angles and directions during different physiotherapy operations. By optimizing the sensor's detection parameters (direction, magnitude, timing) for each type of operation, the system achieves accurate force measurement with a single sensor, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and measurement precision.
3Reliability
If multiple force sensors are deployed, then reliability of force measurement is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple force detection capabilities into a single sensor system, reducing the quantity of sensors from multiple to one. This reduction directly lowers cost while maintaining reliability through the sensor's strategic positioning and the control system's ability to accurately interpret force data from different directions and operations.
4Productivity
If power assistance control is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements power assistance control using feedback from the single force sensor. The sensor detects forces applied during physiotherapy operations, and the control system uses this feedback information to provide appropriate assistance, amplifying the therapist's input forces. This feedback mechanism enables productivity improvement through automated assistance while keeping device complexity manageable by relying on a single sensor rather than multiple sensors.
Data Source
AI summary
Tow forces can be measured only by providing one force sensor in a device structure, and a drive system is driven so as to assist an external force by detecting it. A value at a force sensor (114) at the moment when a foot switch (121) is set as the original point (detection reference) of a force to be assisted. Variations of the force after the original point setting is measured by the force sensor (114) the difference between the measured value and the assist original point is obtained, and a force to be assisted is detected. Depending on the magnitude of the force to be assisted, assist operation is performed by causing a drive force to act on a foot such that the force to be assisted is reduced. When the force is assisted reaches zero, the assist operation is completed. Then, two forces, or “a force acting on a patient's foot” and “a force applied to the foot” from the outside, are detected by the one force sensor (114).