Split Footplate Gait Device for Natural Ankle Bending
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gait rehabilitation devices have rigid footplates that do not allow for the natural bending of the metatarsal toe joint during walking, limiting ankle movement and failing to simulate the correct speed distribution between the supporting and swinging leg phases.
Innovation Solution
The device features split footplates with a joint allowing the rear section to pivot out of the common plane, combined with horizontal and vertical drives to enable natural ankle bending and adjustable speed distribution between leg phases, using a system of rollers, eccentric drives, and a countershaft to facilitate smooth movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid footplates are used in conventional gait rehabilitation devices, then structural stability is improved, but the ability to simulate natural ankle bending motion is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The footplate is divided into a front section and a rear section that can move relative to each other. The rear section is displaceable out of the common plane of the front section, allowing the metatarsal toe joint to bend during the walking motion while the front section remains stable. This segmentation enables both structural stability and natural motion simulation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a complex drive system with multiple independent controls is used to achieve adjustable speed distribution, then adaptability to different walking patterns is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The horizontal and vertical drives are combined into a unified drive system that uses a single control mechanism to adjust the speed distribution between the supporting and swinging leg phases. This merging approach maintains adaptability while significantly reducing device complexity and ease of maintenance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the rear section of the footplate is made displaceable to allow toe joint bending, then natural walking motion simulation is improved, but structural stability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The footplate is segmented into stable front section and movable rear section. The rear section can be displaced out of the common plane to enable metatarsal toe joint bending, while the front section maintains structural stability. This segmentation allows the device to simulate natural walking motion without compromising overall structural integrity.
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
This design allows for a more natural walking motion by enabling metatarsal toe joint bending and adjustable speed distribution, improving the realism of the walking simulation and simplifying maintenance through a unified drive system.
Implementation Method 1
a first eccentric drive (5) which acts on a push rod (6) and generates the horizontal movement of the footplate (101)
Implementation Method 2
a second eccentric drive (7, 8, 9, 10, 11) for generating a vertical movement of the footplate (101)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
A walking movement device is provided for producing a walking movement of a human being with two controlled foot guiding units, each having a foot plate for placing a foot thereon. The foot plates are alternately movable forward and backwards in opposite directions to stimulate the walking movement. The foot plates are coupled with at least one drive unit, via which drive unit the walking movement of the foot plates can be produced, and have a suspension unit for easing the weight on the human being. The foot plates each have a front and a rear partial area with the at least one drive unit being configured to move the rear partial area out of the common plane with respect to the front partial area and back again during the walking movement of the foot plates, in order to enable bending of the midfoot toe joint during the movement process.