Walker Brake Cable Housing for Entanglement Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brake cable systems for walkers are prone to entanglement and premature wear, and can be complex and costly to manufacture, posing safety and operational risks.
Innovation Solution
A brake assembly for a height-adjustable walker featuring a flexible inner cable enclosed within a flexible outer casing, with a brake cable housing that encloses a slack portion of the cable, reducing entanglement risks and simplifying the design while maintaining adjustability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cable wires are provided with slack to allow telescoping members to extend, then the telescoping members can move between extended and retracted positions, but the cable wires become susceptible to entanglement and premature wear
Solution Approach 1:
The brake cable assembly is nested within the telescoping member structure, with the cable housing positioned inside the telescoping member tube. This nesting arrangement protects the cable from external entanglement while allowing the telescoping member to extend and retract freely, resolving the contradiction between adjustability and cable durability
Solution Approach 2:
A guide structure acts as an intermediary between the cable and the external environment, directing the cable's movement path and preventing it from contacting external objects. This mediator protects the cable from wear and entanglement while maintaining the full range of motion for the telescoping member
2Adaptability or versatility
If cable wires are looped to provide slack, then telescoping members can extend, but the configuration may cause persons to become entangled and fall
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful looped configuration of the cable is extracted and replaced with a protected linear arrangement within the telescoping member. The cable is contained within the housing and guided along a safe path, eliminating the loops that could entangle persons while preserving the telescoping function
Solution Approach 2:
The cable assembly is nested within the telescoping member tube, concealing the cable from external contact. This nesting prevents persons from becoming entangled in the cable while allowing the telescoping member to maintain its adjustability function
3Reliability
If a complex brake control system with multiple force-transmission members is used, then braking function is achieved, but the system becomes complicated and expensive to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The brake actuator is merged with the telescoping member structure, with the actuator housing integrated into the telescoping member tube and the cable routing combined with the telescoping mechanism. This merging reduces the total number of separate parts while maintaining the braking function, resolving the contradiction between reliability and manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The telescoping member structure serves multiple functions: it provides the mechanical telescoping action, houses the brake cable assembly, and integrates the brake actuator mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the number of dedicated components needed, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining braking reliability
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a brake assembly for a height-adjustable walker apparatus. The brake assembly includes a brake actuator, a wheel-engaging brake member and a brake cable assembly. The brake cable assembly includes a flexible, inner cable. The brake cable assembly includes a flexible, outer casing through which the inner cable extends and is moveable relative to. The inner cable has a first end coupled to the brake actuator and a second end coupled to the wheel- engaging brake member. The brake assembly includes a brake cable housing shaped to enclose a slack portion of the brake cable assembly.