Walker Docking Station for Stable Sit-to-Stand Transitions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals using walkers face challenges transitioning from a sitting to a standing position due to the lifting or movement of the walker's front legs, which can lead to instability and potential falls, requiring assistance from others or complex devices.
Innovation Solution
The Walker Docking Station (WDS) stabilizes the walker by using various mechanisms such as Self-Closing Hinge, Elastic-Band, Wedge, and Spring-based systems to secure the front legs, minimizing their lifting or backwards movement, allowing users to transition safely without external aid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a walker is used to assist limited mobility people in moving around, then mobility is improved, but the walker becomes unstable during transition from sitting to standing position
Solution Approach 1:
The docking station serves as an intermediary device between the user and the walker during the transition phase. It provides a stable platform with hand grips that mediates the force application, preventing the walker from tipping backward while the user rises from the seated position.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking station is positioned in advance before the user needs to stand. The front legs of the walker are secured to the docking station's base beforehand, creating a stable configuration before the user attempts to rise, thus preventing instability during the transition.
2Ease of operation
If existing devices are used to assist limited mobility people to sit and rise, then the transition is assisted, but the devices become complicated and difficult to utilize
Solution Approach 1:
The docking station is divided into simple, distinct components: a base for securing the walker, vertical supports, and hand grips. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function clearly, making the overall device easier to understand and use despite providing complex assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking station is designed to be easily set up and used by the user themselves or with minimal assistance. The walker secures to the base through simple engagement of the front legs, and the user can independently use the hand grips to rise, making the device self-sufficient and easy to operate.
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 WDS effectively stabilizes the walker during transitions, reducing the risk of falls and enabling users to stand independently, while being easy to use and adaptable to different walker designs.
Implementation Method 1
Self-Closing Hinge
Implementation Method 2
Self-Closing Hinge
Implementation Method 3
Elastic-Band
Implementation Method 4
Wedge
Implementation Method 5
Spring
Data Source
AI summary
A walker stabilizing platform including a movement restrictor assembly for assisting a user of a walker in transitioning from a sitting position to a standing position wherein the movement restrictor assembly automatically moves from a position of engagement with the walker to a position of disengagement with the walker, and further includes means for allowing the user of the walker to move the movement restrictor assembly from the disengaged position to the engaged position without assistance.