Walking Aid Coupling Device for Independent User Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing walking aids for individuals with disabilities are complex to use independently, requiring assistance for attachment and detachment, and often restrict natural movement due to their design, which hinders early adoption and therapeutic effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A walking aid with a chassis and a vertically mounted safety arrangement, featuring a coupling device accessible in the user's field of vision, allowing for easy and independent attachment and detachment, and incorporating a movable holding arrangement with a reciprocal cable system to support natural gait patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the person is attached to the walking aid by means of straps or safety frame, then the person is securely fixed to the walking aid, but the person is dependent on third parties for attachment and detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is designed to enable the person to independently attach and detach themselves from the walking aid without requiring assistance from third parties. The self-contained coupling mechanism allows the user to perform the attachment and detachment operations autonomously, eliminating the dependency on external help while maintaining secure fixation.
2Reliability
If the column is mounted on the frame with straps, then the person is securely held, but the arrangement prevents natural movement when walking
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device incorporates movable elements that allow dynamic adjustment during walking. The coupling mechanism can adapt its position and orientation to accommodate the natural movements of the person, providing secure holding while enabling natural gait patterns rather than restricting movement to fixed positions.
3Device complexity
If the coupling device is arranged behind the person, then the structural design is simplified, but the coupling device is not in the person's field of vision
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is repositioned from a rear arrangement to a front arrangement, utilizing the dimensional space in front of the person. This repositioning places the coupling device within the person's field of vision and accessible reach, improving visibility and ease of operation while maintaining structural feasibility through the front wheel area mounting.
Data Source
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AI summary
The aid (1) has a coupling device provided between front wheels (110) and a rear wheel (111) such a manner that a handicapped person (9) has the coupling device in a field of vision. A leg supporting and guiding unit supports and/or guides bones during step activation and/or walking of the handicapped person. The leg supporting and guiding unit is detachably connected with a holder arrangement (12) and is movably arranged at a chassis (11). The coupling device is realized with coupling pins formed at the holder arrangement.