Walking Aid Pickup Arm Triggered by Orientation Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing walking devices like canes and crutches are difficult for individuals with impaired physical conditions to pick up after they fall, as they require bending, and existing solutions are either overly complex, unreliable, or complicated to manufacture for mass market.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an orientation sensor, power source, and a movable arm mechanism that automatically raises the device when it detects being on the ground, allowing users to retrieve it without bending, using a combination of sensors, motors, and actuator cams to facilitate easy pickup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a series of complicated mechanicals are used to raise an arm when a cane or crutch falls on the ground, then the device can be automatically raised, but the design becomes too complicated and involves too many mechanical parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensing function from complex mechanical systems and implements it using a simple orientation sensor that detects when the cane has fallen. This replaces elaborate mechanical sensors with an electronic sensing element, significantly reducing the number of mechanical parts while maintaining the automatic raising capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complicated mechanical sensing and triggering mechanisms with an electronic control system. The orientation sensor electronically detects the fallen state, and an electric motor (rather than complex mechanical linkages) performs the raising action, thereby reducing mechanical complexity.
2Ease of operation
If voice recognition technology is used to open three prongs, then the cane can be raised automatically, but the design requires sophisticated voice recognition that may not work well in noisy environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the sophisticated voice recognition subsystem entirely and replaces it with a simple orientation sensor that passively detects the fallen state based on gravitational orientation. This extraction eliminates the reliability issues associated with noisy environments while preserving the automatic raising function.
Solution Approach 2:
The orientation sensor enables the cane to automatically detect its own fallen state without requiring external voice commands or user intervention. The device serves itself by using its own orientation relative to gravity to trigger the raising mechanism, eliminating dependence on unreliable voice recognition.
3Ease of operation
If three prongs are installed on a walking device to enable automatic raising, then the cane can be picked up easily, but the design of the walking device is complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the automatic raising function from the multi-prong mechanical structure and implements it using a single prong combined with an orientation sensor and electric motor. This extraction simplifies the structural design while maintaining the ease of pickup capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single prong in the patent serves multiple functions: it provides the structural support for the cane, acts as the element to be grasped by the user, and works in conjunction with the orientation sensor to enable automatic raising. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for three separate prongs, reducing structural complexity.
4Ease of operation
If complicated mechanical designs are used for automatic raising, then the function is achieved, but the device is difficult to manufacture for mass market
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complicated mechanical assemblies with standardized electronic components (orientation sensor, electric motor, control circuitry) that are readily available and easy to manufacture. These components can be mass-produced using standard manufacturing processes, significantly improving ease of manufacture compared to custom mechanical designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental approach from mechanical parameter adjustments to electronic control. The raising mechanism is controlled by electronic signals from the orientation sensor, allowing for precise control without complex mechanical linkages. This parameter change enables simpler manufacturing and better scalability for mass market production.
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
Enables users to easily pick up dropped walking devices without bending, improving accessibility and simplifying the design for mass production while maintaining reliability.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor is incorporated into the walking device. The sensor senses an orientation of the walking device. The orientation sensor could be an accelerometer or a rate sensor such as a gyroscope.
Data Source
AI summary
An improved walking device is disclosed wherein the walking device comprises an elongated body that is more than one foot in length, a movable arm coupled to the elongated body, a power source connector, a sensor, two rotation wheels, and two release and lock mechanisms, wherein the sensor is capable of detecting an orientation of the walking device and producing an electronic signal based on the orientation, wherein the electronic signal is capable of at least partially causing a rotational movement of the movable arm by releasing at least one of the two release and lock mechanisms, wherein the two release and lock mechanisms engage the two rotation wheels separately, and wherein the two rotation wheels are capable of driving the movable arm in two different directions.