Walking Aid Support with Angled Slits for Terrain Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing walking aids, such as crutches and walkers, fail to provide adequate balance on slippery surfaces, prevent tripping over obstacles, and restrict movement due to insufficient flexibility, leading to potential falls and injuries.
Innovation Solution
A walking aid support with a rectangular flat bottom and a top curved into a semi-elliptical or oval shape, featuring angled slits that allow for flexibility and enhanced friction, along with apertures to reduce slippage, providing stability on both slippery and bumpy terrains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the walking aid uses a fixed rigid tip, then it provides stable support on flat surfaces, but it cannot adapt to slippery surfaces or obstacles, causing loss of balance and tripping
Solution Approach 1:
The support block is designed with a curved top surface that can dynamically rotate and tilt relative to the flat bottom surface, allowing the walking aid to adapt to slippery surfaces and obstacles while maintaining structural integrity through the unified block design
Solution Approach 2:
The support block is divided into functional zones: a flat bottom for stable ground contact, a curved top for rotational movement and obstacle negotiation, and angled slits for flexibility, allowing each part to contribute to different aspects of terrain adaptability
2Reliability
If the walking aid tip is made flexible to prevent tripping, then it can move with the user, but it may reduce stability and increase movement restriction
Solution Approach 1:
The curved top surface is designed to rotate and tilt dynamically in response to terrain variations and user movement, providing flexibility to prevent tripping while maintaining stability through controlled motion rather than rigid fixation
Solution Approach 2:
The support block allows changes in the angle and orientation of the top surface relative to the bottom surface, enabling the walking aid to adjust its parameters (tilt angle, rotation position) to match terrain conditions and user needs
3Reliability
If the walking aid tip uses a large base area for stability, then it prevents slipping on slippery surfaces, but it increases device complexity and may restrict movement
Solution Approach 1:
The support block features a large flat bottom surface for stable ground contact and slip prevention, while the top surface is curved to allow rotational movement, creating different local qualities (stable base vs. flexible top) within a single integrated structure
Solution Approach 2:
The support block merges the functions of a large stable base and a flexible moving tip into a single integrated structure, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall device complexity
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 support block enhances stability by increasing friction and flexibility, reducing the likelihood of slipping and tripping, while allowing for minimal movement restriction, thus ensuring safer mobility on adverse terrains.
Implementation Method 1
angled slits that allow for flexibility and enhanced friction
Implementation Method 2
a top curved into a semi-elliptical or oval shape
Data Source
AI summary
A support for a walking aid such as a crutch, a walker or a cane is disclosed. The support is configured for providing enhanced balance on adverse terrain that may contain obstacles and/or have slippery spots. In an embodiment of the present invention, the support comprises a flat bottom and an upwardly angled slit that provides an upper and a lower section configured for contorting in a manner as to enhance friction with the walking terrain thus reducing the probability of slippage. In an alternate embodiment, the support comprises an oval shaped bottom and a downwardly angled slit. This support is configured facilitating walking and providing support in rough terrain.