Walking Assist Device Arm Swing Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing walking assist devices fail to synchronize arm swing with leg motion effectively, leading to mismatched walking and travel speeds, which can disrupt a user's natural and comfortable walking pace.
Innovation Solution
A walking assist device equipped with a frame, drive wheels, a battery-powered drive unit, a drive control unit, and movable handles that adjust travel speed based on the user's arm swing state, detected by a grasp portion state detection unit, ensuring synchronized arm and leg motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the arm swing width is fixed and the wheels are driven by the user's arm swing motion, then the user can walk while swinging arms, but the travel speed is determined by the arm swing speed and cannot be adjusted independently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the arm swing width adjustable through a guide unit that can change its configuration between a first configuration (narrower swing width) and a second configuration (wider swing width). This dynamic adjustment allows the device to adapt to different user preferences and walking conditions while maintaining the connection between arm swing and wheel drive.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of arm swing width by providing a guide unit with multiple configurations. The guide unit can be adjusted between different positions to modify the effective swing width, thereby allowing the same mechanical drive system to accommodate varying user requirements without changing the fundamental drive mechanism.
2Productivity
If the user must adjust arm swing speed to match walking speed, then the walking cart can be driven, but the user cannot walk at their natural pace
Solution Approach 1:
The guide unit dynamically adjusts the arm swing width based on user needs, allowing users to walk at their natural pace while the device adapts the mechanical advantage through configuration changes rather than forcing the user to alter their arm swing speed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a drive source drives the wheels independently of arm swing, then travel speed can be controlled, but the connection between arm swing and wheel drive is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The guide unit serves multiple functions: it guides the movable handles, adjusts the arm swing width, and transmits the driving force from arm swing to wheels. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain the connection between arm swing and wheel drive while providing adaptability, avoiding the need for separate independent drive systems.
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 device enables users to walk with arms in sync with leg motion, achieving a natural and comfortable travel speed that matches their arm swing state, enhancing the quality of the walking experience.
Implementation Method 1
a battery that serves as a power source for the drive unit
Implementation Method 2
a drive unit that drives the drive wheel to cause the walking assist device to travel forward or rearward
Data Source
AI summary
A walking assist device has a frame, a plurality of wheels, drive units, a battery, and a drive control unit that controls the drive units. The walking assist device also has: a pair of right and left movable handles that are grasped by a user and movable back and forth with respect to the frame in accordance with arm swing performed during walk of the user; handle guide units provided on the frame to guide the movable handles in a movable range that matches the arm swing performed during walk of the user; and a grasp portion state detection unit that detects the state of the movable handles. The drive control unit controls the travel speed of the walking assist device by controlling the drive units on the basis of the state of the movable handles which is detected using the grasp portion state detection unit.