Walking Assist Apparatus Dynamic Balance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional walking assist apparatuses require users to consciously apply external force for operation, making them difficult for elderly or disabled individuals to use, and often have a large base area that restricts their mobility, particularly on public transport.
Innovation Solution
A walking assist apparatus with a small base area, equipped with a pair of wheels, a main body, a grip, and sensors to detect angular changes, which uses control units to maintain balance and prevent falling without requiring conscious external force application, incorporating auxiliary wheels and adjustable positioning for enhanced stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional walking assist apparatuses use a large base area with heavy main body and spaced wheels to prevent falling, then stability is improved, but mobility is worsened and they cannot be brought on public transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the main body movable and adjustable rather than fixed. The main body can be tilted forward and backward within a predetermined range, and the supporting unit can rotate to adjust wheel positions. This dynamic configuration allows the apparatus to maintain stability during walking while reducing the base area to a size that fits on public transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of base area from large to small by implementing a compact wheel arrangement and a main body that can dynamically adjust its posture. The controlling unit adjusts the inclination angle and wheel positions to maintain stability despite the reduced base area, effectively changing the spatial parameters of the apparatus.
2Measurement precision
If conventional walking assist apparatuses require users to consciously apply external force for operation, then control precision is improved, but ease of operation is worsened making them difficult for elderly or disabled individuals to use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the apparatus to automatically detect and respond to the user's walking state without requiring conscious external force application. The sensor unit detects the user's movement, and the controlling unit automatically adjusts the main body inclination and wheel rotation to assist walking, making the system operate autonomously based on user needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the sensor unit to continuously monitor the user's walking state and feeding this information back to the controlling unit. The controller then adjusts the driving units accordingly to provide appropriate assistance, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to the user's real-time needs without requiring conscious input.
Data Source
AI summary
A walking assist apparatus includes a pair of wheels, at least one first driving unit that drives the pair of wheels, a main body that rotatably supports the pair of wheels, and a grip that is disposed at one end of the main body to be able to be gripped. The walking assist apparatus includes a sensor unit configured to detect an angular change in an inclination angle of the main body in a pitch direction, and a first control unit configured and programmed to control an operation of the at least one first driving unit based on an output of the sensor unit such that the angular change of the main body is zero.