Walking Assist Device Handle Guide Dynamics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing walking assist devices either impose a large load on users by requiring powerful arm swings or fail to synchronize arm movements with leg strides, making them unsuitable for training high-quality natural walks with correct posture and trunk alignment.

Innovation Solution

A walking assist device with a frame, drive wheels, a battery-powered drive unit, movable handles, a handle guide unit, and a control unit that adjusts the drive unit based on handle movement information to synchronize arm swings with leg strides, reducing user burden and allowing natural arm swing widths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a link mechanism with fixed arm swing width is used (walking cart), then arm swing power is enhanced, but the user cannot adjust stride length and arm swing width in conjunction, making it unsuitable for natural walk training

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearm swing powerVSAvoidadjustability of stride length and arm swing width

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the arm swing width adjustable rather than fixed. The handle guide unit can be positioned at multiple locations along the guide rail, allowing the arm swing width to be dynamically changed according to the user's stride length and training needs, while still providing sufficient resistance for arm swing power development

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of arm swing width from a fixed value to an adjustable range. By allowing the handle guide unit to be repositioned along the guide rail, the system enables parameter adjustment of both stride length and arm swing width to match natural walking patterns while maintaining training effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If the user provides power for arm swing (walking cart), then arm swing function is recovered, but a relatively large load acts on the user

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearm swing functionVSAvoiduser burden

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the purely mechanical resistance system with an intelligent control system. The control unit processes information from the information acquisition unit to determine appropriate drive forces, substituting complex mechanical linkages with electronic control to reduce user burden while maintaining training effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by having the control unit continuously acquire information about the user's walking state through the information acquisition unit. This feedback loop allows the system to adjust the drive force dynamically, reducing the load on the user while still providing effective arm swing training

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If a power source is provided (walking helping device), then user burden is reduced, but the user cannot swing arms correctly in synchronization with legs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser burdenVSAvoidsynchronization of arm and leg movements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses feedback from the information acquisition unit to detect the user's walking rhythm and stride patterns. The control unit processes this information to synchronize the arm swing assistance with the user's natural leg movements, ensuring correct coordination while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by making the drive force adjustable and responsive to the user's walking state. The system dynamically adapts the assistance provided to match the user's stride length and walking speed, enabling proper arm-leg synchronization while keeping the user burden low

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Power

If fixed arm swing width is enforced, then arm swing power is maximized, but correct posture and trunk alignment cannot be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearm swing powerVSAvoidposture stability

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the arm swing width from a fixed parameter to an adjustable one. By allowing the handle guide unit to be repositioned, the system enables users to find the optimal arm swing width that maximizes power while maintaining correct posture and trunk alignment, rather than forcing a fixed width that compromises posture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11554070B2Walking assist device

Publication Date: 2023.01.17 JTEKT CORP

AI summary

A walking assist device includes: a pair of right and left handles that are movable back and forth with respect to a frame in accordance with arm swing performed during walk of a user; rails on which the handles are provided and which limit movement of the handles in a movable range in accordance with arm swing performed during the walk of the user; a handle information acquisition unit that acquires information related to movement of the handles; and a control unit that controls a drive unit in accordance with the information from the handle information acquisition unit.