Walking Assist Device Hub Case Dynamics for Stairs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing walking assist devices are limited in adaptability to various walkways, particularly struggling with uneven surfaces and stairs due to their reliance on wheel rotation, which restricts their use to flat areas with minimal unevenness.
Innovation Solution
A walking assist device equipped with multiple driving wheels that can rotate and revolve, powered by first and second motors, along with a controller that assists movement and balances the center of gravity, incorporating an irreversible rotation transmission member and torque transmission mechanisms to adapt to different terrains, including steps and stairs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the walking assist device uses only wheel rotation for movement, then the device structure is simple, but the adaptability to uneven walkways and steps is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The hub case is designed to be rotatable around a pivot point, allowing the driving wheels to switch between rotation (for flat terrain) and revolution (for steps and uneven terrain). This dynamic mechanism enables the device to adapt its movement mode according to the terrain, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The driving wheels serve multiple functions: they can rotate on their axes for normal walking on flat surfaces, and they can also revolve around the hub case pivot point to climb steps and navigate uneven terrain. This multi-functionality allows a single wheel system to handle diverse terrain conditions without requiring separate mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the device adds mechanisms for wheel revolution and torque transmission, then the adaptability to terrain improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hub case integrates multiple functions: it supports the rotating shafts of the driving wheels, provides the pivot point for wheel revolution, and transmits torque from the motor to the wheels. By merging these functions into a single component, the design achieves terrain adaptability while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hub case acts as an intermediary mechanism between the motor and the driving wheels. It receives torque from the motor and selectively transmits it to enable either wheel rotation or hub case revolution, providing a compact solution for terrain adaptation without requiring separate complex transmission systems.
3Power
If the device uses multiple motors for torque transmission, then the power and terrain capability improve, but the weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the balance control function from the main driving system and implements it through the irreversible rotation transmission mechanism. This separate mechanism handles balance maintenance independently, allowing the main motor to focus on propulsion. This extraction reduces the power requirement of the main motor while achieving both propulsion and balance control.
Solution Approach 2:
The irreversible rotation transmission mechanism replaces part of the electrical control system with a mechanical solution. The one-way clutch mechanism automatically maintains balance through mechanical means without requiring continuous electrical actuation, reducing the power consumption and weight associated with active balance control motors.
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 can effectively navigate various walkways, including steps and stairs, while reducing the load on the user by balancing the center of gravity and using torque transmission to manage wheel rotation and revolution, enhancing adaptability and usability.
Implementation Method 1
an irreversible rotation transmission member (irreversible rotation transmission member 110) is provided on a power transmission path from the second motor to the hub case and the main body case
Implementation Method 2
a first motor (first motor 10)... the first motor is connected to the plurality of driving wheels to be capable of transmitting power
Implementation Method 3
a second motor (second motor 20)... the second motor is connected to the hub case to be capable of transmitting power and is connected to the main body case to be capable of transmitting power
Data Source
AI summary
A walking assist device, includes: a first motor; a second motor; a main body case accommodating the first motor and the second motor; a holding portion provided in the main body case and held by a walker; a plurality of driving wheels, each of which is rotatable around a rotating shaft provided on a circumference in common, and a controller that controls the first motor and the second motor according to intention information regarding a movement of the walker. The plurality of rotating shafts are rotatably supported by a hub case, the hub case is supported by the main body case to be rotatable around a center of the plurality of rotating shafts as a pivot, the first motor is connected to the plurality of driving wheels, and the second motor is connected to the hub case and is connected to the main body case.