Walking Assist Device Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional walking assist devices tend to weaken the physical strength of users by alleviating the physical load, leading to a decrease in muscle strength over time, as they consistently provide assistance during walking.
Innovation Solution
A walking assist device with a frame, arm portion, wheels, a drive unit, battery, and a control unit that allows switching between training and assist modes, applying a moderate load or alleviating it based on user state detection, to maintain physical strength and assist walking appropriately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the walking assist device consistently provides assistance to alleviate physical load, then the ease of operation is improved, but the user's physical strength decreases over time
Solution Approach 1:
The walking assist device dynamically switches between assist mode and training mode based on user needs. In assist mode, the device provides motor assistance to reduce physical load and improve ease of walking. In training mode, the device stops providing assistance to apply moderate load and maintain muscle strength. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by adapting the level of assistance rather than maintaining a fixed state.
Solution Approach 2:
The device implements periodic training sessions where the motor assistance is temporarily stopped during walking, creating periodic intervals of load application. This periodic action allows the user to maintain physical strength through moderate exercise while still benefiting from assistance during other periods, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and strength maintenance.
2Strength
If the walking assist device applies load to maintain physical strength, then the user's muscle strength is maintained, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device dynamically adjusts between providing full motor assistance and providing no assistance based on the selected mode. This dynamic capability allows the device to maintain user strength during training mode when no assistance is provided, while still offering ease of operation during assist mode when motor assistance is active, thus resolving the contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the assistance parameter (motor output) between two states: full assistance in assist mode and zero assistance in training mode. This parameter change allows the device to alternate between improving ease of operation and maintaining physical strength, resolving the contradiction by making the assistance level adjustable rather than fixed.
3Ease of operation
If the walking assist device provides continuous assistance, then the user can walk with reduced physical effort, but the user's walking ability deteriorates due to lack of exercise
Solution Approach 1:
The device implements periodic training sessions where continuous assistance is interrupted by intervals of no assistance during walking. This periodic interruption of assistance creates exercise opportunities that maintain and improve the user's walking ability and muscle strength, while the device still provides continuous assistance during other periods to reduce physical effort. This resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and walking ability maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The device dynamically switches between assist mode (reducing physical effort) and training mode (maintaining walking ability) based on user needs. This dynamic switching capability allows the device to address both contradictory requirements by adapting its assistance level rather than maintaining a fixed continuous assistance state.
Data Source
AI summary
A walking assist device has a frame, fixed handles, rails provided with movable handles, front wheels, rear wheels and that serve as drive wheels, drive units, a battery, and a drive control unit, and travels forward or rearward together with a user that walks while grasping the fixed handles or the movable handles. The walking assist device has an operation mode switching unit that switches between a training mode, in which a load is applied to operation of the body of the user performed as the user walks, and an assist mode in which a load on operation of the body of the user performed as the user walks is alleviated.