Walking Assistance Apparatus Prevents Fixing Portion Rotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing walking assistance technologies face challenges in providing effective and comfortable support by ensuring that the assistive torque is applied in the correct direction, as the fixing portions tend to rotate undesirably, leading to inconvenience and reduced effectiveness in assisting the user's walking motion.

Innovation Solution

The walking assistance apparatus incorporates a drive portion with motors that adjust the tension of the fixing portion and control the driving direction of these motors to prevent rotation, ensuring that the assistive torque is applied in the proper direction, using a system that includes sensors and processors to determine the optimal motor directions based on the user's walking state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the support portion applies assist power to assist walking, then the user's walking ability is improved, but the fixing portion rotates undesirably

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewalking assistanceVSAvoidfixing portion rotation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The drive portion applies a counteracting force to the fixing portion in advance to prevent unwanted rotation. The motor-driven crank mechanism generates a counter torque that opposes the rotational tendency caused by assist power application, thereby maintaining stable fixation on the user's body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The crank mechanism serves as an intermediary between the drive portion (motor) and the fixing portion. It transmits and transforms the motor's rotational motion into a counteracting force that stabilizes the fixing portion, mediating between the assist power application and the fixation stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the fixing portion is tightened to prevent rotation, then stability is improved, but user comfort deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixing portion stabilityVSAvoiduser discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the tension of the fixing portion through the drive portion and crank mechanism. Rather than maintaining constant high tension, the mechanism provides just enough counteracting force to prevent unwanted rotation, allowing the fixing force to be optimized for both stability and comfort during different phases of walking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The tension parameter of the fixing portion is dynamically changed based on walking phase and required stability. The drive portion modulates the counteracting force, adjusting the effective tension to maintain stability when needed while reducing tension to prevent discomfort during other phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If the fixing portion rotates, then the structure is simpler, but assistive torque is applied in wrong direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixing portion structureVSAvoidassistive torque direction

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces a purely passive mechanical fixing structure with an active control system involving a motor-driven crank mechanism. This substitution allows precise control of the counteracting force to maintain correct torque direction, trading increased device complexity for significantly improved reliability of assistive torque application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This solution effectively offsets undesired rotation of the fixing portions, allowing for proper application of assistive torque, enhancing the user's walking experience by ensuring that the assistive power is directed correctly, thereby improving the comfort and efficacy of the walking assistance.

Implementation Method 1

a drive portion including at least one motor which adjusts tension of the fixing portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The walking assistance robot may apply force, assisting motion of a muscle and joint, such as torque by an actuator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTorque: Torque

Data Source

PatentUS10064779B2Walking assistance apparatus and method of controlling the same

Publication Date: 2018.09.04 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed herein are a walking assistance apparatus including a drive portion capable of adjusting tension of a fixing portion, and a method of controlling the same. The walking assistance apparatus includes a support portion which applies assist power to assist walking to a human body, a fixing portion which is arranged at one end of the support portion to enclose the human body and fixes the support portion on the human body, a drive portion including at least one motor which adjusts tension of the fixing portion, and a control portion which adjusts a driving direction of the at least one motor during rotation of the support portion in order to prevent the fixing portion from rotating by assist power applied through the support portion.