Walking Assistance Apparatus with Gait-Specific Torque Profiles

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing walking assistance apparatuses are not effectively tailored to address various abnormal gait types, leading to inadequate support and comfort for users with different gait abnormalities.

Innovation Solution

A walking assistance method and apparatus that can receive and differentiate between multiple abnormal gait types, generating a customized assist torque profile for each type by combining or weighting torque parameters specific to each gait abnormality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single assist torque profile is used for all users, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different abnormal gait types deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different abnormal gait typesVSAvoidcomplexity of torque profile generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The assist torque profile is segmented into multiple abnormal gait types (e.g., hemiplegic gait, parkinsonian gait, cerebellar gait, ataxic gait, spastic gait, flaccid gait). Each gait type has its own dedicated torque profile with specific torque parameters, allowing the system to adapt to different gait abnormalities without requiring complex real-time analysis or adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple assist torque profiles are generated for different abnormal gait types, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different abnormal gait typesVSAvoidcomplexity of storing and selecting torque profiles

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a lookup table that stores pre-defined torque parameters for each abnormal gait type. Instead of generating complex torque profiles in real-time, the controller simply copies the appropriate torque parameters from the lookup table based on the detected gait type, significantly reducing computational complexity while maintaining high adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If torque parameters are customized for each gait type, then the user comfort is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of selecting appropriate gait assistanceVSAvoidcomplexity of gait type identification

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically identifies the user's abnormal gait type through sensors and autonomously selects the appropriate torque profile from the lookup table. The user does not need to manually configure or select gait parameters, making the device easy to operate while providing personalized assistance. The system serves itself by self-diagnosing the gait type and self-adjusting the torque parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12318344B2Walking assistance method and apparatuses performing the same

Publication Date: 2025.06.03 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A walking assistance method may include receiving at least one abnormal gait type selected from a plurality of abnormal gait types, and differently controlling a walking assistance apparatus based on the at least one abnormal gait type.