Walking Assistance Device Pivot Joint for Femoral Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing walking assistance devices cause discomfort to users due to inadequate transmission of power to the femoral part and instability in wearing and removing the device, which affects the reliability of power generator support.
Innovation Solution
A walking assistance device with a pelvic frame, abdominal belt, and pivot joint mechanism that allows the femoral support member to tilt and conform to the user's anatomy, combined with stabilizer members for secure and comfortable wear, ensuring effective power transmission and support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the femoral support member is rigidly connected to the swing arm, then the power transmission is stable, but the user experiences discomfort due to inability to conform to anatomical variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a pivot joint between the swing arm and femoral support member, transforming the rigid connection into a dynamic one. This pivot joint allows the femoral support member to tilt and adjust its angle, enabling it to conform to different user anatomies while maintaining secure power transmission during walking motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot joint enables change in the angular parameter of the femoral support member relative to the swing arm. This parameter adjustment allows the device to adapt to individual user anatomical variations, reducing discomfort while preserving the reliability of power transmission to the femoral part.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the pelvic frame and abdominal belt are tightly secured, then the support stability is improved, but the ease of wearing and removing the device is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pelvic frame is divided into multiple segments including a pelvic portion, an abdominal belt, and stabilizer members that can be independently adjusted and secured. This segmentation allows the device to be worn and removed in stages, improving ease of operation while maintaining overall stability through coordinated engagement of各 components.
3Ease of manufacture
If the femoral support member uses a fixed structure, then the manufacturing is simple, but the adaptability to different user builds is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot joint introduces a simple rotational degree of freedom that enables the femoral support member to adapt to different user builds without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms or multiple sizes. This dynamic connection maintains manufacturing simplicity while significantly improving adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
In a walking assistance device (10) that can transmit the power generated by a power generator (26, 28) to a femoral part of a user, a swing arm (60, 62) is attached to an output member of the power generator at a base end thereof, and is connected to a femoral support plate (68, 70) at a free end thereof via a pivot joint (64). The pivot joint includes a spherical projection (100) provided on the free end of the swing arm and a socket (112) provided on the femoral support plate, the socket defining a spherical recess (110) configured to receive the spherical projection to permit a tilting movement of the femoral support plate at least in two directions with respect to the free end of the swing arm. Thereby, the femoral support plate is enabled to accommodate the build and/or the movement of the femoral part of the user.