Walking Assistance Torque Control via Data Update Check
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Walking assistance devices face challenges in providing effective torque output due to delays in data updates from sensors, leading to inconveniences for users with reduced muscular strength or joint problems, as they may not receive real-time assistance forces.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that load data via wireless communication, determine if it's updated, and if not, use reference data to predict and update the data, normalizing it to correspond to a reference pattern, allowing for continuous torque calculation and output to assist the user's gait cycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is loaded via wireless communication from sensors, then the walking assistance device can receive measurement data (joint angles) for torque calculation, but data updates may be delayed causing inconsistent torque output
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by determining whether incoming data is updated before proceeding with torque calculation. When data is not updated, the system proactively identifies and applies reference data in advance, ensuring continuous and consistent torque output without waiting for new sensor data. This preliminary check and preparation of fallback data resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability while compensating for potential time delays in data updates.
2Measurement precision
If the system waits for updated sensor data before calculating torque, then data accuracy is maintained, but real-time assistance is compromised due to delays
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism by implementing a data update check that acts as a gatekeeper between raw sensor data and torque calculation. When updated data is unavailable, reference data serves as an intermediary substitute, allowing the torque calculation to proceed without delay. This intermediary approach maintains measurement precision by validating data freshness while ensuring real-time speed by providing fallback options, thus resolving the contradiction between accuracy and responsiveness.
3Reliability
If the system continuously monitors data update status and implements fallback to reference data, then torque output consistency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies self-service by automatically monitoring its own data status and autonomously switching between fresh sensor data and reference data without external intervention. The controller independently determines whether data is updated, selects appropriate data sources, and continues torque calculation seamlessly. This self-service mechanism improves torque output consistency while minimizing the need for complex external control systems, as the device manages its own data reliability issues internally.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device for outputting a torque of a walking assistance device is provided. The method and device may determine a degree of progress in a gait cycle based on data received through wireless communication, calculate a torque corresponding to the determined degree of progress, and output the torque to a driver of the walking assistance device. However, when the data received through wireless communication is not updated data, the method and device may determine reference data based on a reference pattern, and update the data using the determined reference data.