Walking Assistance Device Torque Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing walking assistance devices provide uniform support throughout the entire walk cycle, which can lead to inefficient energy consumption and discomfort for users, as they do not adapt to the varying energy demands and patterns of individual users.
Innovation Solution
A walking assistance device with a controller that analyzes the user's walk pattern to produce torque only during specific assistance periods, such as weight shift and mass shift periods, where energy consumption is higher, and adjusts the torque pattern to match the user's walking cycle, using sensors to collect physical activity data and adjust assistance accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If uniform torque support is provided throughout the entire walk cycle, then walking assistance is continuously available, but energy consumption increases and user comfort decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by providing torque only during specific assistance periods within the walk cycle rather than continuously. The controller determines assistance periods based on detected walk patterns and provides torque during weight shift period and mass shift period only, creating a periodic on-off torque application pattern that reduces energy consumption while maintaining necessary support
Solution Approach 2:
The walk cycle is segmented into distinct phases (weight shift period, mass shift period, and non-assistance periods). The controller divides the continuous walking motion into discrete segments and applies torque assistance only to the segments that require support, rather than treating the entire walk cycle as a uniform continuous process
2Reliability
If uniform torque support is provided throughout the entire walk cycle, then walking assistance is continuously available, but user comfort decreases due to excessive support
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different levels of torque support at different phases of the walk cycle. Instead of uniform torque application, the controller provides concentrated torque during specific local periods (weight shift and mass shift periods) where assistance is most needed, creating a non-uniform torque distribution that improves comfort by matching actual user needs
3Use of energy by moving object
If torque is produced only during specific assistance periods, then energy consumption is reduced, but walking assistance may be insufficient during non-assistance periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback mechanisms where sensors detect the user's walk pattern and provide information to the controller. The controller continuously monitors walking status and adjusts torque application timing and magnitude based on detected walk patterns, ensuring that assistance is provided during the correct phases while adapting to variations in user walking behavior
4Productivity
If the device adapts to individual user walk patterns, then assistance efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to sensors and control algorithms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the device to automatically detect and adapt to the user's walk pattern without requiring external configuration or complex manual calibration. The sensor system and controller work together to autonomously identify assistance needs and adjust torque application, allowing the device to serve itself in adapting to individual users
Data Source
AI summary
A walking assistance device may include at least one walking assistance unit configured to assist a user in walking; and/or a controller configured to control, based on a walk pattern of the user, the at least one walking assistance unit to produce torque only in at least one assistance period needing walking assistance in a walk cycle. A method of controlling walking assistance may include: calculating a walking assistance time using a difference between a start time and a termination time of an assistance period needing the walking assistance in a walk pattern; and/or assisting a user in walking when the assistance period begins, by producing torque for the walking assistance time.