Walking Shoe Fall Prevention via Foot Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fall prevention technologies for elderly individuals and those with declining abilities only detect inclination angles and do not effectively prevent falls during actual walking, especially when ascending steps or obstacles, as they fail to consider lifting velocity and collision possibilities.
Innovation Solution
A walking shoe equipped with an acceleration sensor, a ranging sensor, and a microprocessor that detects lifting velocity and distance to obstacles, stimulating the foot to prevent falls by reflexively lifting the foot when insufficient lifting velocity or collision is detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If only inclination angle detection is used, then device complexity is reduced, but fall prevention reliability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple detection functions (acceleration detection, ranging detection, inclination detection) into a single integrated shoe-mounted system. The microprocessor unit processes signals from multiple sensors (acceleration sensor, ranging sensor, inclination sensor) to comprehensively determine fall risk, achieving reliable fall prevention while keeping the device portable and wearable.
Solution Approach 2:
The shoe-mounted detection device performs multiple functions: detecting acceleration, ranging to obstacles, measuring inclination angles, and determining fall risk. This multi-functional approach enhances reliability without requiring separate devices for each function, as all sensors are integrated into the wearable shoe system.
2Measurement precision
If lifting velocity detection is added, then fall detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses electronic sensors (acceleration sensor, microprocessor) to detect and calculate lifting velocity, replacing the need for complex mechanical velocity measurement devices. The acceleration sensor signals are processed by the microprocessor to derive velocity information, achieving precise fall detection with minimal additional hardware complexity.
3Reliability
If ranging sensor is mounted on shoe front end, then collision detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ranging sensor is integrated into the shoe front end structure, combining collision detection functionality with the existing shoe-mounted detection system. The sensor works in conjunction with the microprocessor and other sensors to provide comprehensive fall and collision detection, enhancing reliability without requiring a separate standalone device.
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
The shoe effectively prevents stumbles and falls by reflexively lifting the foot when insufficient lifting velocity or collision with an obstacle is sensed, improving safety during walking and ascending steps.
Implementation Method 1
an acceleration sensor that is mounted on the shoe body, and capable of detecting an acceleration in a direction parallel to ground acting on the shoe body and an acceleration in a direction perpendicular to the ground
Data Source
AI summary
A walking shoe that senses a fall and urges a user of the shoe to perform movement for fall prevention. When the walker stumbles or almost falls, a microprocessor is activated, based on a sensing signal of a pressure-sensitive sensor that senses a pressure applied to a tread to detect a lifting velocity and/or a lifting amount of the foot based on a detection signal of an acceleration sensor, and when the lifting velocity and/or the lifting amount is lower than a reference value, the microprocessor actuates a stimulator that stimulates a bottom of the foot. At this time, since the user reflexively lifts the foot, the user can avoid stumbling.