Push-Pull Walking Stick Wheel Locking for Effort-Saving Gait
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing walking sticks require lifting and placing on the ground for each step, leading to unnecessary stamina consumption and potential wrist strain, especially during prolonged use.
Innovation Solution
A push-pull walking stick design incorporating a wheel holder and wheel that allows for forward motion without lifting, utilizing a buckle structure for stability and a protruding/recess mechanism to secure the wheel, preventing axial movement and enhancing reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the walking stick is lifted from the ground for each step, then forward motion is achieved, but stamina consumption increases and wrist strain occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The walking stick incorporates a wheel that can rotate dynamically during the pulling phase of walking. The wheel is constrained to prevent rotation during the pushing phase, providing stability. This dynamic control of the wheel's rotational state allows the stick to be pulled without lifting, reducing stamina consumption while maintaining operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state of the wheel from a static component to one that can rotate under controlled conditions. By changing the rotational parameter of the wheel based on the walking phase (pushing vs. pulling), the system achieves efficient forward motion without the need to lift the stick, thereby reducing energy expenditure.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the wheel is added to enable pulling without lifting, then stamina consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the wheel itself, the wheel holder with buckle structure for attachment, the protruding structure with recess for rotational constraint, and the cover plate for protection. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity of the combined system.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user's pulling force and the ground. Instead of directly lifting and placing the entire stick, the user pulls the handle, which rotates the wheel, propelling the stick forward. This intermediary wheel mechanism reduces the complexity of direct lifting while achieving the energy-saving goal.
3Ease of operation
If the wheel is allowed to rotate freely, then pulling motion is facilitated, but axial movement occurs reducing stability
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel holder features an asymmetric design with a protruding structure that includes a recess positioned to constrain the wheel's axial movement while allowing rotation. This asymmetric constraint mechanism ensures the wheel can rotate freely for pulling motion but prevents unwanted axial displacement, maintaining stability during operation.
4Ease of manufacture
If the wheel holder is not fixed securely, then ease of assembly is improved, but stability and reliability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel holder is pre-equipped with a buckle structure and a protruding feature with a recess that aligns with corresponding features on the stick body. This preliminary configuration allows for tool-free or simple assembly while ensuring secure fixation. The buckle structure is pre-designed to engage with the stick body, providing reliable fixation without complex assembly procedures.
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 design provides effort-saving forward motion by using the wheel for support and friction, reduces wrist strain, and enhances stability and reliability by fixing the wheel to the stick body, while minimizing costs.
Implementation Method 1
can generate support point and frictional force through the wheel holder and the wheel rotating
Data Source
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AI summary
A push-pull walking stick includes a stick body, a wheel holder and a wheel. The stick body includes a tip and the wheel holder detachably connected to the tip. The wheel holder includes a connecting part, a shaft and a resist structure. The connecting part includes a fixed hole for containing the tip. The shaft is capable of moving along the direction of the stick body. The resist structure is located between the connecting part and the shaft. When the stick body applies force by the tip to the ground, the shaft moves toward the stick body and the resist structure resists against the wheel to stop the wheel from rotating. When the tip is located behind the user and the stick body moves forward with the user's pace, the shaft moves away from the stick body and the wheel rolls along the ground.