Walking Support via Arm Movement Coordination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional walking support methods for individuals with physical difficulties often lead to safety issues, suffering, and motor ability degradation by directly affecting leg movement, and can result in dependence on the support apparatus, hindering learning effects.
Innovation Solution
A walking support apparatus that measures walking information and applies actions to the arm to influence walking movement, using a measurement unit and attachment to adjust elbow and shoulder joints, thereby affecting the brain-mediated relationship between arm and leg movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If external force is dynamically applied to the leg to promote walking movement, then walking support is improved, but safety deteriorates leading to falling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces arm movement as an intermediary to indirectly influence leg movement through brain-mediated coordination. Instead of directly applying force to the leg, the system applies force to the arm, which then naturally coordinates with the leg through central nervous system control, eliminating direct mechanical coupling and reducing safety risks
2Ease of operation
If external force is dynamically applied to the leg to promote walking movement, then walking support is improved, but the walking person experiences suffering
Solution Approach 1:
By using arm movement as an intermediary, the system avoids direct force application to the leg, thereby eliminating the suffering caused by forced leg movement while still achieving walking support through natural arm-leg coordination mediated by the brain
3Ease of operation
If walking support is provided by directly affecting leg movement, then walking assistance is improved, but motor ability degradation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses arm movement as an intermediary that naturally coordinates with leg movement through brain-mediated control. This indirect approach allows the user's own motor control systems to remain active and engaged, preventing motor ability degradation while still providing walking assistance
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages the body's own natural arm-leg coordination mechanisms controlled by the brain. By applying force to the arm rather than directly to the leg, the system allows the user's own motor control systems to self-regulate the coordination, maintaining motor ability while providing assistance
4Ease of operation
If walking support apparatus is used to support walking movement, then walking ability is improved, but dependence on the apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
By using arm movement as an intermediary that naturally coordinates with leg movement through brain-mediated control, the system reinforces the user's own motor control systems rather than bypassing them. This maintains the user's ability to control their own movement, reducing dependence on the apparatus
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the body's inherent arm-leg coordination mechanisms controlled by the central nervous system. By applying force to the arm rather than directly to the leg, the system allows the user's own motor control to self-regulate, maintaining independence and reducing apparatus dependence
Data Source
AI summary
A walking support apparatus supports the walking movement of a walking person. The walking person may be an elderly person, a disabled person, an invalid, an athlete, a learner, or the like. A measurement unit measures walking information with respect to the walking person, and generates data that represents the walking information. An attachment applies an action to the arm of the walking person according to the walking information data measured by the measurement unit. Such an arrangement provides improved walking movement via the effect on the arm movement when the walking person is walking.