Walking Training Apparatus with Dynamic Pulling Force Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users performing stepping operations on a non-operating treadmill in existing walking training apparatuses face a burden as they need to move their legs backward to prevent forward movement, which is not effectively managed by current systems.
Innovation Solution
A walking training apparatus with a control mechanism that adjusts the pulling forces of the first and second pulling means to change the resultant pulling force direction rearward when the treadmill is not operating, reducing the load on the user's leg and facilitating backward movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the treadmill is in a non-operating state during stepping operation, then the user can perform stepping exercises, but the user must move the leg part backward to prevent forward movement, creating a burden on the user
Solution Approach 1:
The control means applies a pulling force in the forward direction before the user's leg moves backward during stepping operation. This preliminary forward pull counteracts the natural backward movement tendency, preventing the user from having to manually move the leg backward and reducing the burden during stepping exercises.
Solution Approach 2:
The control means changes the pulling force parameters dynamically based on the treadmill's operating state. When the treadmill is non-operating, the control means adjusts the pulling force direction and magnitude to compensate for the absence of treadmill movement, thereby maintaining ease of stepping operation without imposing backward movement burden on the user.
2Force
If the resultant pulling force is directed upward to reduce load on the leg part, then the user's walking is assisted, but the user experiences forward movement during stepping operation when the treadmill is non-operating
Solution Approach 1:
The control means dynamically adjusts the pulling force direction based on the treadmill's operating state. When the treadmill is non-operating, the control means redirects the resultant pulling force to include a backward component, preventing unwanted forward movement during stepping operation while maintaining the upward force component for leg load reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The control means changes the pulling force parameters dynamically based on the treadmill's operating state. When the treadmill is non-operating, the control means adjusts the pulling force direction and magnitude to compensate for the absence of treadmill movement, thereby maintaining ease of stepping operation without imposing backward movement burden on the user.
Data Source
AI summary
A walking training apparatus includes: a treadmill; a walking assistance apparatus configured to be mounted on a leg part of a user and assist the user's walking; a first pulling means for pulling at least one of the walking assistance apparatus and the leg part of the user upward and frontward; a second pulling means for pulling at least one of the walking assistance apparatus and the leg part of the user upward and rearward; and control means for controlling, while the treadmill is not being operated, pulling forces of the first pulling means and the second pulling means in such a way that the direction of a resultant pulling force, which is a resultant force of the pulling force of the first pulling means and the pulling force of the second pulling means, is changed rearward compared to a case in which the treadmill is being operated.