Wearable Motion Assist Device Parameter Setting Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wearable action assisting devices face difficulties in easily setting parameters for providing appropriate assist force to users, requiring specialized knowledge to adjust the amount of change in parameters effectively.

Innovation Solution

A wearable action assisting device with a combination of biological potential signal detection, joint angle detection, signal processing, and a user-friendly interface for parameter setting, allowing users to easily adjust assist force and response speed through a graphical interface, using reference parameters and parameter tables to automatically set optimal parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If specialized parameter setting methods are used to provide appropriate assist force, then the assist effectiveness is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring specialized knowledge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassist effectivenessVSAvoidparameter setting ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary interface between the user and the complex parameter settings. This interface translates simple user inputs (such as desired assist level selections) into optimized parameter configurations automatically, eliminating the need for users to have specialized knowledge while maintaining assist effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-configuration by automatically adjusting parameters based on detected user characteristics and task requirements. The device monitors user physiology and action patterns, then autonomously optimizes control parameters without requiring manual intervention or specialized knowledge from the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple parameters are adjusted to optimize assist force, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparameter adaptabilityVSAvoidparameter setting complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the parameter adjustment process into distinct functional modules: detection module for gathering user data, processing module for analyzing patterns, and control module for adjusting parameters. This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple parameters systematically without overwhelming complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts parameters in real-time based on changing user needs and conditions. Rather than requiring manual configuration of multiple static parameters, the system continuously monitors user state and automatically adapts parameters, reducing the perceived complexity while maintaining high adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables users to easily set parameters without specialized knowledge, providing an intuitive method for adjusting assist force and response speed, thereby improving the usability and effectiveness of the wearable action assisting device.

Implementation Method 1

a myoelectric potential sensor (biological signal detection means) for detecting a myoelectric potential signal along with a wearer's muscle activity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMyoelectric potential detection: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2644168B1Wearable motion assist device
Publication Date: 2019.03.06 CYBERDYNE INC
  • EP2644168B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2644168B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2644168B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A wearable action assisting device comprises an optional control unit for generating a first instruction signal for generating power depending on a biological potential signal in a drive source, an autonomic control unit for generating a second instruction signal for generating power depending on a phase of a task of the wearer in the drive source, a generation unit for generating a drive current of the drive source based on the first and second instruction signals, a display unit having a screen displaying thereon a coordinate axis corresponding to a strength of the power, a detection unit for detecting the coordinate of a designated position in the screen, and a setting unit for extracting parameters corresponding to the detected coordinate from a table defining a correspondence between a coordinate in the screen and parameters of the signal processing, and for setting the extracted parameters in the optional control unit.