Multi-Directional Wearable Assistance Frames

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wearable assistance apparatuses lack effective mechanisms to efficiently transfer power in multiple directions to assist users with mobility issues, such as elderly individuals or those with joint problems, often relying on cumbersome designs and limited directional support.

Innovation Solution

A wearable assistance apparatus comprising a first and second frame, each connected to a driving unit, with wearing portions that guide and fix the frames to a user's body, allowing power transfer in orthogonal directions, and a guide system that enables linear movement along rails or movement paths to stabilize and adjust the position of the driving units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a wearable assistance apparatus uses a single-frame design with limited directional support, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to transfer power in multiple directions is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirectional power transfer capabilityVSAvoidframe structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus divides the support function into separate first and second frames, where each frame is responsible for transferring power in a specific direction (first direction and second direction respectively). This segmentation allows each frame to be optimized for its specific directional function while collectively providing multi-directional power transfer capability, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces orthogonal directional support by having the first frame transfer power in a first direction and the second frame transfer power in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction. This dimensional expansion from single-direction to multi-directional power transfer enhances adaptability without requiring exponential complexity increase, as each frame handles a specific spatial dimension.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the wearable assistance apparatus uses fixed frame positioning, then the stability is improved, but the adaptability to different user positions and movements is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability to user bodyVSAvoidframe position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates guides that enable the frames to move dynamically along predetermined paths while maintaining stable operational characteristics. The guides allow the frames to adjust their positions adaptively to different user body configurations and movement states, yet constrain the movement to predetermined stable paths, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The guide acts as an intermediary mechanism between the frame and the user's body. It mediates the interaction by allowing the frame to follow the user's body contours and movements while maintaining a stable, predetermined movement path. This intermediary structure enables both adaptability to user variability and stability of frame positioning simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Power

If the wearable assistance apparatus uses a cumbersome design with multiple components, then the power transfer capability is enhanced, but the ease of operation and user comfort is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassistance power transferVSAvoiduser comfort and ease of wear

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus segments the power transfer function into specialized first and second frames, each optimized for specific directional power transfer. This segmentation allows each component to be minimized in size and complexity for its specific function, reducing overall bulk and improving comfort compared to a single large complex mechanism attempting to handle all directions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having the frames directly contact and move with the user's body, the patent uses guides to constrain frame movement along predetermined paths. This inversion of the constraint approach (constraining the mechanism rather than the user) reduces the burden on the user and improves ease of operation, while still enabling effective power transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11510839B2Wearable apparatus for assistance and operating method thereof

Publication Date: 2022.11.29 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A wearable assistance apparatus is disclosed, wherein the wearable assistance apparatus may include a first frame configured to transfer a power in a first direction to assist a user, a second frame configured to transfer the power in a second direction to assist the user, a first wearing portion configured to urge the second frame towards the user in response to the first wearing portion being pulled in the first direction, and a second wearing portion configured to urge the first frame towards the user in response to the second wearing portion being pulled in the second direction.