Wearable Assistance Apparatus for Dynamic Load Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing assistance technologies for walking, such as those described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-213538 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (Translation of PCT Application) No. 2016-528940, do not provide adequate support tailored to the user's state, particularly when carrying objects, leading to inefficient assistance and increased burden on the user.
Innovation Solution
An assistance apparatus comprising an upper-body belt, knee belts, and wires coupled to motors and sensors, which adjusts tension in specific phases of the gait cycle based on sensor data to provide balanced assistance, increasing tension in wires corresponding to the leg carrying a heavier load to reduce burden and enhance walking efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a user carries an object in one hand, then the burden on that side increases, but existing assistance technologies do not adjust to provide balanced support
Solution Approach 1:
The assistance apparatus dynamically adjusts the tension of wires based on real-time sensor data detecting the user's carrying state. When an object is detected in one hand, the system increases tension on wires corresponding to that side to provide balanced support, transforming a static assistance system into a dynamic one that adapts to changing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs sensors to continuously monitor the user's carrying state and provides feedback to the control circuit. Based on this feedback, the control circuit adjusts motor output to modify wire tension, creating a closed-loop control system that ensures the assistance force matches the user's actual needs.
2Productivity
If assistance force is increased during gait phase, then walking efficiency improves, but burden may increase on the supporting leg
Solution Approach 1:
The assistance apparatus applies tension to wires during specific periods of the gait cycle rather than continuously. By timing the assistance force to coincide with critical phases of walking (such as swing phase initiation), the system improves walking efficiency while avoiding excessive burden on the supporting leg during stance phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different tension levels to different wires based on the specific gait phase and carrying state. Instead of uniform assistance, the control circuit selectively increases tension on specific wires (e.g., second and third wires when left hand carries object) to provide localized assistance where needed most.
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 apparatus provides balanced and efficient assistance by dynamically adjusting tension in the wires during different phases of the gait cycle, reducing the burden on both legs and improving walking stability when carrying objects, allowing for more balanced and efficient movement.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one motor generates (i) a tension greater than or equal to a first threshold value in the first wire during a first period
Implementation Method 2
The control circuit acquires a left sensor value from the left sensor and a right sensor value from the right sensor
Data Source
AI summary
An assistance apparatus includes a first wire and a second wire that couple an upper-body belt and a left knee belt to each other on or above a front part and back part of the body of a user, respectively, a third wire and a fourth wire that couple the upper-body belt and a right knee belt to each other on or above the front part and back part of the body of the user, respectively, a motor, a left sensor on the left hand of the user, and a right sensor on the right hand of the user. When a force is applied to the left sensor and no force is applied to the right sensor, the motor makes the tension of the second wire and the third wire greater than the tension of the first wire and the fourth wire. When a force is applied to the right sensor and no force is applied to the left sensor, the motor makes the tension of the first wire and the fourth wire greater than the tension of the second wire and the third wire.