Wearable Motion Assist Device with Self-Powered Driving Modules
Solution Overview
Problem
Aging populations experience inconvenience and pain due to reduced muscular strength or joint problems, necessitating effective walking and exercise assist devices that can minimize effort while providing support and measurement of physical abilities.
Innovation Solution
A wearable motion assist device comprising a base body, connection frames, driving modules, leg frames, waist frames, waist belts, and an auxiliary part that applies assistance or resistance forces to support users' motion, equipped with sensors for physical ability measurement and adjustable exercise programs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a wearable motion assist device is designed to provide assistance forces to users with reduced muscular strength, then walking ability and exercise effectiveness are enhanced, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple functional modules including a base body for support, connection frames for structural linkage, driving modules for power generation, leg frames for motion assistance, waist frames for positioning, and auxiliary parts for additional functionality. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while simplifying the overall design and maintenance of the complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The driving modules are configured to provide both assistance forces during walking and resistance forces during exercise, enabling the device to serve multiple purposes. The connection frames and waist frames work together to provide both structural support and motion assistance, reducing the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
2Force
If driving modules are added to generate power for motion assistance, then assistance force is improved, but weight of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The driving modules are configured to utilize the user's own motion to generate power. As the user moves their legs or body, the driving modules convert this motion into mechanical power that assists the motion or provides resistance for exercise. This self-powered approach eliminates the need for heavy external power sources like large batteries or motors, keeping the device lightweight while still providing the necessary assistance force.
3Measurement precision
If sensors and auxiliary parts are integrated for physical ability measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensors for physical ability measurement are integrated into the existing structural components of the device. For example, sensors are embedded within the waist frames, connection frames, or auxiliary parts, allowing these components to serve dual purposes: providing structural support and motion assistance while simultaneously measuring physical parameters. This merging reduces the need for separate measurement devices and simplifies the overall system architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A motion assist device is provided. The motion assist device may include a base body configured to support a back of a user, connection frames connected to the base body, driving modules connected to the connection frames and configured to generate power to assist motion of the user, leg frames rotatably connected to the driving modules and rotated by receiving power from the driving modules, waist frames connected to the driving modules, waist belts connected to the waist frames, an auxiliary part detachably provided to the waist belts, in close contact with a waist of the user, and configured to press the waist of the user.