Wearable Torque Control for Adaptive Walking Assistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aging populations face challenges with reduced muscular strength and joint problems, leading to difficulties in walking and exercising, as existing technologies do not effectively provide assistive devices that adapt to individual joint angles and walking patterns.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device equipped with a processor, sensors, and a motor system that adjusts torque output based on joint angles and control parameters to generate optimal walking patterns, providing assistance or resistance forces tailored to the user's needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a wearable device provides fixed torque output, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to individual joint angles and walking patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of torque output based on real-time detection of joint angles and walking patterns. The control unit continuously monitors user motion through sensors and dynamically modifies motor torque parameters to match individual walking characteristics, transforming the system from static to adaptive operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where sensors detect joint angles and walking patterns, transmit this information to the control unit, which then adjusts torque output accordingly. This closed-loop feedback enables the device to adapt to individual user characteristics while maintaining manageable complexity through intelligent control algorithms
2Ease of operation
If the wearable device dynamically adjusts torque output based on joint angles, then walking assistance is optimized, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically determines optimal torque parameters by processing sensor data on joint angles and walking patterns without requiring manual intervention. The system self-adjusts to provide optimized walking assistance, reducing the operational burden on users while managing control complexity through automated decision-making algorithms
3Measurement precision
If the device uses multiple sensors and control parameters for precise torque control, then walking pattern accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves multiple functions by processing data from various sensors, determining joint angles, analyzing walking patterns, and adjusting torque parameters all through a single integrated component. This multi-functionality approach maintains measurement precision while managing overall device complexity through functional integration
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable device may generate a walking pattern of a user on the basis of a joint angle, output a torque corresponding to the walking pattern on the basis of a first value of a control parameter, determine a first value of an objective function for a first torque pattern for the output torque, determine a second torque pattern corresponding to a walking pattern for a second value changed on the basis of the first value of the control parameter, determine a second value of the objective function for the second torque pattern, and determine an optimum value of the control parameter on the basis of the second value of the objective function.