Removable Wheel Sensor for Mobility Device Distance Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current distance measuring systems for mobility assistance devices, such as walkers and wheelchairs, are complex and difficult to use, lacking a simple and objective method to quantify patient progress during rehabilitation, which is essential for effective physical therapy evaluation.
Innovation Solution
A resettable distance measuring system comprising a wheel sensor unit with a readout window, a sensing mechanism, and a display, configured to monitor the rotation of one or both wheels of the mobility device, providing a mechanical or digital output of distance traveled, and optionally connectable to a digital display unit for easy data interpretation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex distance measuring systems with multiple detectors are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential distance measurement function from complex multi-detector systems and implements it through a single wheel sensor unit that attaches to one wheel. This simplifies the system while maintaining measurement capability, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel sensor unit is designed to be self-contained with its own housing, readout window, and measurement mechanisms. It attaches to the mobility device and provides autonomous distance measurement and display functionality without requiring complex external systems, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining precision.
2Measurement precision
If multiple detectors and sophisticated processing systems are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the core measurement function from sophisticated multi-detector systems and implements it through a single wheel sensor unit with integrated sensing and display components, significantly reducing system complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel sensor unit is designed as a universal component that can be attached to various mobility assistance devices (walkers, wheelchairs) and provides multiple functions including distance measurement, display, and reset capabilities within a single integrated unit, reducing overall system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If sophisticated processing systems are used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel sensor unit provides self-service by directly displaying measured distance through its integrated readout window and allowing users to reset measurements through simple manual operation. This eliminates the need for complex data interpretation while maintaining precise measurement, directly improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate visual feedback through the readout window that displays distance measurements in real-time as the user moves. This direct feedback mechanism simplifies user interaction and interpretation while maintaining measurement precision, resolving the contradiction between precision and ease of operation.
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 objective quantification of patient performance and proprioception status, providing valuable feedback for therapists and patients, encouraging sustained therapy and simplifying the evaluation process with clear, reproducible data.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor, such as a photointerrupter, positioned to detect the rotation of the wheel
Data Source
AI summary
A system may have a mobile device having at least two wheels and a distance measuring device configured to be removably attached to a frame of the mobile device, which can be a mobility assistance device, such as a walker and a wheelchair. The distance measuring device may have at least a sensing mechanism, an accumulator, and a display that are in communication with one another, with the sensing mechanism configured to monitor rotation of the at least one of the at least two wheels of the mobile device and the accumulator configured to determine the distance traveled by the mobile device based on this rotation and output the distance result on the display.