Wheeled Walking Aid with Offset Wheel and Lever Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current walking aids for patients with neurological disorders like cerebral palsy are bulky, hinder movement, and are either too costly or lack effective active support, making them inefficient for physiotherapy and everyday walking.
Innovation Solution
A walking aid with a frame supported by lateral wheels and a rigid support element allowing rotational movement in multiple degrees of freedom, featuring a hinged connection, dampers, and optional motors for controlled movement, designed to be lightweight and compact, with sensors for adaptive support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a walking aid uses two sets of wheels for support, then the device provides stable support, but the device becomes bulky and prevents translational movement of the user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes one set of wheels from the support system, extracting the redundant component. The single wheel design eliminates the bulkiness associated with dual-wheel configurations while maintaining support functionality through the offset positioning and hinged support element arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions the wheel offset from the vertical plane formed by the support element, creating a three-dimensional support geometry. This spatial arrangement allows the single wheel to provide stable support equivalent to two wheels in a planar configuration, reducing device volume while maintaining reliability.
2Ease of operation
If a walking aid uses motors for active support, then the device provides active assistance, but the cost price increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the support element to rotate freely in two degrees of freedom without motorized actuation. The hinged connection and offset wheel positioning create a passive mechanical system that automatically adapts to user movement, providing active support capability through mechanical design rather than powered actuators, thereby reducing manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic support system where the support element can rotate in two degrees of freedom, allowing the device to actively adapt to user movement patterns. This passive dynamic system achieves active support functionality without requiring expensive motors or control systems.
3Device complexity
If a walking aid uses a rigid fixed connection between support element and frame, then the structure is simple, but the device hinders natural movement and requires more energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the fixed rigid connection with a hinged connection that allows rotational movement in two degrees of freedom. This dynamic connection enables natural movement patterns while maintaining structural simplicity, reducing the energy required for operation by allowing passive adaptation to user motion.
4Volume of moving object
If a walking aid positions the support element close to the wheel axis, then the device is compact, but the device becomes bulky and hinders movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the wheel offset from the vertical plane formed by the support element, utilizing three-dimensional space efficiently. This offset positioning creates a compact configuration that does not hinder movement, as the support element can rotate freely in two degrees of freedom within the available space.
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 active and passive support for patients, allowing controlled movement in six degrees of freedom with minimal energy use, reducing hindrance and cost, while being adaptable to individual needs.
Implementation Method 1
a weight positioned with respect to the wheels and the support element such that an upwards force is exerted on the support element by means of a lever effect
Implementation Method 2
the walking aid is provided with one or more dampers which damp or correct the movement of the support element in one or more directions with respect to a certain position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
The present invention relates to a walking aid suitable for supporting patients with cerebral palsy whilst walking and/or during physiotherapy. The walking aid comprises a frame (2) supported by a pair of wheels (3,4) positioned next to one another, and a support element (5) connected to the frame (2), for securing the walking aid to a patient. The connection between the support element and the frame allows a rotational movement of the support element with respect to the frame (2), in two or more rotational degrees of freedom. The angle of rotation of the support element (and therefore also of the secured object) with respect to the frame (2) can be adjusted by control units (7-9). The walking device comprises an attachment (11) for a weight positioned with respect to the primary wheels (3,4) and the support element (5) such that an upwards force is exerted on the support element (and on the pelvis of the patient) by means of a lever effect.