Wire-Driven Walking Assistance Apparatus for Intuitive Turning Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing assistance technologies for guiding users in walking directions either distract users with display screens or fail to effectively apply assisting forces to guide them in turning, lacking specific parameters for optimal wire-driven assistance.
Innovation Solution
An assistance apparatus comprising an upper body belt, knee belts, and wires that apply tension to guide users by rotating their legs in specific phases of the gait cycle to facilitate turning, using a motor to generate tensions in wires that cross each other to assist in external and internal rotations, allowing intuitive direction changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a display screen is used to guide the user in walking direction, then the user can receive navigation information, but the user's attention to the external environment decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the visual display screen guidance system with a mechanical wire-driven assistance system. Instead of showing navigation information on a display, the system uses wires connected to the user's legs to provide physical guidance forces that intuitively steer the user in the desired direction, eliminating the need for visual attention while maintaining navigation information delivery.
2Force
If an actuator moves the operation member to assist user motion, then the user's movement is assisted, but the user is not guided in the desired walking direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the guidance function from the motion assistance function. Multiple wires are independently controlled to provide both the physical force needed for motion assistance and the directional guidance forces needed for navigation. Each wire can be independently tensioned to create specific guidance patterns that steer the user in the desired direction while simultaneously providing motion support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wires as intermediary elements between the control system and the user's legs. These wires serve dual purposes: they transmit the assisting forces generated by actuators and simultaneously convey directional guidance information through controlled tension variations, acting as a mediator that combines both functions.
3Ease of operation
If strong assisting force is applied to guide the user, then the directional guidance is effective, but the user experiences strong resistance and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of wire tension that adapts to the user's real-time motion state and resistance level. The control system continuously adjusts the tension in each wire based on detected user movements, providing stronger guidance forces when needed and reducing forces when the user cooperates, creating a dynamic balance between guidance effectiveness and user comfort rather than applying constant strong force.
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 enables users to reliably and comfortably turn by applying appropriate assisting forces, maintaining stability even with unexpected changes in motion, and providing comfortable guidance without strong resistance.
Implementation Method 1
the motor generates a tension larger than or equal to a first threshold value in each of the second wire and the fourth wire
Implementation Method 2
the motor generates a tension larger than or equal to a first threshold value in each of the sixth wire and the eighth wire
Data Source
AI summary
An assistance apparatus includes wires that couple an upper body belt to be worn on an upper body of a user to first and second knee belts to be worn above left and right knees of the user, and a motor. In a case of assisting the user in turning left, the motor generates a tension in second and fourth wires in a period of 65% or more and 100% or less of a first gait phase of a left leg and a period of 0% or more and 20% or less of a second gait phase of the left leg, and generates a tension in sixth and eighth wires in a period of 65% or more and 100% or less of a first gait phase of a right leg and a period of 0% or more and 20% or less of a second gait phase of the right leg.