Wire Winding Mechanism for Walking Trainer Inertial Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing walking training apparatuses exert excessive load on users due to their weight and inertial forces when the user starts swinging their leg, causing discomfort and burden during walking assistance.
Innovation Solution
A walking training apparatus equipped with a first wire winding mechanism that adjusts pulling forces to reduce the weight and inertial load by winding and storing wire during the leg-idling period and pulling it out during the leg-standing period, with a control system to increase the pulling force during the swinging start timing to minimize the load on the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the walking assistance apparatus is attached to assist walking motion, then walking assistance function is improved, but the weight of the apparatus becomes a burden on the trainee
Solution Approach 1:
The wire winding mechanism performs preliminary action by winding and storing the wire during the leg-idling period before the swinging start. This pre-storing of elastic energy in the wire allows the mechanism to provide auxiliary pulling force exactly when needed during the swinging start period, reducing the burden of the apparatus weight on the trainee while maintaining effective walking assistance.
2Reliability
If the walking assistance apparatus is used during leg swinging, then walking support is provided, but backward inertial force from the apparatus creates excessive load at swinging start timing
Solution Approach 1:
The wire winding mechanism applies preliminary anti-action by storing elastic energy in the wire during the leg-idling period. When the leg starts swinging forward, this pre-stored energy is released as the wire is pulled out, providing an auxiliary forward pulling force that counteracts the backward inertial force generated by the walking assistance apparatus, thereby reducing the excessive load at swinging start timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire winding mechanism operates with periodic action by alternately winding the wire during the leg-idling period and pulling it out during the leg-standing period. This periodic operation synchronizes with the walking cycle, ensuring that the auxiliary pulling force is applied at the appropriate phase (swinging start) to counteract inertial forces while providing continuous walking support.
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 effectively reduces the weight and inertial load on the user's leg at the swinging start timing, enhancing comfort and reducing the overall load exerted by the walking assistance device.
Implementation Method 1
a first wire winding mechanism configured to pull a wire connectable to the leg directly or through the walking assistance apparatus upward and forward by winding the wire connected to the leg
Data Source
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AI summary
A walking training apparatus includes a walking assistance apparatus for a leg of a trainee, a first wire winding mechanism for pulling a wire for the leg upward and forward, pulling control means for controlling the first wire winding mechanism to pull the wire with a first pulling force, and storage amount detection means for detecting a storage amount of the wire. The pulling control means controls the first wire winding mechanism so that the first wire winding mechanism pulls the wire with a second pulling force larger than the first pulling force in a swinging start period in which the storage amount of the wire detected by the storage amount detection means is equal to or smaller than a predetermined storage amount of the wire in a period including a timing when the wire of the first wire winding mechanism changes from a pulling-out state to a winding state.