KR20220086827A - Apparstus for walking assistance - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a sole holder on which the sole of the wearer's sole is mounted; a calf support part disposed to be spaced apart from the sole holder and supporting the calf of the wearer; and an elastic member that connects the sole holder and the calf support, and generates an elastic force for pushing the calf support forward.

Description

Walking aids {APPARSTUS FOR WALKING ASSISTANCE}

The present invention relates to a walking assistance device for assisting a user to walk.

In general, paralyzed patients due to cerebrovascular disease show a gait pattern in which dorsiflexion/baseflexion and inversion/external rotation of the ankle do not occur spontaneously during walking because the muscle activity around the ankle joint is weakened due to the paralysis of the nervous system. In other words, due to spastic paralysis of the plantar flexor muscle, in the initial stance phase, the heel axle does not touch the ground, but steps on the sole or toe of the foot.

Patience refers to the symptoms of inability to lift the foot due to the decrease or loss of muscle activity around the ankle due to paralysis of the nervous system. The cause of foot paw is that the activity of the tibialis anterior muscle around the ankle is not normally achieved due to paralysis of the central and peripheral nervous systems, and it occurs frequently in patients with spastic paralysis. In other words, in order to compensate for this, the paralyzed patient must walk in a circular motion, resulting in an inefficient gait pattern such as a slow walking speed and a large increase in energy consumption.

As a physical assistance means to improve the gait of such patients with foot paws, a walking assistance device worn on the ankle is required.

As a related prior art, Korean Patent No. 10-1767996 discloses an ankle joint orthosis that provides elastic force necessary for bending the wearer's ankle when the wearer walks.

However, the prior art ankle joint orthosis limits the bending angle of the ankle joint during walking, and has a problem in that it cannot provide a driving force necessary for bending the wearer's knee while walking, as well as inducing knee bending.

Accordingly, when the wearer performs a walking exercise while wearing the ankle joint orthosis of the prior art, excessive force is applied to the knee, thereby increasing exercise fatigue and possibly damaging the knee joint. In addition, there is a problem in that there is a limitation in inducing the abnormal foot to be able to walk normally through the gait exercise.

Registered Patent Publication No. 10-1767996 (2017.08.08)

The present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a walking aid that can provide a rotational force generated when the wearer walks as a driving force necessary for bending the wearer's knee.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a walking assistance device capable of improving wearing comfort.

The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

A walking assistance device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a sole holder on which the sole of the wearer's sole is mounted; a calf support part disposed to be spaced apart from the sole holder and supporting the calf of the wearer; and an elastic member that connects the sole holder and the calf support, and generates an elastic force for pushing the calf support forward.

In addition, the elastic member may be spaced apart from the wearer's calf.

In addition, the elastic member may connect the rear surface of the sole holder and the rear surface of the calf support part.

In addition, the plantar mounting part may include an ankle support part that is bent and extended from one end to support the ankle of the wearer.

In addition, interposed between the ankle support and the elastic member, it may further include a biasing support for biasing the sole holder to the outside of the sole of the wearer.

In addition, the deflection support portion may have a cross-sectional shape in which a cross-sectional area is gradually increased from one end of the ankle support portion to the other end.

In addition, it may further include a through hole formed along the central axis of the ankle support.

In addition, the elastic member may have a structure that is bent one or more times.

In addition, the first strap surrounding the foot rest portion and the ankle of the wearer; And it may further include a second strap surrounding the calf support and the wearer's calf.

The walking assistance device according to an embodiment of the present invention has an effect of inducing bending of the wearer's knee during walking by pushing the wearer's calf forward through the elastic force of the elastic member pushing the calf support part forward.

In addition, as the elastic part is spaced apart from the wearer's calf, the wearer's calf muscle is contracted and relaxed in the space formed between the elastic member and the wearer's calf, so that the wearer's calf fit can be improved.

In addition, since the elastic member connects the rear surface of the sole holder and the rear surface of the calf support, the connection part of the elastic member and the sole support part and the connection part of the elastic member and the calf support part protrude to the wearer's calf and do not locally press the wearer's calf. Therefore, the wearer's calf fit may be improved.

In addition, since the biasing support portion biases the sole holder to the outside of the sole of the wearer's sole, it is possible to move the center of pressure (COP) of the wearer's sole from the outside, which is an abnormal position, to the inside, which is a normal position.

In addition, since the through hole is formed along the central axis of the ankle support, the wearer's ankle fit can be improved by inducing the opening of the ankle support during wearing or walking.

In addition, since the elastic member has a meander structure that is bent one or more times, a relatively larger elastic deformation than the force applied during walking of the wearer occurs, thereby minimizing the resistance of the elastic restoring force to the movement of the ankle or knee.

In addition, since the sole holder and the wearer's feet are in close contact with the first strap, and the calf support part and the wearer's calf are in close contact with the second strap, the sole holder and the calf support part can be stably worn by the wearer.

Effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a wearer's feet are worn on a walking assistance device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2A and 2B are perspective views illustrating a walking assistance device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3A and 3B are side views illustrating a state in which the wearer's feet are not worn and a state in which the wearer's feet are worn in the walking assistance device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4A to 4C are side views illustrating a state in which the heel of a wearer wearing a walking aid according to an embodiment of the present invention is in contact with the ground and a state in which the heel of the wearer is in contact with the ground.
5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a walking assistance device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 to 7 are enlarged perspective views illustrating a deflection support according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a perspective view illustrating a walking assistance device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in various different forms, and only the present embodiments allow the disclosure of the present invention to be complete, and those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. It is provided to fully understand the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing the embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. In this specification, the singular also includes the plural unless specifically stated otherwise in the phrase. As used herein, “comprises” and/or “comprising” does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components in addition to the stated components. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout, and "and/or" includes each and every combination of one or more of the recited elements. Although "first", "second", etc. are used to describe various elements, these elements are not limited by these terms, of course. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. Accordingly, it goes without saying that the first component mentioned below may be the second component within the spirit of the present invention.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein will have the meaning commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. In addition, terms defined in a commonly used dictionary are not to be interpreted ideally or excessively unless specifically defined explicitly.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a wearer's feet are worn on a walking assistance device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views illustrating a walking assistance device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A , the walking assistance device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a sole holder 100 , a calf support 200 , and an elastic member 300 .

The sole holder 100 is mounted on the sole of the wearer's sole, and may have a shape corresponding to the sole of the wearer's sole.

For example, the sole holder 100 may have a plate shape as a whole, and a tip may have a downwardly curved shape. In this case, the sole holder 100 may be easily inserted into and fixed to the shoe through the tip.

The sole supporting unit 100 may have an ankle support unit 110 that is bent and extended from one end of the sole supporting unit 100 and supports the ankle of the wearer.

The ankle support 110 may have a shape corresponding to the rear of the wearer's ankle. For example, the ankle support 110 may have a curved shape surrounding the rear of the wearer's ankle as a whole. Specifically, the ankle support 110 may have a curved shape surrounding the ankle from at least a portion of the heel. More preferably, the ankle support 110 may have a curved shape surrounding the ankle joint from the wearer's heel bone via the subtalar joint.

The ankle support 110 may have a through hole 111 for improving the wearer's ankle fit. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B , the through hole 111 may be formed along the central axis 110L of the ankle support 110 . Specifically, the through hole 111 may be formed in an oval shape. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The through-hole 111 induces the opening of the ankle support 110 during wearing or walking, thereby improving the wearer's ankle fit.

The calf support part 200 is spaced apart from the upper side of the sole holder 100 and serves to support the calf of the wearer.

For example, the calf support 200 may have a flat plate shape. In this case, it is possible to prevent the calf support unit 200 from locally pressing the wearer's calf and causing pain.

As another example, the calf support part 200 may have a curved plate shape. In this case, the calf 200 may have a curved shape in a shape corresponding to the wearer's calf shape.

Meanwhile, the sole holder 100 may be fixed to the wearer's ankle through the first strap 510 , and the calf support 200 may be fixed to the wearer's calf through the second strap 520 . (See FIG. 1) Therefore, the sole holder 100 and the wearer's foot can be in close contact with the first strap 510, and the calf support 200 and the wearer's calf are brought into close contact with the second strap 520 by the second strap 520. , the sole supporting unit 100 and the calf supporting unit 200 can be worn stably by the wearer. The first strap 510 surrounds the sole supporting unit 100 and the wearer's ankle, and a Velcro strap may be used. can The second strap 520 surrounds the calf support 200 and the wearer's calf, and a Velcro strap may be used.

In addition, the first strap 510 and the second strap 520 may be disposed on the outside of the sole holder 100 and the calf support 200 so as to be fixed to a separate mechanism.

The elastic member 300 connects the sole holder 100 and the calf support 200 to form an elastic force that pushes the calf support 200 forward.

3A and 3B are side views illustrating a state in which the wearer's feet are not worn and a state in which the wearer's feet are worn in the walking assistance device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 4A to 4C are views according to an embodiment of the present invention; It is a side view showing a state in which the heel of a wearer wearing a walking aid is in contact with the ground and a state in which the heel of the wearer is in contact with the ground.

Hereinafter, the operation of the foot walking assistance device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 4C .

Depending on whether or not the wearer's feet for the walking aid of the present invention are worn, the angle between the calf support 200 and the sole holder 100 is maintained at a specific angle by the elastic force of the elastic member 300, or the elastic member 300 may form an elastic force that pushes the calf support 200 forward.

Specifically, as shown in Figure 3a, in a state in which the wearer's feet are not worn in the walking aid of the present invention, the elastic member 300 sets the angle between the calf support part 200 and the sole support part 100 to a specific angle. keep it as At this time, the angle between the calf support part 200 and the sole support part 100 by the elastic member 300 may be maintained at an acute angle.

In addition, as shown in Figure 3b, in a state in which the wearer's feet are worn in the walking aid of the present invention, the elastic member 300 is elastically deformed by the spacing between the calf support 200 and the sole holder 100. . In other words, the elastic member 300 is elastically deformed by the increase in the angle between the calf support 200 and the sole holder 100 , and then, the elastic member 300 exerts an elastic force that pushes the calf support 200 forward. to form

When a wearer wearing the walking aid of the present invention walks, the elastic member 300 is elastically deformed by the separation between the calf support 200 and the sole holder 100 depending on whether the wearer's heel is in contact with the ground or not. , or the elastic member 300 pushes the wearer's calf forward through the elastic force that pushes the calf support part 200 forward, thereby inducing bending of the wearer's knee when walking.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4A, the elastic member ( 300) is elastically deformed. Thereafter, the elastic member 300 forms an elastic force for pushing the calf support part 200 forward.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4B , the elastic member 300 pushes the calf support 200 forward in a state in which the wearer's heel is released from contact with the ground during walking of the wearer wearing the walking aid of the present invention. It creates an elastic force, which pushes the wearer's calf forward and induces the wearer's knee to bend. As a result, the walking assistance device of the present invention can provide the rotational force generated when the wearer walks as a driving force necessary for bending the wearer's knee.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4C , the elastic member 300 is spaced apart from the calf support 200 and the sole holder 100 in a state in which the heel of the wearer wearing the walking aid of the present invention is in contact with the ground. ) is elastically deformed again. Thereafter, the elastic member 300 again forms an elastic force for pushing the calf support 200 forward.

As described above, the first process in which the elastic member 300 is elastically deformed by the spacing between the calf support part 200 and the sole support part 100 when a wearer wearing the walking aid device of the present invention walks (see FIG. 4a ). And, the second process of inducing bending of the wearer's knee by pushing the wearer's calf forward by forming an elastic force in which the elastic member 300 pushes the calf support part 200 forward (refer to FIG. 4b) is repeated in one cycle By doing so, the rotational force generated when the wearer walks can be provided as a driving force necessary for bending the wearer's knee.

Meanwhile, the elastic member 300 may be spaced apart from the wearer's calf. As such, as the elastic member 300 is spaced apart from the wearer's calf, a space is formed between the elastic member 300 and the wearer's calf. As a result, since contraction and relaxation of the wearer's calf muscles are made in the space between the elastic member 300 and the wearer's calf, the wearer's calf fit can be improved. ) can be connected to the rear surface of the calf support part 200. Due to this, the connection part of the elastic member 300 and the sole holder 100 and the connection part of the elastic member 300 and the calf support part 200 are separated. Since it protrudes from the wearer's calf and does not locally press the wearer's calf, the wearer's calf fit can be improved.

5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a walking assistance device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 6 to 7 are enlarged perspective views illustrating a deflection support unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 to 7 , the walking assistance device according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a bias support unit 400 .

The deflection support part 400 is interposed between the ankle support part 110 and the elastic member 300, and serves to deflect the sole support part 100 to the outside of the sole of the wearer's sole.

The angle of the plantar support part 100 is arranged so that the angle of the sole holder 100 is twisted to the outside of the sole of the wearer by this deflection support part 400, so that the plantar pressure center of the sole of the wearer (COP) when the wearer walks. Center of pressure) is moved from the outside, which is an abnormal position, to the inside, which is a normal position.

As a result, the sole holder 100 can conveniently support the central axis of the sole of the wearer for walking, and thus can help the wearer to walk normally, and improve the fit of the wearer's sole. have.

The deflection support unit 400 may have a cross-sectional shape in which the cross-sectional area of the ankle support unit 110 is gradually increased from one end to the other end.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6 , the deflection support unit 400 may have a cross-sectional shape in which the cross-sectional area gradually increases from right to left. When the deflection support part 400 is interposed between the sole support part 110 and the elastic member 300, the angle of the sole support part 100 is arranged to be twisted to the right, so that the center of plantar pressure of the sole of the wearer's right foot is abnormally It moves from the outside, which is the position, to the inside, which is the normal position. At this time, the angle at which the sole holder 100 is twisted may be 5 degrees to 15 degrees. As a result, since the sole holder 100 can accurately support the central axis of the sole of the wearer's right foot, it is possible to improve the fit of the wearer's right foot.

As another example, as shown in FIG. 7 , the deflection support 400 may have a cross-sectional shape in which the cross-sectional area is gradually increased from left to right. When the deflection support part 400 is interposed between the sole support part 110 and the elastic member 300, the angle of the sole support part 100 is arranged to be twisted to the left, so that the center of plantar pressure of the sole of the wearer's left foot is abnormally It moves from the outside, which is the position, to the inside, which is the normal position. At this time, the angle at which the sole holder 100 is twisted may be 5 degrees to 15 degrees. As a result, the sole holder 100 can conveniently support the central axis of the sole of the wearer's left foot for walking, thereby improving the fit of the wearer's left foot.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 5 , the ankle support 110 may include a first extension 120 . The calf support 200 may include a second extension 210 . The extension 120 and the second extension 210 may be connected by an elastic member 300 . The elastic member 300 may include an elastic pad 310 and a cover pad 320 .

The first extension 120 extends to the rear of the ankle support 110 . For example, the first extension part 120 may have an elliptical shape, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereto.

The second extension 210 extends to the rear of the calf support 200 . For example, the second extension 210 may have an elliptical shape, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereto.

The elastic pad 310 connects the first extension 120 and the second extension 210 , and has a relatively larger elastic modulus than the cover pad 320 , which will be described later. The elastic pad 310 serves to provide an elastic force so that the calf support part 200 approaches the sole holder 100 . In addition, the elastic pad 310 can be used by selectively mounting the elastic pad 310 having various elastic modulus according to the condition of the wearer's feet.

The cover pad 320 may surround the elastic pad 310 . The cover pad 320 serves to cover the elastic pad 310 .

For example, the elastic pad 310 may be mounted on the first extension 120 and the second extension 210 .

As another example, the elastic pad 310 may be screwed to the first extension 120 and the second extension 210 . Specifically, the first extension portion 120 and the elastic pad 310 may be screwed by a plurality of first bolts 330 , and the second extension portion 210 and the elastic pad 310 may be coupled to the plurality of first bolts 330 . It may be screwed by two bolts (340). Accordingly, when the life of the elastic pad 310 is over, the replacement of the elastic pad 310 can be facilitated. In addition, different intrinsic modulus of elasticity may be required for each user, and since the elastic pad 310 can be replaced according to the user's intrinsic modulus of elasticity, a customized walking assistance function can be provided to the user.

As another example, the elastic pad 310 may be mounted on the first extension part 120 and the second extension part 210 in a sliding manner. Specifically, a first mounting groove (not shown) recessed downward may be formed on the upper surface of the first extension part 120 . In addition, a second mounting groove (not shown) recessed upward may be formed on the lower surface of the second extension part 210 . Both sides of the elastic pad 310 may be slidably coupled to the first and second mounting grooves, respectively.

In addition, the deflection support part 400 may be interposed between at least one of between the first extension part 120 and the elastic pad 310 and between the second extension part 210 and the elastic pad 310 .

For example, the deflection support part 400 may be interposed between the first extension part 120 and the elastic pad 310 , and may be screwed by a plurality of first bolts 330 .

In addition, the deflection support unit 400 may have a plurality of fitting projections 410 extending toward the first extension portion 120, the first extension portion 120 is fitted to which the plurality of fitting projections 410 are coupled. It may have a groove 121 .

Accordingly, the deflection support part 400 may be screwed by a plurality of first bolts 330 while being fixed to the fitting groove 121 through the fitting protrusion 410 .

8 is a perspective view illustrating another example of an elastic member of a walking assistance device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A walking aid according to an embodiment of the present invention is worn by a wearer who is not free to exercise ankle or knee. Therefore, it is important to design to minimize the resistance when the wearer who has difficulty applying a large force to the ankle or knee exercise bends the ankle or knee.

In consideration of this, as shown in FIG. 8 , it is most preferable that the elastic pad 310 ′ of the elastic member 300 ′ has a structure that is bent one or more times.

In this case, the elastic pad 310 ′ of the elastic member 300 ′ has relatively greater elastic deformation than the force applied when the wearer walks, thereby minimizing the resistance of the elastic restoring force to the movement of the ankle or knee.

According to the present invention, the walking assistance device according to an embodiment of the present invention has the effect of providing the rotational force generated when the wearer walks as a driving force necessary for bending the wearer's knee.

In addition, the walking assistance device according to an embodiment of the present invention has the effect of improving the wearing comfort.

In the above, embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can realize that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features thereof. you will be able to understand Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive.

100: sole support part
110: ankle support
111: through hole
120: first extension
121: fitting groove
200: calf support
210: second extension
300, 300`: elastic member
310, 310`: elastic pad
320: cover pad
330: first volt
340: second volt
400: bias support
410: fitting projection
510: first strap
520: second strap

Claims (9)

a sole holder on which the wearer's sole is mounted;
a calf support part disposed to be spaced apart from the sole holder and supporting the wearer's calf; and
and an elastic member that connects the sole holder and the calf support, and generates an elastic force for pushing the calf support forward. According to claim 1,
The elastic member,
A walking aid, characterized in that it is spaced apart from the wearer's calf.
3. The method of claim 2,
The elastic member,
A walking assistance device, characterized in that the rear surface of the sole support part and the rear surface of the calf support part are connected.
According to claim 1,
The foot rest part,
A walking aid comprising an ankle support that is bent from one end and supports the wearer's ankle.
5. The method of claim 4,
The walking assistance device further comprising: a biasing support part interposed between the ankle support part and the elastic member to bias the sole support part outwardly of the sole of the wearer.
6. The method of claim 5,
The deflection support portion,
A walking aid, characterized in that it has a cross-sectional shape in which the cross-sectional area is gradually increased from one end of the ankle support to the other.
5. The method of claim 4,
A walking aid, characterized in that it further comprises a through hole formed along the central axis of the ankle support.
According to claim 1,
The elastic member,
A walking aid, characterized in that it has a structure that is bent more than once.
According to claim 1,
a first strap surrounding the sole holder and the wearer's ankle; and
The walking aid further comprises a second strap surrounding the calf support and the wearer's calf.

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