SISTEMA PARA FAZER INTERFACE COM O CORPO DE UM OPERADOR PARA UMA UNIDADE DE FUNÇÃO
Patent Information
- Application Number
- BR102020025522
- Authority / Receiving Office
- BR · BR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2020-01-16
- Filing Date
- 2020-12-14
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-04
- Estimated Expiration
- 2040-12-14
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
"SYSTEM FOR INTERFACING AN OPERATOR'S BODY WITH A FUNCTIONAL UNIT"
[0001] The present invention relates to a system for interfacing with an operator's body to a function unit.
[0002] These systems are intended to be coupled with a generic function unit, for example, a piece of equipment, a transport unit, etc., and are used by the operator to perform the function of transferring the forces generated by the unit onto the operator's body, typically relieving the operator's arms of some of the strain.
[0003] Interface systems of this type are becoming increasingly widespread in various work areas, for example, in industry, construction sites, the agricultural sector, etc., following the trend, which has existed for some time now, of providing increasingly stringent requirements for workers' working conditions.
[0004] However, known interface systems have several disadvantages, including the fact that - on average - they are uncomfortable; cause discomfort or even pain after prolonged use; make the operator sweat; and are unsuitable for use by multiple people, citing the main disadvantages that are of interest to this discussion.
[0005] In this context, the present invention is directed to providing an improved interface system with respect to known systems, in particular, one that overcomes one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages.
[0006] This objective is achieved through an interface system having the characteristics mentioned in claim 1.
[0007] The claims form an integral part of the technical disclosure provided herein in relation to the invention.
[0008] Additional features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, provided simply by way of non-limiting example, in which: - Figures 1A and 1B represent a preferred embodiment of the system of Petition 870200156677, dated 12 / 14 / 2020, p. 12 / 36 2 / 12 interface described herein, according to a front view and a rear view, respectively; Figure 2 represents a side view of the interface system shown in Figure 1; - Figures 3A, 3B, and 3C represent a component of the interface system in Figure 1, shown in three-quarter views from above, below, and the side, respectively; Figures 4A and 4B represent variants of the component shown in Figures 3A, 3B, and 3C; Figure 5 represents a detail of the interface system from Figure 1, partially disassembled; Figure 5A represents a variant of the system in Figure 1; Figure 6 represents a detail of the system in Figure 1; Figure 7 illustrates a series of examples in which the system described here is used by operators with different postures and builds.
[0009] In the following description, several specific details are illustrated aimed at a complete understanding of the embodiments. The embodiments may be implemented without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other cases, known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring various aspects of the embodiments.
[0010] The references used here are for convenience only and do not, therefore, define the field of protection or the scope of the modalities.
[0011] The solution described herein refers to a system for interfacing an operator's body with a function unit. This term in the present invention refers to any unit designed to perform a given function or operation. It could be, for example, a tool, a piece of equipment, an apparatus, a device, etc. The function or operation can be of any type and for any area of activity, for example, industry, construction site, agricultural sector, commerce, etc.
[0012] The interface system in question is, in particular, intended for those Petition 870200156677, dated 12 / 14 / 2020, p. 13 / 36 3 / 12 applications where the function unit is arranged to be carried by an operator and performs the function of discharging the forces generated by the unit onto the operator's body.
[0013] In general, the interface system described in the present invention, indicated in the figures with reference number 10, comprises: - a frame 2 intended to be positioned on the posterior side of the operator's back and defining a main extension direction K which, in a used condition of the system, is oriented parallel to the operator's longitudinal geometric axis; - a plurality of contact units 4, which are connected to the frame 2 and are intended to be brought into contact with the operator's back and hips,
[0014] In which this plurality of contact units comprises: - an initial series of 4I contact units configured to be positioned on the front side of the operator's chest area; - a second series of 4II contact units configured to be positioned on the posterior side of the operator's thoracic region; and - a third series of 4III contact units configured to be positioned on the operator's hips;
[0015] Wherein each contact unit 4 comprises a first and a second support 41, 42 and at least one elastic body 43, which is disposed between the first and second support and which is deformable so as to permit variations in position and / or orientation between the first support 41 and the second support 42; the first support 41 being intended to be placed in contact with the operator's body in the used condition of the interface system; - a plurality of flexible elements 6 to connect the contact units 41 to the frame 2.
[0016] Frame 2 constitutes the system component to which the function unit is connected and to which the forces generated by the function unit are transmitted, while contact units 4 constitute the components of Petition 870200156677, dated 12 / 14 / 2020, page 14 / 36 4 / 12 system through which the forces transmitted from the function unit to frame 2 are discharged onto the operator's body.
[0017] These contact units are designed to be positioned on the front and back sides of the operator's rib cage, to primarily unload the angular moments transmitted to frame 2; and over the hips, to primarily unload the vertical forces transmitted to frame 2.
[0018] In general, the forces generated by the function unit are transmitted to the operator's body entirely or almost entirely by the contact units 4.
[0019] The regions of the operator's body not in contact with units 4 are therefore not involved (at least not directly) in supporting the loads and forces generated by the function unit.
[0020] As indicated above, each contact unit is formed by at least two mutually movable and elastically connected supports, so that it is able, on the one hand, to adapt to the body shape of different operators, and on the other hand, to follow the movements of the operator's body and elastically counteract the forces transmitted by frame 2.
[0021] Thanks to the characteristics indicated above, the interface system 10 is generally comfortable to use, and capable of relieving the neck, trapezius muscle regions, shoulders and abdominal region of the load operator, which are parts that are extremely sensitive to prolonged strain.
[0022] With reference now to the preferred embodiments of the system described above, the frame 2 comprises an upper portion 21, intended to be positioned in the scapular region of the operator, and a lower portion 22, intended to be positioned in the lumbar or lumbosacral region of the operator.
[0023] In preferred embodiments, such as the one illustrated, the frame 2 also comprises two lateral portions 23, which extend parallel to the main direction K and connect the upper portion 21 and the lower portion 22 to each other.
[0024] The two portions 23 are separated along a direction transverse to the K direction, so as to be arranged on opposite sides of the vertebral column of Petition 870200156677, dated 12 / 14 / 2020, page 15 / 36 5 / 12 operator, thus leaving that region of the body free.
[0025] Frame 2 has a rigid structure and can be made of metal, for example, aluminum, or of a rigid plastic material, for example, PLA (polylactic acid), optionally carbon-filled, or even made of wood.
[0026] With reference to figures 3A-3B, the two supports 41,42 of the contact units 4 can be made of plastic material, for example, nylon, PET or PLA.
[0027] In preferred embodiments, as well as in the one illustrated, the support 41, which is intended to come into contact with the operator's body, is formed of a semi-rigid plate perforated along a prevalent portion of its length. The holes obtained in the plate serve to accentuate the elastic behavior of the plate and, on the other hand, to allow the parts of the operator's body with which the plate comes into contact to breathe.
[0028] The support 42 of the contact units 4 is also formed of a plate, the structure of which may be rigid or semi-rigid. One or more fixing points 42A are arranged on this plate 42 to connect the unit 4 to the frame 2 or to the flexible elements 6.
[0029] The attachment points in question can be of various types. For example, as illustrated in figures 3A-3C, for connection with a flexible element 6, the plate 42 may have one or more slots 42A for fixing these elements.
[0030] For connection to frame 2, plate 42 may instead have one or more holes (not shown) for fixing to frame 2 by means of screws or other fasteners of an equivalent type.
[0031] In preferred embodiments, as well as in the one illustrated, the elastic bodies 43 consist of substantially tubular bodies, preferably made of rubber, which are arranged with their geometric axis oriented transversely to the supports 41 and 42. These bodies are designed to be compressed due to a change in position and / or orientation between the two supports 42 and 42, and operate on these supports with an elastic action to return to their extended condition. The number and distribution of these bodies between the two supports 41 and 42 are chosen so that the loads transmitted to the supports 42 are discharged over an area Petition 870200156677, dated 12 / 14 / 2020, page 16 / 36 6 / 12 extended from supports 41 and, consequently, over an area of equal extension of the operator's body.
[0032] In some forms, bodies 43 may also contain a gas under pressure to accentuate their elastic behavior.
[0033] In alternative embodiments, the contact units 4 may, on the other hand, comprise one or more elastic bodies consisting of closed-cell foams or flexible reticular structures. In this regard, Figures 4A and 4B illustrate two examples where the contact unit 4 comprises a single elastic body, in the shape of a parallelepiped which – in the example of Figure 4A – consists of a closed-cell foam and – in the example of Figure 4B – consists of a flexible reticular structure. The materials used may be polymeric materials, for example, rubbers, polyurethane, polyamide, etc.
[0034] With reference now to figure 5, in preferred embodiments, as well as in the one illustrated, the contact units 4III constitute a belt configured to wrap around the operator's hips, having a chain-like structure. In particular, the different units 4III are connected to each other through their respective plates 42 so as to be able to rotate and vary their orientation with respect to the adjacent units. In preferred embodiments, as well as in the one illustrated, this connection can be made through flexible elements 52 such as, for example, straps.
[0035] Alternatively, each contact unit 4III can be connected to the adjacent unit by means of a hinge, which rotatably connects the relative plates 42 of the two contact units.
[0036] In preferred modalities, as well as in the one illustrated, the 4III contact units differ from one another according to the part of the hips in which they are intended to come into contact.
[0037] The 4III contact unit series comprises, in particular, two 4III contact units (1), which are intended to be positioned on the posterior side of the hips, in symmetrical positions with respect to the spine, preferably at the level of the iliac-lumbar region.
[0038] The series in question also comprises two 4III (2) contact units Petition 870200156677, dated 12 / 14 / 2020, page 17 / 36 7 / 12, which are instead intended to be positioned on the front of the hips, always in symmetrical positions with respect to the spine, and at the level of the lower abdomen.
[0039] The contact units 4III(2) are distinguished from the contact units 4III(1) in that they each provide a unique support 42, which is common to the two supports 41; each of the two supports 41 is connected to the support 42 by means of a respective elastic body 43. The support 42 has a longitudinal extension designed to orient itself along the circumference of the operator's hips, and is equipped with a semi-rigid structure so that it can flex, adapting to the shape of the operator's body.
[0040] Preferably, on each side of the vertebral column, the corresponding contact units 4III(1) and 4III(2) are placed over the iliac crest of the pelvis.
[0041] As illustrated in the variant of figure 5A, the size and number of supports 41 carried by the single support 42, can vary according to the requirements of specific applications, in relation to both the contact units 4III(1) and the contact units 4III(2).
[0042] In alternative embodiments, the contact units 4III, instead, all have the same structure in which each support 42 carries a single support 41. In this case, preferably the individual contact units have small dimensions to engage a restricted area of the operator's body. On the other hand, the series constituted by the contact units has a significantly higher number than the illustrated embodiment, so that all the units together, in a discretized mode, still cover a prevalent part of the operator's hip circumference.
[0043] In general, the 4III series of contact units is designed to adapt to the shape of different operators' hips, always remaining wrapped around and adhering to them and distributing loads along an extended and prevalent part of the hip circumference.
[0044] Preferably, the series of flexible elements 52 connecting the supports 42 of the different contact units 4III(1) and 4III(2) also includes elements of Petition 870200156677, dated 12 / 14 / 2020, page 18 / 36 8 / 12 releasable connection 53 (e.g., fasteners of the type used for backpacks) to close the system 10 on the operator's hips.
[0045] Returning to figures 1A and 1B, in preferred embodiments, as well as in the one illustrated, the series of contact units 41 comprises only two contact units, which are arranged to be positioned on the front side of the operator's rib cage, preferably in symmetrical positions with respect to the spine.
[0046] In preferred embodiments, as well as in the one illustrated, the 4II contact unit series comprises only two contact units, which are fixed to the frame 2 and are arranged to be positioned in the operator's scapular regions, always in symmetrical positions with respect to the spine.
[0047] In alternative embodiments, the 4I and 4II contact units may instead be single or consist of a number greater than two, based on the requirements of specific applications.
[0048] It should be noted that the system used 10 is designed to leave the region along the spine free on the posterior side of the operator's back, since, as seen, the contact units 4II and 4III (1) and the lateral portions 23 of the frame 2 are all positioned symmetrically on opposite sides of this region.
[0049] The flexible elements 6 connect the contact units 4I to the frame 2 and are generally arranged to create the fixation of the system 10 - as a whole - to the operator's body.
[0050] In preferred embodiments, such as the one illustrated, the series of elements 6 comprises elements 6I, which connect the two contact units 4I to the upper portion 21 of the frame 2, and two elements 6II, which connect the same contact units to the lower portion 22 of the frame. In general, elements 6I and 6II constitute shoulder straps.
[0051] Elements 6I and 6II can be connected to contact units 4I and frame 2, with the possibility of varying their length between these units and the upper and lower portions 21,22 of frame 2, to provide an adjustment of the system, to adapt it to the operator's build. Optionally, elements 6II Petition 870200156677, dated 12 / 14 / 2020, page 19 / 36 9 / 12 may include releasable connection elements 54 to determine their opening in order to facilitate the placement or removal of the system.
[0052] Two additional elements 6III are individually connected to a respective contact unit 4I, and are arranged with releasable connecting elements 55 (e.g., fasteners of the type used for backpacks, hooks, Velcro, etc.) to connect the two elements 6III and thus close the system 10 on the operator's back.
[0053] Flexible elements 6I, 6II and 6III can be made up of belts or straps, made, for example, of cloth or non-woven fabric.
[0054] In preferred embodiments, as well as in the one illustrated, the system 10 comprises two spacer elements 30, which are fixed to the upper portion 21 of the frame 2 and extend beyond it, in a direction opposite to the lateral portions 23, such that, in the used condition of the system, these elements rise above the regions of the trapezius and clavicular muscles, and their ends 30' are positioned at a distance from these regions.
[0055] The flexible elements 6I are connected to the ends 30' of the elements 30, and not directly to the upper portion 21 of the frame 2.
[0056] In this way, they do not put pressure on the trapezius muscles or the clavicles, making the system particularly comfortable to use.
[0057] The spacer elements 30 can be made of metal or plastic material, like frame 2.
[0058] In alternative embodiments, the spacer elements 30 may be formed from attachments of the same frame 2.
[0059] The series of contact units 4III is connected to the lower portion 22 of the frame 2 so that the vertical forces transmitted by the frame are discharged onto the operator's hips.
[0060] Preferably, this connection is made between the posterior portion 22 and the two contact units 4III(1) that are arranged to be positioned in the iliac-lumbar regions.
[0061] In preferred modalities, as well as in the illustrated one, the two units Petition 870200156677, dated 12 / 14 / 2020, page 20 / 36 10 / 12 4III(1) are connected to portion 22 via a hinge 70 that defines a geometric axis of rotation I intended, in the used condition of system 10, to be positioned horizontally, in a sagittal plane of the operator, to allow the contact units to vary their orientation according to the orientation of the operator's hips. In this respect, Figure 7 schematically illustrates how the two contact units 4III(1) are positioned differently around the geometric axis of rotation I, depending on the different posture of the operator's pelvis. In particular, this figure shows the variations in the angle that is defined between a direction parallel to the operator's longitudinal geometric axis and the direction in which the support 72 carrying the two contact units 4III(1) is arranged.
[0062] In preferred embodiments, as well as in the one illustrated, the two units 4III(1) are carried by a support 72 having a central portion 72A, connected to the frame portion 22 by means of the hinge 70, from which lateral tabs 72B project (on opposite sides with respect to the K direction) in which the supports 42 of the contact units 4III(1) are fixed, for example, by means of screws.
[0063] In preferred embodiments, the hinge 70 is equipped with a system designed to lock the movement of the hinge and thus fix the two contact units 4III(1) in the orientation selected by the operator, after having used the interface system and made adjustments to fit the size of his body. Preferably, this system comprises an adjustment element, for example, a screw 75, as in the embodiment illustrated, to facilitate adjustment of the hinge position by the operator.
[0064] In alternative embodiments, hinge 70 is instead kept mobile even when the operator is using the system and working, so that the two units 4III(1) can follow the movements of his hips.
[0065] In preferred embodiments, as well as in the one illustrated, the two contact units 4III(1) are also adjustable in one position along the K direction of the frame 2, to provide the possibility of adjusting the distance between the series of contact units 4III and the series of contact units 4II, as a function of the operator's height. Petition 870200156677, dated 12 / 14 / 2020, page 21 / 36 11 / 12
[0066] In particular, in preferred embodiments, as well as in the one illustrated, the support 72 is – in turn – carried by a support 74, which can be fixed to the lower portion 22 at different positions along the direction K, by means of a position adjustment system. This system can be of various types and, in particular, can be arranged for continuous or discrete position adjustment. For example, this system can provide two toothed portions 74A, 22A, which can be coupled at different relative positions along the direction k, and a clamping lever 76, or any other locking element of equivalent type, by means of which the two portions can be fixed at the relative position selected by the operator.
[0067] In view of the above, it is now evident how the interface system described in the present invention has a simple and essential structure, in which, on the one hand, the frame 2, present only on the posterior side of the operator's rib cage, provides the necessary rigidity to resist stresses transmitted by the function unit to the system, and, on the other hand, the contact units 4 provide the points - the only ones - through which the system discharges the forces onto the operator's body.
[0068] As seen, the units in question consist of two supports, elastically connected together and are, instead, completely free of filler materials (e.g., sponges, rubber, etc.) which are, conversely, very widespread in the state of the art.
[0069] In addition to the advantages already discussed above, this structure of the contact units 4, completely free of absorbent materials, offers a number of additional advantages, such as not absorbing the operator's sweat, being easily washable, and the system being suitable for outdoor use.
[0070] The contact units made in this way are, moreover, more durable with respect to filler elements which tend to deform permanently over time. In addition, where required, the supports 41 of the contact units 4 can – in any case – be covered with covers made of soft material, for example, of the disposable type.
[0071] In general, the interface system described here is also extremely lightweight. Petition 870200156677, dated 12 / 14 / 2020, page 22 / 36 12 / 12
[0072] As mentioned above, the interface system 10 can be used in combination with any function unit.
[0073] A specific application whereby the system described herein may be particularly advantageous relates to the field of systems for assisting the application of forces (also called “exoskeletons”). In this respect, the interface system described herein may be advantageously used for a system for assisting the application of forces, of the type described in PCT application WO2019016629.
[0074] Obviously, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the details of construction and embodiments may vary, even significantly, from those illustrated here, purely by way of non-limiting example, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. System for interfacing with an operator's body for a function unit, comprising: - a frame (2) intended to be positioned on the posterior side of the operator's back and defining a main extension direction (K) which, in a used condition of said system, is oriented parallel to the operator's longitudinal geometric axis, - a plurality of contact units (4), which are connected to said frame (2) and, in the used condition of said system, are intended to be placed in contact with the operator's back and hips, said system being characterized in that said plurality comprises: - a first contact unit or a first series of contact units (4I) configured to be positioned on the frontal side of the operator's thoracic region; - a second contact unit or a second series of contact units (4II) configured to be positioned on the posterior side of the operator's thoracic region;- a third series of contact units (4III) configured to be positioned on the operator's hips; wherein each contact unit comprises a first and a second support (41, 42) and at least one elastic body (43), which is disposed between the first and second supports (41, 42) and which is deformable so as to allow variations in position and / or orientation between said first and second supports (41, 42), said first support (41) being intended to be placed in contact with the operator's body in said used condition of the interface system; - a plurality of flexible elements (6) for connecting said first contact unit or said first series of contact units (4I) to said frame (2).
2. System, according to claim 1, characterized by having Petition 870260051660, dated 05 / 29 / 2026, page 9 / 18 2 / 5 an arrangement of said flexible elements (6) and said contact units (4) such that, in said condition used, the forces generated by said function unit are transmitted to the operator's body totally or almost totally by said contact units (4).
3. System, according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said frame (2) comprises an upper portion (21) intended to be positioned at the height of the operator's scapula region, and a lower portion (22) intended to be positioned at the height of the operator's lumbar or lumbosacral region, wherein said second contact unit or said second series of contact units (4I) is mounted on said upper portion of said frame, and wherein said third series of contact units (4I) is mounted on said lower portion of said frame.
4. System according to claim 3, characterized in that said third series of contact units (4III(1)) is connected to said lower portion (22) in a rotary manner around a geometric axis of rotation (I) intended, in the used condition of said system, to be positioned horizontally in a sagittal plane of the operator and at the height of the operator's lumbar or lumbosacral region.
5. System, according to any one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that said third series of contact units (4III(1)) is additionally adjustable in position along said main extension direction (K), so as to allow adjustment of the distance between said third series of contact units (4III), and said second contact unit, or said second series of contact units (4II).
6. System, according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said third series of contact units (4III) forms a belt intended to encircle the operator's hips in said used condition of the system (10) wherein each unit (4III) is connected to adjacent units in a rotary manner so as to vary its own orientation with respect to those units.
7. System, according to claim 6, characterized in that Petition 870260051660, dated 05 / 29 / 2026, page 10 / 18 3 / 5 said third series comprises two posterior contact units (4III(1)) that are symmetrically positioned with respect to the longitudinal direction (K) of said frame (2) and that are configured to be positioned in the lumboiliac regions of the operator's body while leaving the lumbosacral region free.
8. System, according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that said third series comprises two front contact units (4III(2)), which are symmetrically positioned with respect to direction (K) of said frame (2) and which are configured to be positioned at the height of the lower abdomen region.
9. System, according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that in each contact unit (4), said first and second supports (41, 42) are made of plastic, wherein said first support (41) is constituted by a semi-rigid plate, and said second support (42) is constituted by a rigid or semi-rigid plate, said plate (42) being provided with one or more connection points (42A) to connect the contact unit (4) to said frame (2) or to one of said flexible elements (6).
10. System according to claim 3, characterized in that said frame (2) additionally comprises two lateral portions (23) that extend parallel to said principal direction (K) and join together the upper portion (21) and the lower portion (22), wherein said portions (23) are adjusted at a distance from each other along a direction that is transverse to said principal direction (K) so as to be positioned, in said used condition of said system, on opposite sides of the operator's spine, while leaving that region of the body free.
11. System, according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said first series of contact units (4I) comprises only two contact units, which are configured to be positioned on the front side of the operator's rib cage in symmetrical positions with respect to the spine. Petition 870260051660, dated 05 / 29 / 2026, page 11 / 18 4 / 5 12. System, according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that said second series of contact units (4II) comprises only two contact units, which are configured to be positioned in the scapular regions of the operator in symmetrical positions with respect to the spine.
13. System, according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that said frame (2) is made of metal or of a rigid plastic material.
14. System, according to claim 3, characterized in that said plurality of flexible elements (6) comprises one or more elements (6I) connecting said first contact unit, or said first series of contact units (4I), to said upper portion (21) of said frame (2) and one or more elements (6II) connecting said first contact unit, or said first series of contact units (4I) to said lower portion (22) of said frame (2).
15. System according to claim 12, characterized in that it comprises one or more additional elements (6III) that connect the contact units of said first series of contact units to each other, by means of releasable connecting elements, to lock said system (10) onto the operator's back.
16. System, according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that said flexible elements (6I, 6II, 6III) are constituted by belts or bands.
17. System, according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that said frame (2) comprises an upper portion (21) intended to be positioned at the height of the operator's scapular regions and a lower portion (22) intended to be positioned at the height of the operator's lumbar or lumbosacral region and in that said system comprises one or more spacer elements (30) provided in said frame (2) and connected to corresponding flexible elements (6I, 6II) of said plurality of flexible elements, which extend Petition 870260051660, dated 05 / 29 / 2026, page. 12 / 18 5 / 5 at least partially along said principal direction (K), so that in the used condition of said system, said flexible elements (6I, 6II) connected to said spacer elements rise above the trapezoidal muscles and clavicular regions of the operator, and are maintained at a distance from them.