Active Spinal Support System for Load Redistribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The increased weight of body-worn equipment in military and non-military contexts leads to back fatigue and chronic injuries due to inadequate support systems, which fail to effectively off-load loads during shock events, particularly in vehicular operations, as existing seat-based attenuation systems are insufficient for modern equipment loads.
Innovation Solution
A wearable spinal support system with an upper body adapter, a lower body adapter, and an articulated structural column that uses tendons and mechanical control elements to dynamically adjust and redistribute the load from the upper torso to the lower torso or vehicle seat, allowing for freedom of movement and enhanced protection during shock events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing seat-based attenuation systems are used, then protection during extreme shock events is provided, but they are insufficient for modern equipment loads and do not reduce back fatigue during normal operations
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is divided into two independent components: a wearable active spinal support system that attaches to the occupant's back, and the existing seat-based attenuation system. The spinal support system includes vertebral elements, tendons, and actuators that work independently to support equipment loads during normal operations, while the seat system handles extreme shock events. This segmentation allows each system to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable spinal support system acts as an intermediary between the equipment load and the seat structure. It transfers a portion of the equipment mass to the vehicle structure through seat attachments, reducing the load on the occupant's spine during normal operations. During extreme shock events, the system works in conjunction with the seat-based attenuation system to provide comprehensive protection.
2Productivity
If lumbar-supported equipment weight is increased to meet mission requirements, then operational capability is improved, but spinal injury risk increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The spinal support system provides an active counterbalancing force to offset the weight of lumbar-supported equipment. actuators generate upward force through tendons attached to the vertebral elements, creating a counterweight effect that reduces the net load on the occupant's spine. This allows heavy equipment to be carried without proportionally increasing spinal injury risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts support forces based on real-time conditions. actuators respond to changes in equipment load, occupant movement, and vehicle acceleration to provide optimal spinal support. The vertebral elements and tendons create a dynamic structure that adapts to varying operational requirements while maintaining spinal safety.
3Reliability
If seat stroke is increased to maintain lumbar loads within tolerance levels, then protection is improved, but seat stroke distance is already limited and overmatched by blast forces
Solution Approach 1:
The spinal support system extracts a portion of the lumbar load from the seat-based attenuation system. By actively supporting equipment mass and transferring it to the vehicle structure, the system reduces the load that would otherwise require increased seat stroke to attenuate. This allows existing seat stroke limitations to be sufficient for protecting against both normal operations and extreme shock events.
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable spinal support system having an upper body adapter engaging the head and/or torso of a wearer and a lower body adapter engaging the hips/pelvis, the upper and lower body adapters joined by an articulated structural column. The structural column is made up of stacked vertebral elements each having an aperture provided there through such that a tendon can be fed through the aligned apertures of the vertebral elements. The tendons are fixed at one end and each engaged to mechanical control element at the other end such that the tension/payout in each tendon is independently variable under direction of a controller receiving sensor feedback in order to support the loaded upper body of the wearer and position it relative to the lower body when desirable according to the controller.