Wearable Arm Support Counterbalancing for Wide Motion Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing arm support systems are ineffective for tasks requiring moderate to large ranges of motion, as they fail to alleviate fatigue and do not accommodate the dynamic nature of these activities, particularly for weak or disabled individuals.
Innovation Solution
A wearable arm support system with a harness, pivotally coupled arm segments, and compensation elements, such as spring-pulley-cable assemblies, that allow for free motion while offsetting gravitational forces, enabling the user to perform tasks with reduced fatigue by providing adaptive counterbalancing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If static arm rests are used, then support is provided for restricted area tasks, but they are ineffective for tasks involving greater range of motion
Solution Approach 1:
The arm support system transitions from static to dynamic through multiple pivot points that enable the support segments to move with the user's arm throughout a large range of motion. The first pivot point allows movement in one plane while the second pivot point enables movement in another plane, creating an adaptive support mechanism that maintains effectiveness across varying task positions and motion ranges.
2Ease of operation
If arm support systems allow free motion, then user mobility is improved, but gravitational force on the arm increases fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-pulley-cable assembly functions as a counterweight mechanism that provides an upward force to offset the downward gravitational force on the user's arm. The spring element stores and releases mechanical energy to balance the arm's weight throughout its range of motion, reducing the muscular effort required to maintain arm position and thereby decreasing gravitational fatigue while preserving motion freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The compensation elements are configured to automatically adjust and provide counterbalancing force without requiring active user control or external power sources. The spring-pulley-cable assembly self-regulates to match the arm's position and motion, providing continuous gravitational compensation through passive mechanical means that reduces fatigue while maintaining full arm mobility.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple arm support segments are used, then support accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The arm support device is divided into multiple segments connected by pivot points, with each segment responsible for supporting a specific portion of the arm. This segmentation allows each component to be simpler in design while collectively providing accurate support through their coordinated arrangement, balancing manufacturing simplicity with support precision.
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 system effectively reduces user fatigue by providing adaptive counterbalancing, allowing for extended periods of task performance with reduced strain on the arms, accommodating various motion ranges and tool manipulation without interfering with the user's movement.
Implementation Method 1
a first set of compensation elements coupled to the second arm support segment for at least partially offsetting a gravitational force acting on the upper arm, and a second set of compensation elements coupled to the third arm support segment for at least partially offsetting a gravitational force acting on the lower arm
Implementation Method 2
for at least partially offsetting a gravitational force acting on the upper arm
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for supporting an arm of a user while using a tool that include a harness configured to be worn on a body of a user; an arm support pivotally coupled to the harness for supporting a user's arm; and a tool mount on a free end of the arm support for receiving a tool such that the tool is manipulatable by a hand of user's arm supported by the arm support. One or more compensation elements may be coupled to the arm support and/or the tool mount for at least partially offsetting a gravitational force acting on the user's arm and/or the tool received on the tool mount.