Upper Extremity Support Repositioning to Avoid Work Area Interference
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional assist devices face difficulties in allowing workers to smoothly perform tasks that do not require the support of the assist force, as the upper extremity supporting portion may interfere with the work area when not needed.
Innovation Solution
The assist device includes an upper extremity supporting portion that can be detachably attached and moved outside the work area when not required, using elastic members to facilitate movement and reduce interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the upper extremity supporting portion is present in the work area to provide assist force, then the assist function is improved, but the interference with tasks not requiring assist force increases
Solution Approach 1:
The upper extremity supporting portion is designed to be movable between a first position (inside the work area) and a second position (outside the work area). This dynamic repositioning allows the device to adapt to different task requirements: providing assist force when needed and avoiding interference when not needed, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability of assist support and ease of operation for non-assist tasks
2Device complexity
If the upper extremity supporting portion is fixed in position, then the structure is simplified, but the adaptability to different task requirements decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of a fixed structure, the patent implements a movable upper extremity supporting portion that can transition between positions. This dynamic design increases adaptability to different task requirements while maintaining reasonable structural complexity through the use of a guide groove and elastic member mechanism
3Ease of operation
If the upper extremity supporting portion is moved outside the work area, then the interference with non-assist tasks is reduced, but the time required to reposition it increases
Solution Approach 1:
The upper extremity supporting portion utilizes an elastic member (spring) to automatically return to the first position inside the work area after being moved outward. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual repositioning effort and reduces repositioning time, allowing the worker to simply release the support portion and let it return automatically
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
Enables workers to seamlessly perform tasks with and without assist force support, improving overall work efficiency by minimizing interference and reducing burden on the worker.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member configured to store energy when the upper extremity supporting portion moves from the first position to the second position and to supply the stored energy to move the upper extremity supporting portion from the second position to the first position
Data Source
AI summary
An assist device including an upper extremity support capable of detachably supporting an upper extremity of a worker and generating an assist force counteracting a gravitational force acting on the upper extremity. The assist device enables the upper extremity support to move to and be kept outside an area in which work is executable by the upper extremity with an assist being off.