Articulated Ball-and-Socket Joint System for Lifelike Manikin Poses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manikins lack the ability to closely mimic natural body movements and a range of poses of a real person, making them impractical for situations where a real person cannot be used.
Innovation Solution
An articulated joint system for manikins, comprising a ball member with a shaft connected to one body part and a socket housing connected to another, allowing for movement that closely mimics natural movements and poses of a real person, with the socket housing limiting movement in certain axes and the shape of the body parts further restricting movement to achieve lifelike poses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional jointed body parts are used in manikins, then the manikin can be assembled with movable body parts, but the body parts cannot closely mimic natural movements or a range of poses of a real person
Solution Approach 1:
The ball member is segmented into a spherical body and a shaft extending from opposed sides, allowing independent control of movement axes. The socket housing is divided into a body and a movable closure with opening, enabling selective limitation of movement in certain axes while permitting movement in others. This segmentation allows the joint to mimic complex natural movements through coordinated action of segmented components.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure is designed to be movable relative to the socket housing body, transitioning between open and closed positions. This dynamic structure allows the joint to switch between different movement constraints - when closed, it limits movement in certain axes; when open, it permits greater range of motion. This dynamic adaptability enables the manikin to achieve both stable positioned poses and natural fluid movements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the socket housing limits movement in certain axes, then the body parts can be configured to mimic natural movement, but the range of motion is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The closure is designed to be movable relative to the socket housing body, transitioning between open and closed positions. This dynamic structure allows the joint to switch between different movement constraints - when closed, it limits movement in certain axes; when open, it permits greater range of motion. This dynamic adaptability enables the manikin to achieve both stable positioned poses and natural fluid movements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the shape of body parts is designed to limit movement, then lifelike poses can be achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is designed with specific geometric features including a first end and a second end with different characteristics, allowing different movement constraints at different locations. The closure has a specific shape with an opening positioned to limit movement in certain axes while permitting movement in others. This local quality differentiation enables complex pose control without requiring overall complexity in the entire joint structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A manikin (1) comprising jointed body parts that are configurable to (1) closely mimic natural movement of corresponding body parts of a real baby and/or (2) closely mimic a range of poses or postures of a real baby. The baby manikin (1) includes a neck joint (11) (articulated ball and socket joint), a waist joint (12) (articulated ball and socket joint), a hip joint (13) (double ball and socket joint), two knee joints (14) (pin joints), two ankle joints (15) (articulated ball and socket joints), two shoulder joints (16) (double ball and socket joints), two elbow joints (17) (pin joints), and two wrist joints (18) (articulated ball and socket joints).