Artificial Tendon Arm Lifting Support Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional exoskeleton support devices for impaired arm function are bulky and cause misalignment issues at the shoulder joint, leading to pain and potential injury due to their complex structure and rigidity, which hinders natural arm movement and load transfer from the arm to the torso.
Innovation Solution
An arm lifting support device featuring a torso support with an artificial tendon that runs from a pulling point above the collar bones to an arm attachment, allowing vertical lifting without restricting horizontal arm motion, and incorporating a control system with posture sensors to regulate the pulling force for natural movement, including a slidable attachment mechanism at the elbow joint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If traditional exoskeleton support devices are used to lift the arm, then lifting force is provided, but the device becomes bulky and causes misalignment at the shoulder joint leading to pain and injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential lifting function from the complex exoskeleton structure. Instead of using a full exoskeleton with multiple joints and linkages, the invention uses a single artificial tendon that runs from the torso support over the shoulder to the arm attachment, providing lifting force through a simplified mechanism that avoids the complexity and misalignment issues of traditional exoskeletons
Solution Approach 2:
The artificial tendon acts as an intermediary element that transfers force from the torso support to the arm without requiring direct mechanical coupling. This mediator approach allows the tendon to follow the natural curvature of the shoulder joint, maintaining proper alignment while providing the necessary lifting force, thus avoiding the pain and injury caused by rigid exoskeleton joints
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid exoskeleton structures are used to support arm movement, then structural stability is provided, but natural arm movement is hindered and load transfer from arm to torso is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the static rigid exoskeleton structure with a dynamic artificial tendon system that can adapt its configuration as the arm moves. The tendon dynamically follows the shoulder joint's movement path, allowing natural arm motion while maintaining structural stability through the tensioned tendon. This dynamic approach enables easy load transfer from the arm to the torso support through the tendon's anchoring points
Solution Approach 2:
The artificial tendon functions as a flexible element that replaces the rigid exoskeleton structure. This flexible tendon can bend and conform to the natural anatomy of the shoulder joint, allowing unrestricted natural arm movement while still providing the necessary structural support and stability through its tensioned state and anchoring to both the torso support and arm
3Force
If the pulling point is positioned to enable arm lifting, then vertical lifting is achieved, but the pulling point may be dragged towards the arm causing misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the pulling point in the torso support above the collar bones, utilizing the vertical dimension to maintain proper alignment. By placing the pulling point higher on the torso rather than at shoulder level, the tendon creates a more favorable angle that prevents the pulling point from being dragged towards the arm during movement, thereby maintaining reliable joint alignment while still achieving effective vertical lifting force
Data Source
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AI summary
An arm lifting support device, comprising a torso support (1), at least one artificial tendon (4) for vertical lifting running at least from a pulling point (5) provided at the torso support, over a shoulder of the user and connected to an arm attachment means (6) for attachment of the at least one artificial tendon at an arm of a user in use, wherein the pulling point is provided in a level above the collar bones of the user in use.