Artificial Tendon Path for Grip Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grip strengthening support devices with artificial tendons often cause discomfort and interference during gripping due to the tendon's movement towards the center of the hand, leaving a space between the tendon and the hand, and are uncomfortable for the wearer.
Innovation Solution
The grip strengthening support device features an artificial tendon attached along both sides and the tip of a finger portion, running closer to the ventral side near joints, with a detour towards the middle or dorsal side at the proximal portion, allowing controlled movement to enhance gripping without interference, using loops or tunnels for attachment, and potentially integrated with a glove-like device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the artificial tendon runs straight along the finger portion, then the structure is simple, but the tendon moves inwards the centre of the bent glove finger leaving a space between the tendon and the hand, causing interference and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The tendon path is changed from a straight linear arrangement to a curved/detoured path that moves in another spatial dimension. The tendon runs closer to the ventral side at joint positions and detours towards the dorsal side at the proximal portion, creating a three-dimensional path that maintains constant proximity to the hand during bending without requiring complex additional components
Solution Approach 2:
The tendon path is designed to be dynamically adaptive to the finger's bending motion. The detour configuration allows the tendon to naturally follow the changing geometry of the bent finger, maintaining optimal positioning relative to the hand throughout the range of motion rather than requiring active adjustment mechanisms
2Force
If the artificial tendon runs closer to the ventral side at joint positions, then the force transfer is improved, but the tendon path becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The tendon path is segmented into distinct zones with different configurations: a ventral-side-closer path at joint positions for optimal force transfer, and a detoured dorsal-side path at the proximal portion for spatial clearance. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized independently for its specific functional requirement
3Shape
If the tendon moves inwards the centre during bending, then the glove finger bends correctly, but the glove moves inwards the centre interfering with gripping
Solution Approach 1:
The detoured tendon path acts as an intermediary that decouples the finger bending motion from the glove's center of mass movement. By routing the tendon closer to the dorsal side at the proximal portion, the pulling force is applied at a position that allows finger bending without causing the entire glove to shift inwards, thus preventing interference with the gripping action
Data Source
AI summary
A grip strengthening device having a finger portion for enhancing the grip by means of at least one artificial tendon arranged along at least one finger portion, wherein the finger portion comprises material along both sides and a tip, and possible along a dorsal side, the at least one artificial tendon is attached along both sides so that the artificial tendon may move, wherein the artificial tendon runs closer to a ventral side than the dorsal side of the finger portion, at least at positions corresponding to joints of a wearer's finger, the finger portion will transfer a force to provide a movement of the finger when the artificial tendon is retracted, wherein the artificial tendon runs in a detour towards or to a position in the middle between the dorsal and ventral side or closer to the dorsal side at a proximal portion of the finger portion.