Assisting device for standing tasks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing assistive standing devices are cumbersome, motion-restrictive, and limit upper body reach, failing to effectively reduce fatigue and maintain proper spinal alignment during extended standing periods, and do not accommodate various body sizes and postures.
Innovation Solution
A free-standing assistive device that transfers body weight from the feet to the feet and shins, featuring a padded floor panel, adjustable support arms, and a padded knee panel with a pivot axis, allowing for vertical adjustment and accommodating different user postures, thereby reducing strain on bones, joints, and muscles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a user stands on a traditional supportive device with a standing platform and body-supporting element, then the user's weight is supported, but the device is cumbersome and restricts user motion
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a dynamic support mechanism where the support arm and knee panel can move with the user's natural motion. The knee panel is positioned to support the user's knee while allowing flexion and extension, and the support arm adjusts to maintain proper alignment during movement, enabling both weight bearing and motion freedom
Solution Approach 2:
The device divides the support function into separate components: a floor panel for foot placement, a support arm for upper body/weight support, and a knee panel for knee support. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the knee panel can move with the knee while the support arm provides stable weight bearing, resolving the contradiction between support reliability and motion freedom
2Stability of the object's composition
If a supportive device is designed for a specific task with fixed structure, then it provides stable support, but it limits the user's reach and upper body positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm is designed to be adjustable in position and angle, allowing the user to position their upper body and arms in various configurations while maintaining stable support. The arm can be repositioned to accommodate different task requirements and user heights, providing both stability and adaptability for upper body positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to support multiple task configurations through its adjustable components. The support arm can be positioned at different heights and angles, the knee panel can be adjusted vertically, and the floor panel can accommodate various foot positions, making the device versatile for different tasks while maintaining stable support
3Reliability
If the knee panel is fixed at a specific height, then it provides consistent support, but it cannot accommodate various body sizes and postures
Solution Approach 1:
The knee panel is made vertically adjustable along the support arm, allowing it to be positioned at different heights to accommodate users of various sizes. The panel can be moved up or down the support arm and secured at the desired position, maintaining consistent support for each user while adapting to different body dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows adjustment of the knee panel height parameter to match different user anatomies. By changing the vertical position of the knee panel along the support arm, the device adapts to various body sizes while maintaining proper knee support geometry and support consistency for each user
Data Source
AI summary
An assistive device for standing tasks allows for a reduction of effort on the part of a user while engaged in tasks or activities that are stationary or nearly stationary that lessens the strain on the bones, joints, and muscles normally used for standing while ensuring a proper alignment of the pelvis and spine.