Adjustable Body Brace Locking Assembly for Variable Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional body braces are unable to adjust their total length, leading to inadequate support for varied body sizes and requiring multiple purchases due to changes in injury conditions or disease progression, causing inconvenience and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable body brace with an adjusting assembly featuring a base, slider, and fixing module, allowing the slider's position to be fixed or adjusted along the base's length direction through a locking mechanism, enabling the brace to fit different body sizes and conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional body brace is designed with a fixed total length, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot accommodate varied body sizes of different users
Solution Approach 1:
The body brace transforms from a static fixed-length structure to a dynamic adjustable-length structure. The slider component enables the brace to change its total length dynamically, allowing it to adapt to different body sizes while maintaining structural integrity through the locking mechanism that secures the slider at desired positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The body brace is divided into segments that can be adjusted relative to each other. The slider creates a movable segmentation point that allows the brace to be divided into adjustable sections, enabling length customization without requiring complete redesign of the entire structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional body brace is designed with a fixed total length, then the manufacturing cost is low, but multiple purchases are required for different body sizes and injury conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The body brace is designed as a universal device that can serve multiple functions and accommodate multiple body sizes and injury conditions through its adjustable mechanism. The single brace design with slider and locking mechanism replaces the need for multiple fixed-length braces, making one device versatile enough to handle various support requirements.
3Reliability
If the fixing module uses a complex locking procedure, then the position can be securely fixed, but the adjustment process becomes time-consuming and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is extracted as a separate, simple operation from the adjustment process. The locking mechanism operates independently through a distinct locking member that can be engaged or disengaged with a simple action, separating the securing function from the positioning function and enabling quick, reliable adjustments without complex procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable body brace includes an adjusting assembly and two board units. The adjusting assembly includes a base, a slider, and a fixing module. The base has a limit groove and two wall surfaces. The limit groove extends along a length direction; two wall surfaces are located at two opposite lateral sides of the limit groove. The slider is movably mounted on the base. The fixing module is connected to the slider, and includes an engaging unit. The engaging unit has an engaging portion which is selectively located in the limit groove and engages with the two wall surfaces to fix a position of the slider with respect to the base. The two board units are respectively connected to the base and the slider. With the engaging unit engaged in different positions of the limit groove, the position of the slider with respect to the base is adjustable.