Cable-Curled Grasping Member With Unitary Molded Segments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing curling grasping members for patient lifting devices are complex, costly to manufacture, and prone to mechanical strain and rapid wear due to repetitive loads, necessitating frequent repairs and replacements.
Innovation Solution
A grasping member design featuring a flexible bottom panel with longitudinally spaced fins and segments, supported by a curling mechanism using a cable, allowing for a unitary, injection-molded construction with reduced material waste and enhanced flexibility and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional multi-part construction is used for curling grasping members, then the device can achieve curling functionality, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separately molded parts (back panel, fins, segments, bearing surfaces) into a single unitary injection-molded construction. This integration eliminates the need for complex assembly of multiple components while maintaining all necessary curling functionalities, directly resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The unitary construction serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, enables curling motion, contains bearing surfaces for smooth operation, and incorporates fins for structural integrity. This multi-functionality in a single component resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for separate parts while maintaining all required capabilities.
2Reliability
If traditional multi-part construction with interconnected parts is used, then curling functionality is achieved, but mechanical strain on connection points increases leading to rapid wear
Solution Approach 1:
By combining all parts into a unitary construction, the patent eliminates connection points between separate components where mechanical strain would concentrate. The single-piece design removes the weak links at junctions, dramatically improving durability and reliability while reducing the number of interconnected parts.
3Strength
If the back panel is made stronger to withstand mechanical strain at segment joints, then structural integrity is improved, but flexibility and curling capability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The unitary construction allows the back panel and segments to be designed as an integrated flexible structure rather than rigid components joined together. This eliminates the need to over-engineer the panel for strength at connection points, maintaining both strength and flexibility simultaneously.
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple separately molded parts are used, then specific functions can be optimized for each part, but assembly precision and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging all components into a single injection-molded part, the patent eliminates assembly operations entirely. This removes the need for precise alignment and joining of multiple parts, significantly reducing manufacturing costs and complexity while maintaining all functional requirements through the unitary design.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design reduces manufacturing complexity and costs while improving durability and flexibility, minimizing wear and maintenance needs, ensuring reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
a cable operating similarly to a flexor tendon of a finger can be used to curl the grasping member
Implementation Method 2
The resiliency of the back panel can spring the grasping member back into its flattened configuration when the tension on the cable is released
Data Source
AI summary
A curling grasping member for use in a non-ambulatory patient lifting apparatus. The grasping member can have a base unit (11) including a number of spaced apart generally wedge-shaped segments (33) that extend from transversal fins (30) connected to a flexible bottom backing panel (20). A tensioning cable running through the segments can drive the curling of the member. In its curled configuration, adjacent segments can contact one another to prevent further curling. The bottom backing panel can have a varying thickness or other features which control the flexibility of the grasping member and thus which longitudinal regions curl more acutely to begin with. The base unit including the bottom panel, fins and segments can be injection molded as a unitary piece in a simple clamshell mold.