Cable-Assisted Garment Removal for Limited Shoulder Mobility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Garment removal devices often require manual manipulation, which can be difficult for individuals with limited arm and shoulder mobility due to medical conditions or surgeries, necessitating a solution for easy upper body garment removal.
Innovation Solution
A garment removal apparatus featuring an attachment mechanism with elongated cables and clips that secure to the garment waist, allowing the user to progressively pull the garment away from the waist towards the shoulders, reducing the need for manual lifting and enabling easy removal without straining the shoulders or arms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a typical garment removal device is used, then the garment can be removed, but the user must manually manipulate the device with one or more hands, which is difficult for users with limited arm and shoulder mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the garment removal process into two independent components: (1) an attachment mechanism that secures to the garment waist using clips, and (2) an elongated cable system that transmits force from a fixed anchor point. This segmentation allows the complex manual manipulation to be replaced by simple attachment and controlled release actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The elongated cable acts as an intermediary between the fixed attachment mechanism and the garment. Instead of the user directly pulling the garment (which requires arm/shoulder mobility), the cable transmits the pulling force from the fixed anchor point through the clips attached to the garment waist, enabling removal without direct manual manipulation.
2Productivity
If force is applied to pull the garment off, then the garment can be removed, but concentrated force on the shoulders and arms causes strain for users with limited mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The device changes the dimension of force application from vertical (pulling upward over the head) to horizontal (pulling forward from the waist). The elongated cable allows the user to move their body forward, translating the removal force from the shoulder/arm region to the waist region, where core muscles can provide support without straining the affected limbs.
Solution Approach 2:
The clips are preliminarily attached to the garment waist before the removal process begins. This preliminary attachment establishes a secure anchor point that distributes the pulling force across the waist area, preventing concentrated strain on the shoulders and arms during the actual removal action.
3Ease of operation
If the attachment mechanism is positioned high to facilitate garment removal, then the garment can be pulled off more easily, but the distance between the user and the attachment mechanism increases, requiring more arm movement
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a dynamic cable length adjustment mechanism that allows the elongated cable to extend or retract as the user moves their body during the removal process. This dynamic adjustment maintains an optimal working distance between the user and the attachment mechanism, enabling the attachment to be positioned at an elevation that facilitates removal without requiring excessive arm movement.
Data Source
AI summary
A garment removal apparatus and method of using the apparatus to remove a garment from the upper body. The garment removal apparatus may include one or more cables and one or more clips attached depending from an attachment mechanism. With one or more clips secured to the upper body garment, the user moves away from attachment mechanism and may progressively remove the garment from the user.