Adjustable Neck Support With Cable-Driven Height Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing neck supports are either fixed or have gear and rack structures that require significant force for adjustment, leading to laborious operation and reduced service life due to wear and potential slippage.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable neck support using cables and sliding blocks for smooth height adjustment, facilitated by a height adjustment knob that synchronizes the movement of side plates to accommodate varying neck lengths without the need for large external forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a gear and rack structure is used for height adjustment, then the neck support can be adjusted to different heights, but the operation requires relatively large external force and is laborious
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional gear and rack mechanical system with a cable-driven pulley system. The winding knob winds cables that pull on sliding blocks, eliminating the meshing friction inherent in gear-rack systems. This substitution maintains height adjustability while dramatically improving operation smoothness and reducing the force required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cables and sliding blocks as intermediary elements between the winding knob and the side plates. The cables transmit force from the winding knob to the sliding blocks, which then move the side plates. This intermediary mechanism eliminates direct mechanical meshing and friction, making operation smoother and easier.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a gear and rack structure is used for height adjustment, then the neck support can be adjusted, but the gear and rack are worn after long time use and are prone to slip
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the wear-prone gear and rack system with a cable-driven system. Cables experience tension but no sliding friction, and the pulley blocks have simple bearing surfaces. This eliminates the meshing friction that causes gear and rack wear, significantly extending service life while maintaining reliability of height adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameter of the adjustment mechanism from rotational meshing (gear-rack) to linear tension (cable system). By changing from a system subject to sliding friction and wear to one dominated by tension, the reliability and service life are improved while maintaining the height adjustability function.
3Device complexity
If a fixed structure neck support is used, then the structure is simple, but it is not suitable for patients with different neck lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed structure into a dynamic, adjustable structure. The side plates can move relative to the front support via sliding blocks, and the height can be changed by winding the cables. This maintains structural simplicity while adding adaptability to accommodate different neck lengths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the neck support into separable height-adjustable components (side plates that can move independently) while maintaining overall structural simplicity. The modular design with movable side plates and cable system allows height adjustment without complicating the basic support structure.
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
Enhances operational smoothness and extends the service life of the neck support by allowing easy height adjustments suitable for different neck sizes.
Implementation Method 1
both ends of the first cable are fixed to the first sliding block, and both ends of the second cable are fixed to the second sliding block
Data Source
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AI summary
The application provides an adjustable neck support, which includes a neck holder front support, a left side plate, a right side plate, a lower jaw holder plate, and a height adjustment knob. The left side plate is movably connected at a left end of the neck holder front support, the right side plate is movably connected at a right end of the neck holder front support, the lower jaw holder plate is connected between the left side plate and the right side plate, and the height adjustment knob is mounted on the neck holder front support. The height adjustment knob includes an operating cover and a winding post connected to the operating cover, the winding post being mounted in the neck holder front support. The adjustable neck support provided by the application is smooth in height adjustment operation, easy to operate, and long in service life.