Cervical Collar Cable Adjuster for Chin Support Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cervical collars lack an efficient mechanism for infinitely variable adjustment of chin support positions, often restricting movement to discrete positions and requiring complex pulley systems, which can be cumbersome and uncomfortable for users.
Innovation Solution
A cervical collar design featuring a rotatable wheel with cables and lift effectors that allow for infinitely variable or discrete adjustment of chin side supports, utilizing a cable adjuster with a rotatable wheel and biasing members like resilient rubber bands to secure and lift the chin supports, eliminating the need for rotating pulleys.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional cervical collars use discrete position adjustment mechanisms, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability and precision of chin support positioning are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic adjustment mechanism where the chin support can be positioned continuously along an arcuate path rather than at fixed discrete points. The cable adjuster allows the chin support to be held at any position within the adjustment range, providing infinite variability in positioning while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the adjustment parameter from discrete angular positions to continuous positional adjustment along an arcuate path. By using a cable-based mechanism with a adjuster, the system allows continuous variation of the chin support position parameter, enabling precise customization without requiring complex multi-component adjustment systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional cervical collars use rotating pulley systems for adjustment, then the adaptability of chin support positioning is improved, but the ease of operation and user comfort deteriorate due to cumbersome mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the rotating pulley system from the adjustment mechanism. Instead of using pulleys, the invention employs a cable-based system where cables are guided through guide elements and connected to a simple adjuster, removing the cumbersome rotating pulley components while maintaining the ability to adjust chin support positioning adaptably.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces guide elements as intermediaries to guide the cables between the adjuster and the chin support. These guide elements simplify the cable routing and eliminate the need for complex pulley systems, making the adjustment operation more straightforward and user-friendly while preserving full adaptability of chin support positioning.
3Ease of operation
If cervical collars eliminate rotating pulleys in favor of cable guidance systems, then the ease of operation and comfort are improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements for cable guidance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cable guidance system into multiple guide elements distributed along the collar structure. Each guide element handles a portion of the cable routing, which distributes the precision requirements across multiple components rather than requiring one highly precise pulley system. This segmentation makes the manufacturing process more manageable while maintaining smooth cable operation and user comfort.
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
This design provides a more comfortable and adjustable cervical collar that allows for precise customization of chin support positioning, enhancing user comfort and ease of use by enabling continuous adjustment without the complexity of pulley systems.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member for biasing the first and second chin side supports toward a lowered position and wherein the cable adjuster is operable for raising the chin side supports against the biasing of the biasing member. Preferably, the biasing member comprises one or more resilient rubber bands.
Implementation Method 2
A cervical collar design featuring a rotatable wheel with cables and lift effectors that allow for infinitely variable or discrete adjustment of chin side supports, utilizing a cable adjuster with a rotatable wheel and biasing members like resilient rubber bands to secure and lift the chin supports
Data Source
AI summary
A cervical collar brace including a main body collar, a first chin side support pivotally mounted to the main body collar, and a second chin side support pivotally mounted to the main body collar. A cable adjuster adjustably secures the first and second chin side supports to the main body collar and includes a rotatable wheel, one or more cables, and one or more lift effectors for lifting the chin side supports in response to rotation of the rotatable wheel in a first rotation direction. A chin piece is provided for supporting a wearer's chin.