Elastic Strap with Segmented Pathways for Posture Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing posture support devices often cause skin irritation, restricted mobility, discomfort, and unattractive design due to their unnatural configurations that fail to conform to the upper body's anatomy, leading to postural dysfunctions and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A self-adjusting posture support device featuring an elongate strap with multiple pathways and fastening members that conform to the user's anatomy, allowing for gentle shoulder retraction and improved posture alignment, made from elastic or flexible materials like neoprene, foam, and webbing, with adjustable straps for customized fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pressure is applied around the shoulder area in vertically linear fashion along the spine, then posture support is provided, but skin irritation and discomfort occur
Solution Approach 1:
The strap is divided into multiple segments with pathways that allow it to conform to the natural contours of the upper body anatomy. The strap includes at least three pathways formed therein, creating a segmented structure that distributes pressure more evenly across the shoulder and upper back area, preventing localized skin irritation while maintaining effective posture support.
Solution Approach 2:
The strap is designed with varying local properties through its pathways and contours that match specific anatomical regions. The configuration provides different pressure distributions in different areas - gentle retraction at the shoulders, support along the spine, and accommodation of anatomical features - ensuring comfort while maintaining posture correction effectiveness.
2Reliability
If rigid structural design is used to provide posture support, then posture alignment is improved, but mobility is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The strap is designed as a dynamic, flexible structure rather than a rigid one. It includes pathways and contours that allow it to adapt and move with the user's body, providing posture support that adjusts naturally during movement. The elastic or flexible material composition enables the strap to maintain support while accommodating shoulder and arm mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The strap utilizes flexible material construction with pathways that allow it to conform to the body's movements. This flexible design provides continuous posture support without restricting natural range of motion, as the strap can bend and adjust with shoulder and arm movements while maintaining its supportive function.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional strap configuration is used, then manufacturing is simple, but the design does not conform to upper body anatomy
Solution Approach 1:
The strap is designed with curved pathways and contours that follow the natural anatomical curves of the upper body, including the shoulder blades, spine, and upper back. This curved configuration provides anatomical conformity while still being manufacturable using standard textile or material forming techniques, avoiding complex rigid structures.
4Shape
If multiple pathways are formed in the elongate strap, then anatomical conformity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pathways are segmented into distinct sections that can be formed through separate manufacturing steps or integrated into the strap design. Each pathway serves a specific anatomical function, and the segmentation allows for simpler manufacturing of each individual pathway while achieving overall anatomical conformity when assembled.
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 device effectively supports proper posture by gently retracting shoulders, reducing cervical stress and strain, while being easy to use and adjust, providing comfort and mobility without skin irritation, and accommodating various body shapes and sizes.
Implementation Method 1
The elongate strap comprises an elastic strap
Data Source
AI summary
A posture support device includes an elongate strap having: a first end comprising a first fastening member; a second end comprising a second fastening member; a first surface extending from the first end to the second end; a second surface extending from the first end to the second end; a first edge extending from the first end to the second end along a first side of the first surface and the second surface; and a second edge extending from the first end to the second end along a second side of the first surface and the second surface, the second side being opposite the first side. The strap comprises at least three pathways formed therein. In an assembled configuration, the elongate strap has a portion of the elongate strap disposed within each of the pathways and has the first and second fastening members secured to form the posture support device.