Finger Supporter Stabilizing Hand Joints via Tensile Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand joint supporters fail to reduce the load on muscles or joints that support the wrist or any finger, and they often cause discomfort due to stitching that irritates the thumb and complicate manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A supporter with a first anchor portion fastened to the forearm wrist, a second anchor portion forming two opening portions of different sizes to support any one finger, and a first support portion that stabilizes the finger by applying tensile force between the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints, reducing load and inflammation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the second anchor portion is sewn with a cut made in the tubular knitted fabric and with a cut edge folded back, then the opening portions are formed, but the sewn portion stimulates the surface of the thumb and leads to a poor feeling of wearing
Solution Approach 1:
A smooth elastic thread is used as an intermediary element to sew the second anchor portion. The thread acts as a mediator between the fabric edges and the skin, providing a smooth surface that does not stimulate or irritate the thumb while still securing the opening portions effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The sewing method is changed by using a smooth elastic thread instead of conventional sewing techniques. This parameter change in the sewing material transforms the surface characteristics from potentially irritating to smooth and comfortable, eliminating the harmful stimulation effect.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the tubular knitted fabric is formed through knitting without sewing the second anchor portion, then the surface stimulation is avoided, but it is significantly difficult to separately form the second anchor portion through knitting and the manufacturing is significantly complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular knitted fabric is segmented into distinct functional portions: the base tubular fabric and the separately formed second anchor portion. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized independently - the base fabric provides structural support while the second anchor portion provides the opening functionality without surface stimulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The separately formed second anchor portion is merged with the base tubular knitted fabric through sewing with smooth elastic thread. This combining approach integrates the functional benefits of both the knitted fabric structure and the smooth-sewn opening portion, achieving both comfort and manufacturing feasibility.
3Stability of the object's composition
If existing hand joint supporters are used, then hand joint stability is improved, but the load on muscles or joints that support the wrist or any finger cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The supporter applies local quality by providing targeted support at specific locations - the first anchor portion at the wrist and the second anchor portion at the finger. This localized support system stabilizes hand joints while distributing the supporting force to reduce the load on muscles and joints that would otherwise bear the full burden.
Data Source
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AI summary
[Problem to be Solved] To provide a finger supporter capable of stabilizing hand joints of a wearer and reducing a load on any one finger from among five fingers. [Solution] The finger supporter includes: a first anchor portion 2 that is formed at an upper end 10a of a tubular fabric and causes the tubular fabric to be fastened to a forearm wrist portion of a wearer; a second anchor portion 3 that is formed to continue two points of a circling portion on the other end side of the tubular fabric and forms the circling portion into two opening portions 12a and 12b with different sizes; and a first support portion 4 that couples the second anchor portion 3 and the first anchor portion 2 and supports any one finger inserted into the smaller opening portion 12a from among five fingers.