Forearm Attachment Coupling Joint for Minimal Access Tool
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing minimal access tools rigidly attached to the forearm limit ergonomic comfort and motion transmission, particularly in situations requiring adjustable tool alignment and transmission of motions like twirling and pecking, due to fixed alignment with the forearm axis.
Innovation Solution
The development of apparatuses and methods that allow for one or more degrees of freedom between a frame of a minimal access tool and a body attachment, such as a wrist or forearm cuff, enabling continuous adjustability and direct transmission of motions like roll, pitch, and yaw rotations, allowing the tool axis to pass through the center of the user's wrist or forearm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the frame is rigidly attached to the forearm, then the tool alignment is fixed and stable, but ergonomic comfort deteriorates and motion transmission capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the Dynamics principle by introducing a coupling joint between the frame and forearm attachment that provides one or more degrees of freedom. This allows the frame to dynamically adjust its orientation relative to the forearm, enabling continuous adjustment of tool alignment while maintaining stable transmission of motions. The coupling joint transforms the rigid fixed connection into a dynamic adjustable connection, resolving the contradiction between alignment stability and ergonomic comfort.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the frame is rigidly attached to the forearm, then the structure is simple and stable, but the capability to transmit motions like twirling and pecking deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling joint with one or more degrees of freedom enables the frame to dynamically respond to various user motions including twirling and pecking movements. This dynamic connection allows the structure to adapt to different motion types while maintaining overall stability, thereby improving motion transmission capability without sacrificing structural integrity.
3Device complexity
If the tool axis is fixed relative to the forearm axis, then the device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different application requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling joint provides a dynamic alignment mechanism that allows the tool axis to adjust relative to the forearm axis based on application requirements. This single joint mechanism achieves adaptability without introducing complex multi-component alignment systems, maintaining device simplicity while enabling versatile tool positioning.
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatuses and methods for attaching a minimal access tool to a user's boy (e.g., wrist or forearm) so that movements of the user's forearm, wrist, hand and fingers can control movements at a distal end of the minimal access tool. In particular, described herein are forearm attachment devices (which may be used with or integrated into) a minimal access tool including a cuff configured to secure to the user's forearm and a coupling joint configured to connect the cuff to the frame so that the cuff may move relative to the frame with between 1 and 4 degrees of freedom.