Harness Pulling Assembly Spring Motion Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hands-free pulling systems inadequately isolate periodic or cyclic motions from the carriage, leading to inefficient and uncomfortable pulling experiences, especially at fast gaits where natural motion ranges are impeded.
Innovation Solution
A pulling assembly comprising a rigid drawbar attached to a carriage with an adjustable leaf spring or other elastic members, coupled to a harness worn by the user, which partially isolates cyclical motion and distributes forces effectively across the body, allowing for adjustable angles and attachment points to optimize motion decoupling and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid drawbar is used to connect the harness to the carriage, then the connection is strong and stable, but the cyclical motions of the user are transmitted directly to the carriage causing discomfort and inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
A spring member is introduced as an intermediary element between the rigid drawbar and the harness. This spring member absorbs and isolates the cyclical motions generated by the user's natural movements, preventing direct transmission to the carriage while maintaining a strong connection. The spring acts as a mediator that decouples the rigid structural connection from the dynamic motion transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a purely rigid connection to a compliant connection by introducing elastic properties through the spring member. This parameter change allows the connection to maintain strength while dynamically adapting to absorb cyclical motions, changing the mechanical properties from rigid to elastically compliant.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the spring is made longer to increase isolation, then the isolation effect is improved, but the structural stability and control are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spring member's length and stiffness are made adjustable rather than fixed, allowing the system to dynamically adapt to different usage conditions. This enables optimization of the balance between motion isolation and structural stability based on the user's needs and the specific application scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring member is pre-configured with adjustable length and attachment angle capabilities before use. This preliminary configurability allows the system to be optimized in advance for the specific task, ensuring both adequate motion isolation and maintained structural stability before the pulling action begins.
3Device complexity
If the spring attachment angle is fixed, then the structure is simple, but the adaptability to different user motions and carriage loads is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment angle between the spring member and the drawbar is made adjustable rather than fixed. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to different user motion patterns and carriage load conditions without significantly increasing structural complexity, maintaining simplicity while enhancing versatility.
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 solution effectively reduces shaking of the carriage and discomfort to the user by isolating cyclical motions, allowing for more natural movement and efficient force distribution, enhancing the overall pulling experience.
Implementation Method 1
a spring mounted to the rigid drawbar... the member at least partially isolates cyclical motion of a leading end of the member from the drawbar
Data Source
AI summary
A harness for pulling a carriage by a person is attached to a pulling assembly, which includes a rigid drawbar coupled to the carriage and a cantilevered member coupled to the forward end of the drawbar and to the harness. The cantilevered member partially isolates cyclical motion of the person from the drawbar, and may be a spring, a sprung rigid member or a rigid member controlled by an electronic servo.