Arm support structure arranged around an outside of a headrest of a dental or medical chair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing arm support structures for dental and medical practitioners are not adequately adaptable to the dynamic movements of practitioners during treatment, often becoming unavailable or interfering with their work, and do not provide consistent support regardless of the practitioner's position relative to the patient.
Innovation Solution
An arm support structure that is hinged and foldable around the outside of a headrest of a dental or medical chair, allowing for adjustable height and angle adjustments, with a chest support and actuator-controlled movements to maintain consistent support during various arm positions and movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If arm support structures are made stationary and fixed, then they provide stable support, but they interfere with practitioner movements and become unavailable when arms need to be lifted
Solution Approach 1:
The arm support structure is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically follow and adapt to the practitioner's arm movements. The support structure includes movable components that can adjust their position automatically as the practitioner moves their arms during treatment, ensuring continuous availability without interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The arm support structure is designed to automatically adjust and reposition itself without requiring practitioner intervention. When the practitioner moves their arms, the support structure self-adjusts to maintain proper positioning, eliminating the need for the practitioner to manually reposition the support.
2Adaptability or versatility
If arm support structures are made movable to follow arm movements, then they adapt to practitioner movements, but they become unstable and may accidentally be pushed away
Solution Approach 1:
The arm support structure incorporates feedback mechanisms that detect the practitioner's arm position and movements, automatically adjusting the support position in response. This closed-loop system ensures the support remains stable and appropriately positioned without being easily displaced, as it actively responds to maintain optimal support.
3Device complexity
If the arm support structure is positioned close to the headrest, then it provides compact support, but it restricts access to the patient's head area
Solution Approach 1:
The arm support structure is divided into multiple segments or sections that can independently move and adjust. This segmentation allows the structure to maintain a compact form when not in use while enabling easy expansion and movement away from the patient's head area when needed, providing both compactness and accessibility.
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 structure provides continuous, efficient arm support that adapts to the practitioner's movements, minimizing interference and ensuring consistent access to the patient, thereby reducing musculoskeletal strain and improving work precision.
Implementation Method 1
a first body part (11) hinged to a second body part (12)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is related to an arm support structure attachable to a dental or medical chair, wherein the support structure comprises an outstretched body with an adapted upper support surface providing arm support, wherein the 5 outstretched body part is divided in a first body part hinged to a second body part.