Leg Support Structure With Rotary Stops for Stable Bent-Knee Posture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional body support devices fail to maintain a desired position, particularly with the user's knees bent, leading to discomfort and difficulty in maintaining balance.

Innovation Solution

A body support device with first and second support parts connected by rotary parts, restricting rotation within predetermined angles to stabilize the user's knees and reduce muscle load, featuring elastic members for comfort and adjustable angles for stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional body support devices are used, then users can maintain a seated position, but users cannot maintain desired positions with knees bent and center of gravity ahead of foot position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition maintenance capabilityVSAvoidposition stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device employs rotary parts with adjustable stop mechanisms that allow dynamic adjustment of knee rotation angles. The stop mechanism can be positioned at different angular positions to accommodate various desired postures, enabling the device to adapt to different position maintenance requirements while ensuring stability through mechanical constraint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the rotational parameter of the knee joint by introducing a stop mechanism that limits rotation to a predetermined angle. This parameter control allows the knee to be maintained at specific bent angles, enabling position maintenance that was not achievable with conventional devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If rotary parts with stop mechanisms are added to restrict rotation, then position stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition stabilityVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stop mechanism is divided into separate components: a stop pin, a stop groove, and a positioning mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while maintaining overall simplicity. The stop pin and groove work together to provide rotational limitation without requiring complex assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stop mechanism is designed to be self-regulating through the interaction between the stop pin and stop groove. Once the knee reaches the predetermined rotation angle, the stop pin automatically engages with the stop groove to prevent further rotation, eliminating the need for external control systems or continuous energy input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If support parts are added to stabilize knees, then position maintenance capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition stabilityVSAvoidmovement ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The stop mechanism is pre-configured to engage at the desired knee angle before the user needs to maintain position. The rotary part allows free movement during the transition phase, and only when the predetermined angle is reached does the stop mechanism engage, providing stability exactly when needed without restricting natural movement patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3395304B1Body support device
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 NITTO CO LTD
  • EP3395304B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3395304B1 patent drawingFigure 2(A)~2(D)
  • EP3395304B1 patent drawingFigure 3(A)~3(D)

AI summary

A body support device includes: a first support part that is attached to a thigh back of a wearer so that a first end thereof is located close to a hip of the wearer and a second end thereof is located close to a knee of the wearer; a second support part that is attached to a shin of the wearer so that a first end thereof is located close to the knee of the wearer and a second end thereof is located close to a foot of the wearer; a grounding part located close to the foot of the wearer; a first rotary part that connects the second end of the first support part with the first end of the second support part and rotates the first and second support parts; and a second rotary part that connects the second end of the second support part with an upper end of the grounding part and rotates the second support part and the grounding part. The first rotary part restricts the rotation in a direction that brings the thigh back and a calf of the wearer closer to each other to within a predetermined angle, and the second rotary part restricts the rotation in a direction that brings the shin and the instep of the foot of the wearer closer to each other to within a predetermined angle. The grounding part comes into contact with the ground in a state in which the rotation of the first rotary part or the rotation of the second rotary part is at least restricted.