Lightweight Work-Assist Harness With Locking Retractable Belt Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional work assisting apparatuses for lifting heavy objects with hands are hindered by exposed support structures that inhibit normal behavior and increase the load on workers due to the weight of rigid frames and actuator systems.
Innovation Solution
A work assisting apparatus featuring a fitting portion, a wearing portion, a belt, and a winding device with a biasing mechanism and lock mechanism, allowing the belt to be wound up and providing support by transferring load from the arm or hand to the torso.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a sturdy metal frame is used to support the harness base portion, then the structural strength is improved, but the device weight increases causing increased load on the worker
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the sturdy metal frame with a flexible wire rope harness system. The wire rope has sufficient strength to support the worker and assist lifting, but is significantly lighter and more flexible than a metal frame structure, thereby reducing device weight while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the heavy metal frame structure entirely and extracts only the essential function of support, achieving it through a lightweight wire rope harness system that provides the necessary strength without the excess weight of rigid framing.
2Ease of operation
If the harness is always exposed even while not working, then the accessibility is improved, but normal behavior is inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic wire rope harness system that can be easily adjusted, stored, or repositioned as needed. Unlike a permanently exposed rigid structure, the flexible wire rope harness can be configured to minimize interference with normal behavior while maintaining accessibility when work is required.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible wire rope construction allows the harness to conform to the worker's body and can be easily stowed or repositioned, reducing interference with normal behavior while maintaining ease of operation when needed.
3Productivity
If a rigid arm portion extending high above the head is used, then the lifting capability is improved, but the device weight increases causing increased load on the worker
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the heavy rigid arm portion extending above the head and extracts only the essential lifting function, achieving it through a wire rope harness system that provides lifting capability without the excessive weight of rigid overhead structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical rigid arm lifting system with a flexible wire rope harness system, substituting a heavy mechanical structure with a lighter, more adaptable mechanism that achieves the same lifting function with reduced weight.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the wire droops long from the upper end portion, then the flexibility is improved, but normal behavior is inhibited due to safety concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible wire rope harness that provides the necessary adaptability and flexibility for various working positions, while the wire rope construction itself minimizes safety hazards compared to long drooping wires, as it can be securely attached and controlled.
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 apparatus reduces the load on workers by allowing them to transfer the load of heavy objects to their torso, eliminates the need for large rigid frames, and enables easy adjustment and maintenance of the belt system.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing mechanism (31) that provides a biasing force in a winding direction to the belt (40)
Implementation Method 2
a lock mechanism (30) that locks a draw-out position of the belt (40) so as to restrict further drawing out
Data Source
AI summary
In a work assisting apparatus helping workers to lift heavy objects with hands, their work is assisted with a light-weight and simply configured winding device, contributing to cost and load reduction while refraining a belt as a support wire rope from hindering their normal working behavior, or another objects from being caught in or wound around the belt, the work assisting apparatus including: a fitting portion fitted on a torso, a wearing portion worn on an arm or a hand of a worker, a belt with one end portion combined to the wearing portion, and a winding device coupled to the fitting portion and winding another end side of the belt. The winding device includes a lock mechanism locking a draw-out position of the belt so as to restrict further drawing out when drawing the one end portion.