Modular Physical Exercise Machine for Limb Rehabilitation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rehabilitation devices for limbs are bulky, expensive, and difficult to transport, often requiring patients to visit clinical centers for therapy, and are typically designed for either lower or upper limbs only, necessitating multiple machines for comprehensive therapy.
Innovation Solution
A compact, lightweight physical exercise machine with translational-rotational members and motorization means that can be used for both lower and upper limbs, featuring adjustable and disassemblable components for easy transport, and capable of both passive and active therapy modes, with a driving and control unit for programmable exercises.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rehabilitation devices are designed for clinical centers with specialized functions, then therapy effectiveness is improved, but device portability and ease of transport deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rehabilitation device is divided into modular components including a frame structure, motorization means, translational-rotational members, and detachable therapy tools. This segmentation allows the device to be disassembled into smaller parts for easy transport while maintaining full therapeutic functionality when assembled, thus resolving the contradiction between therapy effectiveness and portability
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates multiple therapy tools that can be attached to the same base structure, allowing a single device to provide various rehabilitation functions for both upper and lower limbs. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple specialized devices, improving portability while maintaining comprehensive therapy effectiveness
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate devices are provided for upper and lower limbs, then therapy specialization is improved, but device complexity and quantity required deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a universal base structure with interchangeable therapy tools specifically designed for different limb types. The same motorization system and frame can accommodate tools for upper limbs, lower limbs, or both simultaneously, providing specialized therapy functions through a single multi-functional device rather than requiring separate machines for each body part
3Adaptability or versatility
If rehabilitation devices include complete motorization and control systems, then therapy functionality is improved, but device weight and cost deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The motorization system is segmented into a central control unit housed in a portable case and distributed actuators positioned at strategic points on the frame. This segmentation reduces the weight concentration in any single component, making the overall device more manageable and portable while maintaining complete therapeutic functionality through coordinated operation of distributed motor elements
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a physical exercise machine, particularly for the rehabilitation or training of limbs, which may be adapted to both the lower and the upper limbs, for both passive and active therapies. Particularly the present invention relates to a machine (1) for the physical exercise of limbs, comprising a frame (2) on which translational-rotational members (3) of an upper or lower limb are mounted, said translational-rotational members (3) being operatively connected to motorization means (4, 4'), characterized in that said translational-rotational members (3) comprise: - a first pair of pulleys (11, 11') arranged in the proximity of an end of the frame (2), the pulleys (11, 11') of said first pair being arranged along a substantially vertical axis; - a second pair of pulleys (12, 12') arranged in the proximity of the opposite end of the frame (2), the pulleys (12, 12') of said second pair being arranged along a substantially vertical axis; - a carriage (13) mobile along a longitudinal axis (X); - a third pair of pulleys (14, 14') arranged on said carriage (13), the pulleys (14, 14') of said third pair being arranged along an axis substantially parallel to the axis (X); - a driving member (15) operatively connecting said first (11, 11'), second (12, 12'), and third pairs of pulleys (14, 14'), and wherein at least one pulley (11', 12) of each of said first (11, 11') and second (12, 12') pairs of pulleys is operatively connected to the respective motorization means (4, 4').