Neck Support With Bendable Legs Adapting to Head Shape
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing neck supports fail to individually adapt to the unique anatomical properties and head shapes of users, leading to discomfort and muscle tension during long overhead work.
Innovation Solution
A neck support system featuring elastically bendable legs connected by cross struts, adjustable joints, and a textile cover, allowing for flexible adaptation to the user's head shape and neck length, with a body connection that can be secured to the upper body via a holding device and rail system for precise adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed or height-adjustable curved structures are used to support the head, then the neck support provides basic structural support, but it cannot adapt to individual anatomical features and head shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing fixed curved structures with elastically bendable legs that can dynamically adapt to different head shapes and anatomical features. The legs are made of elastomeric material that allows them to bend and conform to the user's head contours, providing customized support without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by using elastomeric legs whose physical properties (flexibility, elasticity) allow them to change shape in response to applied forces. The legs can be bent to different degrees and angles, changing their geometric parameters to match individual anatomical variations, thus achieving adaptability through material property utilization rather than structural complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the head support is made rigid to provide stable support, then structural stability is improved, but comfort and adaptation to head shape are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies flexible shells and thin films by using elastically bendable legs made of elastomeric material instead of rigid structures. These flexible legs can conform to the contours of the user's head, providing comfort through close contact and customization, while still maintaining structural stability through the elastic properties of the material and the geometry of the leg assembly with cross struts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes composite materials by combining elastomeric material with a textile cover. The elastomeric legs provide the necessary flexibility and elastic support, while the textile cover adds comfort, friction reduction, and aesthetic qualities. This composite construction achieves both comfort and structural integrity.
3Force
If the neck support is made lightweight for comfort, then ease of wearing is improved, but the ability to provide sufficient support force is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing heavy rigid mechanical structures with elastic deformable elements. The elastomeric legs utilize elastic deformation and spring-back forces to provide support, eliminating the need for heavy mechanical actuators or rigid support structures. The support force is generated through the elastic properties of the material rather than through mechanical force application.
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 system provides comfortable and stable support, reducing muscle tension by self-adapting to the user's anatomy, allowing for optimal positioning and minimizing strain on the neck muscles.
Implementation Method 1
the headrest has two legs that are elastically bendable and connected to one another by a plurality of cross struts
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a neck support with a body attachment that can be fastened to the upper body of a person, a head support and a holding device by which the head support is arranged on the body attachment, wherein the head support has flexible legs which are connected to each other by a plurality of crossbars.