Neck Traction Device With Mechanical Force Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional traction devices for neck physical therapy are inconvenient for patients to operate and difficult to control, as they require reciprocal pumping to manage traction force, making it hard to view and adjust the applied force effectively during use.

Innovation Solution

A traction device with a control unit, force indication unit, and transfer unit that allows users to easily operate and control the traction force, featuring a knob mechanism linked to a transmission disc and force applying cable, enabling fine-tuned adjustments and real-time force monitoring through an indicator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a pneumatic cylinder with a pusher pump is used for neck traction, then the traction effect can be achieved, but the operation becomes inconvenient and difficult to control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraction effectVSAvoidoperation convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the pneumatic cylinder and pusher pump system with a direct mechanical linkage system. The headrest is directly connected to the pushing portion through a mechanical linkage, allowing the patient to directly push the headrest to apply traction force, eliminating the need for complex pneumatic components and making the device much easier to operate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent removes the pneumatic cylinder and pusher pump from the system, extracting only the essential traction function. By eliminating these complex intermediate components, the patient can directly control the traction force by pushing the headrest, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining the traction effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Loss of information

If a force indicator is provided on the pusher, then the patient can view the traction force, but the patient cannot perform appropriate traction operation while viewing the force indicator simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce indicator visibilityVSAvoidsimultaneous operation and monitoring

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the force indicator with the headrest structure itself. The indicator is integrated into the headrest assembly, allowing the patient to view the traction force directly while pushing the headrest, enabling simultaneous operation and monitoring without requiring separate viewing actions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The headrest serves as an intermediary that combines both the operational interface and the information display function. By integrating the force indicator into the headrest, the device mediates between the patient's pushing action and the visual feedback, allowing both functions to occur simultaneously at the same location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a pneumatic cylinder system is used for neck traction, then the traction function is provided, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraction functionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the pneumatic cylinder system entirely from the device. By eliminating these complex pneumatic components, the overall device complexity is significantly reduced while the essential traction function is maintained through the simplified direct mechanical linkage between the headrest and pushing portion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a complex pneumatic system to generate traction force, the patent inverts the approach by using direct manual pushing of the headrest to create the traction force. This reverses the traditional mechanism design, simplifying the system by eliminating intermediate pneumatic components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

Enables users to operate the device independently, control traction force with ease, and monitor force changes, enhancing operability, comfort, and safety during neck traction operations.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member (42), wherein the first fixing end of the elastic member is fixed to the load positioning module (41), and the second fixing end of the elastic member is positioned in the body unit (30)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9901477B2Traction device for neck physical therapy

Publication Date: 2018.02.27 EVERYWAY4ALL

AI summary

A traction device for neck physical therapy includes a control unit, a knob unit having a transmission disc, a knob and a force applying cable, and the transmission disc and the knob being pivotally installed at the control unit, and the knob being linked to a transmission shaft, and an end of the force applying cable being fixed to the transmission disc; a body unit; a force indication unit, including a load positioning module, an elastic member, a thrust cable and an indicator, and the load positioning module being installed in the body unit and linked to the force applying cable, and the elastic member having two fixing ends, one being fixed to the load positioning module, and the thrust cable being coupled to the load positioning module and the indicator; and a transfer unit, fixed to the load positioning module and slidably installed on the body unit.