Orthopedic Device with Dynamic Force Transmission for Targeted Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orthopedic devices for supporting the lower back often apply unnecessary force during movements like sitting or climbing stairs, and fail to provide support only when needed, such as during lifting heavy objects.
Innovation Solution
An orthopedic device with a mechanical energy store, pelvic, upper body, and upper leg elements, featuring swiveling mechanisms and force transmission elements that engage and disengage based on the angle between the upper body and pelvis, ensuring support is applied only when the upper body swivels relative to the pelvis, not when it moves relative to the upper leg.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the supporting force is always exerted when the upper body assumes a pre-determined angle relative to the vertical, then the lower back is supported during lifting, but unnecessary force is applied during sitting or climbing stairs
Solution Approach 1:
The device transitions from a static support mechanism to a dynamic one where the force transmission elements can engage and disengage based on movement conditions. The upper body element can be moved relative to the pelvic element to engage/disengage the force transmission elements, allowing the system to adapt its support characteristics to different movement states.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses the user's own movements to control the engagement and disengagement of the force transmission elements. When the upper body swivels relative to the pelvis during lifting, the mechanism automatically engages to provide support. During sitting or climbing stairs where such swiveling doesn't occur, the mechanism remains disengaged, eliminating unnecessary force application.
2Reliability
If the force transmission elements are always engaged, then support is continuously provided, but the device cannot distinguish between needed and unnecessary support situations
Solution Approach 1:
The force transmission elements transition between engaged and disengaged states based on the relative movement between the upper body element and pelvic element. This dynamic engagement allows the device to provide support only when the upper body swivels relative to the pelvis, while remaining adaptable to other movements like sitting or climbing stairs where such swiveling doesn't occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism incorporates a feedback loop where the relative position and movement of the upper body element versus the pelvic element determines the engagement state of the force transmission elements. This feedback mechanism enables the device to automatically distinguish between lifting movements (requiring support) and other movements (not requiring support).
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 device provides targeted support during lifting heavy objects while minimizing unnecessary force application during sitting or climbing stairs, ensuring secure and adjustable support based on user movement.
Implementation Method 1
The mechanical energy store can be charged and discharged by swivelling the upper leg element relative to the upper body element when the first force transmission element engages with the second force transmission element
Implementation Method 2
Leaf spring elements are situated between the shoulder straps and the upper leg elements, said leaf spring elements being bent when bending down and thereby charged with potential energy
Data Source
AI summary
An orthopedic device for supporting a lower back of a user includesa mechanical energy store,a pelvic element,an upper body element with a first force transmission element andan upper leg element with a second force transmission element.The upper leg element is arranged on the pelvic element such that it can be swivelled about a first swivel axis,the upper body element is movably arranged relative to the pelvic element,the first force transmission element can be engaged and disengaged with the second force transmission element by moving the upper body element relative to the pelvic element, andthe mechanical energy store can be charged and discharged by swivelling the upper leg element relative to the upper body element when the first force transmission element is engaged with the second force transmission element.