Passive Elastic Body Support for Reduced Lifting Fatigue
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing body support devices for heavy physical labor are expensive and provide low wearing comfort due to their complexity, which can lead to increased fatigue and productivity loss.
Innovation Solution
A body support device with a first and second fastening element above and below the hip joint, connected by an elastic mechanism that tensions and applies an erecting force when bending, using a biasing device with an eccentric element and counterpressure surface to adjust elastic length, providing passive support without active systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If active supporting systems like actuators or motors are used, then the supporting effect is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the complex active supporting systems (actuators, motors, sensors, control units) from the body support device, retaining only the essential passive elastic elements and fastening components. This extraction resolves the contradiction by eliminating the sources of complexity and cost while preserving the core supporting function through simplified passive mechanics.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive, complex active systems with inexpensive passive elastic elements that can be easily replaced. The elastic elements serve as simple, low-cost components that provide the necessary supporting effect without requiring sophisticated active systems, thereby resolving the contradiction between supporting effect and device complexity/cost.
2Reliability
If complex technical solutions are used, then the supporting effect is improved, but the wearing comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By removing complex active systems and heavy components, the invention significantly reduces the burden on the wearer. The simplified passive structure with elastic elements and fastening components provides the supporting effect without the weight and complexity that would compromise wearing comfort, thus resolving the contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental operating parameters from active controlled systems to passive elastic systems. This parameter change enables the device to provide supporting effect through simple elastic deformation and mechanical advantage, eliminating the need for heavy actuators and control systems that would reduce wearing comfort.
3Device complexity
If passive elastic elements are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the supporting effect during bending is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic elements are pre-tensioned between the first and second fastening elements to establish an initial erecting force before any bending occurs. This preliminary action ensures that the passive elastic system is already primed and ready to provide immediate supporting effect when bending begins, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and supporting effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the dynamic properties of elastic elements that automatically adjust their tension and force output based on the degree of bending. As the person bends, the elastic elements dynamically extend and provide increasing support force, and as the person returns to upright position, the elastics compress and store energy. This dynamic behavior enables the simple passive system to match the varying support needs throughout the movement cycle.
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 reduces the energy required for maintaining an upright position during lifting and carrying loads, enhancing wearing comfort and reducing fatigue with lower production costs.
Implementation Method 1
at least one elastic which mechanically connects the first and the second body fastening element on the back side of the human body with each other. The elastic is adapted to be tensioned when a person mechanically linked to the body support device is bending down and to apply an erecting force to the person when the person is bent down
Data Source
AI summary
A body support device to support at least one part of a body when lifting and/or carrying, having at least a first body fastening element fixable above a human's hip joint, at least a second body fastening element mechanically fixable below a human's hip joint and merely on the back side at least one elastic, which mechanically connects the first and the second body fastening element on the back side. The elastic is adapted to be tensioned when a person mechanically linked to the body support device is bending down and to apply an erecting force to the person when the person is bent down. A biasing device adjusts the length of the elastic between the respective fixations on the first body fastening element and the second body fastening element and has a pivotable mounted eccentric element adapted to apply a compressive force on the elastic and a counterpressure surface.