Pelvic Load Support Device with Adjustable Lateral Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load supporting devices for users are complex, bulky, and impose mechanical stress on the body, particularly the joints, due to their inability to effectively distribute the weight of heavy loads, leading to fatigue and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A load supporting device designed for attachment to the pelvis, featuring adjustable base and lateral members, hip pads, and a dorsal member that transfers the load to the user's iliac crests, allowing for improved anatomical adaptation and distribution of weight, reducing stress on the spine and torso muscles, and incorporating adjustable straps and mechanisms for secure attachment and control of the load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a complex exoskeleton system with motor-driven winch is used, then load lifting capability is improved, but device complexity and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the motor-driven winch mechanism from the exoskeleton system, retaining only the essential load lifting function through a simpler strap-and-pulley arrangement. This removes complex components while maintaining the core capability to lift loads, directly addressing the contradiction between power and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the complex motor-driven mechanical winch system with a simpler mechanical pulley and strap system. This substitution maintains load lifting functionality while dramatically reducing device complexity and bulk, allowing the user to manually operate the lifting mechanism.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a fixed rigid support structure is used, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability to different users and loads deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces adjustable and movable components including movable support legs, adjustable straps, and flexible positioning mechanisms. These dynamic elements allow the structure to adapt to different user anatomies and load configurations while maintaining stability through proper mechanical design, resolving the contradiction between fixed stability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is divided into multiple adjustable segments including separable legs, modular straps, and independent positioning elements. This segmentation allows each component to be independently adjusted to fit different users and loads, providing both stability through proper assembly and adaptability through reconfiguration.
3Strength
If load is transferred to the spine and torso muscles, then structural support is provided, but fatigue and joint stress increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent directs load transfer to specific anatomical locations with higher load-bearing capacity, namely the iliac crests and hip bones, rather than distributing load throughout the spine and torso muscles. This localized load transfer maintains structural support while minimizing fatigue and joint stress in vulnerable areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces hip pads and cushioning elements as intermediaries between the support structure and the user's body. These intermediaries distribute and redirect forces to the iliac crests, protecting the spine and torso muscles from direct load bearing and reducing associated fatigue and stress.
Data Source
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AI summary
Load supporting device (1) for attaching to the pelvis of a user, the supporting device comprising a base member (2) having a first groove (3) extending along a first axis A, a first (4a) and a second extension section (4b), wherein the first groove is arranged between the first and second extension sections, an angled first lateral member (11a), an end of which is mechanically connected with the first extension section, wherein the first lateral member can be positioned essentially perpendicularly to the first axis and/or can be pivoted relative to the base member when the mechanical connection with the base member is released, and an angled second lateral member (11b), an end of which is mechanically connected with the second extension section, wherein the second lateral member can be positioned essentially perpendicularly to the first axis and/or can be pivoted relative to the base member when the mechanical connection with the base member is released, wherein the first and second lateral members are arranged to transfer the load supported by the load supporting device onto a user's hips in its state of use, a dorsal member (21) having a second groove (22) which is mechanically connected with the first groove, wherein the second groove extends along the first axis, wherein the dorsal member is arranged to abut on the back of the user in the state of use, wherein the first groove is arranged to guide the second groove slidingly along the first axis, when the mechanical connection between the first and second grooves is temporarily released.