Pivotal Sample Holder With Lockable Joint
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The self-collection of personal samples such as urine and stool is challenging due to the difficulty in positioning and maintaining the collection vessel, which complicates the process and requires a more efficient apparatus for ease and simplicity.
Innovation Solution
A personal sample holder apparatus with pivotally coupled arms and a lockable pivot joint, featuring teeth and indents that allow for relative pivotal movement and discrete locking configurations, facilitating the collection process by maintaining angular orientation and allowing deformation upon sufficient force application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a collection vessel is placed at a remote position for self-collection, then the collection process can be performed, but the difficulty of reaching and maintaining the position increases
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into multiple segments (first arm, second arm, collection vessel holder) connected by pivot joints, allowing each segment to be independently positioned and adjusted to reach remote collection locations while maintaining overall structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot joints enable dynamic adjustment of arm positions during the collection process, allowing the apparatus to adapt to different collection locations and maintain optimal positioning throughout the sample collection operation
2Adaptability or versatility
If the collection vessel is positioned at a fixed location, then the structure is simple, but the ability to adapt to different collection positions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot joints provide dynamic positioning capability, allowing the collection vessel holder to be adjusted to various positions and angles to accommodate different collection scenarios while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus is designed with universal positioning capability through the pivot joint mechanism, enabling it to perform collection operations at multiple different locations and angles, making it adaptable to various collection needs without requiring multiple specialized devices
3Stability of the object's composition
If the pivot joint allows continuous movement, then the range of motion is large, but the stability during sample collection is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot joint provides dynamic range of motion for positioning, allowing the arms to be adjusted to different positions, while the locking mechanism then provides static stability during the collection process, combining both movement flexibility and position stability as needed
4Strength
If the pivot joint is made rigid to maintain position, then the stability is improved, but the ability to deform under force is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot joint incorporates both rigid locking capability to resist forces during collection and flexible deformation capability through the pivot mechanism itself, allowing the structure to adapt to applied forces while maintaining positional stability when locked
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for aiding in the collection of personal samples. An example personal sample holder apparatus may comprise first and second elongated arms pivotally coupled to one another by a pivot joint to permit relative pivotal movement between the first and second arms about a pivot axis. The personal sample holder apparatus may further comprise a sample collection vessel holder located at a sample-collection location of the second arm, the sample-collection location spaced apart from the pivot joint. The pivot joint may be lockable at a plurality of discrete locking configurations to prevent relative pivotal movement between the first and second arms under application of forces associated with personal sample collection. Each of the plurality of discrete locking configurations may be at a corresponding relative angular orientation between the first and second arms.