Pivoted Body Weight Support for Deep Squatting and Compact Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing body weight supports limit angular rotation and cannot be compactly collapsed due to curved lower members that force into contact at acute angles, preventing deep squatting and folding movements, and fail to accommodate deep squatting or folding positions.
Innovation Solution
A body weight support with a first member located against a user's upper limb and a second member rotatable relative to the first member, featuring a pivot and a movable second portion that reduces the angle difference between the members, allowing support at acute angles and compact storage by rotating to a configuration where the second portion is aligned with the first member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a curved lower member is used to accommodate calf muscles and provide ergonomic fit, then comfort is improved, but angular rotation is limited and compact collapsing is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The lower member is divided into two separate members: a first member (upper member) and a second member (lower member), connected by a pivot. This segmentation allows each member to be simpler in shape while achieving the same ergonomic fit and comfort, and enables greater angular rotation between them without the geometric constraints of a curved single-piece design.
Solution Approach 2:
A pivot connection is introduced as an intermediary between the first and second members. This pivot acts as a mediator that allows relative rotation between the members, enabling deep squatting positions and compact folding while maintaining the ergonomic fit provided by the members' shapes.
2Strength
If the lower member is forced into contact with the upper member at acute angles to maintain structure, then structural integrity is preserved, but damage occurs and compact storage is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between members is made dynamic through the pivot, allowing the angle between members to change freely during movement. This dynamic adjustment prevents the geometric constraint that would force members into contact at acute angles, eliminating the harmful contact forces while maintaining structural integrity through controlled movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The angular parameter between members is allowed to change freely within a wide range, from extended positions to deeply folded positions. By changing this parameter dynamically rather than constraining it to fixed angles, the system avoids harmful contact forces while preserving structural integrity.
3Ease of operation
If the pivot connection is placed alongside the user's knee to match natural pivot point, then biomechanical alignment is improved, but deep squatting and folding movements are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the support into separate first and second members connected by a pivot allows the system to maintain the beneficial biomechanical alignment at the knee while adding rotational freedom. The segmented structure enables deep squatting and folding movements that a single rigid or curved structure would restrict.
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 support during deep squat positions and compact storage by reducing the angle between members, preventing damage and facilitating easy folding, while maintaining user comfort and reducing muscle and joint loads.
Implementation Method 1
a load bearing element that resists the pivotal movement between the upper and lower members. The load bearing element reduces the load on the user's muscles and joints when the user bends their legs
Implementation Method 2
a pivotal connection between the upper and lower members
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a body weight support, comprising: a first member configured for location against a first portion of a limb of a user, the first portion of the limb being on a first side of a joint of the user; a second member configured for location against a second portion of the limb on a second side of the joint of the user, wherein the second member is rotatable relative to the first member about a pivot, the second member comprising: a first portion proximate to the pivot; and a second portion extending from the first portion, distal to the pivot; wherein the second portion is movable from a first configuration in which a first angle between the first portion and the first member is less than a second angle between the second portion and the first member, to a second configuration in which the difference between the first angle and the second angle is less than the difference between the first angle and the second angle in the first configuration; and a load bearing element configured to provide a resistance to rotation of the second member relative to the first member.