Pivoting Crawl Support With Spring-Assisted Hip Lifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aids for children learning to crawl, particularly those with disabilities, often provide passive support that does not actively facilitate hip lifting and natural crawling motion, promoting unnatural motion and limited ability to crawl without assistance.
Innovation Solution
A frame with rolling elements and a pivoting support element connected via a joint, incorporating a spring mechanism to assist hip lifting, allowing for adjustable stability and freedom of movement, enabling users to push the apparatus and lift their hips to crawl effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a passive support platform with wheels is used, then the child can be supported while moving, but the child cannot actively lift the hip to crawl naturally
Solution Approach 1:
The support element is made dynamically movable relative to the frame through a pivoting joint, allowing it to tilt forward when the child pushes with legs. This dynamic motion actively assists hip lifting during the crawling motion cycle, transforming the passive platform into an active assistance device that promotes natural crawling mechanics
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element's elastic properties are utilized to provide variable support force that changes during the crawling motion. The spring compresses and extends to match the rhythmic pushing motion of the child's legs, providing optimal assistance at the right moments in the crawling cycle without restricting natural movement
2Adaptability or versatility
If a rigid support board is used, then stability is provided, but freedom of movement and natural crawling motion are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The support element replaces the rigid board with a dynamically adjustable component that pivots on a joint. This allows the support to adapt its angle and position in response to the child's movements, providing stability when needed while permitting the full range of natural crawling motions including hip lifting and leg pushing
Solution Approach 2:
The pivoting joint acts as an intermediary between the fixed frame and the movable support element. It transmits and modulates forces between them, allowing the support to remain stable on the frame while independently adapting to the child's movement needs, thus mediating between stability and freedom of movement
3Ease of operation
If friction between sliding elements and surface is increased, then control is improved, but the effort required to move the apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding contact mechanism is replaced with rolling elements (wheels or rollers) that reduce friction between the apparatus and the supporting surface. This substitution dramatically decreases the force needed to move the apparatus while maintaining or improving control through the rolling motion and the pivoting support element
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 apparatus actively assists disabled children in lifting their hips, allowing them to pull their legs under their body and crawl more effectively, promoting a natural crawling motion while ensuring comfort and stability.
Implementation Method 1
A spring element for providing a spring action between the frame and the support element is provided to help the user in lifting the hip from the surface.
Implementation Method 2
The apparatus includes a frame with rolling elements.
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 2a~2d
AI summary
The present invention concerns an aid apparatus to facilitate crawling for children. The apparatus includes, a frame (1) with rolling elements (3, 5) to allow the apparatus to move over a surface and a with a frame (1) connected support element (2) with a support face. The support element (2) is pivotally secured to the frame (1) such that a tilting motion of the support element (2) in relation to the frame (1) between two outer positions is allowed. A spring element (4) provides a springing action between the frame (1) and the support element (2).