Pivoting Finger Exercise Device With Adjustable Spring Tension
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing finger exercise devices are difficult to use for individuals with significant hand and finger injuries, lack ergonomic design for pinching and grasping exercises, and do not provide a convenient mechanism for measuring rehabilitation progress.
Innovation Solution
A finger exercise device with pivotally attached arm members, a tension spring, and a force adjuster knob that allows for adjustable tension, along with ergonomic finger engagement portions and visual indicators to track progress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If compression springs are used to exercise hands and fingers, then muscle strengthening function is provided, but the device becomes difficult to use for individuals with significant injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using an elastic member (spring) with adjustable tension properties. The spring constant and pre-tension can be modified to provide gentle resistance for injured users while still delivering effective strengthening force. This allows the same device to adapt to different recovery stages, making it both easy to operate and effective for muscle strengthening.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates dynamic elements through the elastic spring that provides progressive resistance. As the user moves their fingers through the range of motion, the spring tension dynamically adjusts, providing maximum assistance at the start of motion and progressive resistance as strength increases. This dynamic characteristic makes the device easier to use while maintaining strengthening effectiveness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single device is designed to allow a wide range of different exercises, then versatility is improved, but the device becomes not ergonomically designed for particular types of exercises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality through the adjustable elastic member system that can be configured for different exercise types. By modifying spring tension, pre-load, and attachment points, the same basic device structure can facilitate pinching exercises, grasping exercises, and finger extension exercises, providing multi-functionality without sacrificing ergonomic design for specific exercise types.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is segmented into modular components including the elastic member, attachment mechanisms, and finger engagement elements. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component for ergonomic performance while maintaining overall versatility through reconfiguration of the modular elements for different exercise types.
3Measurement precision
If no measurement mechanism is included in the exercise device, then device complexity is reduced, but rehabilitation progress cannot be measured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms through the elastic member system that provides tactile and visual feedback on force application. The spring compression distance, tension level, and resistance force provide inherent measurement of exercise intensity and progress. This feedback is integrated into the basic device structure without requiring complex electronic sensors or measurement systems, thus achieving precise measurement while minimizing added complexity.
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 provides an ergonomic and user-friendly way to perform pinching and grasping exercises, offering adjustable resistance and visual feedback for rehabilitation progress, enhancing user comfort and enabling objective evaluation of muscle strength recovery.
Implementation Method 1
a tension spring having a first end and an opposing second end... the first end of the spring is connected to the second end of the first arm member and the second end of the spring is connected to the force adjuster knob
Implementation Method 2
The first arm member and the second arm member are pivotally attached to each other by a pivot pin that allows rotational movement of the first arm member and the second arm member relative to each other
Data Source
AI summary
A finger exercise device is provided. The device has two arms pivotally attached to each other and a tension spring with an adjustable knob for varying tension on the spring. The spring is positioned on one side of a pivot point, and finger engagement portions of each arm are located on an opposite side of the pivot point. A user may engage one finger engagement portion with their thumb and the other finger engagement portion with one or more fingers of the same hand other than the thumb. The user may then perform a pinching or grasping motion to extend the spring and exercise and strengthen muscles in the hand and fingers. The device may include a separate arm member that is fixedly attached to one of the pivoting arms and includes an indicator for measuring user progress.