Responsive Hip Stabilization Device Using Sensor Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Physical inactivity, particularly sitting, leads to sub-optimal posterior muscular recruitment, resulting in anterior and posterior pelvic tilt, poor movement patterns, and associated pain due to muscular inhibition and neural reliance on shortened muscles, making it difficult to optimize proper muscle recruitment through verbal cueing.
Innovation Solution
A responsive exercise device with sensors, spring assemblies, and light sources that provides visual and potentially auditory feedback to assist users in maintaining proper stance and hip joint stability, helping to recruit the gluteal and hamstring muscles by alerting them when they generate mechanical stability of the femur within the pelvic cavity through external rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical stabilization devices are used to stabilize the femur within the pelvic cavity, then posterior muscular recruitment is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into modular components: a base with compartments, support panels, positioning rails with bearings, spring assemblies, and sensor-plate assemblies. Each component performs a specific function and can be independently adjusted or replaced, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effectiveness in stabilizing the femur and improving muscular recruitment.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates dynamic elements including freely rotating bearings in the positioning rails, adjustable spring assemblies (both tension and compression), and movable sensor plates. These dynamic components allow the device to adapt to user movements and provide real-time feedback, enhancing muscular recruitment while keeping the design flexible and manageable.
2Ease of operation
If sensors and feedback mechanisms are added to provide real-time guidance, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Measurement sensors are positioned within compartments and mechanically connected to plates that move with the spring assemblies. These sensors detect positional changes and provide feedback (through light sources or other indicators) to guide users in achieving proper alignment and muscle engagement. This feedback mechanism simplifies operation by providing real-time guidance without requiring complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to guide users through self-correction rather than requiring external instruction. The sensor-plate-assemblies and light sources provide automatic feedback that helps users independently adjust their position and technique, improving ease of operation while avoiding the need for complex external control systems or professional supervision.
3Force
If multiple spring assemblies are used to provide mechanical resistance, then force feedback is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses spring assemblies with adjustable parameters (both tension and compression springs) to provide variable force feedback. The spring constants and pre-loads can be modified to match different user needs and exercise intensities. This parameter adjustability allows the system to provide effective force feedback without requiring extremely precise manufacturing tolerances, as the force characteristics can be tuned after assembly.
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 aids in alleviating anterior and posterior pelvic tilt, improving posture and movement patterns, reducing the risk of back and knee discomfort by enhancing the user's awareness of proper muscle recruitment and mechanical stability during exercises and daily activities.
Implementation Method 1
a first plurality of springs are in a state of tension having a first end a second end, a spring plate connected to the first end of the first plurality of springs, a spring plate connected to the second end of the first plurality of springs, a second plurality of springs are in a state of compression having a first end a second end
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of bearings positioned within the openings of the plurality of rails and between the support panels, wherein the plurality of bearings are retained in the openings and freely rotate
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a responsive exercise device comprising a base having a first end and a second end, wherein the base has a plurality of compartments, a plurality of measurement sensors, a plurality of support panels secured to the base over the first set of the plurality of compartments, a plurality of positioning rails secured to the plurality of support panels, wherein the positioning rails have a plurality of openings sized to fit a bearing, a plurality of bearings positioned within the openings of the plurality of rails and between the support panels, wherein the plurality of bearings are retained in the openings and freely rotate; a first spring assembly positioned distal to the first end of the base, a second spring assembly positioned distal to the second of the base comprising, a plurality of plates positioned over the plurality of bearing assemblies and mechanically.