Rigid Harness With Elastic Leaf Spring Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stage accessory harnesses suffer from mechanical fragility at weld points, leading to broken piano wires and shifting movements, causing visual imperfections, muscle pain, and temporary incapacitation for performers, due to deformation under heavy accessories.

Innovation Solution

A harness frame with a rigid backrest and shoulder straps that are rigid under normal conditions, featuring a bracket for increased rigidity and elastic coupling elements with leaf springs for damping, ensuring the harness remains stable and comfortable for performers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If piano wires are used to reinforce the harness, then the harness can be made lightweight and flexible, but the weld points become mechanically fragile and prone to breaking under heavy accessories

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strength at weld pointsVSAvoidreliability of harness structure
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters from traditional piano wire to aluminum or aluminum alloys, which offer different mechanical properties including higher strength-to-weight ratio and better weldability. This material substitution resolves the contradiction by providing both the needed strength at weld points and maintaining overall reliability under heavy load conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite construction by combining aluminum materials with specific structural designs, creating a harness frame that integrates both strength and reliability. The use of aluminum alloy composites allows the structure to withstand heavy accessories while maintaining weld point integrity and overall structural reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If the harness frame is made rigid to support heavy accessories, then the accessory positioning remains stable, but the harness causes muscle pain and discomfort to performers during movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of accessory positioningVSAvoidmuscle pain and discomfort to performers
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the harness frame into modular segments that can independently adjust to body movements. This segmentation allows the frame to maintain stable accessory positioning while accommodating performer movements, thereby reducing muscle pain and discomfort caused by rigid structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic characteristics to the harness frame through movable joints and flexible connections. This enables the frame to adapt its rigidity based on movement requirements, maintaining accessory stability during performance while allowing necessary flexibility to prevent muscle strain and discomfort

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Weight of moving object

If aluminum materials are used instead of piano wire, then the harness weight is reduced and comfort is improved, but the manufacturing precision and structural integrity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of harnessVSAvoidmanufacturing precision of frame structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes specific aluminum alloy compositions and processing parameters to achieve both weight reduction and manufacturing precision. By optimizing material parameters and fabrication processes, the harness achieves lightweight construction without compromising frame structure integrity or manufacturing precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution enhances the harness's strength and comfort, reducing maintenance needs and preventing injuries, while maintaining the accessory's alignment and distribution of forces, thus improving performance and reducing health issues for performers.

Implementation Method 1

elastic coupling elements with leaf springs for damping

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

elastic coupling elements with leaf springs for damping

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2286689B1Accessory-holding harness for a stage performer
Publication Date: 2015.05.20 BAL DU MOULIN ROUGE
  • EP2286689B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2286689B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2286689B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A harness for a performing artist to wear at least one stage accessory is presented. It comprises a frame with a backrest (21) adapted to support the stage accessory, and shoulder strap elements (22, 23) adapted to allow the harness to be positioned and/or secured on the artist's shoulders. The backrest and the shoulder strap elements are rigid. The shoulder strap elements are coupled to the backrest by means of elastic coupling elements (24).