Segmented Wrist Support for Force Transfer and Mobility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wrist braces are either too large and restrictive or too small, failing to provide adequate support, which can lead to wrist damage during lifting tasks, particularly for laborers who frequently lift objects above shoulder level.
Innovation Solution
A wrist support that restricts wrist extension and flexion by transferring forces to the upper and lower arm muscles using a cuff that surrounds the wrist, allowing for mobility of the fingers and thumb while distributing weight, available in various sizes with cushioning and securing means for a secure fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wrist brace extends from forearm to upper regions of the hand, then wrist support is provided, but the brace becomes too large, heavy, and restrictive
Solution Approach 1:
The wrist support is segmented into distinct functional zones: a wrist support member positioned at the wrist, a hand support member positioned at the hand, and a connection member linking them. This segmentation allows each component to provide targeted support without requiring coverage of the entire forearm-to-hand region, thereby reducing overall size and restrictiveness while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts only the essential support functions from a full forearm-to-hand brace. By identifying and isolating the critical support zones (wrist and hand) and connecting them minimally, the design removes unnecessary material and structure, resulting in a lighter, less restrictive device that maintains adequate wrist support.
2Device complexity
If a wrist brace is made small to reduce size and weight, then restrictiveness is reduced, but adequate wrist support is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the support function into a wrist support member and a hand support member connected by a connection member, the invention achieves adequate wrist support with a smaller overall structure. The wrist support member concentrates support where needed, while the connection member provides minimal necessary linkage, avoiding the need for large coverage areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The wrist support member and hand support member are designed with local quality - each is sized and shaped to provide support specifically at its designated location without extending unnecessarily. This localized approach ensures adequate wrist support while keeping the overall device small and lightweight.
3Reliability
If a rigid cuff surrounds and extends across the wrist, then wrist movement is restricted and forces are transferred to forearm muscles, but finger and thumb mobility may be obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is segmented into a wrist support member that provides rigid support for force transfer, and a separate hand support member that contours to the hand. This segmentation allows the wrist portion to maintain rigidity for effective force transfer while the hand portion accommodates finger and thumb mobility without obstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The hand support member is contoured to follow the three-dimensional shape of the hand, creating space around the fingers and thumb. This dimensional conturing allows the support structure to provide wrist stabilization while leaving finger and thumb movements unobstructed in the available space.
Data Source
AI summary
A wrist support worn by a user can diminish or eliminate pain, stress, or discomfort on the wrist and hand regions while lifting various objects of size and weight in a repetitive or non-repetitive manner. The specification describes embodiments of wrist support devices, including a wrist support device that can inhibit wrist extension and flexion, and ulnar and radial deviation, with a support that transfers forces around the wrist muscles and ligaments onto the larger and stronger muscles of the upper and lower arm.