Single Point Torque Adjusting Mechanical Assembly for Body Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for reducing human effort and supporting the spine and waist during heavy lifting and bending are either cumbersome, restrictive, or ineffective in transferring load from the head, back, and knees to the ground, failing to address the need for a lightweight, compact, and user-friendly apparatus that assists in lifting, walking, and correcting spinal disorders like spondylitis and kyphosis.
Innovation Solution
A single point load/torque adjusting mechanical assembly with an adjustable hinge and resilient means that stores potential energy to counteract the effort required for musculoskeletal activities, allowing for non-linear torque adjustment and load transfer from the head, spine, and back to the ground, using a flexible inextensible element and a load adjusting mechanism that varies lever arm length without displacing the resilient means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed web structures or elastic belts are used to support spine and waist, then support function is provided, but body motion is restricted and support is incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic hinges at the lumbar and knee regions that allow controlled movement while providing support. The hinges enable the structure to adapt to natural body motions during activities like bending, kneeling, and walking, rather than rigidly constraining the body. This dynamic design maintains support reliability while preserving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient means (springs) in the hinge mechanisms allow for parameter changes in terms of flexibility and support force. The springs can be adjusted or selected with different constants to provide varying levels of support while maintaining motion freedom, resolving the contradiction between reliable support and operational ease.
2Productivity
If externally powered devices with actuators and drive units are used for body weight support, then lifting assistance is provided, but device weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs resilient means (springs) that automatically store and release energy during body movements. The hinges with springs self-adjust to provide support during bending, kneeling, and lifting without requiring external power sources, actuators, or complex drive units. This passive self-service mechanism provides lifting assistance while keeping the device weight minimal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex powered mechanical systems (actuators, motors, batteries) with simple passive mechanical elements (springs and hinges). This substitution maintains the productivity benefit of lifting assistance while dramatically reducing the device weight by eliminating heavy powered components.
3Force
If straps are tied around waist and spine for support, then load bearing capacity is increased, but body motion is restricted partly or wholly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces static strapped support with dynamic hinge mechanisms at the lumbar and knee regions. These hinges allow controlled articulation and natural body motion while the resilient springs provide continuous load-bearing support. The structure adapts to movement rather than restricting it, maintaining force support while preserving motion freedom.
4Adaptability or versatility
If resilient means with adjustable lever arm length are used, then torque adjustment capability is improved, but mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the support mechanism into separate modular hinge units at different body locations (lumbar, knee). Each hinge is a self-contained module with its own resilient means and lever arm adjustment capability. This segmentation allows torque adjustment at each location independently without increasing overall system complexity, as each module operates autonomously.
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 significantly reduces the effort required for lifting and bending by storing energy in the resilient means, providing counter torque to assist in returning to a neutral position, effectively reducing the load on the waist and knees, and enabling free movement while supporting the body during heavy tasks and long distance walking.
Implementation Method 1
resilient means with fixed end and free end... stores potential energy to counteract the effort required for musculoskeletal activities
Implementation Method 2
flexible inextensible element or rope... passes through the free end of the load adjusting means
Implementation Method 3
upper element is moveably secured with lower element by the hinge pin and shaft
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
A mechanical assembly for single point torque adjustment, an apparatus and a method of use of an improved belt for body support and for assisting body during musculoskeletal activities like heavy lifting, kneeling, bending and walking are provided. The belt employs the single point torque adjusting mechanical assembly with an adjustable hinge (104) along with resilient means (105, 105') which stores potential energy when the user alters from a neutral position and may help the body to return to the neutral position. The belt employs structure to share and direct load from head, neck, and back to waist and ground. The apparatus may prevent the user from acquiring spondylitis, kyphosis or osteoporosis. The apparatus may be used for users who are subjected to frequent muscular work like bending us and down while carrying heavy loads, sitting too long, walking and the like.