Upper Body Support Joints for Hands-Free Ground-Level Work
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Labor-related activities often require workers to perform tasks in ergonomically awkward positions, leading to muscle fatigue and chronic back pain due to the lack of effective support structures that can stably support human users at ground level without significant intrusion.
Innovation Solution
A wearable upper body support system with multiple degrees of freedom, allowing passive control through a user interface, featuring end-effectors that can be positioned and fixed in three dimensions using rotational joints and a linear joint, along with a quick-change coupler for adaptable end-effector attachment, enabling comfortable task performance with reduced physical strain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional pads and support structures are used to ease strain while performing tasks at ground level, then some support is provided, but they do not significantly reduce the toll on the human body and require hands to support the body, reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is divided into multiple independent body support limbs, each with its own end effector and control mechanisms. This segmentation allows the system to provide distributed support across different body locations, freeing both hands for task performance while reducing the toll on the human body through localized support at specific joints and body segments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a wearable support system with multiple degrees of freedom is implemented to adapt to task demands, then support effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic adjustment capabilities where each body support limb can be independently repositioned and reconfigured based on task requirements. The control system allows real-time modification of support characteristics through actuated joints and end effectors, enabling the system to adapt to different task demands while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If end-effectors are removeably attached with quick-change couplers for task adaptability, then versatility is improved, but connection reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The quick-change coupler mechanism is designed to be operated by the user without requiring additional tools or assistance. The self-contained coupling system allows users to quickly attach and detach different end effectors for various tasks while maintaining reliable connections through integrated locking and securing mechanisms built into the coupler design.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and system to partially support the weight of a human user engaged in task performance at ground level are presented herein. An upper body support system includes multiple degrees of freedom to adapt the physical geometry of the support system to meet the demands of the task at hand. Each degree of freedom of the upper body support system is passively controlled by the human user from a convenient user interface. In some embodiments, each end-effector of the support system is positioned and fixed in three degrees of freedom over a relatively large workspace by manually controlling the brake torque of two rotational joints and the state of a locking mechanism of a linear joint. In another aspect, an end-effector is removeably attached to the support system with a quick-change coupler. In some embodiments, a swivel joint mechanism compensates for misalignment with the work environment.