Variable Thickness Elastomeric Hand Grip for Vibration Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand grips for devices and equipment often fail to provide adequate shock absorption and reduce fatigue effectively, leading to issues like ulna nerve irritation and wrist compression.
Innovation Solution
A simplified ergonomic hand grip design featuring a structural layer with varying thickness, an optional core, and an outer layer, where the structural layer is harder than the outer layer, providing superior support and vibration damping through a fin that flexes to cushion the heel strike and accommodate the thenar eminence, while a clamp allows for adjustable fitting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple layers of elastomeric materials with different durometer values are used to provide shock absorption and vibration damping, then the comfort and fatigue reduction is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and number of materials required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the thickness of the single elastomeric layer rather than using multiple layers of different materials. The layer is thickest at the heel strike region (0.5-2.0 inches) to absorb impact, thinner in the middle section (0.25-0.5 inches), and thinnest at the forefinger region (0.125-0.25 inches). This differential thickness distribution provides region-specific shock absorption and vibration damping performance while maintaining a simple single-layer structure that is easier to manufacture.
2Ease of manufacture
If a single elastomeric layer with varying thickness is used, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the ability to provide different levels of shock absorption in different regions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the thickness parameter of the elastomeric layer across different regions rather than changing the material composition. The heel strike region has maximum thickness (0.5-2.0 inches) for high impact absorption, the middle section has intermediate thickness (0.25-0.5 inches), and the forefinger region has minimum thickness (0.125-0.25 inches). This single-parameter variation achieves regional performance differentiation while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through a single-layer construction.
3Strength
If the structural layer is made harder than the outer layer, then the structural support and shape retention is improved, but the comfort and cushioning effect is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different material properties to different layers. The structural layer uses a harder material (durometer 40-70) to provide structural support, shape retention, and maintain the grip's form. The outer layer uses a softer material (durometer 20-40) to provide comfort, cushioning, and vibration damping where it contacts the hand. This layered approach with differentiated material hardness achieves both structural integrity and user comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies composite materials by combining two elastomeric layers with different durometer values. The structural layer (harder, durometer 40-70) provides structural support and shape retention, while the outer layer (softer, durometer 20-40) provides comfort and vibration damping. This composite construction leverages the complementary properties of harder and softer materials to simultaneously achieve structural strength and user comfort.
4Ease of operation
If the fin extends laterally and longitudinally from the body, then the support for thenar eminence is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating the fin structure directly into the grip body as a unified component rather than a separate attachment. The fin extends laterally and longitudinally from the body to provide support for the thenar eminence, but is formed as part of the same elastomeric layer that makes up the main grip structure. This integration reduces device complexity by eliminating separate parts and simplifies manufacturing while maintaining the ergonomic support function.
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 design reduces fatigue and irritation by providing enhanced shock absorption and vibration damping, accommodating different hand sizes and shapes, and allowing for easy manufacturing with fewer materials and steps.
Implementation Method 1
a structural layer of variable thickness... providing superior support and vibration damping
Implementation Method 2
providing superior support and vibration damping through a fin that flexes to cushion the heel strike
Implementation Method 3
through a fin that flexes to cushion the heel strike and accommodate the thenar eminence
Data Source
AI summary
A hand grip for use on a handle of an assistive mobility device or a bicycle has a body and an integral fin. Both are designed to damp vibration and reduce the force experienced by a user's hand. This is accomplished by using different thicknesses of an elastomeric material in the structural layer of the hand grip and by designing the fin to flex. The grip is covered with a soft elastomeric outer layer that provides additional cushioning.