Self-Centering Vertebral Orthosis for Upper Body Lifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional orthoses primarily designed to protect the spine do not effectively support movement or muscle-relieving processes, particularly in facilitating the straightening of a leaning upper body, and are not suitable for everyday use due to design limitations that restrict mobility and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a shoulder and hip part connected via a serial arrangement of vertebral bodies, guided by strand-like elastic tension elements, allowing for self-centering contact between vertebral bodies to generate a righting moment and assist in straightening the upper body, while maintaining comfort and mobility, with adjustable tension elements for customizable support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional orthoses with rigid vertebral bodies and elastic connecting elements are used to protect the spine, then load-bearing protection is improved, but mobility and ease of movement are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The vertebral bodies are equipped with spherical contact surfaces that enable smooth rotational movement while maintaining structural integrity. The spherical geometry allows the vertebral bodies to pivot freely relative to each other, providing unrestricted mobility while the rigid structure continues to bear loads effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The orthosis transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system where vertebral bodies can rotate and adjust their positions independently. This dynamic capability allows the device to adapt to various body movements and postures while maintaining protective function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If orthoses with multiple joints and elastic elements are used to protect the entire spine, then protection coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spine protection system is divided into multiple independent vertebral body segments, each capable of independent movement. This segmentation allows the orthosis to cover the entire spine length while maintaining simplicity at each individual segment level, avoiding the need for complex interconnected mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex elastic connecting elements between vertebral bodies, the invention inverts the approach by making the vertebral bodies themselves the mobile elements with spherical contact surfaces. This simplifies the overall structure while achieving the desired flexibility and coverage.
3Ease of operation
If orthoses with mechanical joint arrangements are used to support upper body movement, then movement assistance is improved, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical contact surfaces can be manufactured using standard spherical machining or molding processes, which are well-established in industrial production. This geometric simplicity facilitates easy manufacturing while providing the desired movement assistance through the natural rolling contact of the spherical surfaces.
4Strength
If rigid vertebral bodies are used to form load-bearing paths, then protective function is improved, but mobility and comfort are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical contact surfaces enable the rigid vertebral bodies to rotate and pivot freely relative to each other, maintaining the load-bearing capacity of the rigid structure while eliminating restrictions on upper body mobility. The spherical geometry provides smooth, unrestricted movement in all directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The orthosis transforms from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system where vertebral bodies can independently rotate and adjust their positions. This dynamic capability allows the rigid load-bearing structure to adapt to various body movements, maintaining both strength and mobility.
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 device provides effective power-assisted straightening of the upper body with minimal restriction on movement, suitable for everyday use, and can be used for both lifting heavy loads and as a training or rehabilitation tool, offering biomechanical relief and adjustable tension for optimal posture.
Implementation Method 1
strangartig elastisch oder elastisch gelagerte Zugelemente
Implementation Method 2
Kontaktfläche, die eine kugelförmige oder kugelig counter-contourierte Oberfläche aufweist, durch die die mindestens zwei Wirbelkörper lose und selbstzentrierend gegeneinander abgestützt werden können ausschließlich unter Wirkung eines zwischen den beiden Wirbelkörpern wirkenden Kontaktdrucks
Data Source
Figure 1a~1d
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for the force-assisted lifting of an inclined upper body of a person (P), comprising a shoulder part (1) that can be removably fixed in a secure manner to the shoulder area of the person as well as a hip part (2) which can be removably fixed in a secure manner to the hip area of the person, both being connected by an arrangement (4) comprising a plurality of serially arranged vertebral bodies (5) which are guided along at least a strand-like, elastic or elastically mounted traction element (6) which is connected at each end to the shoulder part (1) and the hip part (2). At least two adjacent vertebral bodies (5) have each at least one surface area (53, 54) which is designed to have a matching contour. The invention is characterized in that, for the purpose of mutual contacting, the at least two vertebral bodies (5) are assembled directly by the surface areas (53, 54), which have a matching contour, and exclusively by means of the at least one traction element (6) while being mutually subjected to an elastic force, in a loose and a self-centering manner relative to one another, and in that the surface areas (53, 54) having a matching contour are spherical and the traction element (6) has an elastic configuration or is mechanically coupled to at least one elastic element.