Viscoelastic Foam Shin Support for Lifting Aid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing raising aids require laborious adjustment of shin pads, leading to discomfort and pressure on the shins during the standing-up process, as they often fail to accommodate the knees effectively, making the procedure time-consuming and painful for both the user and caregivers.
Innovation Solution
A raising aid featuring a cushion support made of viscoelastic foam, at least 6 cm thick, which adapts to the user's anatomy, ensuring the knees are supported and reducing pressure by distributing mechanical pressure evenly, eliminating the need for manual adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional rigid shin pads are used, then support structure is simple, but adjustment process is complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from rigid to viscoelastic foam, which fundamentally alters the support characteristics. This material transformation eliminates the need for manual adjustment while providing adaptive support that conforms to individual anatomy, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and adjustment time
Solution Approach 2:
The viscoelastic foam support performs self-adjustment by automatically conforming to the user's shin and knee anatomy through its memory foam properties. This self-adaptation eliminates the need for caregiver adjustment, making the support system serve itself and resolve the time-consuming adjustment issue
2Ease of manufacture
If rigid shin pads are used, then manufacturing is simple, but user comfort deteriorates due to pressure and lack of adaptation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs viscoelastic foam as a composite material that combines the benefits of structural support with adaptive comfort. This material integrates pressure distribution properties and anatomical conformity into a single manufacturable component, eliminating discomfort while maintaining ease of production
Solution Approach 2:
The viscoelastic foam provides locally adaptive support that automatically adjusts to the specific anatomical features of each user's shin and knee area. This local adaptation ensures optimal pressure distribution and comfort without requiring complex manufacturing processes
3Reliability
If adjustable shin pads are used, then initial support can be provided, but excessive pressure and pain occur during standing movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical parameter from rigid to viscoelastic, allowing the support material to dynamically adjust its firmness based on applied pressure. This parameter transformation enables the support to maintain reliability during movement while automatically preventing excessive pressure and pain
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 viscoelastic foam provides comfortable and pain-free support during standing, accommodating various body shapes and sizes without the need for manual adjustment, reducing strain on the knees and improving the efficiency of the standing process.
Implementation Method 1
the padded support (26) is made of a viscoelastic foam (32) with a thickness of at least 6 cm
Implementation Method 2
The material's behavior is both elastic and viscous, combining the properties of solids and liquids. This material is also known as 'memory foam'
Implementation Method 3
the mechanical pressure generated during the straightening movement is ideally distributed, so that the knees are barely noticeable
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A lifting aid (2) for lifting a person is proposed, comprising a frame (4), at least one support arm (14) movably arranged on the frame (4) with a handgrip (16, 18), and a drive device (20) coupled to the frame (4) and the at least one support arm (14) for moving the at least one support arm (14) into a lowered and a raised position, as well as at least one padded support (26) for supporting the person's shins when moving the at least one support arm (14). According to the invention, the padded support (26) is made of a viscoelastic foam (32) with a thickness of at least 6 cm and is dimensioned such that the person's kneecaps are always in contact with the padded support (26) when the support arm (14) is moved.