Forearm support for a clock workbench and clock workbench
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing watchmaker's workbenches with forearm supports lack adjustability and ergonomics, leading to operator discomfort and potential musculoskeletal disorders due to limited configuration options and difficulty in setting up a comfortable working posture.
Innovation Solution
A forearm support system with a coupling portion, a first arm connected via a ball joint to the workbench, and a second arm connected to a forearm support pallet, allowing for three degrees of freedom and adjustable positioning via ball joints and sliding connections, along with motorized assistance and locking mechanisms for enhanced ergonomics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional forearm supports are used with fixed or limited adjustment mechanisms, then the structure remains simple, but the operator cannot adjust the workstation according to all needs, leading to discomfort and musculoskeletal disorders
Solution Approach 1:
The forearm support employs an articulation system with ball joints that enable dynamic adjustment of the support position and orientation. The first ball joint connects the first arm to the coupling portion, allowing rotational adjustment, while the second ball joint connects the second arm to the first arm, providing additional degrees of freedom. This dynamic structure allows the operator to adapt the forearm support to various working positions and postures.
Solution Approach 2:
The forearm support is divided into multiple segmented arms (first arm and second arm) connected by ball joints. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of each arm segment, providing versatile positioning capabilities while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. Each segment can be adjusted separately to achieve the desired configuration.
2Ease of operation
If forearm supports with multiple adjustment degrees of freedom are implemented, then operator comfort and ergonomics are improved, but the configuration becomes more complex and harder to set up
Solution Approach 1:
The ball joint articulation system allows the operator to easily adjust the forearm support to the desired position without requiring complex configuration procedures. The natural rotational freedom provided by the ball joints enables intuitive adjustment, where the operator can simply move the arms to the required positions and they will stay in place due to the self-locking nature of ball joints under load.
3Reliability
If fixed forearm support positions are used, then the device structure remains simple, but the operator experiences discomfort and potential musculoskeletal disorders due to inability to adjust to comfortable postures
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic articulation system with two ball joints provides multiple degrees of freedom, allowing the forearm support to be positioned and oriented to match the operator's natural working posture. This prevents musculoskeletal disorders by enabling the operator to maintain ergonomic positions during prolonged work, while the structure remains relatively simple compared to more complex active adjustment mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
Forearm support (10) for a watchmaker's workbench, comprising: - a coupling portion (11), arranged to be coupled to a watchmaker's workbench, - a first arm (12) connected to the coupling portion (11), - a second arm (13) connected to the first arm (12), - a forearm support pallet (14), connected to the second arm (13), and arranged to support an operator's forearm, characterized in that the forearm support (10) comprises an articulation system comprising at least: - a first ball joint (16), arranged between the coupling portion (11) and the first arm (12) and connecting the coupling portion (11) and the first arm (12), - a second ball joint (17), arranged between the first arm (12) and the second arm (13) and connecting the first arm (12) and the second arm (13).