Wearable Assistance Device with Replaceable Pneumatic Assisting Part
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional devices for reducing load on the waist require time and effort to put on and take off, and their outer surfaces can come into contact with caregivers or items, making them difficult to replace and causing wearer fatigue due to applied force.
Innovation Solution
A wearable assistance device with a replaceable assisting part that changes flexibility using fluid pressure, controlled by an assist-control part, to reduce load on the wearer without the need for extensive setup or teardown, featuring a cylindrical structure with varying flexibility and a mechanism for easy replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If conventional load-reducing devices with fixed structures are used, then load reduction function is provided, but replacement of worn parts is difficult and requires disassembly of entire device
Solution Approach 1:
The assistance device is divided into a garment portion and a separate assisting part. The assisting part can be detached and replaced independently from the garment portion, allowing easy maintenance without disassembling the entire device. This segmentation enables the wearing person to replace only the worn assisting part while keeping the garment portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The assisting part is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the garment portion, creating a nested relationship where the assisting part can be stored within or attached to the garment when not in use. This allows the assisting part to be easily replaced and stored without requiring complex disassembly procedures.
2Force
If belts and tension means are used to lift body parts, then load reduction is achieved, but wearer fatigue increases due to applied force on body
Solution Approach 1:
The assisting part utilizes a balloon component that can be inflated with gas to generate lifting force. This pneumatic approach replaces traditional mechanical belts and tension means, providing load reduction through gas pressure rather than direct mechanical force on the body, thereby reducing wearer fatigue while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The assisting part changes its physical state by inflating or deflating the balloon component. When inflated, the balloon expands to provide lifting force; when deflated, it reduces in size and applies minimal force to the body. This parameter change allows the device to provide load reduction only when needed, reducing unnecessary fatigue on the wearer.
3Ease of operation
If outer surface of load-reducing device contacts caregiver or items, then device provides support function, but contact causes damage or discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The assisting part is covered with a flexible balloon shell that can deform and adapt to contact surfaces. This flexible covering protects the underlying structure and reduces direct contact between rigid components and the caregiver or surrounding items, minimizing damage and discomfort while maintaining the support function.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional devices require putting on and taking off procedures, then device can be removed when not needed, but time and effort are required for these operations
Solution Approach 1:
The assistance device is segmented into a permanent garment portion and a removable assisting part. The assisting part can be quickly attached or detached from the garment portion without requiring the wearer to put on or take off the entire device. This segmentation enables rapid deployment and removal of the assistance function while minimizing time and effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The assisting part incorporates dynamic attachment mechanisms that allow quick connection and disconnection from the garment portion. These dynamic features enable the assisting part to be rapidly deployed or removed based on immediate needs, significantly reducing the time and effort compared to conventional devices that require full garment removal.
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
Enables easy replacement of worn parts, reduces wearer fatigue, and minimizes load without requiring time or effort for putting on and taking off, while preventing contact-induced damage and discomfort.
Implementation Method 1
the assist-control part controls the flexibility of the assisting part by changing fluid pressure in the first cylindrical part
Implementation Method 2
the fluid is preferably incompressible fluid
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an assistance device, an assistance garment, and an assistance method that enable easy replacement of a part of structure, suppression of fatigue of a wearer, and reduction of a load in an action of the wearer, without requiring time and effort for putting on and taking off. An assistance device 1 is provided on a garment and reduces a load in an action of a wearer 5. The assistance device 1 is provided with an assisting part 10 that is replaceable and applies force for assisting the an action to the body of the wearer 5 by changing flexibility, and an assist-control part 12 that controls the flexibility.