Wearable Gripping Aid with Magnetic Locking and Elastic Band
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with hand gripping deficiencies due to spinal injuries face challenges in using existing gripping aids that are not easily wearable and adjustable, lack effective locking mechanisms for tools, and are difficult to disconnect, limiting their independence and safety in performing daily tasks.
Innovation Solution
A wearable gripping aid with a connection member and band assembly that includes elastic bands of varying flexural rigidity, magnetic coupling, and a pressure connection system, allowing for easy attachment and detachment of tools, and providing a secure grip and reliable locking mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gripping aid is designed to be securely worn and adjustable, then the reliability of the grip is improved, but the ease of operation for putting on and adjusting is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping aid is divided into separate components: a wearable portion that fits the hand and a tool holder portion that attaches to tools. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the wearable portion for comfort and adjustability, and the tool holder for secure attachment, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The band assembly incorporates elastic bands with different flexural rigidities that can be adjusted in tension and positioning. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the user to customize the fit for different hand sizes and comfort levels while maintaining secure attachment, thus improving both reliability and ease of operation.
2Reliability
If a gripping aid provides effective locking mechanism for tools, then the reliability of tool holding is improved, but the ease of operation for disconnecting tools is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic coupling mechanism replaces traditional mechanical locking systems with magnetic attraction forces. This provides strong, reliable tool holding through magnetic force while allowing for simple one-handed attachment and detachment by overcoming the magnetic force, thus resolving the contradiction between tool locking reliability and ease of disconnecting.
3Ease of operation
If a gripping aid uses simple band assembly for easy wearing, then the ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability to different hand sizes and shapes is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The band assembly uses elastic bands with different flexural rigidities positioned at different locations to accommodate variations in hand anatomy. The first elastic band has different properties than the second band, allowing each to optimize for specific regions of the hand, thereby achieving both ease of wearing and adaptability to different hand sizes and shapes.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic bands are designed with adjustable tension and positioning capabilities, allowing the physical parameters of the band assembly (tension, position, orientation) to be changed to fit different hand sizes and shapes. This parameter adjustability maintains ease of wearing while improving adaptability across diverse users.
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 individuals with hand gripping deficiencies to use tools independently and safely by providing a simple, adjustable, and reliable gripping solution that reduces fatigue and enhances functional recovery.
Implementation Method 1
magnetic coupling
Implementation Method 2
elastic bands of varying flexural rigidity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A gripping aid for a hand having a motor deficiency, comprises a wearable portion (1) with a magnetic connection member (2), a magnetic unit (3) for a hand tool or instrument connectable in a releasable manner to the magnetic connection member (2) and a first and a second shaped connection portion (19, 32) engaging each other when the magnetic connection member (2) and the magnetic unit (3) are maintained in contact by a magnetic attraction force, said first and said second shape connection portion (19, 32) defining, when reciprocally engaged, an abutment which delimits the maximum relative movement between the magnetic connection member (2) and the magnetic unit (3) to a value lower than 4 millimeters along at least a relative direction of motion.