Wearable Support Structure with Elastic Stays for Torso Strain Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wearable support structures for relieving strain on the body when bending over are often uncomfortable, cumbersome, and provide sub-optimal support, limiting mobility and freedom of movement, while also being difficult to mount and dismount.

Innovation Solution

A wearable support structure featuring flexible stays that extend alongside the body, providing chest, lumbar, and thigh support, which are biased to return to a stretched state when the body bends, allowing for natural movement and distribution of force, and can be easily integrated with clothing for secure placement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a frame structure with shoulder portion and leg portion connected by bendable strip and spring is used, then supporting force for upper body is provided, but the structure becomes uncomfortable and cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupporting forceVSAvoidcomfort and ease of attachment

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into separate functional elements: a torso-carrying element (belt) and leg supports with elastic members, allowing independent optimization of each component. This segmentation eliminates the cumbersome frame structure while maintaining supporting force functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces rigid frame structures with flexible elastic members (springs or elastomeric elements) that provide supporting force through elastic deformation. These flexible elements conform to body movements and eliminate the rigidity-induced discomfort of traditional frames.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Force

If the structure is designed to provide supporting force, then the force pattern changes uncomfortably and erratically when bending

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce patternVSAvoidforce pattern stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses elastic members whose force characteristics are defined by their elastic properties rather than rigid mechanical linkages. This allows the force pattern to remain predictable and stable during bending, as elastic force depends on deformation amount rather than complex geometric relationships that change with body position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Force

If the structure provides support during bending, then freedom of movement especially arm movement is impaired

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport during bendingVSAvoidfreedom of movement

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the torso support function from leg anchoring through elastic members, the structure allows independent movement of arms and upper body while maintaining support. The elastic connection accommodates various arm positions without transmitting restrictive forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic members dynamically adapt to body movements, providing support when needed (during forward bending) while allowing freedom during lateral and rotational movements. The elastic force activates selectively based on deformation, permitting versatile movement patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Force

If existing structures are designed for support, then they are difficult to mount and dismount

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport functionVSAvoidease of mounting and dismounting

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The structure consists of separable components (belt, leg supports, elastic members) that can be independently attached and removed. This modular design simplifies mounting and dismounting compared to integrated frame structures, while maintaining the full support function through proper component assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 structure provides effective support to the upper body while allowing ample mobility, including twisting and lateral movement, and maintains a consistent force pattern, reducing strain on muscles and joints during bending tasks.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient element 64, mounted between the upper and lower stay parts spaced apart from a pivot axis between the upper and lower stay parts, such that upon pivoting of the upper stay part relative to the lower stay part away from a stretched position the resilient element provides for a moment countering said pivoting

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10561518B2Wearable support structure and method of supporting a torso

Publication Date: 2020.02.18 LAEVO BV

AI summary

The invention relates to a wearable support structure for at least partly relieving a human body during leaning forward or bending over. The wearable support structure comprises a frame having at least one stay provided with a chest support for bearing upon a chest area, a lumbar support for bearing upon a lumbar area, and a thigh support for bearing upon a front side of a thigh area. The stay is a flexible stay arranged such that it is in a stretched state corresponding with an upright position of a human body when being unloaded. Further, the stay is arranged to be biased back to said stretched state when being bent into a bent state corresponding with a forward leaning position of a human body.