Wrist Brace Tool Receiving Surface for Tree Planters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wrist braces are inadequate for tree planters as they fail to support the wrist in a neutral position and absorb the impact of shovel handling, leading to frequent injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome and wrist pain due to the high repetition and force involved in tree planting.
Innovation Solution
A wrist brace device with a splint member that extends along the inner forearm and includes a tool receiving surface to distribute the force of the shovel handle, maintaining the wrist in a neutral position and reducing impact on the palm, featuring a rigid arm and palm portion with a tool receiving surface configured to align with the forearm, and a strap mechanism to secure the shovel handle, allowing for reduced grip duration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wrist brace is designed to support the wrist in a neutral position, then wrist injury prevention is improved, but the brace becomes less effective at absorbing impact forces from tool handling
Solution Approach 1:
The wrist brace is divided into distinct functional segments: a rigid splint member for wrist support and positioning, and a separate padding layer for impact absorption. The splint member maintains the wrist in a neutral position while the padding layer absorbs impact forces from tool handling, allowing each segment to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The wrist brace combines different material properties in a composite structure: rigid materials (such as plastic or metal) for the splint member to provide structural support and wrist positioning, and compliant materials (such as foam or gel) for the padding layer to absorb impact forces. This composite approach enables simultaneous achievement of wrist support and impact absorption.
2Reliability
If the wrist brace uses a rigid structure to maintain neutral position, then wrist support is improved, but the brace becomes less comfortable for extended wear during tree planting operations
Solution Approach 1:
The wrist brace separates the rigid support function into a distinct splint member that can be removed or adjusted, while the padding layer remains in place to provide comfort during extended wear. This segmentation allows the rigid structure to maintain wrist support when needed while the softer padding ensures comfort during prolonged tree planting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the wrist brace have different material properties: the splint member uses rigid materials for structural support at specific locations, while the padding layer uses compliant materials for general comfort and cushioning. This local differentiation of material qualities allows the brace to provide both firm wrist support and comfort during extended wear.
3Ease of operation
If tree planters continuously grip the shovel handle, then tool control is improved, but the risk of hand and wrist injuries increases due to repetitive high-force impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The wrist brace acts as an intermediary between the tool handle and the user's hand and wrist. The padding layer absorbs impact forces from the shovel handle before they reach the user's body, while the rigid splint member maintains proper wrist positioning. This intermediary structure allows continuous tool control while significantly reducing the transmission of harmful impact forces to the hand and wrist.
Solution Approach 2:
The padding layer in the wrist brace provides beforehand cushioning by absorbing impact forces before they can cause injury to the hand and wrist. This preventive cushioning mechanism is in place before the impacts occur, reducing the risk of injury from repetitive high-force impacts during tree planting operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A wrist brace device has a splint member including an arm portion for support along an inner forearm of a user, and a palm portion for supporting a palm on a palm supporting surface of the palm portion which is oriented generally in the direction of the arm portion to prevent overextension of the hand of the user relative to the forearm. A tool receiving surface is provided on the palm portion opposite from the palm supporting surface for engaging a handle of a tool thereon such that impacts from a tool head of the tool are directed substantially perpendicularly to the upper palm supporting surface and the arm portion of the user.