DefinePK

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the pressing issues of weak finger grip among elderlies and examine the underlying causes and potential solutions. The outcome of this study intends to benefit the development of ergonomic finger grip enhancers for the elderly. A problem-solving tool known as TRIZ was used to identify root causes to the problem and establish engineering contradictions which led to the solution models. The contradictions were resolved using proposed recommendations from some of the 40 inventive principles of TRIZ. The recommendations were cross-examined with existing inventions, concepts and ideas in order to substantiate their viability. The inventive principles generated from TRIZ included mechanics substitution/another sense, dynamisation and parameter changes. These individual principles led the researchers towards suggesting design ideas using visual feedback substitution, extended “finger” mechanisms to stabilise griping and devices to assist in force control. It may still be uncertain whether or not these ideas can integrate well with one another. However, as initial recommendations, these ideas have the potential to solve some of the root causes for poor finger grip due to the corresponding support found from previous studies.