Adjustable Stirrup Ankle Brace for Weight-Bearing Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ankle braces often lack a balance between providing adequate support, comfort, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness, with some being unsuitable for athletic activities due to rigidity or requiring extensive customization.
Innovation Solution
An ankle brace design featuring adjustable stirrups and securement assemblies with detachable straps and ankle stays that provide customizable support, allowing for flexibility and comfort while maintaining structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid support structures are used to provide weight bearing support, then structural support is improved, but comfort and flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The ankle brace is divided into multiple functional segments: a rigid ankle stay for weight bearing support, flexible straps for adjustment and comfort, and a breathable mesh fabric for ventilation. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising overall comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the ankle brace have different material properties: the ankle stay uses rigid material for structural support at the critical weight-bearing area, while the straps and mesh fabric use flexible and breathable materials for comfort in other areas. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between support and comfort.
2Strength
If custom fitted devices are used to provide adequate support, then support performance is improved, but cost and customization complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ankle brace uses universal components such as adjustable straps with multiple adjustment points, detachable ankle stays, and a breathable mesh fabric that can be used across different ankle types and injury levels. This universality allows the same basic design to provide adequate support without requiring custom fabrication for each user.
3Ease of operation
If flexible and comfortable materials are used, then comfort is improved, but structural support deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments support functions from comfort functions: the rigid ankle stay handles weight bearing support, while the flexible straps and breathable mesh fabric handle comfort and ventilation. This functional segmentation allows both requirements to be satisfied simultaneously by different components.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
An ankle brace includes a main body (102) that is configured to receive a foot of a wearer. The main body has a first side portion (108) and a second side portion (110) opposite the first side portion. An adjustable stirrup assembly (132) is coupled to the main body. The adjustable stirrup assembly includes an inner stirrup (136) and an outer stirrup (154). The inner stirrup is configured to underlie the sole of the foot of the wearer. The inner stirrup includes a first inner stirrup strap (138) and a second inner stirrup strap (140). The first inner stirrup strap is coupled to the first side portion of the main body. The second inner stirrup strap is coupled to the second side portion of the main body, and the second inner stirrup strap detachably couples to the first inner stirrup strap. The outer stirrup at least partially underlies the inner stirrup.