Ankle Brace Link Design for Stability and Load Capacity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ankle links in exoskeletons are complex, heavy, have low load capacity, and do not allow movement around the ankle joint's center, affecting ergonomic characteristics and user safety.

Innovation Solution

A universal ankle link design featuring a base element, rotating first lever, hinged struts, and a foot support with spherical hinges, allowing adjustable mobility and stability, including connecting elements for the knee joint and adjustable length, to enhance ergonomic fit and load distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional ankle link designs are used, then the structure provides basic support, but the device complexity increases and weight increases while load capacity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload capacityVSAvoiddesign complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ankle link is divided into multiple segments (first lever, second lever, struts, foot support) connected by joints, allowing each segment to be optimized independently for strength while maintaining overall structural efficiency and reducing unnecessary complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base element serves multiple functions: it connects to the ankle joint, provides mounting for the first lever, supports the struts, and enables adjustment of mobility. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, decreasing overall device complexity while maintaining load capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Strength

If traditional ankle link designs are used, then the structure provides basic support, but the weight increases affecting ergonomic characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload capacityVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the structure into essential functional components, the design eliminates unnecessary material and reduces weight while maintaining the required load capacity through optimized structural arrangement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design utilizes spatial arrangement and geometric optimization to distribute loads more efficiently, reducing the amount of material needed and consequently the weight of the ankle link while maintaining structural strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If traditional ankle link designs are used, then the structure provides basic support, but movement around the ankle joint center is restricted affecting ergonomic characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemobilityVSAvoidstability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The ankle link incorporates adjustable mobility features that allow the degree of freedom to be dynamically adapted to different users and conditions, enabling movement around the ankle joint center while maintaining stability through controlled degrees of freedom

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The design allows changing parameters such as the angle of the first lever and the mobility of the foot support to optimize both mobility and stability according to the specific needs of the user and the operational requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If fixed ankle link design is used, then the structure is simple, but adaptability to different degrees of ankle joint mobility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to mobility degreesVSAvoiddesign complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ankle link incorporates adjustable components that allow the degree of freedom to be dynamically adapted to different users and conditions, enabling movement around the ankle joint center while maintaining stability through controlled degrees of freedom

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 design provides increased stability, safety, and mobility, accommodating various degrees of ankle joint mobility, improving gait and load capacity through a six-link mechanism and adjustable features.

Implementation Method 1

The foot support is connected by the first lateral side to the lower end of the first strut and by the second lateral side to the lower end of the second strut via hinges having at least two degrees of freedom

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHinge: Hinge

Data Source

PatentEP3705104B1Ankle brace or ankle exoskeleton

Publication Date: 2023.06.07 OBSHHESTVO S OGRANICHENNOJ OTVETSTVENNOSTJU EKZOATLET

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AI summary

The invention relates to the field of human necessities and can be used in medicine, in particular, for treating patients with loss or impairment of locomotor function of the lower extremities. An ankle link of orthosis or exoskeleton contains the base element and the first lever pivotally mounted on the base element. The first strut is hinged at the upper end to the first lever, and the second strut is hinged at the upper end to the base element. The foot support is connected by the first lateral side to the lower end of the first strut and the second lateral side to the lower end of the second strut by means of hinges having at least two degrees of freedom.