Ankle Brace Tensioning System for Dynamic Joint Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ankle braces restrict motion excessively, preventing athletes from functioning normally by limiting the ankle joint's extreme ranges of motion without providing necessary flexibility.
Innovation Solution
An ankle brace with a tensioning system comprising hinged portions, elastic cords, and adjustable straps that allow normal motion within the joint's range while resisting excessive movement by creating tension at the joint's extremes, ensuring protection without interfering with functional motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional braces restrict motion to protect the joint, then joint protection is improved, but functional flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The brace transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system with flexible components. The flexible connector members and elastic cords allow the brace to adapt its stiffness based on ankle position, providing support when needed while allowing normal motion during functional activities.
Solution Approach 2:
The brace changes its mechanical parameters (stiffness, tension) based on ankle position. At extreme ranges of motion, the elastic cords become taut and increase resistance, while during normal functional motion, the flexible components allow greater freedom of movement.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid structures are used to limit extreme motion, then joint stability is improved, but natural range of motion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The brace uses flexible connector members instead of rigid structures. These flexible components can bend and deform to accommodate the natural range of motion, while still providing stability when the ankle reaches extreme positions through the action of elastic cords.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its resistance based on ankle position. The flexible connectors allow motion within the normal range, while the elastic cords engage at extreme positions to provide stabilizing force, creating a position-dependent stability mechanism.
3Reliability
If motion restriction is increased to prevent injury, then protection effectiveness is improved, but athletic performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The brace changes its mechanical parameters based on ankle position. During normal athletic movement within the functional range, the flexible components minimize interference with performance. When the ankle approaches extreme positions that could cause injury, the elastic cords increase tension to provide protective resistance.
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 ankle brace allows for natural ankle movement while providing protection by limiting extreme ranges of motion, ensuring the ankle joint's safety and functionality during athletic activities.
Implementation Method 1
An elongated first elastic cord has one end thereof secured to the medial connector member... An elongated second elastic cord has one end thereof secured to the lateral connector member... The first cord interconnects the loops of the third connector member and the medial connector member with the second cord being threaded through the loops of the fourth connector member and the lateral connector member to form a tensioning system
Data Source
AI summary
An ankle brace which is positioned on an ankle of a person and which incorporates a tensioning structure which permits full range of motion to the ankle joint but which prevents the ankle joint from moving past its normal range of motion to protect the ankle joint.