Ankle Stabilization Shoe with Pivoting Joint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ankle sprains occur frequently due to rapid and large movements in multiple directions, limiting mobility and often resulting in significant downtime, as existing stabilization devices either fail to adequately restrict harmful movements or restrict gait too much, causing strain on other joints.
Innovation Solution
A shoe-based ankle stabilization device featuring two rigid support elements, one along the foot and one extending up the leg, connected by a joint that allows free extension while limiting supination and adduction movements, using straps for secure fit and providing sufficient resistance to minimize sprain risk without overly restricting gait.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid support elements are used to stabilize the ankle, then ankle sprain prevention is improved, but gait restriction increases causing strain on other joints
Solution Approach 1:
The joint connecting the foot support element and leg support element is designed to be dynamic, allowing free movement in the extension direction (anterior-posterior plane) while providing resistance to supination and adduction movements. This dynamic behavior enables the device to adapt to different movement requirements: permitting natural walking motion while preventing harmful ankle sprain movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The support elements have different rigidity characteristics in different directions. The joint provides free movement along the extension axis but offers mechanical resistance to supination and adduction. This anisotropic mechanical property allows the device to selectively constrain harmful movements while maintaining freedom of beneficial movements.
2Reliability
If support elements restrict supination and adduction movements, then sprain risk is reduced, but movement freedom in other directions may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The joint is designed with asymmetric movement characteristics: it allows free extension movement (anterior-posterior direction) while providing resistance to supination and adduction. This dynamic design enables the device to selectively restrict harmful movements while maintaining freedom of beneficial movements, achieving both sprain prevention and movement adaptability.
3Reliability
If the device provides sufficient resistance to harmful movements, then ankle stabilization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two separate rigid support elements (foot support element and leg support element) connected by a joint. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized for its specific function while the joint provides the necessary movement control, achieving effective stabilization with a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint acts as an intermediary element between the foot support element and leg support element. It mediates the interaction between these two rigid structures, allowing free extension movement while providing resistance to supination and adduction. This intermediary component enables complex movement control without requiring a complex overall device structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments relate to shoes with ankle support elements, typically including a foot support element and a leg support element which are joined together via a joint to allow the leg support element to pivot with respect to the foot support element. The joint is typically located behind the ankle bone and at a height at least as great as the ankle bone. Straps are typically used to tighten the support elements for a good fit. Embodiments typically are formed so that neither the support elements nor the straps contact the ankle bone. And typically the foot and leg support elements work together to limit supination and adduction, while allowing fairly free extension.