Rear-entry ankle support with open-malleoli midfoot for natural movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional functional ankle supports restrict natural movement and are uncomfortable, making them unsuitable for long-term wear as both treatment and preventive measures for ankle injuries.
Innovation Solution
A rear-entry ankle cuff with an open-heel, open-malleoli, and open-toe midfoot member made from elastically deformable polymeric material, featuring adjustable hook-and-loop fastener strips and a free-floating liner for enhanced comfort and support, allowing for natural movement while providing functional ankle stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional stirrup and lace-up ankle braces are used to provide functional ankle support, then ankle stability is improved, but natural movement of the ankle joint and foot is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The ankle support is divided into separate functional components: an ankle cuff for stability and a midfoot member for support, allowing each segment to perform its specific function independently without restricting overall natural movement
Solution Approach 2:
The ankle support utilizes a flexible shell structure that can deform and adapt to natural ankle movement while maintaining stabilizing support, allowing the device to move with the joint rather than constrain it
2Reliability
If conventional stirrup and lace-up ankle braces are worn to treat ankle injuries, then functional support is provided, but comfort is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The ankle support applies support and pressure locally at specific anatomical points (ankle cuff around the ankle, midfoot member at the midfoot) rather than distributing pressure uniformly, providing functional support where needed while maintaining comfort in other areas
Solution Approach 2:
The ankle support features adjustable components including a heel strap and midfoot portions that can be adjusted to dynamically adapt to the user's foot shape and comfort requirements, allowing customization for optimal comfort and support
3Stability of the object's composition
If conventional ankle braces are designed to provide functional support, then ankle stability is improved, but the device is unsuitable for long-term wear as preventive equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The ankle support employs materials with specific elastic properties (elastically deformable polymeric material) that can deform under load and return to original shape, providing continuous support during prolonged wear without loss of effectiveness or comfort
Solution Approach 2:
The ankle support uses composite construction combining elastically deformable polymeric material for the structural components with neoprene for the liner, creating a device that maintains both support functionality and comfort for extended wear periods
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 solution enables improved natural ankle movement and comfort, reducing the likelihood of injury by providing passive opposing torques to support and protect ankle ligaments, while also offering enhanced proprioceptive feedback to prevent ankle sprains.
Implementation Method 1
The ankle cuff and the midfoot member may be integrally moulded together in an elastically deformable polymeric material
Implementation Method 2
The lateral and medial members may be adjustably releasably connectable to each other by hook-and-loop fastener strips moulded to respective overlapping ends of the lower midfoot portions
Data Source
AI summary
An ankle brace, having a rear-entry ankle cuff adapted to be worn adjacently above lateral and medial malleoli of an ankle, and an open-heel, open-malleoli and open-toe midfoot member extending forwardly and downwardly from the ankle cuff.