Artificial Foot Coupling System for Stable Heel-toe Walking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing artificial foot designs lack stability and security during standing and heel-toe walking, as they do not provide a defined point for weight force introduction, leading to an unsteady feeling due to changes in force distribution between the ankle and sole plates.
Innovation Solution
An artificial foot with a coupling system allowing relative tilting motion between the supporting and sole structures, maintaining a constant distance at the introductory point, and featuring an elastic connecting element in the heel area to manage force transfer and provide secure heel-toe walking by allowing slight rearward displacement of the force introduction point during walking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a foam block is used to connect the ankle plate and sole plate, then heel-toe walking is improved, but standing stability deteriorates due to unsteady force transfer
Solution Approach 1:
A defined force introduction point is introduced as an intermediary element between the ankle plate and sole plate. This mediator provides a stable, localized point for weight force transfer, eliminating the unsteady feeling caused by distributed foam block compression while maintaining the desired heel-toe walking mechanics.
2Ease of operation
If the foot structure is made flexible to accommodate weight displacement, then walking comfort is improved, but standing security deteriorates due to lack of defined force introduction point
Solution Approach 1:
The foot structure implements local quality by creating a specific localized region (force introduction point) with different mechanical properties than the surrounding structure. This localized point provides defined force transfer for standing security, while the rest of the structure maintains flexibility for walking comfort through the coupling system's tilting motion capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the coupling system allows tilting motion for natural foot movement, then walking naturalness is improved, but force introduction point stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is segmented into distinct functional zones: a tilting mechanism that allows relative motion between the ankle plate and sole plate for natural walking, and a defined force introduction point that remains stable. This segmentation enables the system to simultaneously provide walking naturalness through tilting while maintaining force introduction point stability.
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 ensures a secure and comfortable heel-toe walking experience by maintaining a constant force introduction point during standing and allowing minimal rearward displacement during walking, enhancing stability and security.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic connecting element arranged between the supporting structure and the sole structure in the heel area
Implementation Method 2
This foot structure causes compression of the foam block, resulting in a shift of the force transfer from the ankle plate to the sole plate
Implementation Method 3
The movement of the elastic sole structure in the heel area is elastically damped in the direction of the supporting structure
Data Source
AI summary
An artificial foot having a longitudinal axis extending from a heel area to a toe area, a length, a width and a height is provided. The artificial foot includes a connection to a lower leg part, an upper supporting structure in the direction of height, an elastic sole structure extending from the heel area to the toe area, an elastic connecting element arranged between the upper supporting structure and the sole structure, and a coupling system. The upper supporting structure is connected to the sole structure approximately in a middle of the foot with respect to its length by means of the coupling system. The coupling system allows a relative tilting motion between the upper supporting structure and the sole structure while keeping a distance between the upper supporting structure and the sole structure in a middle of the coupling system constant, at least while a patient places weight on it when standing.