Artificial Foot Rotatable Toe Part Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional artificial limbs lack functional toe joints and ankle control, leading to unstable walking and difficulty on uneven surfaces or slopes, as they cannot adjust toe angles or freely control the ankle joint.
Innovation Solution
An artificial foot design featuring a rotatable toe part connected via a toe joint with a torsion spring and an ankle joint that allows for rotation, enabling the toe and ankle to pivot and store energy for efficient ground contact and release, mimicking normal walking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an artificial foot uses a rigid composite member structure without toe joints, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the wearer cannot adjust toe angles and stable walking is not secured
Solution Approach 1:
The artificial foot is divided into separate components: a foot body part and a toe part that can rotate relative to each other. The toe part is further segmented into multiple toe members (21) that can independently pivot around a toe connection member (31), allowing individual angle adjustment of each toe while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic elements to the artificial foot structure, including a toe joint with a toe connection member (31) that allows rotation, and elastic members (32, 52) that provide flexible support. The adapter (40) connected through an adapter pin enables the ankle to rotate, transforming the rigid structure into a dynamic system that adapts to walking movements and uneven surfaces.
2Use of energy by moving object
If an artificial foot lacks toe joints and elastic support, then the device complexity is low, but the wearer cannot kick off the ground effectively and energy efficiency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic members (32, 52) are pre-installed in the toe joint and ankle joint to store elastic potential energy during the loading phase of walking. This preliminary energy storage occurs passively as the wearer's weight compresses the elastic members, preparing energy for the subsequent toe-off phase without requiring active muscular effort from the wearer.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic members (32, 52) automatically store and release energy during the walking cycle without external control or additional power sources. The toe joint and ankle joint mechanisms self-regulate the energy storage and release based on the natural loading and unloading phases of walking, making the system energy-efficient and autonomous.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an artificial foot has a fixed ankle structure, then the structure is simple and stable, but the wearer cannot freely control the ankle joint for slopes or heeled shoes
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter (40) is connected to the foot body part through an adapter pin that functions as a hinge, enabling the ankle to rotate dynamically. This dynamic connection allows the ankle joint to adapt to various angles and positions, accommodating slopes, heeled shoes, and different walking surfaces while maintaining structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter pin acts as an intermediary element between the foot body part and the adapter, providing a controlled rotation mechanism. This intermediary component enables angular adjustment and flexibility while maintaining a reliable mechanical connection, allowing the ankle to adapt to different conditions without compromising structural integrity.
4Ease of operation
If an artificial foot uses a single rigid foot-shaped member, then the manufacturing precision requirement is low, but the wearer feels inconvenience and balance control is difficult on uneven surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The artificial foot is segmented into multiple independently movable parts including toe members (21) connected through a toe connection member (31), and an adapter (40) connected through an adapter pin. This segmentation allows each component to move and adjust independently, improving balance control on uneven surfaces while distributing manufacturing precision requirements across multiple standardized components.
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
This design allows for energy-efficient toe-off without dragging, enabling stable walking on various surfaces and minimizing hip lift, and allows for balanced movement on slopes by utilizing stored elastic energy.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic member, and the first elastic member may be disposed between the toe part and the foot body part and elastically supports the toe part
Implementation Method 2
the first elastic member may be a torsion spring
Implementation Method 3
a second elastic member, and the second elastic member may be made of elastic rubber
Implementation Method 4
the second elastic member may be disposed in a second elastic member accommodation groove formed in the foot body part
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an artificial foot including a foot body part, a toe part rotatably disposed at a first end of the foot body part, a toe joint connecting the foot body part and the toe part to each other, and an adapter disposed on a top of a second end of the foot body part. According to the artificial foot, since the toes of the artificial foot rotate when a wearer walks, when the artificial toes come in contact with the ground, energy is stored due to the load by the weight and the toes kick off the ground as much as the elastic energy accumulated by the spring, so the toe members of the artificial foot do not drag on the ground. Accordingly, the wearer does not need to lift up the hip joints, so the wearer can walk similar to normal walking.