Asymmetric One-Piece Ankle Support Shell for Stability and Gait

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ankle supports fail to provide maximum comfort and stability while allowing for normal foot movements without irritation, particularly in preventing inward twisting of the foot.

Innovation Solution

An ankle support featuring a one-piece shell with a larger medial shell section and an elongated reinforced zone, combined with a smaller lateral shell section and an elastic cover that provides stable pressure, ensuring maximum stability and freedom of movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the lateral shell section is made larger to provide more support, then stability against inward twisting improves, but freedom of movement and comfort deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability against inward twistingVSAvoidfreedom of movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating asymmetric shell sections with different sizes and reinforcement levels. The medial shell section is larger and more reinforced to provide stability against inward twisting, while the lateral shell section is smaller and less reinforced to allow freedom of movement during normal gait. This differential design ensures each region provides the appropriate level of support for its specific functional requirement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If the medial shell section is made larger and more reinforced to prevent inward twisting, then stability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of medial shell sectionVSAvoidcomplexity of one-piece shell

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the medial and lateral shell sections into a single one-piece shell structure. This integration simplifies manufacturing and assembly while maintaining the asymmetric design with the larger, reinforced medial section. The one-piece construction eliminates the need for separate components and fasteners, reducing overall device complexity despite the asymmetric geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the lateral shell section is reduced in size to improve freedom of movement, then comfort improves, but support capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefreedom of movementVSAvoidsupport capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating asymmetric shell sections with different sizes and reinforcement levels. The medial shell section is larger and more reinforced to provide stability against inward twisting, while the lateral shell section is smaller and less reinforced to allow freedom of movement. This differential design ensures each region provides the appropriate level of support for its specific functional requirement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20250025324A1An ankle support comprising an one-piece shell having a lateral shell section, and a medial shell section

Publication Date: 2025.01.23 NEA INT BV

AI summary

The invention relates to an ankle support comprising an one-piece shell having:a lateral shell section,a medial shell section which has an elongated reinforced zone for providing support in the ankle support such that by means of the elongated reinforced zone the lateral shell section is substantially less stiffer than the medial shell section, anda sole shell section connecting the lateral shell section and the medial shell section, wherein the medial shell section comprises a medial edge configured to run upwards from the sole shell section along the medial side of lower leg and defining an open recess in the medial shell section for the medial malleolus.