Brace Hinge Locking Mechanism for Safe Range-of-Motion Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing braces fail to effectively limit the range of motion of joints, particularly after ACL reconstruction, which is crucial for protecting weakened ligaments from harmful forces during everyday activities and sports, thereby increasing the risk of secondary injuries.
Innovation Solution
A brace with a hinge assembly featuring upper and lower support arms, a locking mechanism with protrusions engaging teeth on the hinge plates, and adjustable sliders to restrict joint motion within safe ranges, ensuring stability and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a brace is designed to limit range of motion of a joint, then protection of weakened ligaments is improved, but device complexity increases due to locking mechanisms and hinge assemblies
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly is divided into separate components: an upper hinge plate with first protrusions, a lower hinge plate with second protrusions, and a locking element with engagement features. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function while collectively providing reliable range of motion limitation without requiring a monolithic complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element acts as an intermediary between the upper and lower hinge plates. It engages with protrusions on both plates to control joint movement, providing a simple mechanism that effectively limits range of motion without requiring complex integrated designs.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a locking mechanism with protrusions engaging teeth is used to restrict joint motion, then stability of the joint is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge plates feature localized protrusions and engagement features at specific positions rather than requiring uniform precision across the entire component. The first and second protrusions are strategically positioned to engage with corresponding features on the opposing plate, providing stable joint control while allowing standard manufacturing tolerances in non-critical areas.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the brace includes adjustable sliders and locking elements, then adaptability to different joint positions is improved, but ease of operation decreases due to additional adjustment steps
Solution Approach 1:
The brace incorporates self-adjusting features where the locking element automatically engages with protrusions on the hinge plates at predetermined positions. This allows the device to maintain adjustable range of motion limitations without requiring constant user intervention or complex adjustment procedures, balancing adaptability with ease of operation.
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 brace effectively limits joint motion to safe ranges, promoting healing and preventing secondary injuries by maintaining the joint in a desired orientation, thus supporting post-surgical recovery and daily activities.
Implementation Method 1
an axle rotatably coupling the upper hinge plate and the lower hinge plate
Data Source
AI summary
A brace is provided including an upper support arm, a lower support arm, and a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly includes an upper hinge plate coupled to the upper support arm and including a first plurality of teeth disposed along at least a portion of a perimeter of the upper hinge plate. The hinge assembly includes a lower hinge plate coupled to the lower support arm and including a second plurality of teeth disposed along at least a portion of a perimeter of the upper hinge plate. The hinge assembly includes an axle rotatably coupling the upper and lower hinge plates. The hinge assembly includes a locking element disposed on the upper hinge plate and including first and second protrusions configured to physically contact opposite sides of one of the second plurality of teeth in a first orientation, thereby prohibiting relative rotation between the upper and lower support arms.