Convertible Ankle Brace with Segmented Support and Pivoting Buckles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional ankle braces either lack sufficient support for preventing injuries or are too bulky and restrictive for therapeutic use after acute ankle injuries, making them unsuitable for both preventive and protective functions.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable ankle brace design featuring a snap-fit upright extension for increased support, a guide for shortening the brace for greater mobility, a range-of-motion lock for immobilization, and limited rotation buckles for secure fit and stability, allowing the brace to transition between therapeutic and preventive functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid, large-scale ankle brace is used to protect an acute ankle injury, then support and stability are improved, but mobility and comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The ankle brace is divided into modular components including a foot shell, upright extension shell, and various attachment elements. This segmentation allows the brace to be configured in different modes (therapeutic with full support or athletic with reduced support) by attaching or detaching specific components, thereby resolving the contradiction between providing strong support for acute injuries and enabling mobility for recovered ankles.
Solution Approach 2:
The brace incorporates dynamic elements such as range-of-motion locks that can be adjusted between locked (immobilized) and unlocked (mobile) positions, and an upright extension that can be attached or removed based on therapeutic needs. This dynamic configurability allows the same brace to provide maximum support when needed while maintaining mobility during recovery, resolving the fixed contradiction between support strength and mobility.
2Ease of operation
If a flexible, small-scale ankle brace is used for preventive purposes during athletic activities, then mobility is improved, but support and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The modular design allows athletes to use only the essential foot shell and basic straps for preventive support during athletic activities, maintaining full mobility. When additional support is needed during recovery, the upright extension shell and other components can be attached to the same base structure, thereby resolving the contradiction between mobility for prevention and support for recovery using a single adaptable device.
Solution Approach 2:
The ankle brace is designed as a universal device that can serve multiple functions: preventive support during athletic activities, therapeutic immobilization during acute injury recovery, and transitional support during rehabilitation. The foot shell and strap system provide basic functionality for all modes, while optional attachments enhance support when needed, eliminating the need for separate braces for different purposes.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a fixed buckle design is used to secure the brace, then stability is improved, but adaptability to different leg angles and anatomy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The buckle system incorporates rotational joints that allow the strap to dynamically adjust to different leg angles and anatomical variations while maintaining secure attachment. The buckle can rotate within controlled limits to accommodate various positions, thereby resolving the contradiction between providing stable securement and adapting to different anatomical configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
An ankle brace may be convertible so it can be used at various stages of treatment, from functioning as a splint when the ankle is first injured, to functioning as a pivoting, relatively non-restrictive protective brace after the ankle has fully healed. The brace also may have a pivoting buckle with the range of pivoting motion of the buckle being limited to provide for the brace to adapt to the wearer while still providing stability and support.