Dynamic Orthosis Blocking for Speed-Triggered Movement Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing body protectors fail to address injuries resulting from natural physiological movements exceeding safe ranges, as they are designed primarily for direct impacts and do not account for the dynamic nature of human body movements.
Innovation Solution
A dynamically dependent blocking system that integrates a blocking element into a connecting structure, allowing natural movement below a defined speed threshold and activating blocking mechanisms based on speed and deflection angle, utilizing mechanical and/or electronic locking mechanisms to prevent excessive movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a blocking system restricts movement to prevent injuries, then protection reliability is improved, but natural physiological movement freedom deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking system transitions from a static blocking state to a dynamic state that adapts to movement conditions. The mechanism remains inactive during normal physiological movements and only activates blocking when injury thresholds are exceeded, allowing the system to adapt between protection and freedom states based on real-time movement parameters
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors and responds to changes in movement parameters such as speed, acceleration, and deflection angle. By detecting when these parameters exceed predetermined safety thresholds, the system transitions from allowing movement to blocking movement, thus adapting its behavior based on parameter changes rather than maintaining a fixed state
2Reliability
If a blocking mechanism activates at high speed to prevent injury, then protection effectiveness is improved, but movement restriction below threshold deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking mechanism incorporates feedback from sensors that continuously monitor movement speed, acceleration, and position. This feedback loop allows the system to make real-time decisions about whether to activate blocking, ensuring that movement is only restricted when actually necessary based on measured parameters rather than predetermined fixed thresholds
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional purely mechanical blocking mechanisms with a hybrid system that uses electronic sensors and control systems to detect movement parameters and trigger blocking only when injury thresholds are exceeded, substituting continuous mechanical restriction with intelligent, condition-based activation
3Adaptability or versatility
If temperature-dependent viscous liquid mechanisms are used for blocking, then adaptability to movement conditions is improved, but reliability across temperature ranges deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces temperature-sensitive viscous liquid mechanisms with electronic sensors and control systems that are not affected by temperature variations. This substitution eliminates the temperature dependency problem while maintaining the ability to detect and respond to movement conditions through electronic parameter monitoring rather than temperature-based fluid properties
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
Effectively limits relative movements of body segments by initiating blocking when specific thresholds are exceeded, providing enhanced protection against injuries by restricting movement before maximum deflection occurs.
Implementation Method 1
Blocking occurs by means of a contact element (5.6) pushed outward due to centrifugal force
Implementation Method 2
The centrifugal movement results from the centrifugal force and the force of a return leaf spring (5.7) which pulls the contact element (5.6) back inward again at low speed
Data Source
AI summary
A dynamically dependent blocking system for orthoses or protectors for limiting relative movements of at least two body segments consisting of at least one blocking unit having a blocking element, an extending element and the body attachment structures, and worn on the body. The central element of the blocking unit is the blocking element.