Dynamic Prosthetic Support With Pneumatic Actuator Fit Adjustment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing prosthetic devices lack the ability to dynamically adjust to the user's body, providing a secure and comfortable fit by accommodating morphological changes and maintaining optimal temperature and moisture conditions.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic support apparatus with actuators that change geometry in response to user interaction, controlled by a system that includes valves, sensors, and a control unit, allowing for real-time adjustments to maintain a secure fit and comfort through mechanisms like inflatable bladders and a detachable manifold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a prosthetic device uses a static support structure, then the device is simple and reliable, but it cannot accommodate user's morphological changes or maintain optimal temperature and moisture conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The support apparatus transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one by incorporating inflatable actuators that can change their geometry in real-time. The actuators include inflatable bladders that expand and contract to accommodate morphological changes of the user's body, allowing the device to adapt dynamically rather than remaining fixed in a single configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic actuators with inflatable bladders to achieve geometric changes in the support structure. By controlling the inflation and deflation of these bladders through fluid pressure changes, the device can dynamically adjust its shape and volume to match the user's morphological variations without requiring complex mechanical moving parts
2Adaptability or versatility
If the support apparatus uses inflatable bladders to change geometry, then it can accommodate morphological changes, but the device complexity increases with control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into modular components including a control unit with processor, memory, pump, valves, and sensors. Each component has a specific function and can be independently controlled, allowing the complex task of adapting the support geometry to be broken down into manageable control operations that can be executed sequentially or in parallel
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that detect the user's morphological changes and feed this information back to the control unit. The processor analyzes this feedback data and automatically adjusts the inflation state of the appropriate bladders to maintain optimal support, creating a closed-loop control system that continuously adapts to changing conditions
3Reliability
If the apparatus continuously monitors and adjusts pressure, then it maintains secure fit and comfort, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system operates in periodic cycles, continuously monitoring pressure sensor data and only activating the pump and valves when adjustments are needed based on detected morphological changes. This periodic operation mode allows the system to maintain reliable fit monitoring while consuming energy only during active adjustment phases rather than continuously
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 apparatus provides a secure, comfortable fit by adapting to morphological changes and maintaining optimal temperature and moisture conditions, enhancing user experience and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a pump in fluid communication with each interior channel such that the pump increases or decreases the pressure of the actuator by forcing fluid through the interior channels, thereby changing the volume of the actuator
Implementation Method 2
a valve in fluid communication with each interior channel for controlling flow therethrough
Implementation Method 3
at least a first magnet disposed within at least one of the control unit and the detachable manifold, wherein the first magnet interacts with the other of the control unit and the detachable manifold to secure the detachable manifold to the control unit
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~7
Figure 8~10
AI summary
A control unit system. The system includes a control unit which includes a control unit charging interface, at least one magnet located proximate to the control unit charging interface, at least one actuator, a detachable manifold including at least one magnet, fluidly coupled to the at least one actuator, a pump connected to the at least one actuator for causing actuation thereof, and a control system for controlling the pump, wherein the control system controls the pump to actuate the at least one actuator at least in response to a signal received by the control system. The system also includes a recharging device configured to receive the control unit, the recharging device including a reed switch, wherein when the magnet in the control unit is located proximate to the reed switch, the switch is activated.