Elastic Joint Support with Alignment Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Joint fatigue, pain, and instability, particularly in hinge joints like the knee and elbow, are common issues due to degenerative wear and damage, requiring effective external support for treatment, prevention, and motion enhancement.
Innovation Solution
The development of elastically stretchable frameworks with permanent openings and adjustable tensioning mechanisms integrated into clothing or garments, providing secure fitting, comfort, and kinetic energy storage and release to assist natural joint movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the framework is made elastically stretchable to provide secure fitting and comfort, then the support adapts to body contours and improves comfort, but the structural stability and alignment support may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an elastically stretchable framework that functions as a flexible shell, allowing the support to conform to body contours while maintaining structural integrity through elastic recovery. This flexible framework provides both comfort through adaptation to body shape and stability through elastic tension.
Solution Approach 2:
The framework is designed to be dynamically adaptable, stretching to accommodate body movement and then recovering to maintain support tension. This dynamic behavior allows the support to maintain both comfort during movement and structural stability during rest periods.
2Ease of operation
If permanent openings are incorporated in the framework to allow ventilation, then comfort and breathability are improved, but the structural integrity and support effectiveness may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The framework incorporates permanent openings that create a porous structure, allowing air circulation and ventilation for enhanced comfort. The porous design is strategically configured to provide airflow pathways while maintaining sufficient structural strength through the remaining framework material distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The framework exhibits local quality variations, with openings strategically positioned in areas where structural strength is less critical, while maintaining continuous material support in load-bearing regions. This localized differentiation allows ventilation where needed while preserving structural integrity where required.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the framework is tensioned to provide joint alignment support, then alignment and stability are improved, but the flexibility and range of motion may be restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The elastically stretchable framework provides dynamic tension that adapts to joint movement. The framework maintains alignment support through elastic tension during static periods while allowing increased range of motion during active movement, as the elastic material stretches to accommodate motion and then returns to provide alignment support.
4Productivity
If the support is designed to store and return kinetic energy to assist joint movement, then motion enhancement is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The kinetic energy storage and return function is achieved through changes in the elastic parameters of the framework material. By selecting materials and designing geometries with specific elastic properties, the framework naturally stores energy during joint flexion and returns it during extension, eliminating the need for additional mechanical energy storage components.
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 solution offers enhanced support and comfort for joints, improving alignment, reducing pain, and enhancing motion performance in daily and athletic activities by securely fitting and tensioning around the body, while allowing ventilation and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
kinetic energy is stored and returned for use to assist the body in its natural knee movement
Implementation Method 2
an elastically stretchable framework for abutment with the area of the body
Data Source
AI summary
A potentiating support for a hinge joint includes a framework having a surface for abutment with an area of a body's hinge joint. Furthermore, the framework defines a plurality of permanent openings in said surface regardless of whether said surface is in abutment with the area of the body, said openings extending completely through said framework and being bounded by said framework; said framework, along its entire boundary with an openings, is elastically stretchable between a first initial state and extended states and, when expanded to a said extended state, said framework stores potential energy that is released as kinetic energy upon its return to said initial state; and a particular said opening of said framework comprises an alignment opening that is dimensioned to receive therein a joint protuberance of the hinge joint, said alignment opening serving to maintain the support in a proper orientation when the support is worn.