Elastomer Joint Device for Bicondylar Knee Orthosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current knee orthosis joint devices fail to accurately simulate the bicondylar movement in all spatial directions, which is essential for natural knee joint function, leading to inadequate stabilization and movement compatibility.
Innovation Solution
A joint device comprising two articulated arms with an elastomer molding and a connecting device that allows for rotation and tilting movements, where the axis of rotation can change independently during movement, utilizing a pin and groove mechanism within the elastomer molding to simulate the bicondylar joint's natural movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional knee orthosis joint device is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it fails to accurately simulate the bicondylar movement in all spatial directions
Solution Approach 1:
The joint device is divided into multiple articulated arms (first joint arm, second joint arm, third joint arm) that can move independently relative to each other. Each arm has specific functional features: the first joint arm has a pin, the second joint arm has a groove, and the third joint arm provides additional stabilization. This segmentation allows the device to simulate complex bicondylar movement patterns in multiple spatial directions while maintaining manufacturability of individual components.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting device incorporates dynamic elements including an elastomer molded body with a groove that allows the pin to move freely within it during rotation. This enables the axis of rotation to change position dynamically during movement, and allows tilting movement between articulated arms. The elastomer material provides elastic deformation capability that adapts to natural knee joint movement patterns, accurately simulating bicondylar movement in all spatial directions.
2Manufacturing precision
If the axis of rotation is rigidly aligned with one of the articulated arms, then the structure is stable and easy to control, but it cannot replicate the natural bicondylar movement where the axis of rotation changes position
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomer molded body acts as an intermediary between the pin and the groove. The pin engages in the groove of the elastomer molded body, which is movably arranged perpendicular to the first normal direction. This intermediary allows the axis of rotation to change position dynamically during movement while maintaining controlled, guided motion. The elastomer material provides both flexibility for movement adaptation and structural guidance for controlled operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the connecting device is fixed rigidly between articulated arms, then the structural stability is high, but the range of natural movement is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomer molded body serves as a flexible connecting element between the articulated arms. It can be made of elastomer material that provides both flexibility for natural movement and structural integrity for stability. The flexible elastomer component allows tilting movement and dynamic adjustment during operation while maintaining controlled, guided motion through its molded groove structure, thus achieving both adaptability and stability.
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 joint device effectively simulates the bicondylar movement by allowing independent displacement and tilting of the axis of rotation, enhancing the stability and natural movement compatibility of the knee joint, thus providing a more accurate orthotic solution.
Implementation Method 1
the elastomer molded body comprises a first sub-body which is arranged in the area of the end sections of the articulated arms between them
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention describes a joint device for stabilizing a bicondylar joint, comprising a first and a second joint arm, an elastomeric molded body, and a connecting device. The first joint arm has a first end section with a first main surface having a first normal direction and a first end section recess. The second joint arm has a second end section with a second main surface having a second normal direction, which forms an intermediate angle with the first normal direction, preferably less than 10°, and a second end section recess. The first and second joint arms are arranged to overlap in the region of their respective end sections. The elastomeric molded body comprises a first sub-body that is arranged between the end sections of the joint arms and has an elastomeric molded body recess.which is at least partially aligned with the first end section recess in the first normal direction, wherein the connecting device movably fixes the first articulated arm to the second articulated arm in such a way that the articulated arms can be rotated relative to each other about the first normal direction as the axis of rotation of the joint movement, and for this purpose one of the articulated arms has a pin in its end section which engages in a groove of the elastomer molded body and determines the shape of the movement following this groove, and that the two articulated arms can perform a tilting movement relative to each other, whereby the value of the intermediate angle changes.