Gear Pawl Locking Mechanism for Single-Direction Joint Therapy

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional physical therapy systems for joint recovery are inefficient as they require extensive time and dedication due to the lack of consistent assistance in bending and holding joints to increase flexibility, leading to prolonged healing times even for minor injuries.

Innovation Solution

A locking device that allows for single-direction movement of a joint, utilizing a gear and spring-loaded pawl mechanism to enable users to bend and hold joints without assistance, with a support bracket for secure attachment and adjustable sizing for various appendages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional manual physical therapy methods are used without assistance devices, then the person can perform joint bending exercises, but the person cannot consistently maintain the joint in the required position for extended periods, leading to prolonged healing times

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsistency of joint positioningVSAvoidhealing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device enables the patient to independently maintain joint positioning without requiring continuous assistance from a therapist or another person. The locking mechanism allows the patient to set and hold the joint at desired angles autonomously, making the therapy self-sustaining.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The device acts as an intermediary between the patient's limited ability to hold joint positions and the therapeutic requirement for sustained positioning. The mechanical locking system mediates by providing the holding force that the patient's muscles cannot sustain alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If a person attempts to work their joint through the required range of motion without mechanical assistance, then they can perform the bending motion, but they fatigue quickly and must release the joint, limiting the amount of time and effort they can put into recovery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecovery efficiencyVSAvoidduration of joint holding

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device enables the patient to independently maintain joint positioning without requiring continuous assistance from a therapist or another person. The locking mechanism allows the patient to set and hold the joint at desired angles autonomously, making the therapy self-sustaining.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism enables continuous joint positioning without interruption. Once the joint is positioned, the lock maintains that position indefinitely, allowing the patient to accumulate total therapy duration across multiple sessions rather than being limited by brief manual holding periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If manual assistance is provided to hold the joint in position, then the joint can be held steady, but this requires another person's continuous involvement, making the therapy unsustainable over long periods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoint position stabilityVSAvoidneed for external assistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device enables the patient to independently maintain joint positioning without requiring continuous assistance from a therapist or another person. The locking mechanism allows the patient to set and hold the joint at desired angles autonomously, making the therapy self-sustaining.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The device extracts the holding function from the human operator and embeds it in a mechanical system. The locking mechanism takes over the task of maintaining joint position, freeing the patient from needing external human assistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Enables efficient and effective joint therapy by allowing users to maintain desired tension without manual assistance, reducing the time and effort required for recovery and potentially shortening the healing process.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing a gear and spring-loaded pawl mechanism to enable users to bend and hold joints without assistance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring mechanism: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS11253744B1Physical therapy device for aiding in joint mobility and recovery

Publication Date: 2022.02.22 BOST ARIC

AI summary

A physical therapy device includes a brace to secure around an appendage of a person; a first locking device connected to a portion of the brace via a rivet joint, the first locking device having a gear; a pawl positioned to engage with the gear; a spring connected to the pawl to provide tension to the pawl; and a lock to release the pawl from the toothed gear; the first locking device is positioned next to a joint of the appendage when worn; the first locking device allows for single direction movement of the joint; and the first locking device is to release the joint via the lock.