Integrated Fluid Chambers for Hydraulic Knee-Joint Cushioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing knee joint prostheses with hydraulic cushioning mechanisms are complex and costly, necessitating a simpler and more cost-effective design that maintains hydraulic cushioning functionality.
Innovation Solution
A knee joint structure featuring hydraulic control, comprising a knee-joint base with integrated upper and lower fluid chambers, a hydraulic axle core, and a fluid barrier block that controls fluid flow between these chambers using one-way valves to achieve hydraulic cushioning through pressure differences, reducing fabrication costs and enhancing natural walking posture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional hydraulic cushioning mechanism is used in knee joint prosthesis, then hydraulic cushioning effect is achieved, but device complexity and fabrication cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hydraulic cushioning chamber directly into the knee-joint base structure, eliminating the need for separate hydraulic components. The receiving space within the knee-joint base serves as the cushioning chamber, and the fluid barrier block integrates the valve function into a single component that divides the chamber into upper and lower sections while controlling fluid flow between them.
Solution Approach 2:
The knee-joint base performs multiple functions: it provides structural support for the knee joint, contains the hydraulic cushioning fluid, and houses the fluid control mechanism. The fluid barrier block simultaneously divides the cushioning chamber and acts as a one-way valve to control fluid flow direction, reducing the number of separate components needed.
2Reliability
If a traditional hydraulic cushioning mechanism is used in knee joint prosthesis, then hydraulic cushioning effect is achieved, but fabrication cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hydraulic cushioning chamber directly into the knee-joint base structure, eliminating the need for separate hydraulic components. The receiving space within the knee-joint base serves as the cushioning chamber, and the fluid barrier block integrates the valve function into a single component that divides the chamber into upper and lower sections while controlling fluid flow between them.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential hydraulic cushioning function from complex traditional mechanisms and implements it through a simplified structure. By taking out only the necessary elements (fluid barrier block with integrated valve function and receiving space) and removing unnecessary components, the design achieves hydraulic cushioning at lower fabrication cost.
3Device complexity
If fluid chambers are integrated into the knee-joint base, then cost is reduced and structure is simplified, but control precision over fluid flow must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different functional zones within the fluid barrier block. The first passage includes a first one-way valve structure that allows fluid flow in one direction, while the second passage includes a second one-way valve structure for opposite direction flow. This localized differentiation of flow control properties within the single component achieves precise fluid flow control despite the simplified integrated structure.
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 design achieves cost reduction while providing effective hydraulic cushioning, reducing impact forces during walking and ensuring a natural walking posture by utilizing pressure differences between fluid chambers to control fluid flow.
Implementation Method 1
by means of a pressure difference between the upper fluid chamber and the lower fluid chamber, fluid is caused to flow therebetween
Implementation Method 2
the first one-way valve structure... the second one-way valve structure... controlling the fluid to flow unidirectionally
Implementation Method 3
realizes an effect of hydraulic cushioning to for example achieve effective cushioning and reducing an impact force
Data Source
AI summary
A knee joint structure featuring hydraulic control includes a knee-joint base having a receiving space, an upper fluid channel, a lower fluid channel and a common channel; a hydraulic axle core arranged in the receiving space; a fluid barrier block arranged on an internal wall of the knee-joint base and in contact with the hydraulic axle core to divide the receiving space into upper and lower fluid chambers. The upper and lower fluid chambers are respectively in communication with the upper and lower fluid channels. The fluid barrier block is in communication with the common channel. The cushioning fluid chamber is directly formed in the knee-joint base so that the cost is reduced, and during bending of the knee-joint base, a pressure difference of the upper and lower fluid chambers cause fluid to flow therebetween to realize a hydraulic cushioning effect.