Interrupted Collar Snap Mechanism for Shoulder Joint Insert
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current shoulder joint prostheses face challenges in achieving a secure and stable fit between the joint ball receptacle and shell, particularly due to the need for a good form fit over a large area, which is not adequately addressed by existing snap mechanisms and cylindrical guide areas.
Innovation Solution
The proposed joint ball receptacle employs a snap mechanism with a collar that is interrupted at least once on its circumference, allowing for greater deformation and a larger restoring movement, combined with a cylindrical guide area that provides centering and guiding functions, ensuring a secure and twist-proof attachment between the insert and shell.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a continuous collar snap mechanism is used to attach the insert to the shell, then the attachment strength is improved, but the deformation capability and restoring movement are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The collar of the snap mechanism is interrupted at least at one point on its circumference, dividing the continuous collar into segmented portions. This segmentation allows the collar to deform to a greater extent during insertion while maintaining attachment strength through the distributed snap elements.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the snap mechanism collar is made rigid to ensure attachment stability, then the stability is improved, but the return movement and form fit are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The snap mechanism is designed to be dynamically deformable during insertion, allowing the interrupted collar to flex and return. The collar achieves maximum deformation when the insert is fully inserted, then returns to a stable position, creating a dynamic attachment process that ensures both form fit and stability.
3Device complexity
If the snap mechanism alone is used for attachment, then the device complexity is reduced, but the guiding and centering function is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The snap mechanism is merged with a cylindrical guide area that extends parallel to the center axis of the insert. This combination integrates both the attachment function (snap mechanism) and the guiding/centering function (cylindrical guide area) into a single integrated structure, improving centering accuracy without significantly increasing overall complexity.
4Manufacturing precision
If the cylindrical guide area is made larger to improve centering, then the centering accuracy is improved, but the interference with natural mobility range increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cylindrical guide area is designed with specific dimensional characteristics that provide sufficient centering accuracy for the insert within the shell, while its length and diameter are optimized to minimize interference with the natural mobility range of the shoulder joint prosthesis.
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
This design achieves a robust and stable attachment, ensuring a good form fit over a large area, enhancing the mobility and stability of the shoulder joint prosthesis while minimizing interference with the natural mobility range.
Implementation Method 1
the collar can be deformed to a greater extent when the insert is inserted into a shell, which is then reflected in a greater return movement of the undercut after the insert has been fully inserted
Data Source
AI summary
An insert (11) of a joint ball receptacle of a prosthetic shoulder joint according to the invention has a first side (I) with a depression (15) for receiving a joint ball, and a second side (II) which is provided and formed for being received in a shell (13) of the joint ball receptacle. According to the invention, a snap-action mechanism (19) which extends around a central axis (17) of the insert (11) is arranged on the second side (II), which snap-action mechanism (19) has, as seen from the second side (II), and together with a collar (21), an undercut (23) which extends around the central axis (17), in such a way that the collar (21) can engage with elastic deformation behind a correspondingly formed mating element (25) of the shell (13), wherein the snap-action mechanism (19) is discontinuous in the peripheral direction of the insert (11) at at least one point (31); according to the invention, the insert (11) has a cylindrical guide region (27) at the outer periphery in the region provided for being received in the shell (13).