Joint Stabilizer Adaptive Damping via Deflection Means
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing body joint stabilization devices are limited by their fixed size, which cannot decouple the absolute size of relative movement from the device size, making them unsuitable for various joint applications and difficult to design for different biomechanical deflections.
Innovation Solution
A body joint stabilization device with a receptacle filled with a shear-thickening medium, a traction body, an active body, and a connecting element guided by a deflection means, allowing for different force conversion scenarios and decoupling the absolute size of relative movement from the device size, enabling the same device to be used on different joints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a direct (linear) connection between two connected body parts is used, then the device structure is simple, but the device size must match the absolute size of relative movement, limiting applicability to different joints
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting element is guided via at least one deflection means to divide up the force acting on it, creating a dynamic force conversion mechanism. This allows the device to adapt different force ratios (e.g., 2:1 or 3:1) depending on the joint application, enabling the same device to be used across different joints with varying movement ranges without requiring a direct linear connection
Solution Approach 2:
The deflection means enables variable force transmission ratios between the two body parts. By changing the deflection configuration, the device can adjust the force conversion parameter to match different joint requirements, transforming a fixed-structure device into one with adaptable mechanical parameters
2Length of moving object
If very large devices are built to accommodate large relative movements, then large joint movements can be stabilized, but the device becomes difficult to attach and uncomfortable for users
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection means creates a mechanical advantage system where a small displacement of the connecting element produces a larger displacement of the active body relative to the receptacle. This dynamic multiplication effect allows a compact device to accommodate large joint movements through force and displacement conversion rather than requiring a physically large structure
3Length of moving object
If a compact device is used for small biomechanical deflections, then the device size is reduced, but the distance available for the protective effect to develop is relatively small
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection means acts as a force amplifier, converting a small force applied to the connecting element into a larger force on the active body. This dynamic force multiplication allows the compact device to generate sufficient protective effect (large force) even with limited physical space, by leveraging mechanical advantage rather than relying on physical distance
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 solution allows for adaptive damping of body movements, enabling larger devices to be used for small movements and smaller devices for larger movements, increasing the field of application and providing design flexibility by varying the force and speed ratios between the traction body and the active body.
Implementation Method 1
a shear-thickening medium, the shear-thickening medium being capable of solidifying in the area of the shearing surfaces of the active body in response to shearing forces
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
The present invention relates to a joint stabilizer (1) for adaptive damping of a movement of the body, comprising: - a receptacle (20), wherein the receptacle (20) is filled with a shear-thickening medium (30), a tensioner (40) movable relative to the receptacle (20), wherein the tensioner (40) can be connected to a region of the body of the user that is movable relative to another region of the body of the user on which the receptacle (20) can be secured, a work element (60) which is arranged displaceably in the receptacle (20) for interaction with the shear-thickening medium (30), and a connection element (50) for transmitting forces between the receptacle (20) and the tensioner (40), wherein the receptacle (20), the tensioner(40) and the work element (60) are connected to one another via the connection element (50), wherein the connection element (50) is guided via at least one deflection means (70) in order to divide up the force acting between the receptacle (20) and the tensioner (40).