Knee Brace Ankle Support Portion for Slippage Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing knee braces often slide along the leg, compromising the maintenance and stability of the knee joint, leading to reduced effectiveness and comfort due to improper fitting and increased friction.

Innovation Solution

A knee brace design that incorporates a support portion configured to cooperate with the malleolus and/or instep to restrict translational movement, featuring a toggle joint with armatures and protective elements to enhance stability, comfort, and secure fitting, utilizing hook-and-loop closure mechanisms for improved retention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If existing knee braces are used without additional support structures, then the device complexity is reduced, but the knee brace slips down the leg causing loss of position stability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition stabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The knee brace is divided into distinct functional segments: a main body portion for knee support and a separate support portion for ankle engagement. This segmentation allows the ankle support portion to be optimized specifically for preventing slippage without adding complexity to the entire device. The support portion can engage with anatomical landmarks like the malleolus to provide stable positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extends the functional scope of the knee brace from solely knee-based support to include ankle-based support. By adding the support portion that engages with the malleolus and instep, the device utilizes an additional anatomical dimension (the ankle region) to prevent slippage, thereby improving position stability without requiring complex mechanical systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the knee brace is secured tightly to prevent slippage, then the position stability is improved, but the friction against the skin increases causing discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition stabilityVSAvoidskin friction

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support portion acts as an intermediary structure that distributes the securing forces across multiple anatomical landmarks (malleolus, instep) rather than concentrating friction against a single skin surface. This intermediary engagement reduces localized friction and discomfort while maintaining overall position stability through distributed anchoring points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The support portion is designed to engage specifically with hard anatomical landmarks like the malleolus and instep rather than pressing against soft skin surfaces. This localized engagement at bony prominences provides stable anchoring with minimal friction against the skin, reducing discomfort while preventing slippage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the knee brace allows natural knee movement, then the ease of operation is improved, but the effectiveness of movement restriction is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement restriction effectivenessVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support portion engaging with the malleolus and instep creates a self-adjusting system that naturally restricts knee movement through anatomical leverage. As the knee attempts to move, the engaged support portion at the ankle automatically provides counter-force through the lever arm created by the lower leg, making movement restriction effective without requiring complex mechanical locks or user intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 knee brace effectively restricts knee movement, maintains its position securely, reduces friction, and enhances comfort and durability by providing rigid support and protection, thereby improving user experience and longevity.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing hook-and-loop closure mechanisms for improved retention

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3977966B1Knee pad configured to engage with the ankle bones and/or the instep

Publication Date: 2023.05.17 LESAGE

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AI summary

Knee brace (10,20) configured to restrict all or part of the movements of a knee joint when the knee brace (10,20) is positioned on a lower limb comprising a thigh, a knee joint, a leg, an ankle joint and a foot, the ankle joint having two malleoli and an Achilles tendon, the foot having an instep, the knee brace (10,20) comprising a support portion (103,203) configured to cooperate with the malleoli and/or the instep so as to limit a translational movement of the knee brace (10,20) along the lower limb towards the ankle.