Orthotic Knee Brace Cable Guide Pivot Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing knee braces with extension assist do not allow for adjustable range of flexion based on user size and joint strength, and lack a mechanism to easily release resistance for uninhibited joint flexion.
Innovation Solution
An orthotic brace with a pivotal coupling assembly and biasing assembly using a cable guide and spring member that applies consistent biasing force, allowing adjustable range of motion through stop portions and independent limit portions, enabling easy release of biasing for full flexion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring member is used to bias the knee joint towards extension, then the knee joint receives support and resistance to buckling, but the range of flexion cannot be readily adjusted and the resistance cannot be easily released
Solution Approach 1:
The cable guide is designed to be selectively movable between a fixed position (providing biased support) and a released position (allowing free flexion). This dynamic reconfigurability allows the brace to transition between providing resistance and allowing full range of motion, resolving the contradiction between support stability and flexion adjustability
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing assembly is segmented into independent components: the spring member, cable, and cable guide. This segmentation allows the cable guide to be independently positioned or released without affecting the spring member, enabling easy adjustment of the range of flexion while maintaining the support function when needed
2Stability of the object's composition
If the cable guide is fixed to provide consistent biasing force throughout the range of motion, then even and consistent support is provided, but the cable guide prevents unbaised pivotal coupling and limits range of motion
Solution Approach 1:
The cable guide transitions from a fixed state (providing consistent biasing force) to a released state (allowing unbiased pivotal coupling). This dynamic switching enables the system to provide stable, consistent support when needed while allowing complete freedom of motion when required, resolving the contradiction between force consistency and ease of operation
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
Provides customizable resistance and range of motion, ensuring consistent support and preventing knee buckling by allowing even and consistent biasing force throughout the range of motion, while enabling full flexion without restriction.
Implementation Method 1
a spring member having a first portion anchored relative to a second one of the brace portions; a cable coupled at a first portion of the cable to a second portion of the spring member and supported at a second portion of the cable along a guide surface of the cable guide such that pivotal movement of the cable guide with the first one of the brace portions relative to the second one of the brace portions from the extended position towards the flexed position causes the cable to be flexed about the guide surface of the cable guide so as to resiliently deform the spring member
Data Source
AI summary
An orthotic brace for an anatomic joint includes an upper brace portion for securement about an upper limb portion of the joint and a lower brace portion pivotally coupled to the upper brace portion for securement about a lower limb portion of the joint. A cable guide is pivotal relative to the lower brace portion and is operative between a working condition fixed for rotation with the upper brace portion relative to the lower brace portion and a released condition in which the upper brace portion pivots independently. A spring is coupled between the lower brace portion and a cable about the cable guide to bias towards an extended position in the working condition of the cable guide. Stops on the guide prescribe the range of biased motion in the working condition and independent stops on the brace portions prescribe the range of unbiased motion in the released condition.