Knee Brace Telescoping Condyle Pad Gear Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orthopedic knee braces are difficult to use and not precisely adjustable, often requiring tools or both hands for adjustments, which can lead to component wear and tear and increased maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A knee brace assembly with a pad adjustment system that includes a gear system allowing for one-handed adjustment of condyle pads during hinge rotation, featuring a sun gear, planetary gears, and a ratchet mechanism for easy and precise pressure application to the knee joint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional adjustment mechanisms with screws, bolts, and fasteners are used, then the brace can be adjusted, but the adjustment process becomes difficult and requires tools or both hands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical adjustment systems (screws, bolts, threaded fasteners) with a cable-driven tensioning system. The cable runs through a pulley system and connects to the condyle pad, allowing adjustment through simple pulling motion rather than complex threading operations. This substitution dramatically simplifies the adjustment process while maintaining precise control over pad position and pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the adjustment function from the hinge assembly itself, creating a separate, independent adjustment mechanism. The cable-driven system operates independently from the hinge rotation, allowing users to adjust the condyle pad position without interfering with the brace's primary function of knee stabilization through hinge movement.
2Reliability
If adjustment members are integrated into the hinge assembly, then the structure is compact, but the adjustment mechanism experiences wear and tear from hinge rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the adjustment system from the hinge assembly, creating two independent functional modules. The cable-driven adjustment mechanism is positioned separately from the rotating hinge components. This segmentation ensures that the adjustment mechanism does not experience wear from hinge rotation, significantly improving reliability and reducing maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable acts as an intermediary element that transmits adjustment force without being subject to the rotational wear of the hinge. The cable runs through a pulley system that is positioned to avoid contact with rotating hinge components, allowing the adjustment mechanism to remain stationary while still controlling the condyle pad position during hinge movement.
3Loss of time
If multiple fasteners are used for adjustment, then the connection is secure, but the adjustment process becomes time-consuming and requires tools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces multiple threaded fasteners with a single cable-pulley-tensioner system. Adjustment is achieved by pulling the cable, which moves the condyle pad into position, and then securing it with a single locking mechanism rather than multiple screws or bolts. This eliminates the need for tools and dramatically reduces adjustment time.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable is pre-routed through the pulley system and positioned to allow direct pulling motion to move the condyle pad. The tensioner mechanism is pre-configured to lock automatically or with a simple action, eliminating the need for sequential tightening of multiple fasteners. This preliminary arrangement of components enables rapid adjustment.
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 system allows for easy, precise adjustment of pressure on the knee joint without tools, reduces wear and tear by keeping the pad adjustment independent from the hinge assembly, and requires less maintenance, enhancing user convenience and durability.
Implementation Method 1
a gear system coupled to an inner side of a hinge assembly of the knee brace. The gear system includes a first gear, a plurality of second gears engaged with the first gear, a third gear in rotating engagement with the second gears, and a telescoping plate engaged with a second gear by a coupling. The rotation of the third gear causes the telescoping plate to be displaced along the coupling.
Data Source
AI summary
A knee brace assembly is provided having an adjustable, pressure-applying gear system mounted to a portion of the hinge assembly. Through selective adjustment of the gear system, the knee brace assembly can apply pressure to a portion or portions of the knee joint, thereby relieving pressure on the knee joint. A method of treating a knee joint using a knee brace assembly including a planetary gear system is also provided.