Knee Brace Hinge with Rotational and Translational Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing knee braces operate as simple hinges, failing to conform to the natural anatomical flexion-extension path of the knee joint, leading to discomfort, potential injury, and limited mobility due to non-anatomical stress application.
Innovation Solution
A knee brace design featuring a support module with a hinge that allows rotational and translational motion, mimicking the natural motion of the knee joint by using a pin and receptacle configuration that enables both rotational and translational movement within specific ranges, and includes adjustable gears and support struts to match the anatomical pathways of the knee.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple hinge is used in the knee brace, then the device complexity is reduced, but the knee brace cannot conform to the natural anatomical motion pathway of the knee joint
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism is segmented into multiple functional components: a first body, a second body, and a hinge assembly with a pin and receptacle. This segmentation allows each component to perform specific functions - the pin provides rotational movement while the receptacle with its walls provides translational guidance, collectively achieving anatomical motion conformance without excessive overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge acts as an intermediary mechanism between the first and second bodies of the knee brace. It mediates the relative motion between these bodies by combining rotational and translational degrees of freedom, enabling the brace to follow the natural anatomical pathway while maintaining structural integrity
2Ease of manufacture
If a simple hinge is used in the knee brace, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but non-anatomical stresses are applied to the knee joint leading to potential injury
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to adapt to the natural motion of the knee joint. The pin can rotate within the receptacle while the receptacle walls guide translational movement, creating a dynamic system that responds to anatomical motion patterns and avoids imposing non-anatomical stresses on the knee
3Device complexity
If a simple hinge is used in the knee brace, then the device complexity is reduced, but the range of motion is limited and mobility is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism merges two types of motion - rotation and translation - into a single integrated assembly. The pin provides rotational freedom while the receptacle with its front, rear, top, and bottom walls provides translational guidance, combining these motions to achieve the full anatomical range of motion including flexion, extension, and associated translations
Data Source
AI summary
A knee brace includes a support module including a first body, a second body, and a hinge movably coupling the first body to the second body. The hinge includes a pin and a receptacle in the first and second bodies. The pin defines a plurality of teeth thereon and the receptacle defines a plurality of teeth therein. The plurality of teeth on the pin are configured to engage with the plurality of teeth in the receptacle such that the pin is rotatable and translatable within the receptacle. The knee brace also includes a fastener configured to releasably attach the knee brace to a leg. The first and second bodies couples with a first portion of the leg and with a second portion of the leg via the fastener. The first and second portions of the leg are separated by a knee joint of the leg.