Knee Brace with Intersecting Pivot and Rotation Axes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing knee braces with movable condyle pads often require significant space, resulting in a larger profile that must be worn outside clothing, and lack adjustability for precise pain relief, as their structural design separates rotation and pivot axes, leading to bulkiness and the need for tools for adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A knee brace design with intersecting or offset pivot and rotation axes that allow for adjustable articulation close to the knee joint, enabling a low-profile, easily adjustable, and customizable fit without the need for tools, using a mechanical advantage system for precise unloading and pain relief.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the rotation and pivot axes are separated in existing knee braces, then the structural design allows for movable condyle pads, but the brace requires significant space resulting in a larger profile that must be worn outside clothing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the rotation axis and pivot axis into a single shared axis location. The articulation assembly includes a rotation pin defining a rotation axis and a pivot pin defining a pivot axis, where both pins are positioned to share a common axis location, thereby eliminating the space requirement of separated axes and enabling a low-profile design that can be worn under clothing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing knee braces use fixed structural design, then the brace provides stable support, but the brace lacks adjustability for precise pain relief and requires tools for adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustability by allowing the articulation assembly to be adjusted between multiple angular relationships. The cuff can be positioned at different angles relative to the base through the articulation assembly, enabling precise customization of the brace fit and unloading force without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms or tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The design enables easy self-adjustment by the user through the articulated connection between the cuff and base. The user can manually reposition the cuff to different angular relationships without requiring external tools, making the adjustment process simple and accessible.
3Strength
If existing knee braces require significant space for structural components, then the brace provides stable support, but the brace defines an envelope about the knee that is substantially larger than the knee itself
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the rotation and pivot axes to share a common location, the patent eliminates the need for extended structural components that would create a large brace envelope. This allows the brace to maintain structural stability through the articulated assembly while defining a minimal envelope that closely fits the knee joint.
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 design provides a low-profile, customizable knee brace that can be worn under clothing, offering precise adjustment for optimal pain relief and comfort, encouraging patient compliance by allowing infinite adjustment settings and visual indicators for user guidance.
Implementation Method 1
using a mechanical advantage system for precise unloading and pain relief
Data Source
AI summary
A knee brace with an articulation assembly connectable with a first cuff movable with respect to the articulation assembly about a first location defining a first pivot axis between the first cuff and articulation assembly, and movable about a second location defining a first rotation axis between the first cuff and articulation assembly. The knee brace may have a second cuff connectable with the articulation assembly and movable with respect to the articulation assembly about a third location defining a second pivot axis between the second cuff and articulation assembly. The second cuff is movable about a fourth location defining a second rotation axis between the second cuff and articulation assembly. The first pivot axis and first rotation axis may intersect each other or be offset from intersecting each other, the second pivot axis and second rotation axis may intersect each other or be offset from intersecting.