Knee Brace Patella Protection via Segmented Elastomeric Cup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing knee braces fail to provide adequate protection to the patella during movements, especially in bent configurations, due to gaps between frame members and the protecting cup, leading to reduced coverage and increased risk of impact exposure, and they often compromise breathability and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A knee brace design featuring an elastomeric protecting element that extends between the upper and lower frame members, coupled with a protecting cup, which is aligned via articulation hinges, providing continuous coverage and improved ventilation, while eliminating sharp edges and enhancing impact resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the knee brace uses rigid frame members connected by articulation hinges, then protection against direct impacts is improved, but gaps appear between frame members and protecting cup during bending movements, reducing patella coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The protecting cup is divided into multiple segments (first cup element, second cup element, intermediate cup element) that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows each segment to maintain contact with the frame members during knee bending, eliminating gaps while preserving the rigid protection structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The protecting cup transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic multi-element structure with sliding mechanisms. The cup elements can slide relative to each other along guide channels, enabling the protecting cup to adapt its shape and position dynamically during knee flexion while maintaining continuous patella coverage.
2Strength
If the protecting cup is made rigid for impact protection, then impact resistance is improved, but breathability and comfort are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the protecting cup have different properties: the cup elements provide rigid local protection where impact resistance is needed, while the spaces between elements and the sliding mechanisms create breathable zones that allow air circulation, thus providing both protection and comfort locally.
Solution Approach 2:
The protecting cup uses thin-walled cup elements with sliding interfaces that allow flexible movement. These thin structures maintain rigidity for impact protection while allowing air passage and flexibility for breathability, resolving the contradiction between rigid protection and comfort.
3Ease of operation
If the protecting cup is coupled to articulation hinges, then the protecting cup position is maintained during movements, but outward movement of the hinge increases gaps between frame members and protecting cup
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding mechanisms act as intermediaries between the articulation hinges and the protecting cup elements. They decouple the hinge movement from the cup element movement, allowing the cup elements to maintain their position relative to the frame members while the hinges move, thus preventing gap formation.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the protecting cup into multiple elements coupled to the hinge through sliding mechanisms, the system allows differential movement. Each cup element can maintain its position independently while the hinge moves, preventing the outward movement problem of a single rigid cup.
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 offers enhanced protection to the patella and surrounding areas in all configurations, improves breathability, and ensures comfort by filling gaps and providing dual-layer impact resistance, thus addressing the limitations of existing designs.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric protecting element (54) which extends between the upper frame member (20) and the lower frame member (30) and is operatively coupled to the protecting cup (52)
Data Source
AI summary
A knee brace including upper frame member for being fastened to upper part of user's leg, and lower frame member for being fastened to lower part of the user's leg. The upper frame member and the lower frame member are pivotally connected to each other by means of at least one articulation hinge. The knee brace also includes a patella protecting device positioned between the upper frame member and the lower frame member. The patella protecting device includes a protecting cup coupled to said at least one articulation hinge and designed to be positioned over the patella of the user. The patella protecting device further includes an elastomeric protecting element extending between the upper frame member and the lower frame member and operatively coupled to the protecting cup.