Knee-pad Insert with Kneecap Elevation for Pressure Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional knee protectors often cause discomfort due to pressure exerted by slipping inserts and bands, especially when kneeling, leading to friction and abrasion issues.
Innovation Solution
The design features an insert with a depression that is larger in the upper area than the lower area, including an elevation to accommodate the kneecap, made from elastically deformable material, and a carrier element with abrasion protection, allowing for improved adaptation to the knee shape and reduced pressure points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the insert is made from elastically deformable material to adapt to the knee shape, then the wearing comfort is improved, but the insert may slip and exert pressure on the knee
Solution Approach 1:
The insert incorporates different structural zones with varying properties: a larger depression in the upper area for comfort and adaptability, and a smaller depression in the lower area for stability and pressure distribution. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by providing both comfort through adaptation and reliability through controlled support zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert features curved depression surfaces that conform to the natural curvature of the knee joint. This spherical/curved geometry allows the elastically deformable material to adapt smoothly to the knee shape while maintaining stable contact areas that prevent slipping, thus resolving both comfort and stability requirements.
2Ease of operation
If the depression is made larger in the upper area to reduce stress when bending, then the wearing comfort is improved, but the structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The depression size varies locally within the insert structure - larger in the upper area where flexibility and comfort are needed during bending, and smaller in the lower area where structural support is critical. This local quality differentiation maintains both comfort during movement and overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert utilizes composite construction with the elastically deformable material forming the depression structure. This composite approach allows the material to provide both the necessary flexibility for large upper-area depression (comfort during bending) and sufficient structural integrity through the material's inherent properties and reinforcement strategies.
3Ease of operation
If the elevation is added to accommodate the kneecap anatomy, then the wearing comfort is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elevation is a localized anatomical feature integrated into the depression structure, providing targeted support for the kneecap area. This local modification achieves anatomical fit and comfort without requiring complex overall restructuring of the insert, thus minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elevation is pre-formed as an integral part of the insert structure, designed in advance to match the anatomical contours of the kneecap. This preliminary design approach eliminates the need for complex adjustable mechanisms or post-manufacturing modifications, achieving anatomical fit while keeping the device relatively simple.
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
This design enhances wearing comfort by distributing pressure more evenly, reducing stress on the knee, especially during bending and long-term use, while providing effective abrasion protection and a longer service life.
Implementation Method 1
The insert is made from an elastically deformable material... the insert is adapted by elastic deformation to the respective shape of the knee
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an insert (1) for a knee pad, wherein the insert (1) comprises an elastically deformable material, an inner surface (2) and an outer surface (3). It is provided that the inner surface (2) of the insert (1) has a corresponding recess (4).