Tubular Knitted Hand Joint Supporter with Variable Stitch Tension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand joint supporters require complex manufacturing processes and do not provide adequate support for the thumb, back, and palm sides, leading to increased burden on hand joints and potential tendon inflammation.
Innovation Solution
A hand joint supporter made of tubular knitted fabric with varying stitch patterns and anchor sections to provide stability and support without the need for separate attachment, using circular knitting to create a snug fit and reduce tendon load through adjustable tension in different directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate support is attached to the supporter main body by sewing or adhesion, then the support function is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The support and supporter main body are integrated into a single knitted structure without separate attachment processes. The tubular knitted fabric forms both the supporter main body and support as one continuous piece, eliminating sewing or adhesion steps while maintaining support functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The tubular knitted fabric serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the supporter main body structure, creates the support function through specific stitch patterns, and enables adjustment of support intensity through knitting parameters. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components.
2Strength
If the supporter main body is made rigid to provide support, then the support strength is improved, but the comfort and flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different stitch patterns are used in different regions of the tubular knitted fabric. The support region uses tighter stitches for strength, while other regions use looser stitches for comfort and flexibility. This local variation in stitch quality provides both support strength and comfort simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The knitting parameters (stitch type, yarn tension, needle gauge) are varied to create regions of different rigidity. By changing these parameters during the knitting process, the supporter provides firm support where needed while remaining flexible and comfortable in other areas.
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 hand joint supporter effectively stabilizes hand joints, reduces tendon load, and prevents inflammation by distributing tension evenly, allowing for comfortable movement and reduced risk of De Quervain syndrome.
Implementation Method 1
a supporter main body (100) which is formed of tubular knitted fabric
Implementation Method 2
tubular knitted fabric with varying stitch patterns and anchor sections to provide stability and support
Data Source
Figure 1a~1e
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3d
AI summary
Provided is a hand joint supporter which can reduce the load on the hand joints and prevent hand tenosynovitis. The hand joint supporter (10) comprises a first anchor section (2) for tightening the wearer's forearm with a tubular knitted fabric, a second anchor section (3) for tightening the palm and back of the wearer's hand with the tubular knitted fabric, a hole anchor section (11) being formed as a roughly circular through-hole in the vicinity of the second anchor section (3) in the tubular knitted fabric to insert the wearer's thumb therethrough, and a supporting section (4) extending in the front side and/or back side of the tubular knitted fabric, along the lengthwise direction of the tubular knitted fabric, across the part covering the caprometacarpal joint and being joined to the first anchor section (2) and the hole anchor section (11) so as to support the wearer's hand joints, wherein the stretch resistance, in the circumferential direction of the tubular knitted fabric, of the first anchor part (2) is larger than the stretch resistance, in the circumferential direction of the tubular knitted fabric, of a base fabric section (1), and the stretch resistance, in the length width direction of the tubular knitted fabric, of the supporting section (4) is larger than the the stretch resistance, in the length width direction of the tubular knitted fabric, of the base fabric section (1).