Liquid-Filled Orthopedic Brace with Phase-Change Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rigid orthopedic braces for knee or ankle protection are uncomfortable, restrictive, and often not worn due to mobility issues, leading to a risk of injury, as they provide unnecessary support during normal activities and hinder athletic performance.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight orthopedic brace with liquid-filled regions that transform from a soft to a hardened state upon exceeding a threshold force, using sensors to detect and respond to external or internal forces, allowing for phase change through chemical reactions or temperature changes to provide rigid support only when needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid brace is used to provide maximum protection against injury, then protection capability is improved, but mobility and comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The brace transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system that can change its mechanical properties. The liquid-filled chambers allow the brace to adapt its stiffness in real-time based on impact detection, providing rigidity when needed and flexibility during normal movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The brace changes its physical parameter (stiffness) by transforming the liquid material from a soft state to a hardened state. This parameter change is triggered by impact detection, allowing the brace to provide maximum protection during impact while maintaining mobility during normal activities.
2Reliability
If a rigid brace is worn at all times to ensure protection, then protection capability is improved, but comfort and athletic performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The brace operates in periodic cycles of soft and hard states rather than remaining constantly rigid. It remains soft during normal athletic activities to maintain performance, then hardens periodically when impact is detected, providing protection only when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The brace automatically detects impact and transforms to a hardened state without user intervention. The sensor system and liquid transformation mechanism work autonomously to provide protection only when needed, eliminating the need for continuous rigid support that would hinder athletic performance.
3Reliability
If a rigid brace is used to prevent injury from external and internal forces, then protection capability is improved, but device weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The brace uses liquid-filled chambers (hydraulic principle) to achieve transformation between soft and hard states. The liquid material undergoes phase change or viscosity change in response to impact, providing a simple yet effective mechanism for state transformation without complex mechanical structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The brace combines different materials with complementary properties: a flexible outer shell, liquid-filled chambers for transformation, and sensor elements for impact detection. This composite structure achieves both protection capability and mobility while managing overall complexity.
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 brace maintains mobility and comfort while offering maximum protection during excessive force events, enabling wearers to participate in activities without the drawbacks of traditional rigid braces.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid filled material that is transformed from a first soft state to a hardened second state upon application of a force exceeding a threshold force
Implementation Method 2
at least one sensor is positioned in or on the body to detect the force applied to the body. The sensor can measure the applied force and send a signal to activate the liquid if the force exceeds the predetermined value
Implementation Method 3
the liquid is transformed to a more rigid state by a chemical reaction effected by mixing with a second liquid
Implementation Method 4
the liquid is transformed to a more rigid state by an isothermal process, i.e., effected by changing the temperature of the liquid
Data Source
AI summary
An orthopedic brace for preventing injury to a wearer including a body having a series of liquid filled regions, the body having a first more flexible state wherein the liquid filled regions contain a liquid material and a second more rigid state wherein the liquid within the regions is hardened to a second harder state, the body transformable from the first state to the second state upon receiving a force which exceeds a predetermined value. A chemical reaction or an isothermal process can cause the phase change.