Lower Leg Supporter with X-Shaped Muscle Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lower leg supporters interfere with the movement of the Achilles tendon, fail to adequately support the gastrocnemius muscle from the bottom side, and do not sufficiently suppress excessive vibration or deformation, leading to wearer fatigue.
Innovation Solution
A lower leg supporter with a tubular knitted fabric design featuring a first anchor section at the knee, a second anchor section at the ankle, and a gastrocnemius muscle support section in an X-shape intersected around the gastrocnemius and Achilles tendon junction, providing support from the lower side without hindering tendon movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a strong sheet piece is applied to pass through both sides of the gastrocnemius muscle and cover parts of the soleus muscle and Achilles tendon, then the gastrocnemius muscle is supported from both sides, but the strong sheet piece interferes with the movement of the Achilles tendon to hinder a wearer's walk
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into separate functional zones: the first and second anchor sections provide stable support for the gastrocnemius muscle, while the Achilles tendon section uses a different knitted structure that allows free movement. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by providing targeted support where needed while maintaining flexibility where movement is required.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the lower leg supporter have different knitting characteristics tailored to their specific functions. The anchor sections use tighter knitting for stability, while the Achilles tendon section uses looser, more elastic knitting to accommodate tendon movement. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between support stability and movement freedom.
2Adaptability or versatility
If nylon threads and polyurethane threads are mixed and knitted to exhibit stretchable property in the lengthwise direction, then stretching in the lengthwise direction is not suppressed, but the effect of supporting the gastrocnemius muscle is not sufficiently exhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor sections are designed with specific knitting characteristics that provide lengthwise elongation suppression to effectively support the gastrocnemius muscle, while other portions of the garment maintain stretchable properties for comfort. This localized approach resolves the contradiction between adaptability and support effectiveness.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the lengthwise elongation suppressing texture is located below the Achilles tendon, then the gastrocnemius muscle is supported, but the movement of the Achilles tendon is hindered to interfere with a wearer's walk
Solution Approach 1:
The lower leg supporter is segmented into distinct functional zones with the anchor sections positioned to support the gastrocnemius muscle without overlapping the Achilles tendon path. The Achilles tendon section is specifically designed to avoid interference, resolving the contradiction between muscle support and tendon movement freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a strong sheet piece that passes through both sides of the muscle (horizontal/directional support), the invention uses anchor sections that surround the muscle belly (circumferential support). This dimensional change in support approach provides effective muscle support while leaving the Achilles tendon path clear for free movement.
Data Source
AI summary
A lower leg supporter supports a gastrocnemius muscle from upper, lower, left, and right sides without interfering with movement of an Achilles tendon and which can suppress excessive vibration or deformation of such muscle to reduce a wearer's fatigue. The lower leg supporter includes a first anchor section that secures a tubular knitted fabric to a below-knee part, a second anchor section that secures the tubular knitted fabric to an above-ankle part, and an X-shaped gastrocnemius muscle support section located at a joining part of such muscle and an Achilles tendon on the back surface side of the tubular knitted fabric. Two ends of the X-shaped knitted fabric are joined to the first anchor section to support the gastrocnemius muscle. The other two ends of the X-shaped knitted fabric are joined to the second anchor section, and extend to both edges of the Achilles tendon.