Mechanical Foot Ankle Joint Elastic Dorsiflexion Control

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - a pulley system with the cable running through it - to redirect the force application point from the ankle to the foot arch. The cable is routed through a pulley mounted on the foot, allowing the elastic element to apply dorsiflexion force while the cable itself remains concealed within the foot structure, eliminating the tripping hazard while maintaining foot drop prevention

The patent changes the spatial dimension of force application by moving from a single-point anchor at the ankle to a distributed system where the cable runs along the foot arch and applies force through the pulley mechanism. This dimensional redistribution of the force application path both conceals the cable and distributes mechanical stress more evenly across the foot structure

The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism where the pulley system and cable tension naturally regulate the elastic force application. As the foot moves through different positions during walking, the cable tension and pulley angle automatically adjust the effective force, providing consistent dorsiflexion control without requiring external adjustment of the elastic element's properties

The patent employs a dynamic force application system where the cable-pulley-elastic element assembly automatically adapts its mechanical advantage ratio based on foot position. During swing phase, the geometry of the system provides optimal dorsiflexion force, while during stance phase, the same system naturally reduces force application, creating consistent performance across the gait cycle without manual intervention