Modular support system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing knee brace devices do not adequately support the knee in various sleeping positions, particularly after orthopedic surgery, leading to discomfort and potential complications during recovery.
Innovation Solution
A modular knee brace system comprising a brace with a removable wedge for back support, an inner knee support for side sleeping, and an outer knee support, all utilizing hook and loop fasteners for adjustable fit and comfort, made from resiliently compressible materials to enhance user comfort and support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single fixed knee brace design is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adequately support the knee in various sleeping positions
Solution Approach 1:
The knee brace is divided into multiple detachable components including a wedge support, an inner knee support, and an outer knee support. Each component can be independently attached or removed based on the user's sleeping position, allowing the brace to adapt to supine, left-side, and right-side sleeping without requiring a completely different brace design for each position.
Solution Approach 2:
The brace transitions from a static, fixed design to a dynamic, adjustable configuration. The detachable components can be repositioned and reconfigured according to different sleeping positions, enabling the brace to dynamically adapt its support structure to match the user's needs in each specific sleeping scenario.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple supports are added to accommodate different sleeping positions, then support versatility improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detachable components (wedge support, inner knee support, outer knee support) are designed to serve multiple functions. For example, the wedge support can be used for supine positioning, while the inner and outer knee supports can be configured for side sleeping. This multi-functionality reduces the need for entirely separate braces for each sleeping position, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If removable components are used for customization, then adaptability to sleeping positions improves, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The detachable components are designed to attach to and integrate with the main knee brace structure, forming a unified support system when assembled. This merging approach ensures that once attached, the components work together seamlessly to provide stable support, reducing the operational complexity of adjusting the configuration while maintaining adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular knee brace assembly includes a brace and a wedge. The brace comprises a sleeve portion comprising a first opening at a first end of the sleeve portion and a second opening at a second end of the sleeve portion, the first opening and the second opening adapted to enable a first portion of a user's body to pass through the sleeve portion and a second portion of the user's body to remain within the sleeve portion and a first mating unit comprising a plurality of discrete attachment points coupled to an outer surface of the sleeve portion. The wedge comprises a second mating unit, wherein the second mating unit is adapted to couple with a set of the plurality of discrete attachment points to support one or more portions of the user's body.